Places to Visit in India During the Heat: Offbeat Hill Towns Beyond Shimla and Manali
Bharat Goyal•Explore Shimla
Shimla
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a Himalayan hill city shaped by its history as the summer capital of British India. Colonial-era architecture, steep streets, forested slopes and mountain views remain central to its character. It is busy during summer and periods of snowfall, while winter weather can occasionally disrupt road travel.
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a Himalayan hill city shaped by its history as the summer capital of British India. Colonial-era architecture, steep streets, forested slopes and mountain views remain central to its character. It is busy during summer and periods of snowfall, while winter weather can occasionally disrupt road travel.
Top Places to Visit in Shimla
Popular attractions and places to visit in Shimla
Annandale Ground
A historic flat meadow in Shimla used by the British for polo and horse racing, now a helipad surrounded by pine-covered hills.
Bantony Castle
Originally the summer palace of the Maharaja of Sirmaur, this 19th-century mock-Tudor castle on Bantony Hill takes its name from Governor-General Lord Bentinck. Designed by T.E.G. Cooper, the building served through various functions over the decades, including a wartime government office and the Tribune newspaper's post-Partition home. Acquired by the Himachal Pradesh government in 2017 and restored, it now houses a Heritage Museum, a digital light-and-sound show narrating Shimla's history, and a platform for state arts and crafts.
Chadwick Falls
A scenic 67-metre waterfall in a forested valley 7 km from Shimla, reached by a pleasant forest trail and most impressive during monsoon.
Chail
A hill station 44 km from Shimla founded as a royal act of defiance by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala after he was banned from Shimla by the British. Chail Palace, built in 1891 across 75 acres of pine-forested hillside, now operates as a heritage hotel. The Maharaja also levelled a hilltop at 2,444 metres to create what remains the world's highest cricket ground, established in 1893 and still maintained by the Chail Military School. Together with the Kali Tibba temple and sweeping views of the Sutlej Valley, Chail has a compact but exceptional set of attractions for a day trip or overnight stay from Shimla.
Christ Church
The second oldest church in North India on Shimla's Ridge, built in 1857 during the British Raj with beautiful stained glass windows and a prominent clock tower.
Craignano
A colonial-era Italian estate 12 km from Shimla on the Shimla-Naldehra road, built in the 1890s by Chevalier Federico Peliti, who served as chief confectioner to the Viceroy and named the property after his hometown near Turin. Set at 2,350 metres amid deodar and cedar forest, the grounds feature manicured lawns, terraced gardens, a treehouse, and a small lake. Now managed by the Shimla Municipal Corporation as Craignano Nature Park, it also houses the world's tallest gravity-fed water lift, originally constructed by the British to supply Shimla with water from the valley below.
Best Time to Visit Shimla
Plan your trip around the right season
Mar-JunBest Window
Why visit
Most popular window - pleasant temperatures, snow still visible on higher ridges, and the Mall Road and Jakhu Temple walks are very comfortable. Good for families and first-time visitors.
Keep in mind
April and May are peak season. Hotels fill up fast and traffic on the Shimla bypass gets bad on weekends.
Oct-NovBest Window
Why visit
Post-monsoon clarity gives the best mountain views of the year. Quieter than summer peak and the apple orchards around Shimla are at their best in October.
Keep in mind
Nights get cold from November. Carry warm layers even for a short trip.
Dec-Feb
Why visit
Snow season - good for a winter trip if you want to see Shimla under snow. Kufri nearby gets decent snowfall.
Keep in mind
Very cold and some roads to outer areas get icy. Not great for extended sightseeing.
Jul-Sep
Why visit
Lush green surroundings and lower hotel rates in some periods.
Keep in mind
Monsoon rain and landslide-prone stretches on the Kalka-Shimla highway can disrupt travel.
How to Reach Shimla
Intercity connectivity and travel options
Shimla is connected by road from Chandigarh/Delhi; nearest major railhead is Kalka (with toy train option), and nearest broad airport hub is Chandigarh.
Getting Around Shimla
Local transport and practical tips
Local transport
Local taxis, buses, and walking in core pedestrian areas are the primary modes.
Best Areas to Stay in Shimla
Pick the right neighbourhood for your trip
Mall Road / The Ridge
First-time sightseeingCentral heritage core with walkable attractions and classic hill-town vibe.
Chotta Shimla
Quieter family staysLess crowded than core market area while still well connected.
Kufri road side
Nature + resort staysUseful for travelers prioritizing scenic stays outside the main bustle.
Must-Try Dishes in Shimla
Local food specialties and traditional favourites
Chana Madra
Yogurt-based Himachali chickpea curry.
Siddu
Steamed local bread, often served with ghee and chutney.
Babru
Himachali kachori-like snack with black gram filling.
Tudkiya Bhath
Spiced Himachali rice dish with regional flavors.
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