Shimla guide - all you need to know before you go

India is a HUGE country. There are plenty of hill stations across its length and breadth. Yet, calling Shimla just one of the lot won’t be a justice to the previously summer capital of India. There’s something special about this little town in Himachal that has been keeping it in the spotlight since the late 1800s. People, especially the north Indians swarm the place throughout the year.

Breath taking view of Shimla

What makes Shimla special?

While the panoramic location, the green pastures and the snow-capped peaks remain the primary reason that attract visitors like honey attracts bees, the history of Shimla is as special.

Here are a few very interesting facts about Shimla’s history we bet you didn’t know:

• Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies had power supply way back in the late 1800s.
• It is built on seven hills - Inverarm Hill, Observatory Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Bantony Hill, Elysium Hill and Jakhu Hill
• The trial of Nathuram Godse took place in a small hotel in Shimla which now is known as Peterhoff Hotel
• Before the Britishers, a small region was ruled by the Nepalese.
• It also hosts the MTB Himalaya - the biggest mountain biking race in south east Asia.
• The Kalka Shimla toy train track is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah used to live in a cluster of old houses known as yarrows which one can see while walking towards Viceregal Lodge
• Shimla is home to the only natural ice-skating rink in south Asia
• Many bollywood stars including Anupam Kher, Prem Chopra, Balraj Sahni, Priya Rajvansh were born in Shimla
• The Chudail Baudi near Nav Bahar beckons all single men. Your car will slow down on its own, and your back seat might get occupied by a lady in a white sari.

Shimla Town hall

Ab itna sun ke, if the name ‘Shimla’ is tempting you to book your tickets, do it. Socho mat. But, once you are done with the tickets, come back and read this blog. You’ll need it.

We’ll give you the ultimate guide for Shimla that’ll help you plan a bang for bucks kind of a trip.

Ready?

Even if you are not, here’s all you need to know about Shimla before you go. 

How to reach Shimla?

There are different ways to reach Shimla, one more affordable than the other. You can choose your preferred route based on your travel style and budget.

1. Take a flight to Shimla Airport

Flights would be the most expensive option, costing at least 6K on a good day. However, it is suitable for people travelling from far away. The nearest Airport is Shimla Airport, around 20 kms from the city centre.

2. Trains

You can book a train to Kalka or Chandigarh. Kalka is the last station connected to the railway grid. From Kalka, you can either take the toy train or a bus. From Chandigarh, you’ll have to take a bus.

3. Bus

Travellers from nearby locations like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Jammu can take a bus from their local ISBTs. There are plenty of buses on a daily basis.

A ride through Shimla’s toy train

Where to Stay?

You’ll find all kinds of accommodations in Shimla - Hostels, Hotels and Homestays to even 5 Star hotels. We recommend choosing The Hosteller, Shimla. Here’s why:

1. Because we want you to stay with us, obviously. Warna hamari salary kaha se aayegi?

2. Travelling is not just about the destination, the company matters. And with The Hosteller, you get a VIBE that adds more value to your stay experience. Besides, if you have the option to turn your stay into an experience, why would you still go for a regular hotel!?

3. We are affordable.

4. You get the ‘Hostel’ experience even with a private room, which is lacking in most places.

If these reasons aren’t enough to convince you, there’s nothing that will.

Ohh… did we mention the view? Just check out our Shimla properties. We’re sure you’d immediately book your stay with us.

Terrace at The Hosteller Shimla

How long should you plan for?

The duration of your trip should be a personal choice. Consider your own pace and style of exploring before making a decision. You can also check out Shimla itineraries on our blog.

1. The CHECKLIST visit:

Two days (including travel) should be enough for someone planning to just cross off Shimla from their checklist.

2. The GANG plan:

If you are visiting Shimla with your gang - boys gang, girls gang and so on and your focus is solely on the memories, 3 days should be enough.

3. The CHULL wali trip:

If you have this itch in your body ki bas Shimla to jana hi hai, plan a long weekend trip. That should be enough to chill your chull.

4. Full explorer trip:

If you are someone who likes to take their time, explore a place properly, you should plan for 5-6 days. Spend a day or two in Shimla. Know the place intimately. Take walks on foot. Explore the local market. Eat their food. Pretended to be a local. Towards the end, visit the nearby villages - Mashobra, Tattapani, Kasauli, Solan and so on.

5. The ROMANTIC/ LEISURELY visit:

If yours is a leisure trip or a romantic trip, we recommend spending 3-4 days to a week in the hill station.

P.S: Check with us for discounts on group bookings and longer stays.

What to do in Shimla?

Like any touristy place, Shimla has no dearth of activities and places to visit. We’ll list them all. Plan your itinerary according to your personal preferences.

1. Join the locals at The Ridge:

It is the local hotspot and offers access to a plethora of entertainment and adventure options. You can ride a pony, watch live performances by music groups, and even watch a major sporting event on the big screen. Interesting fact: it is said all water that drains off the north side of The Ridge ends up in the Arabian Sea, while from the south side it ends up in the Bay of Bengal.

2. Roam around at Mall Road:

Mall road is the lifeline of the town. It is almost always crowded with tourists, making it the centre of all activities. Initially, colonial buildings used to the charm of this area, which now has been replaced with boutiques, buildings, cafes and restaurants.

3. Shop souvenirs at Lakkar Bazar:

Shopping for souvenirs is like a ritual. Without that, your trip is incomplete. If you agree, Lakkar Bazar is the place to go for your Shimla souvenirs. As the name suggests, the USP of this bazaar is the wooden toys made by a group of Sikh carpenters who settled here from Hoshiarpur centuries ago. If not much, get a wooden walking stick for the elderly in the house.

4. Take a trip to Viceregal Lodge:

The Viceregal Lodge once served as the residence of the British Viceroy of India from 1888 to 1946. Today, it stands as a testimony to India’s colonial past. It was also used by the Indian Presidents during the 1960s as a summer retreat. Interestingly, it also hosted the partition discussion which led to the division of the country. Take a hike to this place for a glimpse of the grandeur.

5. Enjoy picnic at Prospect Hill:

One of the seven hills of Shimla, Prospect hill is popular for Kamna Devi temple. Hike to this hill to enjoy a quiet picnic surrounded by its green valley, stunning meadows, and exotic water bodies.

6. Hike to Jakhu temple:

Jakhu hill is the highest point in Shimla… but that’s not what makes it special. Remember the epic story about Lord Hanuman where he decides to fetch life saving Sanjeevani Booti to save Lord Laxman to life? On his way to the mountain, he took time off to rest here. According to legends, the temple’s construction dates back to Ramayana period and was built around the footprints of lord Hanuman. The monkeys you see roaming around the temple are said to his descendants.

A busy bazaar below The Ridge in Shimla

What & Where to Eat in Shimla?

The true soul of any city lies in its street food. The same applies to Shimla. There’s a tempting variety you can try - Dham, Siddu, Chana Madra, Babru, Thukpa, Trout Fish, Aloo Palda, Mittha, Chaa Gosht, and Madra. You can enjoy these delicacies in any street stall or a cafe nearby. For more familiar and standard food like roti sabzi, rice, daal etc. you can visit nearby cafes on the mall road and the ridge. You can read about the local food culture of Shimla in a dedicated blog here.  

Fried Indian street food from Lower Bazaar

When to visit Shimla?

You don’t really need a specific time to visit Shimla, it is a ‘place to be’ throughout the year. That said, depending on your expectations from the place, you can visit during the March to June for outdoor activities like hiking, paragliding, and camping. October to February would be a good time for a cosy vacation with hot beverages and good views. These months are great if you visit the nearby attractions including Kufri, Narkanda, and Mashobra for skiing and winter sports.

That’s all. We hope the blog was helpful. Now, if you haven’t planned your Shimla trip yet, it’s time you do. Destination wedding ho ya honeymoon, romantic getaway aur friends ke saath party sharty - Shimla is a fit for all.

See you at The Hosteller, Shimla.

Hill town of Shimla