Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, is a goliath city that contains a mind-boggling measure of history, culture, grand spots, food, and perhaps all that you could envision. In the wake of going through this blog you’ll learn about the best attractions of the city which we think you might find helpful.
Being straightforward with you, only one out of every odd spot you visit ends up being true to form. Thus, hither and thither we need to have power over our dissatisfaction while visiting around. Keeping a positive perspective, don’t allow the inconveniences to get you down. We would suggest if you at any point intend to visit this delightful city, take your sweaters along. You never know with Shimla’s climate. It’s eccentric as life. We would urge you to dress unassumingly.
One can reach Shimla by air via the Jubbarhatti airport, or by train via the Kalka-Shimla railway line. Alternatively, one can travel by road and take a bus or taxi from nearby cities. Or if you are planning to travel from Chandigarh to Shimla, hiring a taxi can be a great option. Travelers are advised to book train tickets in advance, carry warm clothes for the chilly weather, and take motion sickness medication if necessary.
There are plenty of things that individuals in Shimla can do, varying from ice skating in winters and setting up camp in summers to eating at some varied cafes, the Queen of Hills offers beyond what you can clutch. Here are our top picks for activities in Shimla. With no further ado how about we begin.
11 Best Things to Do in Shimla
1. Enjoy the Toy Train Ride
2. Shop Your Heart Out
3. Ice Skating
4. Walk Amidst Pine Forests
5. River Rafting in Shimla
6. Camping Amidst the Woods
7. A Relaxing Cycling Ride
8. Make Yourself at Home! Stay at a Homestay
9. Bird Watching
10. Trekking
11. Good Eats
1. Enjoy the Toy Train Ride
We know, for a large number of you travelling in a train is run of the mill however, this one is for sure what you may discover exciting. Partaking in the Kalka-Shimla toy train ride is something that may make up for your shortfalls. Get your tickets done from the railway station which is underneath the old bus station of Shimla and visit the nearby places of Shimla say Tara Devi Temple Shimla. As the train starts moving slowly you’ll witness something never like before, the toy train ride takes you on a stunning route through green hills and as you move your head outside your window and look back to the end of the train you’ll see the train moving like a snake on the bended tracks. The toy train chugs its direction across lovely mountains and offers stunning views on the thick backwoods. Excitingly the train will get through 103 Tunnel which is among the spookiest spots in India.
2. Shop Your Heart Out
Shopping is something which is always trending in the bucket list. There are chances it might not, still it just happens. You can’t come barehanded from the place you went on a vacation. Nevertheless, in the evening while you enjoy the sky turning red from The Ridge, Lakkar Bazar is your shopping place. It is the most happening and lively market in Shimla. The long stretch of shops offers a lot of wooden stuff, from home décor to accessories; you’ll find everything made of wood here. As you move ahead you’ll see a wide range of Pashmina Shawls, Woolens and Handicrafts and Kullu Shawls. The market is very efficient which makes it unique in relation to all the platitude neighborhood markets around. Fill your shopping sacks with all that you can take from here. In case you are starved after a long stretch of shopping, head to Sita Ram for its well-known Aloo Tikki and Chole Bhature.
3. Ice Skating
Ice Skating in Shimla is what you can enjoy in peak winters. If you really are into sports, show off your skills here at the open air ice skating rink. There are two sessions every day, one in the morning and another in the evening. Skates are provided free at the rink, if you’re really into it, do skate under a nominal fee. Do you know? The ice is formed by a special technique that the British taught the Garhwali highlanders. The thickly forested hillside keeps it shaded and the low temperatures in winters prevent it from melting. However, due to global warming, indiscriminate cutting of trees and improper constructions near the rink, along with pollution due to the nearby bus stand, the temperature of Shimla is increasing, and therefore, the number of ice skating sessions have been lessening.
Price- INR 100-200;
Timings- 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (December-March)
4. Walk Amidst Pine Forests
We guess nobody can say a ‘no’ to nature walk. They say strolling in the glades and developing a connection with nature goes about as a medication. Do yourself a favor and take the time to experience it on its own terms. Walk along the forest and hear nature’s music. It mends you both intellectually and truly. From strolls and climbs in bumpy landscapes through intensely lush regions exploring the neighborhood vegetation of the Glen, the Summer Hill to bathe in the company of the evergreen trees of the Jakhoo Temple trail, you can be right up front and profound contact with Nature. The best part is, Shimla furnishes you with enough choices to attempt each experience you need. So what are you waiting for? Take out some time from your bustling timetable and walk in the woods of Shimla!
5. River Rafting in Shimla
Now, for this you need to travel 50 km from Shimla to Tattapani which is just a paradise for adventure darlings. From heated water springs and lavish green valleys to adventure sports Tattapani has a ton in its pocket. Talking about the significant fascination -river rafting will restore your spirit. With spouting water surrounding you, sprinkles of water soaking around, a simple sight of this makes certain to siphon up you with adrenaline. A word of advice-don’t attempt in case you’re apprehensive about water.
Price- INR 1500 per person per ride
6. Camping Amidst the Woods
When you decide to go on a vacation, you probably book yourself at hotels in advance right? Yet, in case you’re an adventure lover, you’ll skirt those extravagant inns and think the other way round. Since this hill station is generally preferred by travelers there are plenty of spots where you can set up your camp and go through the night in the midst of the forest. You can camp at Narkanda, Mashobra, Kufri, and Junga, these spots are yet clean and still preserve the rich legacy of the past. Stay in a Swiss tent or go for a woodland setting up camp in Shimla, these spots present to you the best of nature. Once in a lifetime you should definitely go camping in Shimla.
7. A Relaxing Cycling Ride
Shimla has one of the most incredible cycling trails in India. There are a great deal of straightforward delights in life like investing energy with friends and family, nature strolls and riding a bike. Put a hold on from the hustle-clamor of city life and appreciate cycling around the water catchment wildlife sanctuary which will be an ideal pick for a lethargic day. While the spot is very popular in view of being a home to natural life, this spot is additionally an extraordinary area to go cycling with no concern and invest energy with yourself. Truth be told, there are more places like this that suit best for cycling like, Fagu Trail, Mashobra-Bekhalti Street, Shimla-Sadhupul Street. Shimla overall is a cyclist’s pleasure with regular paths, quiet villas, and curious towns. And if you didn’t bring your own gear, you can rent it from the bike rentals in Shimla.
8. Make Yourself at Home! Stay at a Homestay
Staying in the woods and getting those phenomenal views is nothing less than the pearly gates. Well, people here are no less in providing you the best homestays in Shimla. There are a number of reasons why staying at a homestay can be preferable to staying in a hotel. Come on, let’s unravel them. To begin with, homestays offer an unrivaled chance to encounter the amazingly variety and pleasures of the places we visit. Additionally, you can spend as close to nothing or as much time with the host family as you like. Furthermore, many hosts are pleased to show their visitors around their neighborhood, providing them with reliable information that just isn’t accessible from a manual.
9. Bird Watching
Shimla is blessed with a bounty of widely varied flora and fauna. In this way, why not take a bird watching visit on the grounds that there could be no greater method to partake in the energetic bird culture of India. The Mashobra catchment safe-haven permits you to partake in the wonderful natural scenes where these birds make their residence just as the sights and sounds of the birds themselves. The sanctuary has distinctive bird types of birds, if lucky you might see, Chakor, Kalij Pheasant, Black and Brown Partridge, Thrushes, Bulbul, Jungle Fowl, Purple Sunbirds. Along these lines, in case you’re at Shimla, without giving any misgivings visit the sanctuary to hear the bird music.
10. Go Trekking
Where Shimla is a suitable destination for newly married couples and family trips, it is also a perfect destination for the rest of the travelers. Basically, the town has everything one is looking for in a getaway. There are treks like Shali Tibba, Karol Tibba, Hatu Peak and Tara Devi Trek which can be completed in one day, in case you’re running out of time or you’ve left with your last day in Shimla, you better start hiking to any of the mentioned hikes. Trekking in Shimla calls for a big yes! Trust us, you’ll end your vacation on such a superb note.
11. Good Eats
Are you the one who mutually agreed on stopping at an eatery? Shimla is packed with lovely cafes, but it’s not easy to find the really good ones! Let us give you a hand of help. Giving you the highlights of the best cafes in Shimla, we definitely recommend you to stop by some amazing cafes whilst roaming in the Mall Road because hunger doesn’t wear a watch, no sense of timing. Get greeted by the super friendly staff of the cafes where location and the food goes hand in hand, both amazing. Be it Honey Hut for sweet tooth or Café Shimla Times for the best views, Shimla will undoubtedly add a rich flavor to your vacation. So what are you waiting for? Cafes in Shimla promise to serve sheer happiness on your platters, which one would you be heading to first on your trip to Shimla? Well, choose anyone you are going to get the best.
Step into the time capsule of Indian history as The Retreat, a 173-year-old heritage site, has opened its gates to the public. This summer resort of the Indian President is ready to regale visitors with its magnificent architecture, elegant dining halls, and priceless artefacts for a nominal fee of INR 50 for Indian nationals and INR 250 for foreigners. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush green lawns adorned with vibrant tulips and other flower beds that will leave you awestruck. And if you are feeling adventurous, set out to explore the orchards and nature trails that surround Rashtrapati Niwas. However, please note that during the President’s stay and on Mondays and government holidays, the site will be closed to the public.
We bet you are bookmarking these as of now! With this gigantic assortment of things to do in Shimla we made it loose for you to decide what exactly to add to your list of must-dos. Did we? While setting up camp in summers and ice skating as a colder time of year retreat, Shimla truly makes its mark in the monsoon. A heaven one would say. Yet, that doesn’t mean winter and summers are less, they generally do their part so well. Thus, relish the experience of its entrancing culture and explore the rough tremendousness of its scenes consistently. You won’t find such a mix of untamed nature and charming history somewhere else on the planet.
