20 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh for Your Next Trip

source: thomascook

In a picturesque state like Himachal Pradesh, there are more famous tourist places than you can count. The beauty and serenity of this place is absolutely breathtaking. Visitors can marvel at the beauty of snow-covered peaks, hill stations, forests, meadows and orchards.

Himachal Pradesh is an ideal place for vacation, whether it is with your family or friends. Especially if you reside amidst the hustle and bustle of a city, a trip to Himachal Pradesh will give you everything you need to relax.

Keep scrolling to know more about all the best tourist places in Himachal Pradesh.

Preparing to head out to the mountains? Don’t worry! Here, you will find a comprehensive list of places to visit in Himachal Pradesh and fun things to do while you are there. 

The following are the most popular locations you will not want to miss on your trip:

1. Manali

source: tripsavvy

Manali offers a spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas and valleys filled with oak, deodar and pine forests. It is also home to several historical heritages like the forts at Naggar and Kuthar. Here, you can witness exceptional works of architecture against the backdrop of nature. All of these factors make Manali one of the best places for solo trip in india.

• Favourable Time to Visit- All year round
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 3-4 days
• Average Expense -  ₹ 6,500 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days per person
• Places to Go- Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Manu temple, Hidimba Temple, Naggar Castle
• Activities to Partake- Skiing, trekking, paragliding, downhill cycling and going to an adventure camp

Travel Options-

• By Train- Joginder Nagar Railway Station
• By Air- Kullu Manali Airport
• By Road- Bus or taxi from Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh or Leh

2. Kasol

source: euttaranchal

Situated at an altitude of 1640m above sea level, Kasol is a base for all sorts of trekkers and backpackers. You will spot multiple orchards of plum, apple, peaches, apricot, almonds and pears. Grahan nallah, a mountain stream on its way to meet the Parvati River, divides the village into two parts.

• Favourable Time to Visit- October to June
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 11,000 for 6 Nights/ 7 Days per person
• Places to Go- Tosh Village, Malana Village, Bhuntar Town, Kheer Ganga Peak, Manikaran Gurudwara, Khirganga
• Activities to Partake- Camping, shopping, trekking, sightseeing

Travel Options-

• By Train- Pathankot Railway Station
• By Air-  Bhuntar Airport, Kullu
• By Road- HRTC operates buses from Punjab, Delhi and Haryana.

3. Shimla

source: wikimedia

Shimla is one of the popular tourist places in Himachal Pradesh during the summertime. Its cool and pleasant weather is utterly comforting. With a number of adventurous activities to participate in, Shimla justifies the hype for which it is known.

• Favourable Time to Visit: March to June
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-4 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 6,000 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days per day
• Places to Go- Jakhoo Hills, Kufri, Summer Hill, the Scandal Point, Naldehra Peak, 
• Activities to Partake- Riding the toy train, rafting, sightseeing and ice-skating

Travel Options-

• By Train- Shimla Railway Station, Kalka Railway Station
• By Air- Shimla Airport
• By Road- Buses and taxis are available from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Uttar Pradesh.

4. Jibhi

source: tripexperienceblog

Jibhi is a quaint little village that is yet to be explored by most visitors in Himachal Pradesh. Located at an elevation of 1600 metres, this place is great for those looking for refreshing air and some peace and quiet. Jibhi would be a perfect trip for a weekend to unwind and relax before returning back to the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Favourable Time to Visit- March to May
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 3,500 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days
• Places to Go- Raghupur Fort, Serolsar Lake, Jibhi Waterfalls, Bashleo Pass, Chehni Kothi
• Activities to Partake- Rock climbing, hiking, fishing, bike rides and relaxing

Travel Options-

• By Train- Shimla Railway Station
• By Air-  Bhuntar Airport, Kullu
• By Road- Buses from Delhi run to Aut, from where you can get direct buses to Jibhi.

5. McLeod Ganj

source: wikimedia

McLeod Ganj is a beautiful town famous for being the home of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. It is situated in the upper Dharamsala, also called Little Lhasa. Thousands of visitors arrive here to take Buddhism, yoga and meditation courses.

• Favourable Time to Visit- October to June
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 4,000 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days
• Places to Go- Namgyal Monastery, Minkiani Pass, Tibetan Museum, Dhauladhar Ranges, Bhagsu Falls
• Activities to Partake- Camping, trekking, shopping, sightseeing and partying

Travel Options-

• By Train- Pathankot Railway Station
• By Air- Gaggal Airport
• By Road- Private cars and buses also ply from New Delhi and Chandigarh.

6. Spiti Valley

source: tourtoreview

Hiding right beneath a blanket of earthy glory, this is a famous tourist place in Himachal Pradesh. This valley is situated 12,500 feet above sea level and is bordered by Ladakh, Tibet, Kinnaur and Kullu. Visitors can relax and enjoy the sights of beautiful pine forests, monasteries, vast green meadows and small, picturesque villages.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to July
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 900 per person per day
• Places to Go- Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal Lake, Baralacha Pass, Kibber
• Activities to Partake- Visit monasteries, trek, indulge in Tibetan and Spitian dishes

Travel Options-

• By Train- Shimla Railway Station, Joginder Nagar Railway Station
• By Air- Kullu Airport
• By Road- Bus services operate regularly to and from Delhi, Shimla and Pathankot.

7. Dalhousie

source: wikimedia

Located at about 2000 metres above sea level in the district of Chamba, Dalhousie is another breathtaking hill station that needs to be on your bucket list. Undoubtedly one of the famous places in Himachal Pradesh, this place shares the name with its founder, Lord Dalhousie.

• Favourable Time to Visit- April to July
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 1,320 per day per person
• Places to Go- Bakrota Hills, Karelanu, Dainkund Peak, Kalatop Forest, St John’s Church
• Activities to Partake- Rafting, River crossing, rock climbing, camping and paragliding

Travel Options-

• By Train- Chakki Bank Railway Station, Pathankot
• By Air- Dharamsala Airport
• By Road- Private and State-owned buses ply from Delhi to Dalhousie.

8. Bir Billing

source: ytimg

Bir Billing is one of the famous tourist places in Himachal Pradesh and offers a variety of adventure sports for all the adrenaline seekers out there. This place bears the title of 'Paragliding Capital of India'. It is also a famous place for ecotourism, meditation and spiritual studies. You will also see several Buddhist monasteries in a Tibetan refugee settlement.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to July
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 5,999 for 3 Nights/ 4 Days per person
• Places to Go- Chowgan Tea Gardens, Chokling Monastery, Dharmalaya Institute, Baijnath Temple, Deer Park Institute
• Activities to Partake- Paragliding, trekking, taking pictures, relaxing and visiting monasteries

Travel Options-

• By Train- Ahju Railway Station
• By Air- Kangra Airport, Gaggal
• By Road- Buses and shared taxis from Shimla and Dharamsala 

9. Kasauli

source: herzindagi

Kasauli is a small town located just 77 km away from Shimla. It houses several spectacular sights and is also known to be a hikers' paradise. It holds a certain majestic charm making it one of the best places to opt for vacationing in the Northern part of India.

• Favourable Time to Visit- Throughout the year
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 3,900 for 1 Nights/ 2 Days
• Places to Go- Sunset Point, Monkey Point, Golbert Trail, GurdwaraShri Guru Nanakji, Christ Church
• Activities to Partake- Sightseeing, photography, toy train ride and relaxing

Travel Options-

• By Train- Kalka Railway Station
• By Air- Chandigarh Airport
• By Road- Buses are available from Delhi and Chandigarh

10. Fagu

source: holidify

Fagu is the base camp for anyone willing to explore the gorgeous countryside of Shimla, especially any nature lovers, botanists or even trekkers. Cedar forests and fog covers every corner of the landscape. This tourist place in Himachal Pradesh is ideal for those looking for beauty and solitude.

• Favourable Time to Visit- October to April
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 8,250 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days for 3 people
• Places to Go- Katir, Bhanthia Devta Temple, Theog Town, Apple Orchards, Chharabra
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, exploring, sightseeing, photography

Travel Options-

• By Train- Kalka Railway Station, Shimla
• By Air- Jubbar Hatti Airport
• By Road- Fagu is reachable via taxis or private cars from Shimla.

11. Kaza

source: wikimedia

Situated about 11,980 feet above sea level, Kaza is a world within a world. It has a strong cultural and geographical resemblance with Ladakh and Tibet. As it is the sub-divisional headquarter of Spiti, it holds a lot of importance as an administrative and commercial centre. Kaza is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Himachal Pradesh.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to July
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 8,000 for 5 Nights/ 6 Days
• Places to Go- Komic Village, Chandratal Lake, Kunzum Pass, Dhankar Lake, Key Monastery
• Activities to Partake- Hiking, shopping, river rafting and star gazing 

Travel Options-

• By Train- Joginder Nagar Railway Station
• By Air- Bhuntar Airport
• By Road- Buses operate from Kulu and Manali to Kaza.

12. Tirthan Valley

source: adotrip

One of 'Himachal's best-kept secrets, Tirthan Valley, resides at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level. Pact with mesmerising sceneries of greeneries, it is a perfect place for a quick escape from the mundane city life. With numerous water bodies nearby, tourists can participate in trout fishing and rafting.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to October
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 8 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 3,000 for 1 Night/ 2 Days per person
• Places to Go- Great Himalayan National Park, Jalori Pass, Serlosar Lake, Sarchi Village, River Tirthan
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, fishing, rappelling, camping and river crossing

Travel Options-

• By Train- Ambala Railway Station, Kiratpur Railway Station
• By Air- Bhuntar Airport, Chandigarh Airport
• By Road- The HPTDC operates buses from Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh.

13. Sethan Valley

source: devilonwheels

Sethan is a Buddhist village just about 12 km from Manali. The panoramic view and the tranquil silence of this place will fill you with inner peace and serenity. This place is perfect for slow travellers who are travelling with the aim of breathing in the mountain air and unwinding.

• Favourable Time to Visit- March to October
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 1-2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 2,000 per day per person 
• Places to Go- Naggar Castle, Tripura Sundari Temple, Igloo Village, Pandu Ropa and Indrasana Peak
• Activities to Partake- Snowboarding, bouldering, trekking, wandering and photography

Travel Options-

• By Train- Bhuntar Railway Station
• By Air- Kullu Manali Airport
• By Road- Buses (HRTC and Private Volvos) and taxis from Manali.

14. Khajjiar

source: travelandleisureindia

Quite a popular hill stations in himachal pradesh, Khajjiar shows an uncanny resemblance to Switzerland. The beauty of vast green meadows and dense forests make this a memorable destination. The majestic peak of the Himalayas can be seen from here. It is also the starting point of multiple treks. Khajjiar’s many attractions make it a frequently visited tourist place in Himachal Pradesh.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to June
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 3 days
• Average Expense: ₹ 3,000 for 1 Nights/ 2 Days
• Places to Go- Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Khajji Nag Temple, Kailash Village, Khajjiar Lake
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, zorbing, jungle safari and horse riding

Travel Options-

• By Train- Pathankot Railway Station
• By Air- Dharamsala Airport
• By Road- Bus services are available from New Delhi to Shimla.

15. Kufri

source: cloudfront

Kufri is one of the popular destinations among honeymooners. The surrounding of this small town is refreshingly green, which during the winters turn into ethereal white. On arriving here, you will witness the rich endemic wildlife that the Himalayan National Park offers. 

• Favourable Time to Visit- November to March
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 5,500 for 2 Nights/ 3 Days
• Places to Go- Mahasu Peak, Indira Tourist Park, Nag Temple, Kufri Zoo and The Himalayan Nature Park
• Activities to Partake- Skiing, trekking, hiking, exploring and photography

Travel Options-

• By Train- Shimla Railway Station
• By Air- Shimla Airport
• By Road- Regular buses ply from Shimla.

16. Tosh

source: thetravelshots

If you opted to visit this little village lying at the end of the Parvati Valley, you have landed at the perfect place to tour all the important sites. Tosh has beautiful music, pleasant weather and warm people who will make sure that your stay here is special and memorable. 

• Favourable Time to Visit- April to October
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 7,000 for 3 Nights/ 4 Days per person
• Places to Go- Parvati Valley, Naina Bhagwati Mandir, Kheer Ganga, Manikaran Sahib
• Activities to Partake- Taking pictures, exploring, indulging in local delicacies and trekking

Travel Options-

• By Train- Joginder Nagar railway station
• By Air- Bhuntar Airport
• By Road- No direct buses. You have to find HRTC buses from Bhuntar to Barshaini and trek to Tosh.

17. Dharamshala

source: wikimedia

Blessed with endless natural beauty like the rest of the state, Dharamsala is an inviting location for unwinding and rejoicing amidst serenity. This place is the residence of a large Indo-Tibetan community. You will notice multiple prayer flags fluttering all over the place and monks at every corner of this town.

• Favourable Time to Visit- May to July, November to January
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2-3 days
• Average Expense - ₹ 1,000 per person per day
• Places to Go- St. John's Church, Namgyal Monastery, McLeod Ganj, Bhagsunath Temple, Kangra Fort
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, exploring, camping, meditation and learning Tibetan culture

Travel Options-

• By Train- Pathankot Railway Station
• By Air- Kangra Airport
• By Road- Buses to nearby cities are available.

18. Chail

source: wikimedia

Chail will be the best tourist place in Himachal Pradesh if you plan on opting for a chill and laidback vacation with the beautiful natural beauty surrounding you. It also has the world's highest cricket ground along with a picturesque landscape.

• Favourable Time to Visit- June to September
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense -  ₹ 7,000  for 3 Nights/ 4 Days per person
• Places to Go- Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Chail Cricket Ground, Kali ka Tibba, Sadhupul Lake, Gurudwara Sahib
• Activities to Partake- Horse riding, taking pictures, sightseeing and exploring

Travel Options-

• By Train- Kalka Railway station
• By Air- Shimla Airport
• By Road- Taxis and buses are available from Shimla.

19. Palampur

source: cntraveller

Situated in the Kangra district, this town is surrounded by deodar forest and tea gardens. You can spot a few Victorian-style mansions and architecture of the English when you roam around the town. It also has lush greenery and stunning landscapes.

• Favourable Time to Visit- September to June
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 2 days
• Average Expense -  ₹ 1726  per day per person (accomodation cost)
• Places to Go- Tashi Jong Monastery, Saurabh Van Vihar, Baijnath Temple, Hamunda Devi Temple, Neugal Khad
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, exploring, paragliding and sightseeing

Travel Options-

• By Train- Maranda Railway Station, 
• By Air- Gaggal airport
• By Road- Buses are available from all major cities in Himachal Pradesh.

20. Narkanda

source: treksandtrails

A picturesque town offering astonishing scenic beauty and an utter peaceful ambience, Narkanda will make you wish to return soon. This town is blessed with cherry and apple orchards that serve to be a great attraction for landscape photographers. It also hosts multiple options for adventure seekers looking for a fun time and enjoying themselves amidst this paradise.

• Favourable Time to Visit- Throughout the year
• Ideal Duration to Stay- 1-2 days
• Average Expense -  ₹ 2,500 per day per person (accomodation cost)
• Places to Go- Hatu Mata Temple, Tannu Jabar Lake, Hatu Peak, Mahamaya Temple
• Activities to Partake- Trekking, skiing, horse riding, exploring and shopping

Travel Options-

• By Train- Kalka Railway Station
• By Air- Shimla Airport
• By Road- There are bus services to all major cities of North India.