Home StateUttarakhandNainital Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Nainital (Weather, Tourist Places & Things to do) – Best Travel Guide

Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Nainital (Weather, Tourist Places & Things to do) – Best Travel Guide

by Ayush Singh

Nainital is situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The city is famous for lakes in and around the city. Founded by the British as a resort hill station, Nainital is situated around Naini Lake with Naina Devi Temple on its north part. Located at a height of about 2000m, there are many places to visit in Nainital where you can visit during a 2-3 days trip.

One of the most popular hill stations in India, Nainital attracts a lot of tourists all year round. The district of Nainital is also called as “Lake district of India”. If you are planning a weekend trip to this beautiful hill station, here are the top 10 tourist places you must visit in Nainital.

1
Nainital Lake (Naini Jheel) – One of the Top Places to Visit in Nainital

Best tourist attraction Nainital Lake
Colourful Boats Parket at Naini Jheel (Nainital Lake) | | #1 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital

Nainital Lake is a famous tourist destination for nature lovers who visit Nainital. It was founded in 1839 by P. Baron. The lake is mango shaped which adds to its beauty. Nainital Lake has two parts which are named Mallital and Tallital. You can enjoy boating in the lake among the lush green mountains and beautiful surroundings.

The famous Naina Devi Temple is situated in the northern part of the lake.

  • Naini Lake Timings: Sunrise to Sunset Every day
  • Nainital Lake Boating Charges: Rs 160 for a half round of the Rowboat, Rs 210 for a full round of the Rowboat and Rs.210 per hour for the Paddle boat (Subject to Change).

2
Eco Cave Gardens

eco cave garden park nainital
Way to Eco Cave Gardens | #2 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital

Eco Cave Park is a newly opened tourist spot in Nainital. The garden is a place with artificial caves that are made in such a way that they resemble the habitat of many animals. Many beautiful hanging gardens are meant for the cultivation of flowers. The place is also suitable for education lovers, where they can gain knowledge of wildlife and the natural habitat of wild animals. The lighting at night enhances the beauty of the caves. Inside the Eco Cave Park, there are six natural caves that resemble different animals like tiger, panther, bat, squirrel, ape and flying fox.

  • Eco Cave Park Timings: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Eco Cave Park Entry Ticket Price: Rs 60 per person for Adults and Rs 25 per person for Children

3
Mall Road Nainital

best tourist place in nainital - mall road
Upper Mall Road, Nainital | #3 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by Abhimanyu7793, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Mall Road was built by Britishers for their families who lived there between 1841 to 1885. It runs along the Nainital Lake and is the busiest road among the locals and tourists. The Mall Road has several hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres that are famous for handicrafts, handlooms, and shawls. During the peak season of May and June, traffic is restricted on the road.

In the evening, you can take a stroll along the Mall Road, which runs parallel to the lake and has many shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. The Mall Road is also a great place to witness the local culture and festivities of Nainital. It is open from 6 am to 10 pm every day.

The Mall Road is one of the most visited places by tourists in Nainital. It connects the two ends of the city, Mallital and Tallital.

4
Snow View Point Nainital

Cable Car to Snow view Point Nainital
Nainital Ropeway (Cable Car) to Snow View Point | #4 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital

Snow View Point is one of the most popular places to visit in Nainital that offers a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. You can use the ropeway or trek to the top and get a view of the peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot on a clear day. The ropeway ride offers beautiful views of Nainital, Naini Lake, and Himalayan peaks on its way. The best time to visit Snow View Point is from October to February when the sky is clear and the mountains are covered with snow.

A small temple dedicated to Ram, Sita, Laxman, Hanuman, and Shiva is built at the top. The splendid city of Nainital can be seen from the top.

  • Snow View Point Nainital Timings: 10:30 am – 5:00 pm (closed on Saturday)
  • Snow View Point Nainital Entry fee: No Entry Fee
  • Nainital Ropeway Ticket Price: Rs 300 per person for Adults and Rs 200 per person for Children (both ways)

5
Naina Devi Temple – Top Tourist Attraction in Nainital

Maa Naina Devi Temple Nainital
Naina Devi Temple at Evening, Mallital, Nainital | #5 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by
Photographer Praveen Singh Bisht, CC BY-SA 4.0

Naina Devi Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the goddess Durga. This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. You can reach here on foot or by taking a boat ride. It is believed that when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of Sati, her eyes fell to the ground and it is the same place where the Naina Devi temple is situated. There are two lion statues at the entrance and a sacred peepal tree is present inside. The idols of Hanuman and lord Ganesh are installed in the courtyard. The temple draws the attention of visitors during Nanda Ashtami, an eight-day festival.

Naina Devi Temple is located on the northern shore of Naini Lake and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. You can see a beautiful panoramic view of Nainital Lake from this temple.

Naina Devi Temple Nainital Timings: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm (opens every day)
Entry fee: Free

6
Tiffin Top Nainital

View from Nainital Tiffin Top
View from Nainital Tiffin Top | #6 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by
Tanbatra, CC BY-SA 4.0

Located at an altitude of 2,292 meters above sea level, Tiffin Top can be reached by a 4 km trek from Mall Road or by hiring a pony or a taxi. If you love photography, you will definitely love this place. Tiffin Top is also known as Dorothy’s Seat. People enjoy picnics at this place with their families.

7
Nainital Zoo – G B Pant High Altitude Zoo

nainital zoo
Red Panda at G.B. Pant Zoo | #7 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by
Arpita Abrol, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nainital Zoo is located at a distance of about 1.8 km from the city centre and is located at an altitude of 2,100 m. Being located amidst the Himalayas, the Nainital Zoo offers a stunning view of the mountains and Naini Lake. Nainital Zoo is home to many endangered species including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sambar, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer and Himalayan bear. The Zoo is famous for organizing events for students like painting and quizzing to create awareness among the locals. Monal Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, and Rose-ringed Parakeet are some of the bird species you can find inside the zoo.

  • Nainital Zoo Entry Fee: Rs 50 per person for Adults and Rs 20 per person for Children
  • Nainital Zoo Timings: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed on Monday)

8
Bhimtal

Bhimtal Lake Nainital
Largest Lake of Nainital District, Bhimtal Lake | #8 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by
Mike Prince, CC BY 2.0

Bhimtal is located about 22 km from Nainital at an altitude of about 1371 m. The main tourist spot in Bhimtal is the lake where you can enjoy boating. There is an island present in the centre of Bhimtal where an aquarium is present. There was a restaurant on the island which is closed now. Bhimtal Lake is the largest lake in Nainital district.

Bhimtal is named after Bhima, a character from the Mahabharata. This place is a popular destination for nature lovers, offering scenic views of the Himalayas, forests and wildlife. If you are in Nainital, You can visit Bhimtal for adventure activities like paragliding, boating and trekking. You can also enjoy camping amidst the lusty green mountains. Some other sightseeing places in Bhimtal are Victoria Dam, Hidimba Parvat, Hanuman Garhi temple, and Folk Culture Museum.

If want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and prefer a quiet and relaxing stay, Bhimtal is the place to be.

Best time to visit Bhimtal: March – June and September – December

9
Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal Nainital
Lake of Nine Corners, Naukuchiatal | #9 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital

The name Naukuchiatal means “nine-cornered lake“, and it is located around 26 km from Nainital. Situated at an altitude of 3225 ft, Naukuchiatal Lake is always filled by underwater streams. You can enjoy activities like paragliding, boating, biking, and parasailing here. Birdwatching is also popular among nature lovers. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset at the lake.

There are many resorts and hotels around Naukuchiatal where you can enjoy a weekend stay.

10
Naina Peak Nainital

View of Naini Jheel from Naina Peak Nainital at night
View of Naini Jheel from Naina Peak Nainital at Night | #10 of Top 10 Places to Visit in Nainital | Photo by
Vaibhav321369, CC BY-SA 4.0

Naina Peak is the highest point in Nainital and offers a beautiful view of the town, Naini Lake and nearby mountains. The peak is also known as China Peak or Cheena Peak. It is one of the favourite places in Nainital for trekking among travellers. The best time to visit Naina Peak is between October and February. The weather remains pleasant and clear this time.

Places to Visit Near Nainital

While Nainital is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. There are many places around the hill town which are equally liked by tourists.

Jim Corbett National Park

Established in 1936, Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India. It is situated in two districts – Nainital and Pauri of Uttarakhand and covers an area of about 521 sq km. From the endangered royal Bengal tigers, this Park is home to about 650 species of birds. The Park has many resorts along the riverside.

Ranikhet

Ranikhet Uttarakhand
Ranikhet, Uttarakhand | Best Place to Visit Near Nainital | Photo by
Ravi Dwivedi, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ranikhet is located about 59 km from Nainital. The place was named after Rani Padmini who, when in captivity, was attracted by the beauty of this place and decided to live there. The city of Ranikhet is covered with pine, oak, and deodar trees. Jhula Devi temple is the most famous temple which is known for its cluster of bells. Tourists can also visit other locations including Chaubatia Gardens, Bhalu Dam, and Upat Golf Course.

Almora

The beautiful hill station of Almora is located about 64km from Nainital. Almora is known for its rich cultural heritage and handicrafts. Chitai Golu Devta temple and Nanda Devi temple are two famous temples in Almora. The Almora market is one of the largest in the Kumaon region known for Angora wool. Adventure lovers can go rock climbing, cycling, and hiking here.

Nainital Weather

The temperature in Nainital remains pleasant throughout the year. The best time to visit Nainital is from March to June. If you love rain and want to enjoy the greenery and beauty of mountains, plan your Nainital trip in monsoon. Snow lovers can visit this hill station in December and January.

Governor House Nainital
Raj Bhawan (Governor House) | Top Visited Tourist Destination in Nainital

Things to do in Nainital

Nainital has a lot to offer. You can enjoy Boating in the Nainital Lake or stroll around on the Mall road. Visit Naina Devi Temple and seek blessings. Enjoy stunning views of the city from Tiffin Top. Try the famous street food momos and Nainital’s local Kumaoni cuisine.

Nainital Tourist Places Video – Yatri Central

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