Beautiful lakes? Check. Towering peaks? Check. Scenic views? Double check! Nestled high up in the Kumaon Himalayas, Nainital, a charming Himalayan lake town, is the picture-perfect hill station, ideal for a family vacation or even a solo visit. Nainital is where you go when looking for some peace and calm, and if you wish to escape the miserable summer time, here are the top tourist places you can visit in town.
Discover The Beauty Of Nainital: Here Are 11 Places You Must Visit
Naini Lake
Obviously, your visit to Nainital will be incomplete without going to the Nainital Lake. Situated in the heart of the city, Naini Lake is a beautiful natural freshwater lake where you can catch the sunrise or go for a nice evening stroll and enjoy boating, yachting, and paddling. Surrounded by Naini Peak in the northwest, Tiffin Point in the southwest, and snow-capped peaks in the north, the Lake offers a mesmerising view and is the perfect spot to just sit back and relax.
Naina Peak
The Naina Peak is the highest peak in Nainital and is covered with snow almost all year round. The top of the peak gives a bird's eye view of the town's beautiful city line, the Nanda Devi Peak, and the mountains of the Tibet border, also making it the perfect spot for nature photography. You can hop on a pony or trek up to reach the top.
Tiffin Top
Also known as Dorothy’s Seat, this vantage point offers magnificent, panoramic views of Nainital, perfect for nature lovers and photographers. It makes for a great picnic spot and you can go here for adventure activities like rappelling and rock climbing too. You can hike up to the mountain or ride a horse to reach there.
Mall Road
Of course, one of the best food and shopping hubs is the Mall Road. It runs parallel to the Naini Lake and has everything a tourist wants and a perfect backdrop to complement your retail therapy. Also located in the vicinity is Bhotia Market or Tibetan Market, which has an extensive range of winterwear and is best known for its sumptuous Tibetan food. So, dig into the finest delicacies or shop for the cutest local woollens, the Mall Road has it all.
Khurpatal
Just 12 km away from Nainital, tucked away in the outer Himalayan Range, Khurpatal is a charming lake bound by tall trees and dense greenery. One of the lesser explored places, it is known for its emerald blue-green lake, crystal clear water, and an abundance of freshwater fish, making it the perfect spot for fishing.
Pangot And Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Pangot is a small village located about 13 km away from the city and a drive to this village is beautiful as it passes through the forested area around the Naina Peak range and the Himalaya Darshan area, which is famous for a splendid view of the Himalayas. The Kilbury Bird Sanctuary has over 580 avian species including migratory and endemic birds, making it a paradise for bird-watching.
Sattal Lake
Tucked away in the Lower Himalayan Range, Sattal Lake is a group of seven freshwater lakes located near the town of Bhimtal. This incredible cluster of lakes is surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks and a lush green cover of oak and pine trees. With cool and pleasant weather throughout the year, this is one place you must visit.
Eco Cave Gardens
A cluster of natural rocky caves transformed into a garden, Eco Cave Gardens is home to six animal-shaped caves letting you experience an almost-natural habitat. The most popular caves here are Tiger Cave, Panther Cave, Apes Cave, Bat Cave, and Flying Fox Cave and you have to crawl your way to get through them. In the evenings, you can also see the high-tech fountain show, and the hanging gardens around the caves are also worth checking out.
Naina Devi Temple
A famous Hindu pilgrimage site, the Naina Devi temple rests on the banks of Naini Lake. It remains open every day from 6 AM to 10 PM and is a popular site that attracts a lot of devotees every year.
High Altitude Zoo
As the most famous sightseeing place in Nainital, the zoo is home to several rare and endangered species of animals and birds. You can spot Royal Bengal tigers, Tibetan wolves, the Himalayan Bear, Siberian Tiger, White Peacock, and more here.
Aerial Ropeway
Nainital Ropeway or the Cable Car Ride connects Mallital, near Mall Road, to the Snow View Point at a height of 2,270 metres. The aerial trip over Naini Lake and the valley offer panoramic views of the beautiful landscape.