Luxury – The Grand Welcome Hotel

Shimla is the capital of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in the Himalayan foothills. Once the summer capital of British India, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway, completed in 1903. It’s also known for the handicraft shops that line The Mall, a pedestrian avenue, as well as the Lakkar Bazaar, a market specializing in wooden toys and crafts.

1 Visit the Shimla Ridge

Popular as the cultural hub of Shimla, The Ridge is a must on your list of things to do in Shimla. Whether looking for a quiet cup of coffee after a long day of sightseeing or old British and Gothic establishments and architecture, The Ridge is your stop.

It also connects to Scandal Point at one end and Lakkar Bazaar (famous for woodcraft) at the other end. The Ridge becomes the hotspot of the city during fests and events, the most popular being the Summer Festival.

Location: Ridge Road, near Mall Road, Himachal Pradesh – 171001.

Highlights: The Ridge of Shimla is the hub of all the cultural activities of Shimla. Some of the prominent places of Shimla such as the Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhoo hill, etc is in close proximity to the Ridge.

2 Go Trekking in Shimla

Trekking is popular in Shimla as the mysterious and the beautiful ranges of Himalayas are just the right sites for you to try your hand at trekking and it is one of the best Shimla
things to do.

Location: Trekking can be tried at several undulating terrains as well as hills in Shimla. Some of the popular and common routes for trekking include:

Shimla – Luhri – Ani – Khanag – Jalori Pass – Jibhit – Banjar
Shimla – Narkanda – Hattu Peak – Chaupal – Kedi – Halau – Kandol – Koti – Chakrata
Shimla – Narkanda – Khadrala – Sungri – Devidhar – Rohru – Shimla
Banjar – Bathad – Sarahan – Arsu – Rampur – Shimla

You can check here the list of best treks you can opt-in Shimla.

Highlights: Treks usually vary from each other and one can pick the length of the trek depending on the time and the capability. There are several shelters as well as the
rest houses that have been set for the tourists to rest and re-energize.

3 Indulge in River Rafting

River Rafting is one very popular adventure sports in Shimla. The free-flowing rivers of Shimla offer the most ideal conditions for river rafting in the city and it is one of the best Shimla things to do.

Location: The river Sutlej that flows near Shimla offers great options for river rafting. The very popular whitewater rafting place in Shimla is carried out from the Chabba to Tattapani.
The length of this stretch is 12 km and takes about 2 hours to challenge the much rapid and aggressive Sutlej river.

Highlights: This adventure sport is usually carried out on an inflatable rubber dinghy.

4 Experience the Ride on Toy Train

With gorgeous views of pine-covered hills, this five-hour train ride should be on your things to do in Shimla list. A 96 kilometres run, this journey will take you through 20 stations,
103 tunnels, 800 bridges and about 900 breath-taking curves.

The distance between Barog and Shimla is the most amazing part of this journey when the train slows down due to a steep climb, giving you the opportunity to witness some
mesmerising scenes. Advance booking is recommended.

Location: Kalka-Shimla-Kalka.

Highlights: Barog Station which has the longest tunnel.

5 Paragliding

If you have ever dreamed of flying, Shimla is the place where you can come and make your dream of flying come true. Due to its perfect hills, ideal for paragliding,
Shimla serves as an excellent paragliding destination and makes it a mecca of thrill-seekers and it is one of the Shimla famous things.

The vistas of the mighty mountain ranges you can witness during the activity are enough to make it an unforgettable experience. Try this activity in Shimla to shoot up the level of adrenaline running through your blood.

Location: The best place in Shimla to experience the exhilarating fun of paragliding in Shimla is Junga Valley. Fly gracefully over the enchanting valley of Junga and land like a champion on its meadows on your next visit to Shimla

Highlights: This adventure sport will make you fall in love with mountain ranges and valleys.

1. Indian Institute of Advanced Studies

The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies should be on your list of Places to See in Shimla. Shimla is a testimony to the colonial past of our country and this institution built by the British is an integral part of colonial history. The Institute formerly served as the official summer retreat of the Indian President. It was under the reign of Indian President DR. Radhakrishnan that the institute was converted into a research centre for the promotion and advancements of arts and humanities in India.

Tourists can visit the institute and its surrounding gardens and enjoy the marvels of the colonial architecture in India which make it one of the top Shimla Tourism attractions. The building is an architectural wonder in itself as it was built with a proficient fire system, that can rival any that exist in modern times.

2. Annandale

Annandale is another top Shimla Attractions that must make it to your list of Places to See in Shimla. Another Colonial building, the place has hosted many British adventure Sports in its day. Nowadays, tourists can visit here and enjoy the natural beauty, a walk down memory lane, enjoy a day mini golf and visit the Army Museum. There is no entry fee, although you may have to pay for the mini golf.

3. Jakhoo hill

Jakhoo Hills is the highest peak in Shimla. The hill is 8000 feet high and one of the most popular Shimla Attractions. A trip to Shimla is incomplete without a visit to the hill, so don’t forget to include it in your list of Places to See in Shimla. You can’t take your drive all the way up to the top of the hill. However, the short trek to the top is exhausting but fun. The winding walkaway is amidst a thick forest lined with tall and beautiful pine trees.

At the top, you can capture the Himalayan Landscape in its raw and true form. You can enjoy uninterrupted Panoramic views that do justice to the surreal beauty of this Himalayan hill station. Once there you can visit the famous Jakhoo Temple.

4. Naldhera and Shaily

If you are a nature lover and a photography enthusiast, then your you must visit Naldhera and put it at the top of your Places to See in Shimla list. Naldhera is a short drive from the main town of Shimla and offers stunning views of the valley. You can even enjoy the memorising Himalayan sunsets from the various viewing points scattered all around. The place is surrounded by thick forest lined with gorgeous Deodar Trees. You can spend a fun day here with the entire family. Have a nice lunch and enjoy horseback riding.

5. Kufri

Commonly referred to as the winter sports capital of India and located 17 km from Shimla. Some of you may not know, but Kufri wasn’t always a part of India and was formerly a part of the Kingdom of Nepal.

During summers you can plan a day trip from Shimla to Kufri and enjoy some uninterrupted Panoramic views that do justice to the surreal beauty of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Make sure you carry your DSLR’s, to capture the beautiful 360 degrees views of the surrounding mountains and valley.

During Winters, you can maybe spend a night or two here and enjoy skiing and ice skating. If you are lucky, you may also get to see some snowfall while you are there.