Your Perfect Guide To Shimla: Things To See And Do, Where To Eat And More

It is easy to see why Shimla tops most Indians' must-visit list — it's the only hill station to combine the beauty of the high Himalayas, the energy of a city, and the sleepy charms of a hill station. At 6,890 ft, it boasts lovely deodar forests and stunning mountain views. As the capital of British India and now of Himachal Pradesh, it offers the complete package. Among the places to visit in Shimla, you'll easily spot your Barista and ICICI, though they will be sheltered in atmospheric old buildings.

At the same time, it's very much a hometown for its own denizens, who keep daily appointments with friends on The Ridge and flock to The Mall to eat bhuttas under their umbrellas in the rain. Here's your perfect guide to Shimla for a memorable vacay.

Things To See And Do In Shimla

The Mall

With a ban on motor vehicles in place for the most part, the Shimla Mall is one of the longest open-air, pedestrian eating, shopping, and walking promenades in the world. For all practical purposes, the tourists' walkable Mall stretch extends from The Ridge to the Viceregal Lodge for some 3 km, though strictly speaking, the entire Mall runs 6 km from Chhota Shimla, a suburb, to the Viceregal Lodge.

The Ridge-to-Viceregal Lodge bit of The Mall forms the core of the notified "Heritage Zone" of Shimla. The horse rides and ice-cream vendors draw children, while the hot bhuttas and the bars and restaurants attract adults. These are some of the best things to do in Shimla.

The Ridge

This small, open area is the place of action—horse rides, photographers, battery-operated helicopter rides for children, shops and restaurants, a couple of ATMs, the HP Tourist Info Centre with its bus and railway ticket counters... all is here. At one end of The Ridge is Scandal Point, named after the number of romantic rendezvous arranged here in Colonial times. The glamorous area of The Mall's big shops and Lakkar Bazaar, where you can pick up wooden souvenirs, are close by.

Christ Church

The list of things to see in Shimla is pretty long but a must-add to it is the Christ Church. The silhouette of Christ Church (in operation since 1857) and its cream-coloured spires can be seen for miles as you approach Shimla. The Sunday morning service is a musical pleasure, with the church choir and the historic organ. The charming little red-roofed stone building of the State Library (1860) is near the church. The erstwhile Bandstand (1907) is recognisable as it now houses HP Tourism's Ashiana Restaurant.

Jakhoo Hill

Jakhoo is the tallest of Shimla's hills (7,500 ft) and towers over The Ridge. The famous Jakhoo Hanuman Temple and a gigantic statue of the god crown it. There are viewing points and benches offering enchanting views of sunrises and sunsets. Behind Jakhoo Hill, Elysium Hill affords views of Shimla spread out below. Lord Auckland chose this hill for his home, Auckland House, now a school.

Heritage Buildings On The Mall

As you come out of The Ridge stretch, a veritable parade of historic buildings accompanies you down the winding Mall. Moving out of The Ridge area, just as the shops to the left taper off, look out for the red, green, and grey Telegraph Building on your right. A Telegraph Office stood here from 1886 to 1922, but this building, now housing the BSNL office, is over 90 years old. If you take the path to your left, you’ll reach the Catholic Church (1885), built under Lord Ripon. The grey sandstone building is austere but lovely. Back on The Mall, you can see the pretty State Bank of India Building (1903), which once housed the Imperial Bank.

Up on the hillock behind the State Bank Building is the Kali Bari Temple, over 150 years old. Walking ahead from SBI is the Railway Board building (1896), an unusual-looking structure with a metallic outer frame fixed with nuts and bolts.

Next comes the impressive Gorton Castle, the red roof and the turrets, which you can see from various points in Shimla. The present building is the HP Accountant General's office. Right behind Gorton Castle is the Vidhan Sabha. If you go straight, you come to The Oberoi Cecil, at Chaura Maidan. A road leading upwards takes you to the State Museum on Inverarm Hill. Or, continue onwards to the Viceregal Lodge. From Chaura Maidan, take the road to the right of the hill through quiet, woody stretches. You can see the old Yarrows house, where Muhammad Ali Jinnah once lived.

Viceregal Lodge

His residence (at the spot where Hotel Peterhoff now stands) was not grand enough for the Viceroy, so Lord Dufferin got himself a new house in 1888. The Viceregal Lodge may be called a lodge, but it is far more imposing. When it was built, Maples of London supplied the furnishings, and it’s said that the Indian income tax was introduced to pay for it all. One can still walk around the main hall and visit the small museum.

Annandale and Glen

Annandale is best known as a helipad, but the area is a large clearing with a golf course surrounded by thick deodar woods and a charming temple by the edge. It was once the place for fairs and polo. The Glen is a thickly wooded ravine. A small stream flows through it. Buses go down to Annandale, while the footpath to Glen branches off about midway on this road.

Where To Stay In Shimla

Woodville Palace (woodvillepalacehotel.com) was the home of the Maharaja of Jubbal. This colonial-style hotel is a 1930s mansion, roughly 2 km from shops and eateries along Mall Road and 3 km from mountaintop Jakhoo.

The green-and-white building and towers of The Oberoi Cecil are a landmark. Dating back to 1884, this iconic Colonial-era hotel offers stunning views of the Shimla Valley. It is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from Shimla railway station and 1 km from the Mall Road. The hotel boasts elegantly furnished rooms and suites featuring classic Colonial style, marble bathrooms, Burmese teak floors, and period antiques.

The Oberoi Group also runs the Clarkes Hotel (clarkesshimla.com) on the lower Mall. Built in 1898, this charming heritage hotel is just a 13-minute walk from Christ Church. It features an upscale restaurant, a cosy bar, a terrace, a banquet hall, and a lobby lounge, providing a relaxing atmosphere for its guests.

Originally built in 1835, the Chapslee (chapslee.com) was home to Lord Auckland before the Maharaja of Kapurthala bought it. The Maharaja considered it his summer residence. It is located in Longwood. 

Where To Eat In Shimla

Most eating places are on or just off The Mall. Himachal Tourism's Ashiana Restaurant, right on The Ridge, is trendy, as is Alfa on Scandal Point. Devicos offers Indian, Continental, and Chinese cuisines and a bar. Baljees is hugely popular, with a choice of Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Thai cuisine. Barista, Café Coffee Day, Subway, Domino's, and Sagar Ratna have outlets on The Mall. Trishool Bakers, next to Gaiety Theatre, has good confectionery. Embassy, near the Lifts, has excellent window seats and good food.

The Sol Restaurant at Hotel Combermere on The Mall is a glass-and-plastic atrium affair with a Continental menu. For the ultimate dining experience, there’s always The Oberoi Cecil. If you are in a hurry, try the chhole bhature at Sita Ram’s in Lakkar Bazaar. These are some of the best places to eat in Shimla.

Where To Shop In Shimla

The bustling markets of Shimla offer a wide variety of goods, ranging from traditional handicrafts to modern-day gadgets.

The Mall Road, located in the heart of Shimla, is the most popular shopping destination in the city. It has shops and boutiques selling everything from trendy clothing and footwear to souvenirs and handicrafts. Visitors can also find a variety of eateries, cafes, and restaurants on the Mall Road.

Another must-visit market in Shimla is the Lakkar Bazaar, located near the Ridge. The market is famous for its wooden handicrafts, including intricately carved walking sticks, furniture, and decorative items. Visitors can also find traditional Himachali caps, shawls, and blankets in the market.

If you are looking for local produce, the Lower Bazaar is the place to be. The market is known for its fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, locally produced honey, jams, and pickles.

For those interested in Tibetan handicrafts, the Tibetan Market near Mall Road is the perfect place to shop. Visitors can find various items, including Tibetan carpets, prayer wheels, and Buddhist artefacts.

When it comes to souvenirs, Shimla has a lot to offer. Visitors can take home traditional Himachali caps, shawls, blankets, wooden handicrafts, and Tibetan artefacts. They can also buy locally produced tea, honey, jams, and colourful, hand-painted items made by local artists.

How To Reach Shimla

To reach Shimla, you have several options. By air, the nearest airport is Jubbarhatti, about 23 km from Shimla. From there, you can take a taxi or bus. The nearest broad gauge station is Kalka, which is connected to major cities by train. From Kalka, you can take the scenic toy train to Shimla. By road, Shimla is well-connected by highways. You can drive or take a bus from cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, or Manali.

Best Time To Visit Shimla

The best time to visit Shimla depends on your preferences. For pleasant weather and outdoor activities, visit between March and June when temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. The monsoon season from July to September brings lush greenery, heavy rainfall, and potential landslides. October to February is ideal if you want to experience snowfall and winter sports.