Things To Do Shimla

Himachal Pradesh India

2 out of 42 Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh

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Places To Visit In Shimla

Retreat Building

Located in Chharabara, just 10 km from Shimla, the Retreat Building is the official retreat residence for the President of India. It was built in 1850 and was part of the Viceroy of India property. The architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made The Retreat a tourist attraction in Shimla. Located around 13km away from Shimla, on a hilltop of the stunning Mashobra, the highlight of the Retreat's architecture is a wooden structure with dajji wall construction. The President of India shifts to this haven once a year, along with his core office team and members. Read More

At the heart of the 'British Summer Capital' - Shimla, The Ridge is the most photographed wide-open street located on the side of Shimla Mall Road. The Ridge has everything, from shops selling some exclusive artefacts to the spectacular view of the snow-capped mountain ranges. Best known for shopping and for being the social hub of the city, the Ridge still holds Shimla's rich past in its Gothic buildings and prehistoric architecture. The road is lined with cafes, bars, boutiques, shops and restaurants attracting the huge crowd that visit the famous Mall Road. It runs from east to west on the side of the Mall Road and connects it to the famous Scandal Point on the west end. On the east end, it is connected to the Lakkar Bazaar, which is the most famous wooden crafts market in Shimla. Read More

Rothney Castle is a heritage monument located on Jakhoo Hill of Shimla on a steep slope amidst lush green natural vegetation. The site is a treat to the explorer due to its historical significance and the natural beauty of the location. As one climbs up the steep slopes of the Jakhoo Hill, they are bound to be greeted by the enchanting chirping sounds of the birds. The beauty of the ruins increases ten folds by the colourful wildflowers and wild berries growing around. Most explain the site of Rothney Castle as ordinary or in a dilapidated state while many find it to have a unique quality that attracts tourists from all over the world. Rothney Castle was once home to a British officer, A.O.Hume who is also known as the Father of Ornithology and the founder of the Indian National Congress. It comes under the heritage zone of Shimla and is included in the heritage walks for tourists. The castle is surrounded by lush greenery that resembles an overgrown or a rarely maintained garden. The site is of immense historical and architectural significance in India. Read More

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. 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.The attraction rests on the intersection of the city's most roads- Ridge Road and Mall Road. On this intersection, there also lies a statue of our revered freedom fighter- Sri Lala Lajpat Raiji. It is a year-round magnet where people come to relax and rejuvenate amidst the view of the soaring mountains. One can opt for a horse ride at this point, enjoy some hill station Maggi and play some arcade games in the small shops that surround this point. Read More

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.

The Shimla Summer Festival is a celebration of the bounty of the harvest, and the festivities honour the advent of the summer. Spread out over five days; the festival is a gala of musical performances, cultural attractions, folk performances, local handicraft exhibitions, as well as with quirky activities like fashion shows, dog shows, stalls that sell artisanal ware and serve up local cuisine; it is an event that has something for everybody. Shimla Summer Festival Schedule 2023 - Dates The Shimla Summer Festival is held every year in may or june, right at the break of the lovely summer Himachali months. Conducted annually since the 1960s the Shimla Summer Festival is a celebration of the bountiful harvest of the year, and always draws large crowds to the state capital. The venue of Shimla Summer Festival The Ridge at Shimlasource The festival is held every year at the Ridge in Shimla. The Ridge is a large, open space situated conveniently in the middle of the city that has ample area to play host to the festival. Located just along the main shopping centre of the town, it allows visitors to stroll through the festival at their leisure. Tickets The Shimla summer festival is non-ticketed and does not charge any entry or cover fees. Stalls that sell artisanal wares, food, clothes, and other handicrafts of the Himachali people are set up for the visitors. How is the Shimla Summer Festival celebrated? Dancers at Shimla Summer FestivalSource The Shimla Summer festival, charmingly, kicks off with a half-marathon that signals the opening of the 5-day spectacle. Special importance is given to sport and activities as a multitude of sporting events, and tournaments are organised. Local schoolchildren are heavily involved in the festival as they showcase their talents through cultural performances. The flower show that bathes Shimla in its bright colours is always highly anticipated, and the summer festival is the perfect time to catch all this beautiful flora in full bloom. The festival has a host of other events that celebrate the advent of the summer, including a fashion show that gives a platform for local designers to showcase their widely acclaimed work. Bevies of stalls serving a smorgasbord of Himachali cuisine dot the Ridge, offering the perfect source of nourishment for all attendees. Live music performances provide all tourists with the perfect soundtrack to accompany them throughout these five days. The sheer variety of the Shimla Summer festival, from ice skating to folk dances, ensures that there is something for everyone. Events as diverse as photography and poster-making competitions, all constitute a vibrant celebration of Himachali culture and tradition. The significance of the Shimla Summer Festival Regularly conducted since the 1960s as a way to promote tourism to the state, it has flourished into one of the most anticipated events of the year. The plethora of cultural and folk activities immerse the attendee in the tradition of the Himachali people. Scenic vistas and views of the mountains reward everybody that attends the festival and reminds the tourist about the natural majesty of Shimla. Where to stay? ShimlaSource Considered to be a vacationing hub since the time of the British Raj, Shimla has no dearth of accommodation options that cater to all wallets and budgets. Travellers that are visiting on a shoestring budget can find accommodation in one of the many hostels that are frequented by backpackers, whereas tourists that would like to indulge their families or themselves can opt for more upscale hotel options. How to get there? Shimla TrainSource The most direct way to get to Shimla by air is to fly to Jubbarhatti Airport, Shimla. Daily flights from New Delhi and the flight lasts less than half an hour. However, getting to Shimla by road from New Delhi is also very much doable, with the vast majority of the 7-hour drive spent on well-paved and smooth roads. Alternatively, the mode of transport that offers arguably the best views of Shimla and Himachal Pradesh is by rail. Regular trains ply the fare from New Delhi up until Kalka. From there on, the toy train, a train service unique to Shimla that snakes its way through the mighty mountains to offer panoramic views. With the summer beckoning, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to heading to Shimla this June and the Shimla Summer Festival gives one the perfect excuse to head there. Read More

Sipi fair held in Shimla is celebrated in a suburb Sipur, 2 km from Mashobra, is named after Sipi deity and annually organised in May. The main attraction is the visit of the deity from the nearby hamlet Deothi. During the festival, the place turns into a mystical setting, and nobody spends the night here. The fair provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with the local culture of India. The visitors pay respect to God Sipi (a local deity) and indulge in a plethora of activities. The stalls are decorated, and the venue hauls itself into an ad-hoc market to lure the visitors. The festival is held in Mashobra on the 1st of Jaistha (May). A goat is slaughtered in the honor of God Sip. The fair is loaded with performances of magicians, jugglers, acrobats which are thoroughly entertaining. A game of archery is also played during the Sipi Fair. Earlier, the Rana of Koti used to be the chief guest of the Sipi Fair and its chief patron. Read More

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. It is also considered one of the most favourite camping site options for campers. Much away from the chaotic atmosphere of cities and the excited shouts of joy and chatter of popular tourist destinations, Theog can be called an underrated destination, which in fact works in its favour, away from the city jazz and close to the lost tranquilly of nature. Read More

Wake & Bake

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.

Originally built as a residence of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, this building is said to have been a favorite retreat of Lord Ripon. However, the building got burnt in 1993 and a new Wildflower building was built as a hotel there by joint venture between HP government and Oberoi group of Hotels. This hotel is located in Chharabra area of Shimla, around 13 km from the main town.