Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla (Updated 2025)

The summer capital stocks up a wealth of sublime sights for nature lovers wishing to explore life in the mountains.

Tucked in a pristine setting of pine and cedar forests, Shimla always grabs the top slot in every traveler’s wishlist. The prominence this hill retreat received in the last couple of decades as a popular tourist attraction is credited to its rich colonial legacy.

In the yesteryears, Shimla used to be the residence of the Viceroy of India who liked to spend his summers working in this quaint location. Lush greenery and cool climate of Shimla attracted many other Britishers to make it their home. This ultimately led to proliferation of colonial architecture, which can be seen in government buildings and lodges.

Undoubtedly, Shimla is one of the most picturesque places to visit in India, thanks to its incredibly beautiful mountain landscape which adds to its colonial charm.

If you want inspiration on the best spots in Shimla to visit in the upcoming holiday season, we recommend you to go through our list of places to visit in Shimla that rightfully deserve travelers’ interests.

1. Viceregal Lodge

Built for the Viceroy of British India as his official summer residence in 1888, this lodge, perched on top of the Observatory hill, spells awe with neatly laid lawns and pine trees standing tall in its vicinity.

Designed by architect Henry Irwin, the building features stone walls, woodwork interiors and tiled roof, blending in perfectly with the old-world charm of this heritage structure. In the present day, the lodge houses a collection of pictures, artifacts and manuscripts and also offers fellowship programs for students.

2. Jakhoo Hill

A hike up towards Jakhoo temple rewards you with the panoramic beauty of Shimla with deodar forests, snow-clad mountains and sunsets. Located a 8000 ft above the sea level, this hill is particularly known for the statue of Lord Hanuman standing right in front of the temple.

A sought after religious destination, this temple attracts a great number of pilgrims each year who come to pray and seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman. The six minute cable car ride in Jakhu Ropeway is a must to glimpse the stunning beauty located in the surroundings.

3. The Ridge, Shimla

An iconic location that has attracted many photographers, the Ridge is worth a visit to understand local culture and get a brief snapshot of Shimla’s nightlife. Home to many heritage buildings, shopping malls and handicraft shops, the Mall Road near the Ridge offers a bouquet of surprises for travelers interested in activities that keep the locals busy and entertained.

Street shopping is one activity that lets you grasp the finer traits of himachali art and craft such as woolen shawls, scarves and caps. Not just for shopping, the ridge is the best place to sample local cuisine, especially street food. You can even buy pickles from HPMC stores located in the Mall or visit a cafe nearby for a quick coffee break.

4. Kalka-Shimla

The idyllic charm of pine trees lining the Kalka-Shimla rail track captivates your hearts with its tranquil appeal. One of the best contributions of Britishers to Shimla is the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train that takes you into a surreal world marked by hamlets and dense deodar forests.

In the five hour long journey running on a 96 km railway line, the train brings you into the most picturesque part of Himachal. Passing through 107 tunnels, and more than 800 bridges, the train enters Barog valley before reaching Kalka station.

5. Chail

An ideal escape from the crowds, Chail is a hill resort lying just 2 hours drive from Shimla. This town is best known for its calm environs and British inspired architecture. Chail Palace, built by Maharaja of Patiala as his summer residence holds an important place in the tourist map of this town.

Moving further into the magnetic beauty of this hilly region, you get to encounter the wild life prevailing in Himachal in Chail Wildlife sanctuary. Dotted by chinar trees, this nature park houses many different species of deers such as spotted deer, European deer and swamp deer. Wild boars, Himalayan black bear, leopard, langur and pheasant birds are other types of wildlife species commonly seen in this park.

6. Mashobra

A quiet hill retreat nestled at the center of a landscape featuring deodar forests, apple orchards and wild shrubs, this place welcomes you with open arms. The Presidential retreat and Wildflower Hall in Mashobra, showcasing British architecture are great stopovers on any day.

Craignano Villa is another piece of architectural brilliance that must be visited. It represents many finer details of Italian architecture which blend perfectly with the lush greenery featuring water streams flowing on one side of the villa. Capture the hues of nature prevailing around Chadwick falls that attracts visitors from all over.

7. Potter Hill

If your heart is set on venturing into the shady forests of Shimla, Potter Hill is the best place to start. Located in a pristine setting in Summer Hill, this nature retreat invites you to discover the greenery presiding in Shimla. The most alluring feature of this park is the Bridge entrance drawn up with creepers and shrubs.

Spend a few hours relaxing under the cool shade of trees and plants away from the noise of traffic or indulge in adventure activities such as rock climbing and hiking to bide time in spare hours.

8. Kufri

Kufri, the winter sports capital of India, is an impressively gorgeous destination for adventure lovers. Its all-encompassing features consisting of snowy slopes, rough terrains and valleys framed with fir trees make it ideal for nature lovers.

From skiing, snow sledging, yak riding, ice trekking to hiking up towards the cliftops and viewing sunsets, you have everything you need to stay occupied for an entire week in this hill resort. Don’t miss the joy rides in the local amusement park that proffer many fun opportunities for children.

9. Naldehra

Settled in a gorgeous landscape of cedar trees and green meadows, Naldehra is a renowned weekend getaway for peace seekers. It boasts of its sprawling golf courses that attract visitors to spend a morning playing golfing.

This hill station provides endless avenues for thrill seekers interested in exploring it’s different corners. Views of hamlets located in nearby hills and the mountains infuse your senses with excitement. Great for picnicking, Naldehra has lots of open space for camping and lies just one hour drive from Shimla.

10. Johnnie’s Wax Museum

This museum is the perfect spot to get up close with life-sized statues of celebrities from around the world and many prominent historical figures. Visitors can roam the museum to get more information on notable people who contributed massively in shaping Indian history and struggled for independence.

The wax figures of Hollywood celebrities are showcased in a film setting with scenes recreated in the background. Pair this visit with a visit to the Gaiety theater in the Ridge, and you have one full day arranged specifically to delve into the finer details of performing arts and its relevance in the modern world.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Shimla