Shimla, India: travel guide
Victorian hill station with a toy train and Himalayan views from the Ridge
Former summer capital of British India — Victorian architecture, the Toy Train, Mall Road, and mountain panoramas at 2,200m in the Himalayas.
About Shimla
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and its Tudor-style buildings, Christ Church and Mall Road still give it a distinct colonial feel. Built along a ridge at around 2,200 metres, it looks out over successive blue ranges of the Himalayas.
The main appeal is the slow pace: strolling the Ridge, riding the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla toy train up from the plains, and taking day trips to Kufri, Naldehra and Annandale. Tara Devi Temple offers a quieter hilltop view.
Shimla suits families, couples and rail enthusiasts. Summer is cool and pleasant, while winter brings snow to the town.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Shimla
The Ridge
promenade · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Shimla's broad open promenade along the top of town, offering grand Himalayan views and ringed by colonial landmarks — the social heart of the hill station.
Mall Road Shimla
promenade · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The bustling traffic-free shopping promenade just below the Ridge, lined with colonial-era shops, cafes, the Gaiety Theatre and Scandal Point.
Kufri
hill-resort · 4.2 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Scenic hill resort 16 km from Shimla at 2,720 m, popular for winter snow, horse rides to Mahasu Peak, a nature park and panoramic Himalayan views.
Jakhoo Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Hanuman temple crowning Shimla's highest hill, marked by a towering 33 m Hanuman statue and panoramic views — reached by a steep walk or ropeway.
Kalka-Shimla Toy Train
heritage-railway · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge mountain railway winding through 102 tunnels and pine forests — a scenic, century-old ride into Shimla.
Christ Church
church · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The neo-Gothic 1857 church on the Ridge, the second-oldest in north India, an iconic yellow landmark with beautiful stained-glass windows.
Viceregal Lodge
colonial-mansion · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹1,000
Grand Jacobethan-style former residence of the British Viceroy (1888), now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, set in manicured gardens with guided tours.
Green Valley
viewpoint · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A photogenic viewpoint on the Shimla-Kufri road overlooking forested green slopes, a popular quick photo and horse-ride stop.
Tara Devi Temple
temple · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Serene hilltop temple to the goddess Tara about 11 km from town, surrounded by deodar forest with sweeping valley views.
Naldehra
golf-meadow · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Picturesque cedar-fringed ridge 22 km from Shimla, home to one of India's oldest 9-hole golf courses laid out by Lord Curzon, with lovely valley walks.
Chadwick Falls
waterfall · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Seasonal 86 m waterfall tumbling through dense forest near Summer Hill, best after the monsoon and reached by a short woodland walk.
Annandale
meadow · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Flat green valley meadow ringed by deodars, historically a British playground for cricket and races, now an army ground with a golf course and small museum.
Things to do
- Kalka-Shimla Toy Train Joyride Sightseeing Tour · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
- Kufri Adventure Day Adventure · 4 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Jakhoo Temple Ropeway Leisure · 1 h · from INR 500 per person
- Shimla Ice Skating Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 300 per person
- Shimla Colonial Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person
- Mashobra Forest Nature Walk Hiking · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
- Chadwick Falls Trek Hiking · 2.5 h · from INR 600 per person
- Naldehra Golf & Nature Day Leisure · 4 h · from INR 2,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Shimla Heritage & Toy Train Day 7 h · from INR 1,800
- Kufri & Naldehra Excursion 8 h · from INR 2,000
- Shimla Temples & Viceregal Lodge Day 6 h · from INR 1,600
Where to stay in Shimla
- The Mall about INR 4,000 per night
Historic shopping and dining street with colonial charm
- Summer Hill about INR 2,500 per night
Peaceful residential area with budget stays and hill views
Hotels
- YogMaya Regency 3-star · INR 990 to INR 1,700 per night
- Wildflower Hall, Mashobra 5-star · INR 30,000 to INR 65,000 per night
- The Oberoi Cecil 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 35,000 per night
- ZuZu Hostels Shimla 2-star · INR 1,599 to INR 2,300 per night
- Puri's BnB 2-star · INR 1,250 to INR 1,900 per night
- Clarkes Hotel 4-star · INR 9,000 to INR 16,000 per night
Where to eat
- Indian Coffee House South Indian, Cafe, North Indian · about INR 200 per person
- Ashiana & Goofa North Indian, Chinese, Himachali · about INR 600 per person
- Baljees Restaurant North Indian, Bakery, Chinese · about INR 450 per person
- Cafe Simla Times Continental, Italian, Cafe · about INR 650 per person
- Wake & Bake Cafe Continental, Cafe, Desserts · about INR 550 per person
- Cafe Sol Italian, Mediterranean, Continental · about INR 700 per person
- Himachali Rasoi Himachali, North Indian · about INR 450 per person
- Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar North Indian, Continental, Fine Dining · about INR 2,800 per person
Getting to Shimla
Nearest airport: Chandigarh (IXC), about 60 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Shimla
- Train to Kalka then toy train By train from Kalka · common
Mainline trains reach Kalka; the narrow-gauge toy train covers the last leg to Shimla. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in
- Volvo and other buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Kalka By road from Delhi · common
Buses run to Shimla from Delhi, Kalka and Chandigarh. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in
- Fly to Chandigarh then road By air from Chandigarh · possible
No direct Delhi-Shimla flight; fly to Chandigarh and continue by road. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in
Getting around
- Shared Taxi
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"
Airports, train stations, popular squares
Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.
How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.
Best time to visit Shimla
- Jan 9°C
- Feb 10°C
- Mar 15°C
- Apr 20°C
- May 23°C
- Jun 24°C
- Jul 21°C
- Aug 21°C
- Sep 20°C
- Oct 19°C
- Nov 15°C
- Dec 12°C
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Frequently asked questions about Shimla
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Shimla?
- The highest-rated places in our Shimla guide are Kalka-Shimla Toy Train, The Ridge, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Mall Road Shimla.
- Where should I stay in Shimla?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Shimla: The Mall, Summer Hill.
- How do I get around Shimla?
- Ways to get around Shimla covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Shimla?
- Scams reported to us for Shimla include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Shimla?
- Average daytime highs in Shimla run from 9°C in Jan to 24°C in Jun.