Shimla Travel Guide: Best Time, Things to Do & Tips

Shimla is a classic hill station: stroll the pedestrian Mall and Ridge, visit Viceregal Lodge, and ride the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway through more than 100 tunnels.

Highlights

Kalka-Shimla toy train (UNESCO)
The Ridge, Mall Road and Christ Church
Viceregal Lodge
Jakhoo Temple
Day trips to Kufri and Chail

What to eat

Chana madra
Siddu
Mall Road snacks

Where to stay

Near the Mall for walkability; quieter stays in Mashobra or Chharabra.

Getting there

Drive or take the toy train from Kalka (near Chandigarh); about 7-8 hours by road from Delhi.

Tips

Book toy-train seats ahead in season.
Expect crowds in May to June and around Christmas/New Year.
Snow usually falls between late December and February.

Best time to visit

Sep-Dec, Mar-Jun. See what else is good in March and our best time to visit India guide.

Temples and shrines near Shimla

Shri Naina Devi Ji Goddess Naina Devi, one of the Shakti Peethas
Mata Mansa Devi, Panchkula Goddess Mansa Devi, a Shakti Peetha
Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka Goddess Kali (Kalika Devi)

All pilgrimages in India

Places to see in and around Shimla

17 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.

Kalka-Shimla Railway Museum, 1 km
Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka Temple, 36 km
Barog Hill station, 25 km
Jakhu Temple Temple, 1 km
Christ Church Temple, 1 km
Tara Devi Temple Temple, 6 km
Majthal Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 31 km
Kali Bari, Shimla Temple, 1 km
Sanjauli Mosque Mosque, 2 km
Sankat Mochan Temple, Shimla Temple, 3 km
Himachal Pradesh state museum Museum, 2 km
Chail Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 16 km
Satluj Valley Valley, 38 km
Kamna Devi Temple Temple, 3 km
Shali Mata Temple Temple, 14 km
Churdhar Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 33 km
Army Heritage Museum, Shimla Museum, 1 km

More places in Himachal Pradesh

Food to try in and around Shimla

Himachal Pradesh favourites to look out for.

Sidu
Patande
Chukh
Rajma
Til chutney
Kangra Tea GI: tea or coffee
Himachali Kala Zeera GI: spice or chilli

The full food passport, state by state.

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