Short Trips from Delhi to Take on a Long Weekend

Known For : Jakhu Temple Mall Road, Shimla Rashtrapati Niwas (Viceregal Lodge)

Probably the most popular hill station in northern India, Shimla is famous for its Mall road, the Ridge, toy train and colonial architecture. It is popular among honeymooners and families alike.

Distance from Delhi: 349 km

Best Time: October to June

65 Shimla Attractions

Known For : Triveni Ghat Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula

Rishikesh is a small town in the Dehradun district, known for its adventure activities, ancient temples, popular cafes and as the "Yoga Capital of the World". Gateway to Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is also a pilgrimage town and one of the holiest places for Hindus.

Distance from Delhi: 225 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

54 Rishikesh Attractions

Known For : Bhulla Lake Tip N Top Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple

Lansdowne is a quaint little hill town located at a distance of 258 km from Delhi in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. Laden with oak and pine forest and dotted with buildings of the colonial era, this hill station is a haven for bird watchers, casual hikers and weekenders from NCR.

Distance from Delhi: 241 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

14 Lansdowne Attractions

Known For : Jim Corbett Waterfall Stay Inside the Forest – Dhikala Forest Lodge Jungle Safari in Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is one of the most popular places to visit on a short trip from Delhi. It is famous as the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Famous for its wildlife safaris, Jim Corbett National Park has multiple resorts set on the riverside.

Best Time: Mid October to Mid June

19 Jim Corbett Attractions

Known For : Taj Mahal Agra Fort Fatehpur Sikri

Home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, Agra is one of the most visited places from Delhi. It is also home to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri and is a part of the golden tourism triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

Distance from Delhi: 214 km

Best Time: October to March

26 Agra Attractions

Known For : Amer Fort Hawa Mahal City Palace, Jaipur

Jaipur is a vibrant amalgamation of the old and the new. Also called the Pink City, the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a popular place to visit near Delhi. It holds many magnificent forts, palaces, temples and museums and brims with bustling local bazaars. The city is also very well known for its local food.

Distance from Delhi: 273 km

Best Time: November to March

77 Jaipur Attractions

Known For : Mussoorie Mall Road Lal Tibba Kempty Falls

Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations to visit on a short trip from Delhi. With a backdrop of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie has a cool, pleasant climate throughout the year. It is a popular getaway for honeymooners and families.

Distance from Delhi: 272 km

Best Time: September to June

36 Mussoorie Attractions

Known For : Naini Lake Snow View Point Mall Road Nainital

Nainital is a charming hill station brimming with elegant colonial structures that amplify the beauty of this place. It experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year, making Nainital a tourist getaway, especially preferred by families and honeymooners.

Distance from Delhi: 291 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

33 Nainital Attractions

Known For : Himalayan Nature Park (Kufri Zoo) Skiing in Kufri Mahasu Peak

Kufri in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most sought after holiday destinations, and more so for couples, because of its proximity to Shimla and relatively higher altitude which makes it a place with snow all through the winters.

Distance from Delhi: 363 km

Best Time: November to March

12 Kufri Attractions

Known For : Nek Chand’s Rock Garden of Chandigarh Sukhna Lake Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

Chandigarh is India's first planned city. It is a traditionally Punjabi city at heart with a healthy dose of modernity, Chandigarh's food and gedi culture (a leisure drive or ride the city). Chandigarh is one of the favourite weekend road trip destinations from Delhi.

Distance from Delhi: 250 km

Best Time: August to March

56 Chandigarh Attractions

Known For : Neemrana Fort Palace Zip Lining Baori

Neemrana town is located in Alwar in Rajasthan on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. It is famous for its magnificent Neemrana Fort Palace. It was built in 1464 AD, a palace from where Rajput Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan III reigned. Neemrana Fort is now converted into one of Rajasthan's oldest heritage luxury hotels and is one of the most visited places on a short trip from Delhi.

Distance from Delhi: 121 km

Best Time: July to March

6 Neemrana Attractions

Known For : Har Ki Pauri Maa Mansa Devi Temple Ganga Aarti Sthal

Haridwar, considered to be among the seven holiest cities in India, is a good place to visit on a short trip from Delhi. Dotted with temples, ashrams and narrow lanes across the city, it is a famous Hindu temple town where millions of devotees come to take a dip in the holy Ganges.

Distance from Delhi: 204 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

36 Haridwar Attractions

Known For : Monkey Point Toy Train Ride Timber Trail

Located on the way from Chandigarh to Shimla, Kasauli is a hilly cantonment town that makes for an ideal peaceful holiday location, especially for a weekend getaway from Delhi.

Distance from Delhi: 295 km

Best Time: March - June; September - November

13 Kasauli Attractions

Known For : Golden Temple Jallianwala Bagh Partition Museum

Amritsar is a city steeped in history and spirituality. It  is most renowned for the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in Sikhism. The resplendent temple, surrounded by the sacred Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar), is a testament to Sikh architecture and welcomes people from all walks of life with open arms.

Distance from Delhi: 482 km

Best Time: October to March

34 Amritsar Attractions

Known For : Bharatpur National Park Lohagarh Fort Banke Bihari Temple

Bharatpur is located in the Braj region of Rajasthan. Also known as Lohagarh, it is a part of the golden tourism triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Bharatpur is famous for the Keoladeo National Park, which houses over 370 species of animals and birds.

Distance from Delhi: 201 km

Best Time: November to February

11 Bharatpur Attractions

Known For : Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Ranthambhore Fort Jeep Safari in Ranthambore

This is one of the best tiger reserves of the country, known to have "friendly" tigers and chances of sighting one here is reasonably better than many other tiger reserves of India. Along with this Ranthambore has one of the richest flora and fauna.

Distance from Delhi: 402 km

Best Time: October to Apr

21 Ranthambore Attractions

Known For : Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Govardhan Hill Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura

One of Hinduism's seven sacred cities, Mathura is the birthplace of the very beloved Lord Krishna. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura and Vrindavan are often considered twin cities (located only 10km away from each other). Mathura is a small town dotted with temples from various ages and attracts a horde of pilgrims from all over the world.

Distance from Delhi: 164 km

Best Time: October to March

30 Mathura Attractions

Known For : Jehangir Mahal, Orchha Fort Ram Raja Temple Raja Mahal, Orchha Fort

Orchha is a historical town located on the banks of river Betwa in Madhya Pradesh, known for its grand palaces, and intricately carved temples. Famously known as the city of palaces, it is world-renowned for the classic mural paintings, frescos and Chhatris (cenotaphs) that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers.

Distance from Delhi: 497 km

Distance from Delhi: 475 km

Best Time: July to March

16 Orchha Attractions

Known For : Gwalior Fort Jai Vilas Palace Gujari Mahal (State Archaeological Museum)

A historic city founded by king Surajesan, Gwalior is galore with beautiful monuments, palaces and temples, giving this city a majestic charm that speaks volumes of its glorious past. It is a good place to visit on a short trip from Delhi, especially for history and architecture lovers.

Distance from Delhi: 344 km

Best Time: July to March

34 Gwalior Attractions

Known For : Chail wildlife sanctuary Camping Kali Temple, Chail

Chail is a quiet hill station close to Shimla, known for the world's highest cricket ground and the heritage hotel, Chail Palace, in the midst of pine and deodar trees. It is the quintessential destination for tourists looking for a calm and relaxed getaway from Delhi.

Distance from Delhi: 346 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

11 Chail Attractions

Known For : Paragliding in Bir Billing Chokling Monastery Gunehar Waterfall

Bir Billing is a popular destination located in Joginder Nagar valley known for adventures sports such as paragliding, treks and also as the town for meditation. There is an influence of Tibetan culture due to the Tibetan community settlement in this town.

Distance from Delhi: 468 km

Best Time: March - May; September - November

29 Bir Attractions

Known For : Jageshwar Dunagiri Kasar Devi Temple

Cradled in the wilderness of Himalayan ranges, the sprawling town of Almora shaped like a horse-shoe is a hill station that boasts of a pre-British heritage and an idyllic vibe.

Distance from Delhi: 364 km

Best Time: Throughout the year

16 Almora Attractions

The Sariska National Park, now known as The Sariska Tiger Reserve was once hunting preservation of The Maharaja of Alwar. The Reserve is known for its majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and is the first tiger reserve to relocate the Tigers (from Ranthambore) successfully.

Distance from Delhi: 212 km

Often referred to as a mesmerising hamlet situated amidst the lush green forests and surrounded by variegated mountain, Jibhi is an offbeat place in Himachal Pradesh. The dense pine forests, tranquil freshwater lakes and pristine temples make this place worth visiting.

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.

Distance from Delhi: 339 km

Best Time: March - June; September - November

12 Shoghi Attractions

Fagu is a serene snow-clad hamlet in Himachal Pradesh. Being a lesser-known place, it is perfect to visit on a short trip from Delhi.

Distance from Delhi: 367 km

Encompassing the Shivalik mountain ranges, Rajaji National Park is abundantly rich in flora and fauna and proves a great holiday destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Famous for its wildlife, especially for tigers and elephants, it is great for a short trip from Delhi.

Best Time: Mid November to Mid June