Things to Do in Shimla for a Perfect Hill Town Experience

The Ridge is the most photographed wide-open street that runs from east to west on the side of the Mall Road and connects it to the famous Scandal Point on the west end. The road is lined with cafes, bars, boutiques, and shops selling some exclusive artefacts with the spectacular view of the snow-capped mountain ranges.Talking a walk down here is one of the top things to do in Shimla.

The Kalka Shimla Toy Train is an enjoyable train ride connecting both the cities and made it to the UNESCO world heritage list as one of the most picturesque train routes in the world. It passes through more than a hundred tunnels and takes individuals on a ride amongst vast green hills and deodar and pine forests.. It is one of the unique and exciting things to do in Shimla.

Price: INR 225 onwards
Timings: Arrival at 9:50 AM

Shopping in Shimla is one of the top touristy things to do in Shimla and it revolves around the heart of the town- The Mall Road. One can shop for local handicrafts, shawls, woolens, exquisite jewelry etc. here. Known as one of the busiest and commercial areas of Shimla, this stretch is a mini-world in itself lined up with a bunch of restaurants, clubs, banks, post offices and so on. 

Timings : 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Known as the second oldest church in North India, the Christ Church is inspired by the neo-gothic style of architecture and is complete with a front porch, church bells and five stained glass windows that represent different virtues of Christianity. The church has appeared in several Bollywood movies such as 3 idiots, Black etc, making it one of the most popular attractions in Shimla. Be sure to include this in your top list of things to do in Shimla.

Location: The Ridge, Shimla
Timings : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Ice Skating is a famous sport in the beautiful city of Shimla. The Shimla Ice Skating Rink is well-known because it is a naturally formed rink found in the town and is also the largest and the only naturally formed rink found in South Asia. It draws not just the locals but tourists from across the globe. The experience of indulging in a sport at the foothills of the Himalayas is a breathtaking one. 

Timings : 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Price: INR 200 per person/per hour
Best Time : December - March

Famous for its mouth watering wood fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, world cuisine meal platters, sumptuous shakes and fuzzy cocktails, this quaint cafe in Shimla is one of the best place to go to for meal or a snack or just to hang out in picture perfect ambiance and cozy setting. Boasting of wonderful art and decor, the cafe also offers surreal panoramic vistas outside the windows.

Timings : 1:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Service options : Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Address : The Cafe, Within Hotel Willow Banks Premises Mall Road Shimla 100m from Tourism lift Exit Tourism Lift, Turn Right and Walk 100m to Reach, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
Phone : 084478 25855

Set amidst the lush green background of the Shivalik hill ranges, the highest point in Shimla, the Jakhu Temple is an ancient site dedicated to the Hindu god - Hanuman. Jakhu Temple has the world's largest Hanuman statue, which is visible from most parts of Shimla. Visit the temple, to view this statue upright and strain your neck a bit admiring its magnificence.

Timings : 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ticket Price of Ropeway : Adults- INR 250
Children (3-12 years) - INR 200
Children (below 3 years) - Free

The Scandal Point in Shimla, as the name suggests, is one of the most talked about attractions of this hill station. The titillating title surely piques one's interest, and the gripping story behind it does justice to the intrigue created. Don't forget to hop on for a horse ride, enjoy some hot maggi and play some arcade games when you visit. 

Timings : 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

While in Shimla, visit its colder, higher and less crowded cousin, Kufri just 13 km away from the main town. The views and sceneries here only get better, and the landscapes more flattering, a bit untouched with the tourist rush. Kufri tends to be a hub for skiing especially during the winter sports festival in february. Experiencing this sought after activity here is one of the topmost things to do in Shimla.

Timings : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Price : INR 300 onwards
Best Time: December - February

Shopping in Shimla revolves around the heart of the town- The Mall Road. One can shop for local handicrafts, shawls, woolens, exquisite jewelry etc. here. Also visit the Lakkar Bazaar, nearby, where you can find some fine wooden handicrafts as well as dry fruits and natural herbs. these wooden items are very popular in the area and ideal to take back home as souvenirs.

Timings : 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

One of the most sought after and exciting things to do in Shimla, Horse riding is a popular and much loved activity in both Shimla and Kufri as well. In Shimla, Horse Riding Options are generally available at the Ridge.

Cost : INR 400 Per Person
Duration : 1 Hour
Location : The Ridge, Mall Road Shimla

Cafe Wake & Bake is another one of the famous cafes in the tinsel town. With world class coffee, pancakes and bacon, the cafe attracts tourists in large numbers. Boasting of surreal picturesque views outside the window and artsy ones indoors, having a delicious breakfast here is one of the best things to do in Shimla.

Timings : 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Address : The Mall, 34/1, Mall Rd, Middle Bazar, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
Phone : 0177 281 3146
Service options : Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery

The Green Valley is a beautiful and breathtaking mountain range that falls on the way to Kufri from Shimla. The Green Valley is surrounded by verdant hills on all sides covered with thick pine and deodar forests. It is not uncommon to sight some Yaks wandering and grazing around in the valley. Make sure to put this on your bucketlist of things to do in Shimla.

Timings : Monday - Friday: 6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Also Known As : Hassan Valley
Height : 2200 to 2500 metres above sea level.

Shimla Heritage walk is a guided tour of the Heritage Zone located in hill town. TThese walks require exploring the heritage zone on foot to get a glimpse into the rich history of the ancient British town. One can choose to hire a guide to get more information and hear exciting stories from the British era. Besides the several other things to do in Shimla, this definitely tops the charts.

Entry Fee : INR 2500 approx
Timings : 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM Tuesday - Sunday
Closed on mondays, diwali and holi
Highlights of the walk : Christ, Church, the Gaiety Theatre, the Bandstand, some heritage hotels, old banks, and government offices.

The Gurudwara Sahib in Shimla was constructed in the year 1907, at Padhawa hills. It is a small construction but the exquisite details in the interiors of the structure make it a must-visit for devotees and tourists alike.

Address: 453C+6G6, Krishna Nagar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

As old as 250 years, the Tara Devi Temple lies on the top of Tara parvat. Built in the 18th century, the temple is devoted to Tibetan Buddhists Goddess Tara. She is believed to be one of the nine sisters of Goddess Durga. There's a special pooja conducted on the Ashtami during Sharad Navratri which is a must-see sight.

Timings : 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Address : NH.22, Kachi Ghati, Bagh, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

Built in 1845, the Kalibari Temple is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali. The shrine houses a captivating idol of Goddess Kali beautifully adorned with jewellery and colourful flowers. Closely located to the Shimla City Mall, it is frequented by devotees in a large number. The evening of Navaratri is the best time to visit the temple as you'll be able to witness the aarti, and the chanting of the holy verses.

Timings : 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hours
Address: NH.22, Kachi Ghati, Bagh, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies located on the Observatory Hill of Shimla is a majestic structure made with Victorian-style architecture. It has now been converted into an educational institution which offers post-doctoral courses. This building was formerly used by the British Government to hold important political meetings.

Timings : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on mondays
Founded : 1964
Director : Chaman Lal Gupta

Chadwick Falls is located in the Glen Forests of the beautiful city of Shimla. This stream of water trickles from a height of about 100 metres. Some explorers recall a walk through the forest as an adventurous experience because of the damp and dark environment created by the thick canopying forest.

Time Required : 1-2 hours
Address : 449Q+VH3, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005

Cafe Hide Out is one other wonderful cafes in Shimla popular for its delicious snacks and even better coffee. Situated on the first floor near The Mall, the place is run by two brothers and offer finger licking food. In addition to that, the food is priced at fairly cheap rates and is a must stop cafe when in Shimla.

Timings : 8:00 AM - 10:15 PM
Service options : Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Address : 1st floor Shop no 30, adjacent to fire station, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
Phone :  0177 265 3100

Walk through this park, to browse through a modest, yet colorful and vibrant collection of the Himachal state bird, the Monal Pheasant. The park offers various sightings of beautiful exotic birds and avifauna. However, this park is only open to the tourists during the summer season.

Timings : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Time Required : Less than 1 hour
Entry Fee : INR 10 per person

Annandale is a mesmerising location that draws tourists who'd love some recreational activities. With a splendid golf course, cactus museum, indian army museum, this attraction is also a popular picnic spot. Today, the ground is mostly used as a helipad and for events organized by the Indian Army. However, people still come here to try a hand at golf, polo and cricket.

Timings : Museum: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Playground: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Golf Course: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Built in the Victorian or Gothic style of architecture over a century ago, the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex located in Shimla is of immense historical and cultural significance in India. The five-storey complex houses an exhibition hall, a multipurpose hall, an art gallery and an amphitheatre. 

Timings : 11:00 AM - 1:15 PM, 1:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Entry Fee : Indian Citizen: INR 10 per person & INR 25 for Camera 
Foreign Citizen: INR 25 per person & INR 50 for Camera

Tattapani is a small village located 51km away from Shimla. Literally translating to hot water in Hindi, Tattapani known of its hot water spring that is believed to have curative properties for health ailments like stress, joint pain, fatigue and other skin diseases. Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, it is famous for rafting and other adventurous sports like Zorbing, Skiing, Paragliding, Trekking and Camping.

Popularly for its rare variety of flora and fauna, this wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit for all wildlife enthusiast. Animals such as jackals, barking deer, monkeys and leopards are commonly sighted here. The Pir Panjal ranges of Jammu and Kashmir can also be seen from here, making this an ideal spot for trekking and picnics. 

Time Required : 4 to 5 hours
Timings : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Himachal State Museum is located on the Shimla Mall Road and has unique collectables like ancient coins, paintings and other handicraft items collected from all over the state and country, the aesthetics of which are influenced by the Pahari form of art. One of the major highlights is the library housing around 10,000 books, magazines and journals. The Himachal State Museum is often visited by art and history lovers.

Timings : Tuesday-Friday-10:00 AM - 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Time Required : Less than 1 hour
Entry Fee : Indians :INR 20 Foreigners: INR 50