Shimla, the former summer capital of British India and now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, enchants visitors with its Victorian-era architecture, crisp mountain air, and sweeping Himalayan vistas. Th...
Shimla
Queen of Hills
Himachal Pradesh, India
4.6
Mall RoadRidgeJakhu Temple
hillStation
Duration: 3–4 Days
Budget/day: ₹2,500 – ₹7,000
Best season: Mar – Jun, Dec – Jan (snow)
Altitude: 2,206 m
Nearest airport: Shimla Airport / Chandigarh Airport (116 km)
Nearest railway: Kalka Railway Station (90 km) + toy train
Best places to visit in Shimla
Things to do in Shimla
Leisure / CulturalView full guide1–2 hours
Mall Road Walk
Wander the 1.7 km pedestrianised promenade of Shimla that was the nerve centre of British India's summer capital. Lined with colonial buildings, boutiques, cafes, and spectacular views of pine-covered ridges, it connects Scandal Point to the Victory Tunnel.
Adventure / RecreationView full guide1–2 hours
Ice Skating
Skate at Asia's only natural open-air ice skating rink at Shimla's Ice Skating Club (established 1920). The rink operates annually from late December to February, offering skating lessons, rentals, and an exhilarating mountain-air skating experience.
Heritage / SightseeingView full guide5–6 hours (one way from Kalka)
Heritage Train Ride
Board the iconic Kalka–Shimla Railway — a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line built in 1903. The 96 km journey through 102 tunnels, 864 bridges, and 919 curves across breathtaking Himalayan scenery is a bucket-list rail experience.
Best Time to Visit and Weather Info
Best time: March to June and December to January
Summer is peak tourist season. Winter brings heavy snow and road closures but is magical.
Summer
Peak Season ⭐Mar – Jun
15°C – 30°C
Most popular time. Perfect weather for sightseeing, Mall Road walks, and day trips to Kufri and Chail.
- Book months in advance
- Mall Road is very crowded on weekends
Winter
Snow Season ⭐Dec – Feb
-5°C – 8°C
Heavy snowfall covers the town in white. Christmas and New Year here are magical but roads can close.
- Kufri and Chail have great snow activities
- Carry heavy woolens and snow boots
Autumn
Good 🟡Sep – Nov
10°C – 22°C
Quieter season with pleasant weather. Good visibility for mountain views.
- Best for budget travel
- Fewer tourists means calmer Mall Road
Monsoon
Avoid 🔴Jul – Aug
18°C – 28°C
Heavy rainfall and frequent landslides. Roads from Kalka and Chandigarh often blocked.
- Risk of landslides on all mountain roads
- Toy train service may be suspended
How to Reach
✈️By Air
Airport: Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti) / Chandigarh Airport (23 km (Shimla) / 116 km (Chandigarh))
Duration: 45 mins / 3 hrs
Shimla airport has limited flights from Delhi. Chandigarh airport is better connected and recommended.
Taxi: ₹500 (Shimla airport) / ₹2,500 (Chandigarh)
Airlines: Air India (Shimla), IndiGo, SpiceJet (Chandigarh)
🚂By Train
Station: Kalka Railway Station + UNESCO Kalka–Shimla Toy Train
Take a train to Kalka then board the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla narrow gauge toy train for a scenic 5-hour mountain journey. One of India's best train experiences.
- Shatabdi Express — Delhi to Kalka (3.5 hrs)
- Himalayan Queen — Delhi to Kalka (4 hrs)
- Kalka–Shimla Toy Train — Kalka to Shimla (5 hrs)
🚌By Road
HRTC Volvo buses run overnight from Delhi to Shimla. Roads are in good condition but winding.
- Delhi: 343 km, 7–8 hrs via NH-44 via Chandigarh
- Chandigarh: 116 km, 3 hrs via NH-5
- Manali: 260 km, 7 hrs via Mandi
- Dharamshala: 248 km, 6 hrs via Mandi
Itineraries
Local Food
Shimla's food scene offers Himachali mountain cuisine alongside popular cafés and restaurants on Mall Road.
Siddu
Steamed wheat bread stuffed with poppy seeds and walnuts — a Himachali staple served with ghee and dal.
Where: Local Himachali restaurants
₹60 – ₹120
Chha Gosht
Slow-cooked lamb marinated in yogurt and gram flour gravy — a royal Himachali non-vegetarian specialty.
Where: Non-vegetarian restaurants in Shimla
₹200 – ₹350
Babru
Black gram-stuffed deep-fried bread — a Himachali breakfast item unique to the region.
Where: Local dhabas
₹40 – ₹80
Aktori
Buckwheat pancake cooked on festivals — slightly earthy and nutritious.
Where: Traditional homes and local eateries
₹30 – ₹60
Shimla Mirch Dishes
Bell peppers (which take their name from Shimla) are used in many local vegetable dishes.
Where: All restaurants
₹80 – ₹150
Hot Apple Cider & Himachali Apples
Shimla is in India's apple country — fresh apples and apple products are a must.
Where: Mall Road shops and farms
₹50 – ₹200
Mall Road has both Indian and continental options. For authentic Himachali food, try restaurants near the Old Bus Stand area.
FAQs
- Shimla is famous for its colonial heritage, the Ridge and Mall Road, the Kalka–Shimla toy train, Jakhu Temple, Christ Church, and being the former summer capital of British India.
Best Places Similar
Manali
Manali, situated at 2,050 meters in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is India's adventure capital and a year-round magnet for travelers seeking snow, thrills, and Himalayan beauty. In winter, the slopes of Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass transform into a snowy playground for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings trekkers, paragliders, and mountaineers. The ancient Hadimba Devi Temple, the hippie haven of Old Manali, and the dramatic Rohtang Pass make this high-altitude town an unparalleled destination in the Indian Himalayas.
Mussoorie
Perched at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Mussoorie — the Queen of the Hills — has been captivating visitors with its panoramic mountain views, lush forests, and cool misty climate since the British colonial era. The bustling Mall Road lined with shops and eateries, the cascading Kempty Falls, and the scenic Gun Hill viewpoint are among the top attractions. Whether you're honeymooning or escaping the summer heat, Mussoorie offers a perfect blend of romance, nature, and adventure.
Dalhousie
Dalhousie, a charming hill station in Himachal Pradesh named after Lord Dalhousie, sits across five hills at altitudes ranging from 1,525 to 2,036 meters and retains much of its Scottish and Victorian colonial character through its architecture and churches. The panoramic Dainkund Peak, the beautiful Khajjiar — India's mini Switzerland — and the cascading Satdhara Falls are among the most visited attractions in the area. Dalhousie's pine-scented air, colonial bungalows, and proximity to the ancient Chamba Valley make it an enchanting and often-overlooked hill station destination.
Nearby destinations
Kullu
95 km · Kullu, nestled in the wide Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh along the Beas River, is renowned as the "Valley of the Gods" for the hundreds of ancient temples that dot its landscape. The town comes alive every October during the world-famous Kullu Dussehra festival, when thousands of local deities are brought in procession to the Dhalpur Maidan. Kullu is also a gateway to adventure activities like river rafting, paragliding, and trout fishing, making it a vibrant complement to the nearby resort town of Manali.
Mussoorie
111 km · Perched at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Mussoorie — the Queen of the Hills — has been captivating visitors with its panoramic mountain views, lush forests, and cool misty climate since the British colonial era. The bustling Mall Road lined with shops and eateries, the cascading Kempty Falls, and the scenic Gun Hill viewpoint are among the top attractions. Whether you're honeymooning or escaping the summer heat, Mussoorie offers a perfect blend of romance, nature, and adventure.
Dehradun
120 km · Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, sits in a verdant valley surrounded by the Shivalik Hills and serves as the gateway to some of India's most beloved hill stations. Known for its pleasant year-round climate, prestigious educational institutions, and the renowned Forest Research Institute, the city blends colonial charm with modern amenities. Nearby attractions like Robber's Cave, Sahastradhara waterfalls, and the Mindrolling Monastery make Dehradun an ideal base for exploring the Himalayan foothills.
