Destinations / Himachal Pradesh
Himachal's hill capital, known for colonial buildings, the Ridge and a heritage mountain railway.
FamousHill-stationHeritageSnowPilgrimage
Shimla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh and an old hill station with British-era buildings, a traffic-free Mall Road and wooded hills around it. It suits families, couples and first-time hill travellers who want easy walks, short day trips and a ride on the Kalka-Shimla heritage train. Winter visitors come for the chance of snow.
Trip planner
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to June | Mild spring and mildly warm summer days. April to June is the main season for people escaping the heat of the plains. |
| July to September | Rainy season with mist and cloud. Some travel sites advise avoiding these months. |
| October to November | Autumn is moderate and clear, with cooler evenings. |
| December to February | Cold, with snowfall possible. January temperatures can drop to about minus 2 degrees C. Ice skating runs at the open-air rink near the Ridge. |
The Ridge is a wide open space in the middle of town with colonial buildings around it. Mall Road next to it is the main shopping and eating street.
A neo-gothic church on the Ridge dating from 1857, described as the second oldest church in northern India.
A Hanuman temple on Jakhoo Hill, the highest point in the town at about 2,440 m, with a very large Hanuman statue seen from much of Shimla. Reached by a steep footpath or a ropeway.
A six-storey Scottish Baronial style building finished in 1888 on Observatory Hill. It was the summer seat of the Viceroy and now houses a research institute.
The state museum near Chaura Maidan shows old sculptures, coins, photographs and textiles from Himachal Pradesh.
A small hill resort above Shimla at up to about 2,800 m, visited for snow in winter, short hikes and views.
Mashobra is a quiet wooded village with upmarket resorts. Naldehra, further along the same road at about 2,200 m, has a nine-hole golf course in a cedar forest.
A hilltop temple that looks over Shimla town, on the Kalka side of the city.
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| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hostel or backpacker lodge | ₹800 to ₹1,400 |
| Mid-range | Three-star hotel | ₹3,700 to ₹5,700 |
| Luxury | Four or five-star hotel or resort | ₹7,900 to ₹27,000 |
Most restaurants are along Mall Road and serve North Indian, South Indian, Chinese and Continental food, from dhabas and bakeries to fine dining. The Indian Coffee House near Scandal Point is known for South Indian dishes and filter coffee. Real Pahari food is harder to find than you might expect.
Vegetarian food is easy to find, as North and South Indian restaurants are common.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,000 | ₹500 | ₹100 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹4,500 | ₹1,200 | ₹2,000 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹12,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 per vehicle |
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The official pages consulted mention no permit for visiting Shimla town.
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Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Nearby
Distance by road.
FamousSolan, Himachal Pradesh
A small, quiet cantonment hill station in Solan district with pine walks and colonial churches.
Full guide
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
A quiet valley of old wooden temples, apple orchards and villages between Shimla and Mandi.
Full guide
Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh
Highest peak of Sirmaur, reached by a forest trek to the Shirgul Maharaj temple at 3,647 m.
Full guide
FamousChandigarh, Chandigarh
A planned city by Le Corbusier at the foot of the Shivaliks, known for gardens and a lake.
Full guide