Best Hill Stations in India – A Great Summer Escape for You and Your Family

A hill station is a city or town in the mountains of India that is well-known as a holiday resort during the summer months. The term hill station originated from European colonial rulers, who created hill stations as a refuge from the tropical summer heat. The temperatures in these towns is much cooler than the plains, and the weather is wonderfully pleasant. India has many awe-inspiring hills all over the country starting from the very north. This summer, you could choose from a wide range of beautiful hill stations.

Best Hill Stations in North India

1. Shimla

Shimla, along with its spectacular vista, is a region that is highly appreciated for its external beauty and its ethnic culture.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Jakhoo Hill
• Lodge
• Christ Church
• Summer Hill
• Tara Devi Temple
• Shoolini Temple
• The Ridge Mall Road
• Shimla State Museum
• Annandale

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 4-5 days. A nice time to see Shimla is between March to June.

2. Manali

Manali is a retreat in Himachal Pradesh that is popular for its adrenaline pumping activities and bewitching beauty.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Hadimba Temple
• Mall Road
• Rohtang Pass
• Bhrigu Lake
• Kothi
• Manu Temple
• Nehru Kund
• Solang Valley
• Club House
• Tibetan Monasteries
• Vashist Hot Water Springs

Ideal Duration to Visit

Visit here for 2-4 days. A great time to visit Manali is between October to February.

3. Nainital

Surrounding the volcanic lake Nani, Nainital is based in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and is adored by millions of people. This is a really nice hill station in India for honeymoon.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Mall Road
• Gurney House
• Astronomical Observatory
• Snow View Point
• Boating on Naini Lake
• Naina Devi Temple
• Govind Ballabh Pant Zoo
• Tiffin Top
• Raj Bhawan

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2-3 days. The nicest time to see Nainital is between March to June.

4. Mussoorie

This place is famous as the “Queen of Hills”. Mussoorie provides a person with a feeling of “déjà vu”. An evening walk along the beautiful streets of Mussoorie is enough to entangle you in long-lasting memories.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Mussoorie Lake
• Company Garden
• Jwala Devi Temple
• Mussoorie Heritage Centre
• Mall Road
• Camel’s Back Road
• Christ Church
• Kempty Falls
• Happy Valley
• Gun Hill
• Lal Tibba
• Nag Devta Temple

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2-3 days. The nicest time of the year in Mussoorie is from April to June.

5. Badrinath

Badrinath is one of the most famous pilgrimage points in India. The pace also has many other facilities like trekking expeditions and mountaineering.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Badrinath Temple
• Tapt Kund
• Vasudhara Falls
• Brahma Kapal
• Yogadhyan Badri
• Neeti Mana Village
• Bheem Pul
• Surya Kund

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2-3 days. The best months to visit are from May to June.

Top Hill Stations in South India

1. Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. The place is famous for its spices, herbal teas and coffees, homemade chocolates, oils, and the orchards. This is a really nice hill station in India in December.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Berijam Lake
• Kodai Lake
• Dolphin’s Nose
• Kurinjiandavar Temple
• Bryant Park
• Green Valley View
• Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
• Coakers Walk

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1-2 days. A great tie to visit Kodaikanal is between October to March.

2. Munnar

Located in Kerala, Munnar is a place well-known for its preserved natural beauty and virgin forests. The climate and environment are very incredible that it compels you to relax and chill.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Kundala Lake
• Tea Museum
• Echo Point
• Marayoor Sandalwood Forests
• Attukad Waterfalls
• Blossom Park
• Mattupetty Dam
• Eravikulam National Park
• Top Station

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2-3 days. The best time to see Munnar is between June to September.

3. Idukki

Idukki is also located in Kerala and is famous for its exotic flora and fauna. Apart from the wildlife, the place is naturally peaceful and calm offering its tourists a unique experience.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Idukki Arch
• Palkulamedu
• Cheeyappara Waterfalls
• Ramakkalmedu
• Kulamavu Dam
• Arch Dam
• Damthommankuthu Falls
• Cheruthoni Dam
• Painavu
• Nadukani Hill View Park
• Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
• Keezharkuthu Falls
• Kurinjimala Sanctuary

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1-2 days. Visit Idukki between June to September.

4. Ooty

Ootacamund or Ooty is the capital of the Nilgiris. It is famous for its picturesque spots and the mile-long tea gardens.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Mudumalai National Park
• Wax World
• Tribal Museum
• Dolphin’s Nose
• Droog Fort
• Avalanche Valley
• Kalhatti Falls
• Deer Park
• Lamb’s Rock
• Mukurthi National Park
• Rose Gardens

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1-2 days. Visit Ooty between June to September.

5. Nandi Hills

Known as the sunrise hills of Karnataka, Nandi Hills offers a chance to watch an extraordinary sunrise, the best one you will ever witness. The Nandi hills have an immensely pleasant climate throughout the year.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Tipu’s Drop
• Bhoga Nandishwara Temple
• Muddenahalli Museum
• Amruth Sarovar
• The Nandi Temple
• Nehru Nilaya
• Tipu Sultan’s Fort
• Brahmashram
• Yoga Nandeeshwrar Temple

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1 day. A good time to go to Nandi Hills is from September to February.

Hill Stations in West of India

1. Mount Abu

Mount Abu is the summer capital of Rajasthan and the only hill station of the state. The place is famous worldwide for the Dilawara Jain Temples and offers many points with spectacular sunsets.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Dilwara Jain Temples
• Nakki Lake
• Trevor’s Tank
• Wildlife Sanctuary
• Peace Park
• Abu Road
• Guru Shikhar
• Adhar Devi Temple
• Achalgarh

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2-3 days. The tourist season in Mount Abu lasts from November to June.

2. Panchgani

It is a very popular hill station in Maharashtra. It is named Panchgani because of the 5 hills surrounding it. The old British and Parsi homes make the place really spectacular.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Kamalgad Fort
• Lodwick Point
• Connaught Peak
• Pratapgad Fort
• Dhom Dam
• Venna Lake
• Sydney Point
• Table Land
• Lord Karthikeya Temple

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1-2 days. Tour Panchgani between September to May.

3. Panhala

Panhala is pollution-free and has a pleasant climate making you feel peaceful and calm. This is the best hill station in winter in India.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Sunset Point
• Panhala Fort
• Maruti Temple
• Mahalaxmi Temple
• Parashar Caves
• Sajja Kothi
• Jyotiba Temple

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1-2 days. A good time to tour Panhala is between October to December.

4. Mahabaleshwar

The place offers the perfect opportunity to try out fishing and boating because of the umpteen numbers of lakes.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Mahabaleshwar Temple
• Lingmala Waterfalls
• Elephant’s Head Point
• Pratapgarh Fort
• Tapola
• Panchgani
• Venna Lake

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 3 days. The greatest time to visit Mahabaleshwar is between October to November.

5. Matheran

This is Asia’s only hill station that is automobile-free, providing its visitor’s freshest and cleanest atmosphere to spend time in. This is one of the best hill stations to visit in summer in india.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Charlotte Lake
• King George Point
• Louisa Point
• Monkey Point
• Alexander Point
• One Tree Hill
• Echo Point
• Porcupine Point
• Chowk Point

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2 days. A good time to see Matheran is between March to May.

Best Hill Stations in East India

1. Gangtok

Gantok is the capital of Sikkim. This beautiful city offers numerous adventure sports activities, and the stunning view of the five peaks of Kanchenjunga is beyond compare and a sight to behold!

Major Tourist Attractions

• Hanuman Tok
• Ganesh Tok View Point
• Tsomgo Lake
• Kanchendzonga National Park
• Seven Sisters Waterfalls
• Cholamu Lake
• Saramsa Garden
• Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2 days. The nicest tie of th year to tour Gantok is between September to June.

2. Darjeeling

This place is known as the dreamland of the east. The natural beauty is enough to keep the tourist captivated all his life.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Observatory Hill
• Bhutia Busty Monastery
• Tiger Hill
• Darjeeling Toy Train
• Senchal Lake
• Dhirdham Temple
• Mahakal Temple
• Ghoom Monastery
• Mountaineering Institute and Darjeeling Zoo

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2 days. The tourist season in Darjeeling is from April to June.

3. Shillong

The beauty of the place has made people call it the “Scotland of the East”. This one of the best hill stations in India to visit in May.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Mawjymbuin Caves
• Shillong Peak
• Mawphlang
• Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
• Lady Hydari Park
• Umiam Lake
• Laitlum Canyons
• Elephant Falls
• Wards Lake

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 2 days. The greatest time to see Shillong is between March to June.

4. Mirik

Filled with orange orchards and tea estates, Mirik is one of the best mesmerising hill stations of West Bengal.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Rameetay Dara
• Deosi Dara
• Mirik Lake
• Devi-Sthan
• Bokar Ngedon Chokhor Ling Monastery

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 1 day. A good time to see Mirik is from March to November.

5. Kalimpong

This place is a live example of the amazing colonial architecture. It has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, and it’s renowned for its beautiful nurseries and orchards.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Deolo Hill
• Flower Nurseries
• Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa
• Lord Buddha Statue & Park
• Lolegaon
• Neora National Park
• Thongsha Gumpha
• Mangal Dham
• Pedong Monastery

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 3 days. March to November is a lovely time to visit Kalimpong.

Hill Stations in Central India

1. Amarkantak

With a thriving flora and fauna, the town is known for its historical importance and is a great weekend getaway. It is considered a very sacred place for many people.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Narmadakund
• Kapil Dhara
• Trimukhi Temple
• Sonakshi Shaktipeeth Temple
• Shri Jwaleshwar Mahadev
• Mai ki Bagiya
• Ancient temples of Kalachuri period
• Shri Sarvodaya Digambar Jain Temple
• Shiv Chaturdashi
• Sonemuda

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 3 days. October to February is a lovely time to visit Amarkantak

2. Pachmarhi

This hill station is known as the Queen of Satpura and is an ideal getaway for those looking for solitude and peace. It is a very small town and is one of the best hill stations of India.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Bee falls
• Jata Shankar caves
• Pandava Caves
• Dhoopgarh
• Handi Khoh
• Mahadeo hill
• Duchess falls
• Satpura National Park

Ideal Duration to Visit

visit here for 3 days. The nicest time of the year to visit is from October to June.

A trip to the best hill stations in India to visit in may surely refresh your minds and provide you with many unforgettable memories. Our country is filled with many hill stations and tourist places, and this is a golden opportunity for you to discover places you have only dreamed about.

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