Nainital centres on its pear-shaped lake. Boat, walk the Mall, and then escape the crowds at Sattal, Bhimtal or Mukteshwar for forest walks and Himalayan views.
Highlights
- Boating on Naini Lake
- Snow View Point by cable car
- Tiffin Top walk
- Bhimtal and Sattal lakes
- Mukteshwar for Himalayan views
What to eat
- Bal mithai
- Kumaoni food
- Momos on the Mall
Where to stay
Mall Road for the lake; Bhimtal, Sattal or Mukteshwar for peace.
Getting there
Train to Kathgodam (about 1 hour away), then drive.
Tips
- Summer holidays (May to June) are very busy.
- Combine with Jim Corbett.
- Roads are winding: take motion-sickness tablets if needed.
Best time to visit
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun. See what else is good in March and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Nainital
- Kainchi Dham Ashram of Neem Karoli Baba, with a Hanuman temple
- Jageshwar Dham A group of over 100 stone Shiva temples
Places to see in and around Nainital
11 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Bhimtal Lake Lake, 10 km
- Nainital Lake Lake, 1 km
- Sattal Lake, 8 km
- Garjiya Devi Temple Temple, 33 km
- Kainchi Dham Temple, 7 km
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 30 km
- Naukuchiatal Lake, 14 km
- Jama Masjid, Nainital Mosque, 1 km
- Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, Nainital Zoo, 1 km
- Panna Tal Lake, 7 km
- Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve Wildlife sanctuary, 1 km
Food to try in and around Nainital
Uttarakhand favourites to look out for.
- Kapa
- Chudkani
- Dubuk
- Jholi
- Bal mithai
- Singodi
- Malai laddu
- Daarim ki khatai
- Munsyari Rajma GI: rice or grain
The full food passport, state by state.
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