Nainital

10 Spectacular Places To Visit In Nainital

Written By: Mehrosh Shamim

Nainital, also known as the “Lake District of India”, is a charming hill station for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The village is renowned for its verdant hills, vintage houses, and maze of winding lanes. From boating on the tranquil lake to trekking in the nearby hills, there is no shortage of places to visit and things to do in this enchanting town. Discover some of the top places to visit in Nainital that will leave you mesmerized by their beauty.

1. Naini Lake


Nainital Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations since it is surrounded by seven picturesque hills. It provides a variety of kayaking, paddling, boating, and yachting options. On the lake's edge, you can also go to Naina Devi Temple.

Legends: Lord Shiva is said to have performed his tandava at Naini Lake. This resulted in apocalyptic destruction on Earth, and the Gods feared that the world was coming to an end.

  • Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours

  • Best Time To Visit: March to June

  • Entry Fees: INR 100 

  • Boating Fees: INR 210 (Gondola ride), INR 150 (Pedal Boat), INR 500 (Nainital Boat Club)

  • Things To Do: Enjoy cutting tea from surrounding stores while being enveloped in vistas of the Kumaon Hills. Cheena Peak and Tiffin Top can also be seen from here.

  • Location: Nainital Lake, Ayarpatta

2. Tiffin Top


Tiffin Top was named after people who used to eat their lunch at the top of the hill on Dorothy's Seat. Tourists can get a bird's eye view of Nainital and the nearby Kumaon hills from Tiffin Top. This location is easily accessible by trekking or riding ponies.

  • Timings: Open 24 hours, advisable to visit from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours

  • Best Time To Visit: March to June

  • Pony Ride Cost: INR 500 to 700

  • Things To Do: Trekking to the top of the mountain and photography are two popular activities here.

  • Location: Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand

3. Eco Cave Gardens


The caves are located in Nainital's Mallital region and are famous for their interconnected rocky caves. The fact that these caves are shaped like animals is their most notable feature. Tiger Cave, Bat Cave, and Flying Fox Cave are the most popular. The Nainital Tourism Department takes good care of this location.

Special Tips: The elderly and young children are not advised to visit this location owing to the amount of physical activity needed.

  • Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours

  • Best Time To Visit: All year round

  • Entry Fees: INR 60 (Adults), INR 25 (Children), and INR 25 (Camera)

  • Things To Do: You can see a musical fountain at the caves, visit the nearby Naini Devi Temple, and go bird watching at Pangot Hill Station.

  • Location: Sukhatal, Mallital, Naintal

4. Bhimtal Lake 


It is one of the best places to visit in Nainital as it is less crowded and more peaceful. The lake has a "C" form and covers a surface area of 47 hectares. It has a little island in the middle of it, on which is a sizable aquarium. You can go boating, fishing, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverbank.

Special Tip: Permission from the Deputy Commissioner is required for lake fishing.

  • Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours

  • Best Time To Visit: Mid-April to Mid-July & Mid-September to October

  • Entry Fees: INR 60

  • Boating Price: INR 150

  • Things To Do: You can participate in activities like water ball, horseback riding, paragliding, and mountain biking here, or you can feed the ducks during dawn or dusk. 

  • Location: Bhimtal, Nainital, Uttarakhand 

5. Kainchi Dham

It is a revered temple that is encircled by hills, trees, and a river that runs alongside it. In the Ashram, you can sense Hanuman Ji's mighty power and presence. This location has become well-known because it is home to the ashram of the illustrious Neem Karoli Baba.

  • Timings: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM

  • Aarti Timing: 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 2 hours

  • Best Time To Visit: March to June

  • Things To Do: Get some locally made art and crafts as well as some of the best fruit juices, jams, and pickles at the Bhowali local market.

  • Location: Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand 

6. Jim Corbett National Park


It is India's oldest national park, is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and promises to provide safari experiences as well. Also, it is renowned for its angling and fishing tours. The park is divided into six zones: Bijrani, Dhikala, Sitabani, Dhela, Jhirna, and Durga Devi, each with a distinctive feature and animal, to provide the best opportunity for observing wildlife.

  • Timings: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM

  • Safari Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM & 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

  • Jeep Safari Price: For Indians INR 5000 (max 6 persons & 2 children), for Foreigners INR 12000 (max 6 persons & 2 children)

  • Best Time To Visit: November to June

  • Location: Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Uttarakhand

7. Land’s End


According to its name, the Land’s end denotes the furthest point beyond which there is no land. At 2118 metres above sea level, it offers a stunning view of the Khurpa Tal, which is encircled by pine trees. This place is one of the top tourist attractions in Nainital.

  • Timings: Open 24 hours 

  • Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours 

  • Pony Ride: INR 500 to 700

  • Best Time To Visit: Sunrise to sunset

  • Things To Do: Horseback riding, picnic spots, photography, and shopping near the local bazaar are just a few of the activities available here.

  • Location: Near Barapathar, Nainital, Uttarakhand 

8. Snow View Point


The 2,270 m high altitude makes this destination the top place to visit in Nainital. The Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot peaks can all be seen in one beautiful panorama from this location. You can access the Snow View Point directly from Mallital's Mall Road and enjoy a breathtaking view of the charming town thanks to an aerial cable car.

  • Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours 

  • Ropeway Ticket Price: INR 300 (Adults), INR 200 (Children), and INR 20 (for binoculars)

  • Best Time To Visit: Mid-March 

  • Things To Do: A two-gun shooting game stall has been set up here, and there are also stalls selling maggie with hot tea close by.

  • Location: Maldon Cottage Rd, Mallital, Nainital

9. ARIES Nainital 


ARIES stands for Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, is a prominent astronomical institute in India. It is renowned for housing the most cutting-edge telescopes and is accessible in the evenings to see the night sky. Visitors can watch a slideshow and a picture exhibition that feature celestial bodies.

  • Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

  • Ideal Duration: 1 hour

  • Best Time To Visit: October to June

  • Location: Uttarakhand, Nainital

10. High Altitude Zoo

A must-visit location for any animal enthusiast is the High Altitude Zoo. It has some of the rarest and most endangered animals, some of which are only found there. Animals like the Himalayan Civet, Himalayan Black Bear, Goral, Tibetan Wolf, and others can be seen throughout the zoo's various sections.

Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours 

Best Time To Visit: March to June, although it is closed on Mondays

Entry Fees: INR 100 (Adults), INR 50 (Children), & INR 200 (Foreigners)

Location: Sher Ka Danda

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the famous attractions in Nainital?

Some of the famous tourist attractions in Nainital are Nainital Lake, Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, Land’s End, Bhimtal Lake, Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, Kainchi Dham, and more. 

Which season is ideal for visiting Nainital? 

The frozen lakes and snow-capped mountains of this hill town, Nainital, which is ethereal with its timeless beauty, draw tourists practically all year long. Nonetheless, the summer/spring season, which runs from March to June, is the greatest time to visit Nainital.

How many days are sufficient to visit Nainital? 

While there are many places in and around Nainital, it will take at least two to three days to leisurely tour Nainital and its surroundings.

What month does it snow in Nainital? 

One can see snowflakes from late December to early January, which is the coldest period of the year. The town is battered by hailstorms and torrential rain in February and March, though.

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