The finest months to visit Shimla are May through June and December through January, when the city is at its most romantic and beautiful. Clear blue skies in the summer, a little dusting of snowy fluff in the winter, and the warm, earthy aroma of pine, fir, cedar, and oak trees.
Ways to Reach Shimla
By train
Shimla is connected to Kalka by metre gauge and can be reached from Kalka in around 6 hours. Three to four trains run daily between Kalka and Shimla and back again. On this route, the premium Deluxe Train Shivalik Express makes fewer stops and has a pantry.
Via Road
The well-known rest stops along the Karnal Highway between Delhi and Shimla. This is one of the fastest and shortest road routes from Delhi to Shimla, allowing you to get there in 7-8 hours via NH 44, 152, and 5.
By Air
The closest airport is in Jubarhati, which is located around 23 kilometres from the town. From Jubbarhatti, there are frequent flights to Chandigarh and Delhi. To get to Shimla, you can easily take a taxi from the airport, or you can ask your hotel to make arrangements for an airport transport.
5 Best Places to visit Shimla
Mall Road, Shimla
The Mall Road must be included on your list of romantic attractions in Shimla. Other than that, the area is a hotspot in this hill town that draws tourists of all ages. You may soak up the spirit of Shimla in all its touristy delights at one of the many cafes, restaurants, showrooms, department stores, and shops offering trinkets and rare handicrafts that are located here. You can shop here for a range of goods, including jewellery, literature, and elaborately crafted wooden objects. The Kali Bari Temple, Town Hall, Gaiety Theatre, and Scandal Point are just a few of the nearby sights that you can explore at the same time. Additionally, as the road is blocked off to traffic, taking a stroll here in the evening while admiring the natural splendour of the hills is a joy in and of itself.
Timings: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm; every day
Jakhoo Hill and Temple, Shimla
The highest point of Shimla, Jakhoo Hill, is covered in a canopy of alpine trees and provides picturesque views of the snow-capped Shivalik Ranges and Sanjauli, Shimla’s sister town. The world’s tallest Hanuman statue (108 feet), which is housed in an ancient temple atop Jakhoo Hill at an elevation of 8000 feet above sea level, sits there. Hanuman is a Hindu god. It draws both enthusiasts and tourists due to its mystique and stories. According to local mythology, the temple is located exactly where Lord Hanuman took a little break while travelling to carry the Sanjeevani Booti for Lakshman’s rebirth during the Lankan War.
Timings: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm; every day
Kalka-Shimla Railway, Shimla
Shimla tourism’s high point is the train ride between Kalka and Shimla, and with good cause. This 1898-built narrow-gauge railway has now been included in the UNESCO list of India’s mountain railways as a World Heritage Site. The train ride from the Shivalik Range foothills at Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla gives breathtaking vistas of the surrounding hills and villages as it winds through the incredibly gorgeous and rugged terrain. Along the journey, it makes several stops at tourist attractions, including Solan, Dharampur, Summer Hill, Salogra, Taradevi, and Barog. You will travel through at least 864 bridges, 919 curves, and 102 tunnels during the course of the voyage.
Timings and charges: Check the official website for train timings and fare
Kufri, Shimla
You can go to Kufri, another must-see location in the area, by taking a trip that takes about 40 minutes from the city centre. This little hill station, which is 8607 feet above sea level, offers expansive views of the nearby snow-capped mountains. But Kufri is more than simply a tourist destination for Shimla. It is also a centre for outdoor activities that provides instruction and equipment for thrilling winter sports like skiing and ice skating. Because of this, it is also referred to as India’s winter sports capital. Kufri tops the list of places to visit in Shimla in December since it regularly receives snowfall during the winter.
Indian Institute of Advanced Study
The structure, which is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Shimla and Manali, was initially constructed as a home for Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India from 1884 to 1888. It was known as the Viceregal Lodge at the time, and electricity was connected to the spectacular building as early as 1888, long before the rest of Shimla began to use electricity in any capacity. Before being transformed into a facility for advanced study and research, the area was used as the president of India’s summer retreat following the country’s independence and was known as Rashtrapati Niwas. Due to its grandiose Victorian-style architecture and grandeur, the building attracts attention
Timings:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Closed on Mondays
