11 Best Tourist Attractions in Shimla in 2023

Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, and rightly so! It is also the place where you can experience the Great Himalayas in all of their glory. The evergreen forests, rippling waterfalls, breathtaking scenery, colonial ambiance, and great food all lend the city a charm all its own.

Shimla can be visited all year round, and you can take a bus from Delhi or Chandigarh or experience the beautiful Kalka-Shimla Railway, which is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.

The city of Shimla is loaded with a number of tourist attractions, and it may be a bit of a mouthful for you to choose the same. Do not worry; we have made a list of must-visit tourist attractions in Shimla that can be visited by friends, colleagues, honeymooners, or solo travelers.

Kalka-Shimla Railway

The train ride from Kalka to Shimla is one of the high points of Shimla tourism. It was built in 1898 and is a narrow-gauge railway that has been added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO. The train ride offers a spectacular view of the surrounding hills and villages. The ride takes you through various other scenic towns such as Solan, Salogra, Barog, et cetera. It runs from Kalka to Shimla and is a must-experience tourist attraction on the list.

The Ridge

The Ridge is the heart of Shimla due to its location and tourist attractions. It is a wide open street running along the Mall Road and connecting it to Scandal Point. It offers a view of the majestic, snow-capped mountains against the blue sky. The visitors can indulge in feel-good shopping and binge eating as The Ridge in Shimla is loaded with bars, restaurants, and shops. Also, it is very photogenic.

Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day

Jakhoo Temple Hike

Jakhoo Hill is covered with alpine trees and is the highest point in Shimla. It offers a view of the Shivalik Range as well as Sanjauli town. Jakhoo Hill is also the location of the ancient Hanuman temple, which has a 108-foot-tall statue of the deity. If the legends are to be believed, the temple is situated at the place where Lord Hanuman rested during his journey to bring Sanjeevani Booti to Lakshman in the holy epic Ramayana.

Timings: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm; every day

Kufri and Chail

Kufri's summer is characterized by lush green hills, in contrast to the excellent snow slopes that make tobogganing "the" thing to do towards the end of the year. If you happen to be here in January, try your hand at the Kufri "National Snow Statue Competition." Walking past colonial-esque monuments around Chini Bungalow will bring you to the Himalayan Nature Park.

Continue to Koti for lunch in the unexplored gardens surrounded by orchards. Tall pine and deodar forests mark Chail's entrance at a height of about 2250 meters above mean sea level. The splendid summer residence of the Maharaja of Patiala, which was built in 1891 (during the Maharaja's exile from Shimla by the British), is also located in Chail. It is famous for having the highest cricket and polo stadium in the world. The Indo-English architecture on sprawling lawns and wide patios can take you back in time.

Kipling’s Home and Viceregal Lodge

Shimla has a very alluring past, as it was the summer capital of British India. Beneath the Kali Bari temple, there is an ordinary house where the celebrated writer Rudyard Kipling used to stay. The memories of The Jungle Book still linger in this colonial-era house. The Viceregal Lodge was originally built as the summer residence for viceroys and governor-general of India. Even if you are not into history, you can go for a peaceful stroll in the forest.

Timings: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Tuesdays to Sundays

Summer Hill

Summer Hill is a suburb of Shimla and is 5 km away from the Shimla Ridge. It is the home of Himachal Pradesh University and has a number of cafes and guest houses. Visit Summer Hill for café hopping.

Lakkar Bazaar

Experience shopping at its finest in Lakka Bazaar and meet the locals. It is located in the foothills of Jakhoo Hills and is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours.

Timings: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; all days of the week

Chadwick Waterfalls

The waterfall makes a dive from a height of 86 meters and cascades down into a gorge. It is surrounded by greenery, including deodar and pine trees, and presents an enticing sight. The best time to visit is from June to September, when there is an increase in water level. The visitors can even go ahead and take a dip in the cold, soothing water.

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Mashobara

If you're seeking exciting locations to visit in Shimla in December, put this spot on your agenda. During the winter, Mashobra, a little village in Shimla, becomes a sanctuary for winter sports lovers. The lush green region is covered in a sparkling layer of snow, giving it a fantastic ski base. Mashobra is a location in the neighborhood that experiences fewer crowds due to its calm ambiance and abundance of enjoyable activities away from the crowds. If you want to construct a snowman with your kids, have a snowball fight with your partner, or ski down the slopes, you can have all of your fun here.

Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex

Staying near Mall Road? Visit the Gaiety Cultural Heritage Complex. It is a century-old building in Shimla and has Victorian architecture. This building has hosted famous personalities like Prithviraj Kapoor, KL Sehgal, and Rudyard Kipling among others. As of now, this complex has an exhibition hall and an amphitheater.

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 om; Monday to Friday

Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indians and INR 25 for foreigners

Kali Bari Temple

The Kali Bari temple of Shimla ranks high on both architectural beauty and religious significance. It was built in 1845 and is located very near the Mall Road. The goddess Kali is known as Shyamala, and the city of Shimla has derived its name from her.

From taking a leisurely walk at The Ridge, shopping at Lakkar Bazaar, trekking at Kufri and Chail, or hiking at Jakhoo Hill, we have covered every must-visit tourist attraction in Shimla. If you are planning a long trip or a weekend getaway, do not forget to visit these places. Watch the sunset at Scandal Point and soak in the mesmerizing view of the colonial city of Shimla.