22 Places to Visit Near Shimla

Known For : Skiing in Kufri Horse Ride to the Mahasu Peak Mahasu Peak

Kufri is a quaint little hill town 20km away from Shimla,Himachal Pradesh. Earlier known to be the summer retreat for the British in 1819, Kufri still harbors its past through the colonial buildings and architecture around. With its pleasant summer weather and winter snowfall, Kufri is flocked by tourists almost at all times. However, snowfall is at its peak from November to March, which is also the best time to visit Kufri.

Distance from Shimla: 14 km

Best Time: November to March

13 Kufri Attractions

Known For : Chail Palace Hotel Chail Cricket Ground Chail wildlife sanctuary

Chail is a quiet hill station close (44km) to Shimla, known for the world's highest cricket ground and a heritage hotel, Chail Palace. Surrounded by pine and deodar trees, Chail is located at an altitude of 2,250m above sea level. Tourists typically cover Shimla, Kufri and Chail in the same trip and many Shimla packages also offer the same. Chail is great for a day trip from Shimla as it takes just about 2 hours to reach here from the Mall road.

Distance from Shimla: 41 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

11 Chail Attractions

Known For : Reserve Forest Sanctuary Craignano WildFlower Hall Hotel

Mashobra is a lush green expanse in Himachal Pradesh, tucked away at a height of about 7700 feet, ensuring minimal human obstruction in the course of nature to provide you with the most pure and liberating experience of your lifetime. Mashobra's proximity to Shimla makes it a perfect alternative for people who are looking for a peaceful little hill-station. 

Distance from Shimla: 10 km

Best Time: April to June

10 Mashobra Attractions

Known For : Skiing in Narkanda Hatu Peak Hatu Mata Temple

Surrounded by tropical forests, majestic hills and woodlands, Narkanda is a quaint little town 63 kms away from Shimla district which is popular for skiing in winters. This hill station connects Shimla to the valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti and receives snowfall in abundance during winters. Situated at a height of 9000 feet, this town attracts tourists for its ethereal natural beauty and its beautiful apple orchards.

Distance from Shimla: 60 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

11 Narkanda Attractions

Known For : Monkey Point Toy Train Ride Timber Trail

Located on the road from Chandigarh to Shimla in the Solan district, Kasauli is a hilly cantonment town that makes for an ideal peaceful holiday location, especially for a weekend getaway. Kasauli is a cantonment town dotted with lavish Victorian buildings built by the Britishers who resided here years back. The quaint village has nature trails and beautiful viewpoints.

Distance from Shimla: 72 km

Best Time: March - June; September - November

12 Kasauli Attractions

Known For : Kasauli Nalagarh Fort Kuthar Fort

Located on the Punjab-Himachal Border, Solan is an industrial town that lies on the lower ranges of the Himalayas. Solan is a more low-key hill station ideal for travellers looking just some time away from the city rush. The town has ancient temples and monasteries that attract hundreds of tourists and devotees every year. Solan also has one of the oldest breweries in the country and is popularly known as the mushroom capital of the country, owing to the amount of mushrooms produced every year.

Distance from Shimla: 46 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

17 Solan Attractions

An ideal tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh is a combination of not just the scenic beauty of the Himalayas that you’d expect from this gorgeous state but also a place that is steeped in pre-colonial history and ancient myth. This would be a place rather like Shimla -- but without the capital city’s hustle and mainstream crowdedness during the vacation season. 

Distance from Shimla: 52 km

Distance from Shimla: 52 km

An offbeat place in Himachal Pradesh, Jibhi is untouched by industrialization and surrounded by nature. The dense pine forests, tranquil freshwater lakes and pristine temples make this place worth visiting. The cosy Victorian-style cottages in which you can stay are an added bonus that makes you feel as if you are living in the Victorian Period.

Distance from Shimla: 155.5 km

Best Time: March to May

Sirmour is a calm and tranquil district where still more than 90% of people live in villages. The locals are very close to nature and hence this place is untouched by industrialisation. Sirmour includes towns of Nahan, Paonta Sahib and Suketi and offers travellers picturesque landscapes, rocky hills to trek, serene lakes for boating and beautifully built temples. 

Distance from Shimla: 150.7 km

Best Time: April to November.

Distance from Shimla: 152 km

Naldehra is small yet mesmerising hill station and one of the top tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. It is a perfect heaven for tourists looking for natural scenic beauty and want to get away from the hectic city life. The tourist destination is famous for its greenery, Golf Course and plain view of the mountains filled with thousands of pine trees.

Distance from Shimla: 22.8 km

Distance from Shimla: 22 km

A quiet escape and one of the less crowded attractions of the state, Theog in Himachal Pradesh, warmly wrapped in the arms of the mighty Himalayas, has everything a popular hill station can give you minus the tourist rush. 32 km away from the main town of Shimla, Theog makes up for a beautiful weekend getaway in the hills, comfortably located in the lap of nature. 

Distance from Shimla: 27.4 km

Distance from Shimla: 26 km

Known For : Hot Water Spring River Rafting in Tattapani Shiva cave

A popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh, Tattapani is a quaint area nothing short of a wonderland. Almost 60 kms away from Shimla, it treasures several attractions lying amid nature in its best form. Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, it is famous for rafting and its Hot sulphur spring is believed to have curative properties

Distance from Shimla: 55 km

Best Time: October to June

9 Tattapani Attractions

Chindi is a small village that sits quietly in the lap of nature at 1850 mts in Himachal Pradesh. Packed with apple orchards and enormous pine and deodar forests, one can also find several small temples near the village. Located in the Karsog Valley, around 87 km from Shimla and 107 km from Mandi, Chindi is known primarily for different temples.

Distance from Shimla: 92.2 km

Distance from Shimla: 92 km

Known For : Waterfall Point Jalori Pass Serolsar Lake

Shojha is a small village sitting quietly in the middle of wilderness and panorama. Its untouched beauty might be just the thing that you need to relax and unwind. Located amid the Banjar Valley, the village is dotted with several temples made of wood. At a mere distance of 5 Kms from Jalori pass, Shojha has pleasant weather throughout the year. 

Distance from Shimla: 57 km

Best Time: April to June

5 Shojha Attractions

Known For : Kandaghat Trekking in Shoghi Tara Devi Temple

While Shimla is being flooded by tourists every year, a serene, calm and epitome of beauty lies near it, waiting to be discovered. Shoghi, a small hill station just 13 Kms. from Shimla is abundant in natural scenic beauty and a large variety of flora and fauna. This small town offers from attractive old temples to adrenaline-teasing activities and its famous fruit made products. 

Distance from Shimla: 9 km

Best Time: March - June; September - November

12 Shoghi Attractions

Known For : Renuka Lake Suketi Fossil Park Trekking in Nahan

Away from the buzzing crowd of the city, Nahan is a perfect romantic getaway. Lying among the lofty Shivalik range overlooking lush green fields, dirt free roads and clean streets, this small hill station serves as an ideal holiday destination. The quaint town today, is dotted with gardens, temples and a manmade lake. Visit Nahan, a cantonment town of Himachal for an unforgettable experience.

Distance from Shimla: 133 km

Best Time: April to September

21 Nahan Attractions

Situated at an elevation of 2500 meters, Fagu is a serene snow clad hamlet. Nestling in the majestic Himalayan Range in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Fagu is a perfect place to get away from the hustle bustle of the city. This place looks magical as it is always enveloped in snow and fog. 

Distance from Shimla: 17.6 km

Distance from Shimla: 17 km

Known For : Hidimba Temple Solang Valley Manu Temple

Nestled in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy-tale like mist lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness -  Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty.

Distance from Shimla: 244 km

Best Time: October to June

51 Manali Attractions

Known For : Timber Trail Cable car Ride Fruit orchards

Parwanoo is where one can enjoy the captivating ambience of a hill station and hustle-bustle of a city. Situated on the border of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, this small town offers beautiful apple orchards and delicious fruit products. An ideal getaway for outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking, it is also a destination for nature lovers. 

Distance from Shimla: 84 km

Best Time: March to May, October to November

11 Parwanoo Attractions

Known For : Great Himalayan National Park Serlosar Lake Jalori Pass

Tirthan Valley in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh is perched at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level. Deriving its name from Tirthan River flowing through it, Tirthan Valley lies around 3 km from the entrance of Great Himalayan National Park. This place is abundant in adventurous activities and a paradise for nature lovers.

Best Time: Mar to June, October to November

7 Tirthan Valley Attractions

Known For : Triund Bhagsu Falls Bhagsunag Temple

Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations for it's tibetan culture, nature treks, greenery, ancient temples & monasteries, and british influence. Located in the Kangra district, it's on the outskirts of Dharamshala. Famous for being home to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Mcleod Ganj is culturally blessed by a prominent Tibetan influence.

Distance from Shimla: 244 km

Best Time: October to June

42 Mcleodganj Attractions

Known For : Sukhna Lake Rock Garden Elante Mall

Chandigarh, a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab as well as Haryana is a subtle and ideal definition of the word 'city'. In a culture that includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as modernity, Chandigarh is a pretty town resembling a morning dream which is sure to flatter you with its innocence and pleasantness.

Distance from Shimla: 113 km

Best Time: August to March

51 Chandigarh Attractions