What comes to your mind when you think about hill stations, adventure, and a plethora of activities to enjoy? Shimla is one of the most prominent and constant names on the list. For some, the list starts with this amazing destination. Nature’s beauty, an enchanting view, and a list of things to do in Shimla make it one of the most loved and visited destinations in India.
Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is a very interesting and intriguing destination. More importantly, it satiates the hunger of all kinds of visitors. And it offers a range of thrillful things to do. There are chances that you might have already enjoyed the most activities, but we have put together a mixed list of such things that you might still want to do. And for the first-timers, gear up for the thrill offered.
Here we bring you the list of 12 top things to do in Shimla in 2023
1. Mountain views – Take in Himalayan vistas from lookouts
Located in the Himalayan region, Shimla boasts an enchanting view of the surroundings. Shimla Valley is a mix of snow-capped mountains and green land; this makes it a wonderful painting of nature. And travelers love to witness this beauty. Some hotels are located in such places, where you can enjoy the view of the entire valley from the balcony whereas some living areas are made at the foothills themselves.
Whatever be your thing, treating your eyes with such beauty is going to be pleasurable. There is no denying that it will surely give you a lot of pictures too. So get your camera charged and ready before you leave.
2. River rafting – Go rafting along a river in Tattapani
Want to enjoy another heart throbbing activity in Shimla? Why don’t you try the amazing river rafting? It is one of the most important and loved activities in Shimla. To enjoy this you will have to visit Tattapani. But keep in mind, this is going to be a dance in the raging current. Don’t worry, rafting in Tattapani is quite safe and pleasurable.
As we always wish to load you with all the important information about things, here are a few for this as well. If you have already decided to go rafting then here is what you should know beforehand.
| Route of the river rafting | Chamba to Tattapani village |
| Total distance covered | 15 km |
| Best time to enjoy the sport in Shimla | October to June |
| Charges (approximately) | For 15 km stretch – 1500 INR per head
For a 5 km stretch- 700 INR per head |
| Any other charges | If you want to do the 15 km stretch solo then you will have to pay 6000 INR.
If you want to do the 5 km stretch individually then you will have to pay 2500 INR. |
3. Scenic cycle routes – Go mountain biking on forest trails
Now, cycling through the forests, mountains, and high-altitude passes have become a new normal. It is one of the most loved activities in the country and properly across the globe. People who are fit love to explore places on their own and on bicycle trips. If you want to do that during your trip to Shimla then do not worry even a bit. There are multiple cycling trails of different difficulty and enjoyment.
You can rent a cycle and go on exploring the trail you wish to. But for that, you need to have basic information about the trails. Don’t worry about that either, we have just what you wanted.
| Name of the cycle trails | The distance you cover from one side |
| Fagu Trail (old road) | 18 km |
| Shimla-Kufri-Theog | 30 km |
| Mashobra- Bekhalti | 31 km |
| Shimla- Chail | 45 km |
4. Hindu shrines – Observe prayers at Hindu temples
It won’t be wrong to say that Shimla has its distinguishing factors. There are a lot of places and things to do in Shimla that might be available at multiple places. But the degree of enjoyment you get here is hard to match. But for devotees, every destination and temple is the same.
Those who love visiting temples, knowing the history and importance of those temples, can visit here. Shimla has some ancient and very important temples. So, head to these holy places to offer your prayers and take blessings from the lord.
- Dhingu Mata Temple
- Sankat Mochan Temple
- Tara Devi Temple
- Shiv Mandir
- Jakhu Temple
- Shoghi Hanuman Temple
Take a note of these temples and if you have time do visit here. If not all, at least go to 3 of these temples.
5. Apple season – See the region’s apple harvest
Shimla is also famous for the orchids and the plantations inside. One of the most important fruits that are grown here is apples. Every year apple harvesting season is celebrated by people with a lot of zeal. Tourists visiting here during the harvesting season are allowed to visit the farms and tasting sessions are also given.
Enjoy and relish the tasty, fresh, and organic fruits. You will be happy to know that there are so many varieties of apples here. Also, tasting fresh apples is something you won’t want to miss. Pack some for your home too.
6. Himachali food – Tuck into a wholesome Himachali meal
A trip for many travelers remains incomplete when they are not able to taste the local cuisines. Isn’t it? And that’s a true story in itself because how can you possibly return without tasting the best of that city? Nevertheless, we won’t let you make this mistake and we have a list of food items that you should savor before returning.
- Siddu
- Babru
- Madra
- Bhey
- Tudkiya Bhath
- Chha Gosht
- Dham
7. Forest walks – Stroll through dense oak & cedar forest
Nature walks are refreshing and rejuvenating, what do you think? And things become interesting when you visit Shimla. That’s because you get to enjoy forest walks throughout the town.
You can go on a walk alone or with your travel partner, that completely depends on you. But what’s more important is that you carry your camera along. That’s a must because you would not want to miss the amazing beauty of the place. Clicking pictures will be your memory.
8. Colonial heritage walk – Take a self-guided colonial history tour
It won’t be wrong to say that most of the buildings that are present in Shimla are colonial-era structures. Shimla is one of the best places to visit if you want to witness the buildings of the colonial era. Needless to say that these would take you back in time and are utterly beautiful in design. Taking a walk throughout the history of Shimla will be another wonderful thing to do.
Even if you are not a history buff, you will still love the activity. Here are some places where you can head for your enjoyment.
- Viceregal Lodge
- Gaiety Theatre
- Christ Church
- Gorton Castle
- Shimla Town Hall
- Himachal State Museum
9. Hang out at Mall Road’s exquisite cafes
We all are well aware of the fact that every hill station has a Mall Road and it is the most popular attraction in the entire town. One of the major reasons is that you find all the branded shops and local markets around this road. There are multiple eateries also available on the Mall Roads of all the hill stations. The same happens with Shimla as well.
So while you have explored the other regions of Shimla or visited the important attractions, and now you wish to have a good cup of coffee with your partner, friends, or family members-there would be a lot of cafes to sit in. You can also visit the exquisite cafes of Shimla during the night. And this is one of the most wonderful things to do in Shimla at night. Obviously apart from stargazing!
| Café Sol | The Devicos Restaurant & Bar |
| Wake & Bake Café | Café Under Tree |
| Indian Coffee House | Honey Hut Café |
10. Check out Himachali art at museums
The Shimla art galleries or the museum or amongst the top 10 places to visit in Shimla for sure. These will not only give you an insight into this hill station but also help you in understanding the people who used to stay here in the bygone era. There are many models, antiques, and other collections in these museums.
If You Are very fond of Art then these art galleries will surely keep you engaged for a long time. In fact, you will find a lot of couples and families visiting here too. Considering this you can surely keep this activity as one of the best things to do in Shimla for couples.
| Popular Art Galleries of Shimla | Popular Museums of Shimla |
| Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex | Himachal State Museum and Library |
| Himachal State Museum and Library | Himachal Pradesh Agricultural Museum |
| The Ridge Art Gallery | Shimla Heritage Museum |
| Shimla Art Gallery | Annandale Army Heritage Museum |
11. Have a picnic on the mountainside
Maybe this will not be one of the offbeat things to do in Shimla but it is one of the best things to do for sure. If you are visiting this hill station with your family, You can surely enjoy your time having a picnic along the mountainside. You can pick one of the many picnic spots after having a talk with your travel partners and then take them to have a great meal.
From lush meadows to serene places, you will find a lot of options that will surely blow your mind. We would suggest that even if you are with your partner or solo, do not miss out on this enjoyment. And while going on a picnic You can enjoy the different food palate with an enchanting view.
12. Hear chanting at Buddhist monasteries
Shimla is highly influenced by Tibetan culture which is the reason why you will find multiple monasteries throughout the hill station. While visiting Shimla you should definitely take a trip to one or more more mysteries so that you can enjoy the calming vibes of the place.
- Dorjedak Monastery
- Tara Devi Temple and Monastery
- Tibetan’s Monastery
Conclusion
Shimla, as enchanting and beautiful as it is; the place offers a number of thrilling activities too. Nevertheless, there is a list of other activities as well that you can do here. As always, stay tuned to our blogs for updates and information. We will keep updating the list so that you get to enjoy more and more activities on your trips to Shimla.
See Also: Things to do in Manali | Things to do in Kufri
