Cradled at 2,200 meters in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla was the summer capital of British India—a cool alpine refuge stitched with deodar forests, Victorian facades, and sweeping Himalayan views. Today it’s a walkable hill town where traffic stays off the main promenade, and life unfolds along The Ridge, Mall Road, and centuries-old lanes.

Shimla’s greatest hits include the honey-hued Christ Church, the timbered Gaiety Theatre, and the grand Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study). The UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway chugs across stone viaducts and through 100+ tunnels, making the journey as memorable as the destination. Nearby, Kufri, Mashobra, and Naldehra add forests, viewpoints, and high-country adventures.

Expect crisp mornings, golden sunsets, and hearty Himachali food—think siddu, madra, chha gosht, and hot gulab jamun. Pack layers year-round, sturdy shoes for hills, and check monsoon (July–September) advisories for landslides. Winter snow (Dec–Jan) brings postcard scenes and chilly nights.

Shimla

Shimla is equal parts heritage town and mountain gateway. Stroll car-free Mall Road, pause under Gothic spires at Christ Church, and linger at Scandal Point where legends swirl with the mist. The Ridge opens to Himalayan horizons, and pine-scented paths lead to cafés, galleries, and hidden viewpoints locals swear by.

• Top sights: The Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre, Lakkar Bazaar (wood handicrafts), Jakhu Temple (108-foot Hanuman statue), Viceregal Lodge/IIAS, Himachal State Museum.
• Classic ride: The UNESCO Kalka–Shimla Toy Train—viaducts, tunnels, and shutter-worthy stations straight out of a period film.
• Day trips: Kufri (views and nature park), Mashobra (oaks and orchards), Naldehra (mountain golf), Tattapani (river views and hot springs).

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort (Chharabra, near Shimla): serene cedar forests, sweeping panoramas, and exceptional service. Book on Hotels.com: Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort, Shimla
• Radisson Hotel Shimla (Lower Bazar/Kaithu): hillside rooms with views, on-site spa, and easy access to the center. Book on Hotels.com: Radisson Hotel Shimla
• Hotel Shingar (Mall Road area): simple, central, and great value; step straight into the action. Book here: Hotel Shingar
• Browse more stays on VRBO: VRBO Shimla Stays or Hotels.com: Hotels.com Shimla

Getting there (choose your style):

• Fly via Chandigarh (IXC) then drive 3.5–4.5 hours to Shimla by taxi (~$45–80 per car). Search flights on Trip.com: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights.
• Kalka–Shimla Toy Train: Take a fast train from New Delhi/Chandigarh to Kalka (3–4.5 hrs), then the narrow-gauge toy train to Shimla (5–6 hrs; ~$6–15). Book trains on Trip.com: Trip.com Trains.
• Direct flights to Shimla (SLV) are limited and seasonal; check availability and fares on Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrival, The Ridge Glow, and Mall Road Meander

Afternoon: Arrive in Shimla and settle into your hotel. Shake off the journey with a gentle walk along The Ridge—Christ Church’s neo-Gothic spire glows at golden hour, and cedar breezes set the mood for the week.

Evening: Dinner at Himachali Rasoi (Middle Bazaar) for a traditional dham thali—madra (chickpeas in yogurt gravy), chha gosht (lamb in tangy sauce), and siddu (steamed bread). For dessert and a night stroll, pop into Honey Hut Café on Mall Road for warm honey-lemon tea and honey cakes while window-shopping woodcrafts at Lakkar Bazaar.

Day 2: Colonial Landmarks and a Storybook Heritage Walk

Morning: Fuel up at the historic Indian Coffee House (Mall Road). Then join a guided amble through Shimla’s heritage core with this excellent tour: Guided Heritage Walk Tour in Shimla.

Afternoon: Taxi or stroll to the Viceregal Lodge (IIAS) at Observatory Hill. Tour the teak-paneled interiors and gardens where major 20th-century negotiations unfolded. Lunch at Ashiana & Goofa (state-run twin restaurants under The Ridge) for Himachali-style red rice, rajma, and trout when in season.

Evening: Peek inside the restored Gaiety Theatre (if a performance is on, it’s worth it). Sip hill-station cocktails and order the pahadi mutton at Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar (Welcomhotel Shimla) or try craft beers at The Brew Estate (Mall Road) with tandoori platters.

Day 3: Kufri Heights and Panoramas (Private Day Tour)

Spend the day on breezy ridgelines and cedar forests with a private excursion that pairs town highlights and Kufri viewpoints: Private tour of Shimla city & Kufri.

Expect stops at The Ridge, Jakhu viewpoints, and on to Kufri for trails, the Himalayan Nature Park, and (weather-permitting) wide-open views to snowfields. Your guide can steer you to under-the-radar photo stops and snack stalls serving steaming momos and buttered corn.

Pre/post-tour bites: Grab breakfast crepes and excellent coffee at Wake & Bake Café (window seats) and, back in town, dinner at Devicos—a long-running Mall Road institution for North Indian curries and sizzling kebabs.

Day 4: Jakhu Temple, Museum Moments, and Sunset at Scandal Point

Morning: Ride the Jakhu Ropeway or take the forested hike to Jakhu Temple, home to playful macaques and a towering Hanuman statue. After darshan, brunch at the vegetarian Café Under Tree near the temple—try parathas, hot chocolate, and valley views.

Afternoon: Head to Himachal State Museum (Chaura Maidan) to see Pahari miniatures, temple woodwork, and folk artifacts that add depth to what you’ve seen on the streets. Coffee stop at Hide Out Café for banana-walnut cake and a quick rest.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Scandal Point, where the promenade flares into views. Dinner at Café Simla Times—wood-fired pizzas, live music most nights, and a terrace wrapped in fairy lights. Nightcap with hot gulab jamun at Embassy Restaurant nearby.

Day 5: Mashobra Forests and Naldehra Golf Greens

Morning: Drive 45 minutes to Mashobra for oak forests and quiet lanes. Walk the Craignano area trails—birdsong, apple orchards (late summer), and crisp air. Coffee with a view at the café in Mashobra market or, for a treat, head to Wildflower Hall’s lounge for mid-morning tea.

Afternoon: Continue 30 minutes to Naldehra. Stroll the century-old Naldehra Golf Course loop trail even if you’re not golfing; the meadowy ridge is ringed by pines with mountain peek-a-boo. Lunch options include simple pahadi fare from local dhabas—siddu with ghee and rajma-chawal taste best after a walk.

Evening: Return to Shimla. Browse Lakkar Bazaar for hand-carved walking sticks, chess sets, and deodar bowls (pack carefully). Dinner at Café Sol (Hotel Combermere) for continental plates and a breezy terrace, or try trout and tikkas at 45 The Central on Mall Road.

Day 6: Full-Day Mountain Biking in the Hills (with Lunch)

Swap promenades for pine trails on a guided ride that locals love: Full-Day Private Biking Trip to Shimla Mountain with Lunch. Routes vary by fitness—expect quiet forest roads, village paths, and broad Himalayan vistas, with a picnic or homestyle lunch en route.

Post-ride, ease tired legs with a steam/soak back at your hotel if available. For dinner, consider a celebratory evening at The Restaurant at The Oberoi Cecil (Chaura Maidan)—order the Himachali thali or their robust lamb curry and end with warm apple crumble.

Day 7: Temples, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Close with a culture-forward food-and-temples experience: Explore Temples In Shimla With Breakfast & Lunch. You’ll visit select shrines (often including Sankat Mochan or Tara Devi, traffic and time permitting), hear origin stories, and taste local breakfast and lunch specialties.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping on Mall Road—pick up Kangra tea, handloom shawls, apricot oil, and wooden toys. Depart mid/late afternoon by road to Chandigarh or board the toy train for Kalka. Check flights on Trip.com Flights and trains on Trip.com Trains.

Optional Swap or Add-On: All-in-One City Highlights in a Day

If you prefer to concentrate the best of town into one flexible day, consider this private, chauffeured overview with a local expert: Experience the Best of Shimla with a local - Private 8 Hrs Tour in AC Car.

Food & drink cheat sheet (save for later):

• Coffee/breakfast: Indian Coffee House (filter coffee, dosas), Wake & Bake (crepes, eggs, great espresso), Honey Hut (honey-infused bakes), Hide Out Café (cakes, sandwiches).
• Lunch: Ashiana & Goofa (regional plates), Himachali Rasoi (dham thali), Café Under Tree (veg + views), Devicos (curries, tandoor).
• Dinner: Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar (pahadi mains, cocktails), Café Simla Times (wood-fired pizza, live music), Café Sol (continental), 45 The Central (North Indian + trout).

Practical tips: ATMs are readily available; carry small cash for ropeway, temples, and local taxis. Mall Road is pedestrianized—expect stairs and inclines. In monsoon, check road conditions before day trips; in winter, pack traction-friendly footwear. Sunrise and late afternoon are best for photos at The Ridge and Viceregal lawns.

In a week, you’ve traced Shimla’s arc from Raj-era promenades to deodar-cloaked ridges, eaten like a local, and peered into Himalayan horizons from multiple angles. Whether you took the toy train or the high road, this itinerary leaves you with the taste of mountain air—and a reason to return for snow, spring blooms, or autumn light.