Shimla, also known as the “Queen of Hills“, is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 2205 m. Surrounded by pine and oak trees, the city attracts millions of tourists annually and is one of India’s most visited tourist destinations. It has been a centre of education for many renowned persons from all over the world. The city has temples, churches, and palaces with colonial architecture showcasing rich cultural heritage.
If you plan to visit Shimla during the summer months, consider visiting during April-June. At this time of the year, the weather remains pleasant in the city. However, If you want to enjoy the beauty of Shimla with snowfall and winter sports, you must come here in the winter months of December-January.
Here are the top 10 places to visit in Shimla that you must visit during your next trip to this beautiful hill station.
Table of Contents
1The Ridge – Most visited tourist attraction in Shimla
The Ridge is considered the heart of Shimla. It is a wide open street with panoramic views of nearby snow-capped mountains. Many historical buildings like the Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre, Town Hall, and State Library can be found here. It also hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
The Ridge is famous among tourists for photography and horse riding. You can also enjoy street food stalls, souvenir shops selling beautiful works of art, balloon sellers, and street performers at The Ridge.
It is a popular place for strolling in the evening or early morning. You can walk towards the side of Mall Road or to the famous Scandal Point on the west end. The east side also has the famous Lakkar bazaar, where you can buy wooden arts and crafts.
Travel tips for The Ridge, Shimla
- You cannot take your vehicles on the Ridge.
- The Ridge is connected to The Mall Road by a lift which operates between 8 AM-9 PM.
- It is advisable to refrain from littering and take care of the cleanliness of the road.
2Jhaku Temple – One of the best places to visit in Shimla
Jhaku Temple (Jakhoo Temple) has one of the world’s highest statues of Lord Hanuman (108 feet) on the hills. It is located on Jakhoo Hill, the highest peak in Shimla, at 2455 meters above sea level. Lust green deodar trees surround the temple and it has a considerable monkey population. You can reach here by travelling 2 km either by taxi/car from the city centre. After that, you can trek to the top or use the ropeway to reach the temple.
According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman Ji stopped here while travelling to search for Sanjeevani Booti to revive Lord Lakshmana during the epic Ramayana.
Jhaku Temple Information
- Timings: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Open every day)
- Entry fee: None
Travel tips for Jhaku Temple, Shimla
- Take care of your belongings, as the monkeys at the temple may snatch them.
- Take the ropeway if you have older people or someone with you who cannot trek to the top.
3Mall Road
Mall Road is a major tourist attraction centre for shopping and hanging out in the evening. The road runs parallel to The Ridge and is a hub of commercial and social activities in Shimla. You have to walk here as vehicles are not allowed on the road.
This area offers many fine-dining restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and hotels. You can enjoy shopping for handicraft products, antiques, books, woollen garments, especially Pashmina shawls and Tibetan carpets.
You can also taste the local cuisine of Shimla at various eateries on Mall Road.
The beautiful Himalayan ranges can be seen from the mall road while enjoying with friends and families. While there are many places to visit in Shimla, the mall road is the heart of the city.
4Indian Institute of Advanced Studies
The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) is a research institute housed in a magnificent building that once served as the residence of the British viceroys of India. The building is a fine example of Victorian-style architecture and has witnessed many historic events.
If you are interested in history and culture, you should visit this place when you are in Shimla.
You can take a guided tour of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies if you want to see the interior of the building and learn about its past and present.
The main building has the central hall, the library, the conference room, and many other rooms where important meetings and decisions took place during the Indian freedom struggle. At IIAS, you can also see some rare photographs, paintings, and artefacts that showcase the history of India.
After Indian Independence, IIAS served as an official summer retreat of the president of India. The institute was under the rule of Dr Radhakrishnan. It was later converted into a research centre of arts and humanities.
Outside the main building, you can walk around the garden and enjoy the scenic views of the hills and valleys. The park has many varieties of flowers, plants, and trees that add to the charm of the place.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies Information
- Entry fee: Rs 40 for Indian Citizens and Rs 85 for Foreigners
- Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (July to April) and 9 AM to 7 PM (May to June), closed on Monday
- Camera: Not allowed inside the building, but you can shoot outside the building
5Kufri – Top Place to Visit in Shimla
Kufri is located around 20km from Shimla. It is known as Trekker’s Paradise for nature and adventure lovers. You can enjoy horse riding, yak riding, hiking, and camping in Kufri. The surrounding cedar trees add to the beauty of this place. The best time to enjoy snowfall in Kufri is from November to March.
Kufri has several attractions like the Himalayan Nature Park, where you can see animals like snow leopards, musk deer and Himalayan bears; the Mahasu Peak, which offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range; the Indira Tourist Park, which has a mini zoo and a cactus garden; and the Kufri Fun World, which has an amusement park with activities like zip-lining, sky swinging, bungee ejection, snow skiing, go-karting etc.
Kufri Travel Tips
- While there is no entry fee for visiting Kufri, you have to buy separate entry tickets for places like Kufri Fun World, Zoo etc.
- Carry snow boots and jackets if you are visiting in the winter season.
6Christ Church
The Christ Church is situated on The Ridge and overlooks The Mall Road. After St. John’s Church in Meerut, Christ Church is the second oldest church in North India.
The church was designed in neo-gothic style in 1857 by J.T. Boileau.
The view of the church is spectacular during the nighttime with beautiful lightning. The church has appeared in several Bollywood movies like 3 Idiots and Black.
Christ Church Details
Timings:10.30 am to 5.30 PM ( Monday to Saturday)
Entry fee: Free
7Toy Train Shimla
Kalka Shimla Toy Train is a narrow-gauge railway network built by the British in 1903 to connect Shimla (then the summer capital of India) with the plains. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While onboard, you can see a spectacular view of the pine-covered hills, valleys, tunnels and bridges.
If you plan to visit Shimla, you should try the toy train ride. It will give you an unforgettable experience of this beautiful hill station.
8Himachal State Museum Shimla
Shimla State Museum was the residence of Lord William Beresford in colonial times. After independence, this house became the residence of many government officials, paving the way for a museum in 1974. The museum is categorised into 5 galleries: Pre-Historic Gallery, Wood-Carving Gallery, Wall Painting Gallery, Archaeology Gallery and Numismatic Gallery.
State Museum Shimla Details
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Entry fees: Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 100 for Foreigners
- Camera Fee: Rs 50 (Indians), Rs 100 (Foreigners), Rs 100 (Research Scholars) and Rs 1500 (Videography with permission)
9Summer Hill
The summer hill is situated about 2100 feet above sea level. It is considered the most beautiful of the seven hills of Shimla and is located at a distance of 5 km from the city.
Summer Hill, also called Potter’s Hill, has many potters making earthenware. It provides a calm, relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Visitors can see the high mountain ranges, rich flora, and fauna here.
Summer Hill Travel Tips
- Try to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for trekking.
- Use sunscreen lotion to protect from sunlight at higher altitudes.
- Summer Hill is open throughout the year and has no entry fee.
10Famous markets in Shimla
In the local markets of Shimla, you can find a variety of products, souvenirs, handicrafts, and delicacies.
The famous Mall Road market has branded clothes, accessories, books, electronics, local handicrafts, shawls, woollen items and Himachali caps. Lakkar Bazaar has many wooden toys, souvenirs, furniture, utensils, and decorative items. The Tibetan Market is famous for prayer flags, thangkas, masks, carpets, jewellery and clothes.
