Things to do in Shimla

Shimla has so much to offer that you might be overwhelmed with the number of things to do in Shimla, India’s Queen of Hills. Here is our guide to the scenic hill station in Himachal Pradesh to help you plan the ideal itinerary with a list of the best things to do in Shimla.

Shimla: An Overview

Shimla used to be the summer capital of British rule in the Indian subcontinent. Rightly called India’s Queen of the hills, Shimla is the largest city and the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. Set at the foothills of the majestic Himalayan range, this beautiful hill station in north India offers various exciting activities.

Shimla is a quaint slice of old-world charm still prevalent in today’s modern times. It’s no surprise then, that this is one of the favorite shoot locations for Bollywood movies. From lush greenery to snow-clad mountains, the highlight of this city is the abundance of natural beauty.

Except for the monsoon months of July, August, and September, Shimla is an year-round holiday destination. In summers, the climate is pleasant, perfect for adventure activities like trekking, while the winters cover the city in snow, ideal for snow activities like skiing and ice-skating.

Here are our recommendations for the top things to do in Shimla.

The town under the beautiful blanket of snow- (photo credits: Pexels)

Take a ride in the Kalka Shimla Toy Train

The best way to start your Shimla trip is with a long, scenic toy train ride. There are a couple of trains that run throughout the day through tunnels and forested hills. The train route connects the hilly region of Shimla to the plains of Kalka in the neighbouring state of Punjab.This colonial toy train railroad is a UNESCO world heritage site consisting of more than 500 curves and bridges.

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Grab your seat tight if you have fear of heights – (photo credit: kumar-chandugade)

Go on a Shopping Spree at Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar

When in Shimla, you have to visit the stalls of Mall Road, a cultural hub for souvenirs to take back home. The Shimla Mall Road offers a range of products here, including handicrafts, jewelry, and books. There are also a few tourist attractions in the area, such as the Scandal Point, Gaiety Theater, and Town Hall.

Lakkar Bazaar is another market ideal for local street shopping the market is famous for its woollens, handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, kullu shawls and pashmina shawls.

Shops on all road in Shimla

Enjoy some adventure activities

Not for nothing is Shimla called the winter sports capital of India. For the adventure seekers, Shimla has not just snow activities, but a lot of other outdoor activities as well.

Its geographical location makes Shimla perfect for moderate treks. The Jakhu hill trek has a historic Jakhu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman at the summit, which houses a huge 108-feet tall Hanuman statue.

Some other popular treks in and around Shimla are Chadwick Falls trek, Shali Tibba trek, Hatu peak trek, and Chuddar trek which is the highest in Shimla. Many of these treks are also great for mountain biking.The journey will be as beautiful as the destination as you walk through lush greenery, mountain trails, orchards, and picturesque views.

Lord Hanuman is adored for his strength and wisdom – (photo credit – himesh-mehta)

One of the best things to do in Shimla is camping under the stars. There are quite a few campsites in and around the city in beautiful locations. Shimla is one of the few places in India that offer you clear, unending skies spattered with stars.

Ice skating is a popular adventure sport in Shimla, home to one of the largest ice skating rinks in India. The ice rink in Shimla is Asia’s only open rink. Ice skating usually starts in December and goes on until late February.

If you want to try skiing in Shimla, you should visit the town of Kufri, 13 kilometers from Shimla. Less frequented by tourists, the natural landscape of Kufri is untouched and beautiful, although it becomes a hub for skiing during winters.

The Queen of hills is perfect for paragliding, with a panoramic view of the green hills and mountains everywhere you look. The best place for paragliding in Shimla is Kangra Valley.

Another adventurous activity to try out in Shimla is river rafting in the river Sutlej. The rivers of Shimla provide ideal conditions for the activity in the city.

Hike to Chadwick Falls

Deep in the Glen Forests is the serene Chadwick Waterfall, 7 kms from Shimla. The beauty of the waterfall cascading from a height of 86 meters will leave you awestruck. For the best view, you have to witness the sunrise at Chadwick Falls.

Try ice-skating in fresh air for a change – (Photo credits: Unsplash)

Visit Christ Church

Built in 1846, the Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in India. It is the perfect example of Victorian Neo-Gothic architecture, complete with stained glass windows depicting the brighter virtues of Christianity like love, hope, and humanity. If you are here on a weekend, you can attend the holy mass (prayer service) on Sunday mornings.

Christ Church covered in snow

Take a tour of the Gaiety Heritage cultural complex

The Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex was established in 1877 and has since been the cultural and entertainment centre of the city. The most popular attraction in this neo-gothic architecture structure is the Victorian theatre where legends like  Rudyard Kipling, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, Baten Powel, K. L. Sehgal, and others have performed.

You can see the coat of arms of the Amateur Dramatics Club hanging on the door to the upper level of Gaiety Theater on the Ridge. The ADC is one of the oldest clubs of its type in the world and continues to operate to this day.

Catch a glimpse of the British era at the Gaiety cultural complex with its historical beauty and colonial architecture. – (Photo credits: https://shimlatourism.co.in)

Visit Rashtrapati Niwas

Rashtrapati Niwas is a beautiful neo-renaissance building on one of the highest points of Shimla. It was built as the residence of the British Viceroy (Governor General) of India and was formerly called Viceregal Lodge. When you see it, you won’t believe you are still in India.

The building operates as the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, so only some of the rooms are open for tourists. There is a small guided tour (Hindi speaking) that shows you half of the ground floor and the impressive hall, where significant decisions for India were made during the partition.

Visit the Himachal State museum

The Himachal State Museum is another place to visit for the history buffs. The museum showcases ancient and archaeological artefacts such as tools, coins, utensils, and traditional garments.

Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens – (photo credit : Pixabay)

Picnic at Annandale lawns

The Annandale was a major playground during British colonial rule, where the British would play cricket and organize picnics with a gorgeous view of the city and its surroundings. Today, it protects the history of the Indian Army in the Army Heritage Museum.

The museum has a cafe around it, you can either snack there or find a cosy spot in the lawns of Annandale for a picnic.

Play golf at Naldehra golf course

Located at an altitude of 2200 meters, the Naldehra Golf Course is the oldest golf club in India. The 18-hole golf course was established during early 18th century and offers stunning vistas of the surroundiings. The club allows non-members at a green fee, so do visit the place and enjoy food and drinks at their clubhouse after a game of golf.

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The Army Museum at Annandale

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Immerse yourself in nature

Take a break from the crowds and spend some time among nature in the Queen of Hills.

Green Valley, also known as Hassan Valley, is one of the offbeat natural escapes in Shimla. At Green Valley, nature lovers can hike in the dense Deodar forest, or simply roam around and breathe fresh mountain air while taking in the mesmerizing view of the Himalayan ranges.

Shimla’s pine forests are perfect to take an enchanted walk in. As the sun rays filter through the deciduous pine trees during early morning hours, it is nothing short of a magical experience.

Shimla is sprinkled with apple orchards that produce and export delicious and crunchy apples. If you want a fun activity to do, you can go apple picking at one of these orchards.

Spot some wildlife

For wildlife enthusiasts, Shimla has a treasure to offer.

The Water catchment Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers in Shimla. The protected forest is home to rich flora and fauna. You can cycle here for birdwatching chubby koklass pheasants here along with other bird species.

The Himalayan Nature Park houses animals and birds you are not likely to come across in other zoos across India. You will find Himalayan black bears, musk deer, Tibetan wolves, bharals and hangals here.

Kiala Forest is another great option if you love nature and wildlife. If you are lucky, you could spot leopards in this forest.

Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary is known for its rare variety of flora and fauna, with common sightings of jackals, barking deer, monkeys, and leopards.

Escape to Summer Hill

Seven hills form Shimla, part of which is Summer Hill, also known as Potter’s Hill. During winters, Summer Hill is a sight to behold as it gets covered in pure snow. The hill is also pleasant during the summers, making it the perfect escape from the buzz of the city.

Himachal Pradesh University is situated here. You can take a toy train ride to reach Summer Hill.

Gorge on some lipsmacking food

Shimla has so much to offer that finding a great restaurant can seem tough at times. Be it a delicious breakfast or delicious snacks, local cuisine or continental, Shimla has it all.

A few places in Shimla known for their famous food are The Brew Estate for North Indian and continental cuisines, Wake & Bake, a multicuisine cafe and restaurant, and Cafe Simla Times, which specializes in European cuisines.

enrich your experience with fine dining – (photo credit: elina-sazonova)

Visit the Tara Devi Temple

Facing the Himalayan peaks, the Tara Devi temple is believed to be over 200 years old. The temple is devoted to Tibetan Buddhist Goddess Tara, believed to be one of the nine sisters of Goddess Durga. There is a big festival that takes place here during Navratri (usually in October). You get an amazing bird’s eye view of the city from the historic temple.

Another temple in Shimla is the Kalibari Temple, built in 1845 and dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali.

Experience natural hot water springs

51 kms from Shimla is a small village, Tattapani, literally translating to “hot water”. The village is known for its natural hot water springs believed to have curing properties for health issues, fatigue, and skin diseases. The village is situated on the banks of River Sutlej, which has many fresh water springs. It is famous for sports like rafting, zorbing, skiing, paragliding, trekking, and camping.

Have some fun at Johnnie’s Wax Museum

You can meet Harry Potter, Michael Jackson, James Bond or historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi in Shimla. The only catch is that they are made of wax. Johnnie’s Wax Museum is a small place you can visit in Shimla to click a few pictures and have a laugh.

We hope our recommendations help you explore Shimla. If you need any assistance, do get in touch with us and we would be happy to help you. Even apart from Shimla, if you are planning a trip in India but cannot choose, get in touch with us and we will help you plan a trip that is tailor-made to suit your travel style. 

FAQs

Which is the best time to visit Shimla?

The scenic beauty of Shimla can be experienced throughout the year, except in the monsoon months from July to September. The summers are cool and pleasant, while winters whitewash the entire landscape of this city in Northern India.

What are the most popular attractions in Shimla?

The Shimla Ridge, Mall Road, the town of Kufri, Annandale Ground, Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple, Viceregal Lodge, and the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex are a few popular attractions in Shimla.

What are some exciting activities to do in Shimla?

A few exciting activities to do in Shimla are visiting Kufri Fun World, shopping at Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar, hiking through the forests of Shimla in all their natural beauty, winter sports, river rafting, mountain biking, trekking, and camping.

What are a few things to keep in mind while visiting Shimla?

Check weather conditions before leaving for a trip and keep an eye out for heavy rainfall, landslides, or snowfall. Always carry your ID proof and license with you. Pack your clothes according to the season and the place you are visiting. If you plan on trekking or camping, carry a good quality rain cheater and sturdy trekking shoes. And most importantly, do not litter and keep the place clean.