20 Best Hill Stations In India In 2024

9 min readFeb 21, 2024

Nestled amidst the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, nestled within the verdant folds of the Western Ghats, and perched atop the rolling hills of the Eastern Ghats, lie India's treasure trove of hill stations.

From the snow-capped heights of Himachal Pradesh to the lush greenery of Tamil Nadu's tea estates, each hill station in India possesses its own unique charm and allure. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping adventure, spiritual solace, or simply a peaceful retreat, there's a hill station in India to suit every traveler's preferences.

So pack your bags, leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and embark on a soul-stirring odyssey to discover the beauty, charm, and serenity of India's 20 best hill stations.

20 Hill Stations In India

👉 Manali, Himachal Pradesh
👉 Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
👉 Ooty, Tamil Nadu
👉 Darjeeling, West Bengal
👉 Munnar, Kerala
👉 Nainital, Uttarakhand
👉 Leh, Ladakh
👉 Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
👉 Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
👉 Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
👉 Coorg, Karnataka
👉 Mount Abu, Rajasthan
👉 Gangtok, Sikkim
👉 Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
👉 Auli, Uttarakhand
👉 Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
👉 Panchgani, Maharashtra
👉 Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
👉 Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
👉 Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Manali, Himachal Pradesh:

Famous For: Snow-clad mountains, adventure sports, and scenic beauty.
Recommended: Visit Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, and Hadimba Temple.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Bhuntar, and the nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 12 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 3-4 days.
Best Time To Visit: May to June and September to October.

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2. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:

Famous For: British colonial architecture, Mall Road, and toy train ride.
Recommended: Visit Jakhu Temple, Kufri, and The Ridge.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Jubbarhatti, and the nearest railway station is Shimla.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 7 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November.

3. Ooty, Tamil Nadu:

Famous For: Tea gardens, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Botanical Gardens.
Recommended: Visit Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Lake, and Rose Garden.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Coimbatore, and the nearest railway station is Mettupalayam.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 7 hours from Bangalore by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to November.

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4. Darjeeling, West Bengal:

Famous For: Tea plantations, Tiger Hill sunrise, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Recommended: Visit Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, and Peace Pagoda.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Bagdogra, and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 12 hours from Kolkata by road.
Exploration Time: 3-4 days.
Best Time To Visit: March to May and October to December.

Related Post: 13 Best Places to Visit in Chakrata

5. Munnar, Kerala:

Famous For: Tea estates, Eravikulam National Park, and Anamudi Peak.
Recommended: Visit Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Tea Museum.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, and the nearest railway station is Aluva.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 4 hours from Cochin by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: September to November and January to May.

Read Also: 11 Things You Can Do in Binsar

6. Nainital, Uttarakhand:

Famous For: Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, and snow-capped peaks.
Recommended: Visit Naini Peak, Snow View Point, and Tiffin Top.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Pantnagar, and the nearest railway station is Kathgodam.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November.

Read Also: Things to do in Bhimtal

7. Leh, Ladakh:

Famous For: Himalayan landscapes, monasteries, and adventure activities.
Recommended: Visit Pangong Lake, Magnetic Hill, and Shanti Stupa.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.
Timings: Open from May to October.
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours from Delhi by flight.
Exploration Time: 5-6 days.
Best Time To Visit: June to September.

Read Also: 11 Best Places to Visit in Almora

8. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu:

Famous For: Kodaikanal Lake, Coaker's Walk, and Pillar Rocks.
Recommended: Visit Bryant Park, Bear Shola Falls, and Green Valley View.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Madurai, and the nearest railway station is Kodai Road.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 3 hours from Madurai by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.

9. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir:

Famous For: Skiing, Gulmarg Gondola, and Apharwat Peak.
Recommended: Visit Alpather Lake, Khilanmarg, and St. Mary's Church.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Srinagar, and the nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 1.5 hours from Srinagar by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: November to February for skiing; April to June for sightseeing.

10. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra:

Famous For: Venna Lake, Pratapgad Fort, and Mapro Garden.
Recommended: Visit Lingmala Waterfall, Wilson Point, and Elephant's Head Point.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Pune, and the nearest railway station is Satara.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours from Mumbai by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: October to June.

11. Coorg, Karnataka:

Famous For: Coffee plantations, Abbey Falls, and Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Recommended: Visit Dubare Elephant Camp, Namdroling Monastery, and Raja's Seat.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Mangalore, and the nearest railway station is Mysore.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours from Bangalore by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.

Read Also: 7 Best Places to Visit in Berinag

12. Mount Abu, Rajasthan:

Famous For: Dilwara Temples, Nakki Lake, and Guru Shikhar.
Recommended: Visit Achalgarh Fort, Trevor's Tank, and Sunset Point.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Udaipur, and the nearest railway station is Abu Road.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 9 hours from Ahmedabad by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: February to June and September to December.

13. Gangtok, Sikkim:

Famous For: Enchey Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, and Rumtek Monastery.
Recommended: Visit Nathu La Pass, Hanuman Tok, and Tashi View Point.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Bagdogra, and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 4 hours from Bagdogra by road.
Exploration Time: 3-4 days.
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to December.

14. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh:

Famous For: Christ Church, Monkey Point, and Gilbert Trail.
Recommended: Visit Kasauli Brewery, Sunset Point, and Mall Road.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Chandigarh, and the nearest railway station is Kalka.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to November.

15. Auli, Uttarakhand:

Famous For: Skiing, Auli Artificial Lake, and Gurso Bugyal.
Recommended: Visit Joshimath, Trishul Peak, and Kwani Bugyal.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Dehradun, and the nearest railway station is Haridwar.
Timings: Open from November to March for skiing; rest of the year for sightseeing.
Travel Time: Approximately 9 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 3-4 days.
Best Time To Visit: November to February for skiing; April to June for sightseeing.

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16. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir:

Famous For: Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Tso Moriri Lake.
Recommended: Visit Diskit Monastery, Magnetic Hill, and Leh Palace.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.
Timings: Open from May to October.
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours from Delhi by flight.
Exploration Time: 5-6 days.
Best Time To Visit: June to September.

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17. Panchgani, Maharashtra:

Famous For: Table Land, Sydney Point, and Parsi Point.
Recommended: Visit Devil's Kitchen, Lingmala Waterfall, and Mapro Garden.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Pune, and the nearest railway station is Wathar.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours from Mumbai by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: September to May.

18. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya:

Famous For: Living Root Bridges, Nohkalikai Falls, and Mawsmai Cave.
Recommended: Visit Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Seven Sisters Falls, and Eco Park.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Shillong, and the nearest railway station is Guwahati.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 4 hours from Guwahati by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: October to May.

19. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand:

Famous For: Bhulla Lake, Tip N Top, and St. Mary's Church.
Recommended: Visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhim Pakora, and Garhwali Mess.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Dehradun, and the nearest railway station is Kotdwar.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 7 hours from Delhi by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November.

20. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh:

Famous For: Coffee plantations, Borra Caves, and Tribal Museum.
Recommended: Visit Padmapuram Botanical Garden, Katiki Waterfalls, and Ananthagiri Hills.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam, and the nearest railway station is Araku.
Timings: Open all year round.
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours from Visakhapatnam by road.
Exploration Time: 2-3 days.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.

These hill stations offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing you to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate your soul.

Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquility, or cultural experiences, each destination has something unique to offer. Plan your next getaway to one of these mesmerizing hill stations and create memories that will last a lifetime.

20 Best Hill Stations In India In 2024

Written by Shimla Manali Tourism