Mall Road, Shimla

Weather :

Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Commercial Street

Timings : 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Time Required : 2 to 3 hours

Restrictions : No vehicles allowed

Length : 1 km

Famous For : Shopping, Sightseeing, Cafes & Restaurants

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Mall Road, Shimla Overview

Known to be one of the busiest and more commercial areas of Shimla till date, this stretch is a mini-world in itself. The Shimla Mall Road truly celebrates the spirit of the hilltown. Apart from houses and hotels, the hills are mostly covered by tourist rush. The charm and beauty of the Mall Road can be enjoyed by groups of friends, families and honeymooners alike.  The nearest attractions are Scandal point, the Kali Bari Temple and Gaiety Theatre.

The main street is lined up with restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices, and tourist offices. The stores on the Mall Road are famous for their woollen clothes and exclusively handcrafted works, apart from the usual books and jewellery. The wooden furniture shops are particularly well-known; so do not forget to shop for some exquisite wooden articles and antiques. 

Vehicles, except emergency ones, are not allowed on this street, which makes the Mall Road in Shimla an ideal place to stroll around in the evenings, without being concerned about the traffic. Other than shopping, Shimla Mall Road is also famous for its variety of cafes and the delicious delicacies that they serve. In fact, people here are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to have a meal at.

Must Know Before You Visit Mall Road

Note :

  1. Vehicles, except emergency ones, are not allowed on this street.
  2. To reach the Mall Road from the main road down the hill, there is a lift operated by the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation. The lift operates from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM.

Mall Road Highlights

1. Scandal Point, Shimla

Scandal Point, Shimla
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 i (Read More)t does justice to the intrigue created. The Scandal Point is one such attraction in Shimla whose enthralling scenic beauty stands as a testimony to the city's stellar reputation. This point is a mountain lover's haven because it enjoys a picturesque and unobstructed view of gigantic mountains covered in a blanket of dense fir and spruce.

2. Gaiety Theatre

Gaiety Theatre
Multiple famous film personalities have performed here. Even though this theatre has now been renovated, the original structure has been left untouched to preserve the heritage and natural beauty of t (Read More)his place.

3. Town Hall

Town Hall
This architectural marvel, which dates back to the colonial period; adds to the beauty of the surrounding architectural remains of the pre-independence era and is a must- visit place for all admirers (Read More)of skill and structural design.

4. Kali Bari Temple, Shimla

Kali Bari Temple, Shimla
Kali Bari Temple of Shimla is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali. It was built in 1845 and is considered of immense religious importance for the devotees. The shrine houses a captiv (Read More)ating idol of Goddess Kali beautifully adorned with jewellery and colourful flowers. Located in Shimla, very close to the Shimla City Mall, it is often visited by devotees in large number. The temple premise is kept clean and is well-maintained, and devotees can sit for hours here absorbing the heavenly vibe. Many prefer chanting or meditating here to contemplate issues they are facing as they seek power and energy from Goddess Kali to face and fight them.

5. Cafes at Mall Road

Cafes at Mall Road
The numerous cafes and restaurants located at the Mall Road serve delicious food. These famous eating joints specialise not just in local cuisines, but also serve lip-smacking delicacies from other pl (Read More)aces.

Must try cafes here include the Honey Hut, that serves everything with a dash of honey, Cafe Sol, which is famous for its well-stocked bar and a variety of cuisines and The Devicos that serves scrumptious Indian, Italian and Chinese foods. The Indian Coffee House, Wake and Bake and Beekays are amazing options too.

6. Shopping at Shimla Mall Road

Shopping at Shimla Mall Road
A trip to the Mall Road would be incomplete without purchasing some trinkets and other stuff that the area is famous for. The place boasts of excellent showrooms, departmental stores, and shops.
(Read More)
The Himachal Emporium here offers exquisite handicraft products such as pottery items, jewellery, and woollen clothes. Tibetan carpets and Pashmina shawls that are sold in the local stores and tents are also readily available in every shop. Apart from these, you can also pick up gloves, socks and sweaters that can exclusively be found only here.

The place is also famous for its colourful and vibrant Himachali caps all around the globe. These caps are affordable and comfortable and come in a lot of colours and designs with embroidery on them. You can also find small souvenirs and knick-knacks here, and a plethora of clothes that are decorated with mirror work, beads and sequins.

Read More on Mall Road

Best Time to Visit

Visiting the Mall Road in Shimla in the evening is advisable when a calm and relaxing breeze blows over the mountain tops. You can easily spend a comfortable evening here and would not even realise how time passed by. Do not forget to carry a light sweater or shawl, as it may turn cold by the time you return.

How To Reach Mall Road, Shimla

An added advantage of the Mall Road's central location in Shimla is that it is easily accessible from all parts of the city. If you are staying in the centre of the city, then you can reach the Mall Road simply by walking for a few minutes. However, if you are staying a little away from the heart of the city, it is a good idea to hire a cab or bring your vehicle. Keep in mind that vehicles are not allowed on the main road, so you will have to park your vehicle a few miles away.

To reach the Mall Road from the main road down the hill, there is a lift operated by the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation. It is located at a distance of 1 km from the bus stop and 1.5 km from the railway station. The lift has two parts, and a common ticket of INR 10 has to be purchased for it. After coming out of the first lift, you need to walk on a wooden plank at the end of which you will find a second lift that will take you up to the Mall Road.

The lift operates from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
Mall Road lift price: INR 10

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Mall Road Reviews

Your rating

Tina Garg

on Mall Road 5 years ago
Shimla is called the Queen of Hills and I couldn't agree more with this title. 2 years ago, I went there on my school trip and it still seems like yesterday only. The best part was the Mall Road. The (Read More) aura and the vibes that the place has left me awestruck. I experienced inner peace and witnessed beauty in its purest form. The best time to visit is evening since one gets to see the sunset which looks beautiful from up there. If you?re planning to visit Shimla, then do visit it once and do not forget to carry water bottles with you.

Rohit Shroff

on Mall Road 5 years ago
Pretty cool area to just walk, shop, eat and chill. The views are nice and there is this obvious colonial feel all over. The restaurants and the cafes are nice. There's lot of local crowd as well as (Read More)tourists. If you don't want to walk uphill, you can take the lift to reach here for 10 bucks. Do go to the point till Ridge.

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