Talking about traveling in India, we can’t miss beautiful hill stations, Nainital should top your list. With rich flora and fauna, mythological belongings, panoramic scenery, such pleasantries to one is a must-visit. Nainital is one of the most important and known among the Kumaon divisions in the Uttarakhand state. After its foundation by Britishers in 1841, they used Nainital as their summer residence to beat the heat.

In its name, one can find its origins, ‘Nain’ which describes the tale of goddess Sati whose dead body was carried by lord Shiva when goddess Sati’s eyes fell. ‘Tal’ refers to beautiful and mesmerizing seven lakes situated in its existence; Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Malwatal, Harishtal, and Lokhamtal.

Together it is ‘Nainital’, Lakes of the eye, also known as a ‘lake district’, residing near to the Himalayas. There are yet a lot of travel places to visit in Nainital, among those, 37 places to visit in Nainital are listed below.

1. Naini Lake

37 Places To Visit In Nainital That Must Be In Your Travel List — Naini Lake | Places To Visit In Nainital

Located as the ‘heart of Nainital’ surrounded by seven hills; Ayarpata. The lake has an emerald and turquoise color to it and is in a kidney or soft crescent shape. It's a hotspot for boating, enjoyed by many, and provided by the Nainital Yacht Club, which is one of the highest yacht clubs in India.

2. Naini Devi Temple

The temple was built again by the locals after a destructive landslide in 1880 because of their great faith in goddess Naini Devi. It is located at the northern end of the Naini lake, adding to its pilgrimage beauty.

It is a well-known Shakti Peeth, it gathers devotees of goddess Naini Devi during Nanda Ashtami when a big fair is organized in the temple.

3. Mall Road Nainital

Originally named as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg but profoundly known as the Mall Road in Nainital. The road connects ends of the city Mallital and Tallital, side by side, lake Naini flows and many can enjoy boating and shopping simultaneously on the busiest road of the city.

One can observe great artifacts and traditional items in the market and specialties of Nainital. You must never miss visiting Mall Road among the travel places to visit in Nainital.

4. Nainital Ropeway

What’s better than watching the breathtaking scenic beauty of Nainital from an aerial view. Nainital ropeways are the cable car rides that accommodate up to 10 to 11 people for the ride connecting Mallital to the snow viewpoint.

Starting from the base it travels to the height of 2270 meters which gives you a beautiful gaze over Nainital’s landscape. It is one of the safest ropeways developed by the best Swiss technology.

5. Snow View Point

Offering snow-capped mountain peaks view with refreshing sunlight, this hilltop destination is one of the tourist attraction places to visit in Nainital. A huge pair of binoculars are located to have a picturesque zoom-in on the beauty of Nainital and a temple covered in snowy layers with images of great gods and goddesses.

6. Naina Peak

According to an urban legend, the Great Wall of China was visible from these peaks when they were higher. But apparently, it's considered a fact, and the peaks derive their name from sadhu Cheena who used to live in these peaks.

Also known as China Peak, with a height of 2611 meters, 6 kilometers from the town. Visitors trek on this mountain range, they get to enjoy fresh air, beautiful bird-watch.

7. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo

A reservoir of many endangered species of animals like Tibetan wolves, leopard cat, Himalayan bear, red junglefowl, it was home to India’s only Siberian tiger. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill slope in Nainital, many wildlife lovers visit this zoo in Nainital.

8. Tiffin Top

Named after a British officer’s wife named Dorothy, Dorothy’s Seat is a perfect picnic spot with an amazing 360-degree view of Nainital and Kumaon hilltops surrounding this spot situated in Ayarpatta hills. Besides picnic, tourists do trek and hiking to the top.

9. Eco Cave Garden

Traveling is all about having fun and making memories, parents with their children can visit this place in Nainital for enjoyment with informative memories. These caves are built on a cluster of natural rocky caves for different animals to suit their natural habitat.

The caves are- Panther Cave, Bats Cave, Flying Squirrel cave, Fox Cave, Apes Cave, Tiger Cave. These caves are lighted with petroleum lamps, turned into a hanging garden with a musical fountain to add charm and more distinctness to the caves.

10. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

Under the colonial influence of Britishers, Nainital has dignified and qualified educational schools and institutions, one of which is ARIES, located on Manora Peak. Equipped with astronomical and optical tracking of artificial satellites.

The astronomical observatory is open for tourists and visitors, and it has advanced telescopes.

11. Governor's House

Raj Bhawan which serves as a residence for the governor of Uttarakhand was used by Britishers in the colonial period for their summer seek-outs. It is a two-storied building with a replication of Buckingham Palace. At present Raj Bhawan consists of a splendid garden and lush greenery with a vast golf course and swimming pool.

12. Tibetan Market

As the geographical influence of the Himalayan locations, this market is also known as Bhotia Market, near mall road and Naini lake. The market is filled with souvenirs and ethnic clothes, jewelry, handcrafted items that are popular among tourists because of authentic quality at a reasonable rate.

It also has many good restaurants, one should definitely try the Thukpa and Momos known in this market.

13. Land's End Nainital

This landmark is a cliff that gives nature’s lovers an unobstructed view of beautiful valleys, forests, and lakes as far as they can see. If you want to try horse riding, it's an unmissable place to visit in Nainital.

14. St John Wilderness Church

The church’s architecture reflects neo-Gothic designs and works, built-in 1846 dedicated to St. John, a Baptist. Its name has ‘wilderness’ because of the founder of the church who stayed in the pre cottage surrounded by forest and huge trees.

Jim Corbett, a famous hunter, and naturalist was a firm believer of this church. Nainital tourism has rated it as a top must-visit among places to visit in Nainital.

15. Himalaya Darshan Point

Another hilltop in Nainital that can be reached via horseback riding or trekking for those seeking solitude in mother nature with fresh air and cold breeze with a pleasant view of Himalayan ranges.

Surrounded by lush green tall trees and a view of the valley below. Artists and painters who imagine a spectacular view of distant mountains with deep front forests should surely visit this place in Nainital.

16. Gurney House

Gurney house was built from the scratch of the demolished remains of a house due to the landslide for Jim Corbett for his summer visits. This heritage site preserves all the belongings and prized possessions of Jim Corbett, like fishing road, Trophies, furniture, etc.

You have to make an appointment to visit the house, which is near to the mall road if you walk to the location.

17. Himalayan Centre of Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Apart from its natural beauty, spirituality and religious belongings come next in terms of beautiful places to visit in Nainital for those who care about their mental and spiritual well-being.

One such place situated amidst splendid forests uphill is Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Nainital to explore your insights into the natural environment in peace and fresh air. The ashram management offers to stay and food facilities for tourists.

18. Kathgodam

It is said as the "Gateway of Kumaon hills" for a reason as many places have a common route, Kathgodam, to the destinations like Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, and other foothill areas to visit. It is situated on the riverside of the Gaula river and is a major commercial capital in Uttarakhand.

As a means of transport, Kathgodam railway services connected with Indian Railways is the most used by tourists and has been awarded as the cleanest railway station 3 times.

19. Bhimtal

Mythology depicts the foundation of this lake city near Nainital, attributed to the Pandavas and Bhim who with the help of his "Gada" smashed and levered groundwater to quench their thirst.

It was called Bhimsarovar lake and later "Bhimeshvar Mahadev'' temple was built on the side in memory of Bhim. Bhimtal is said to be older than Nainital and has many places to visit open for tourists.

20. Island Aquarium

Bhimtal Lake has an island aquarium placed by Nainital Lake Development Authority after closing a restaurant to minimize pollution and waste.

Exotic fishes from China, South Africa, and Mexico are present in the aquarium and tourists love to bring their children to this travel place in Nainital.

21. Lok Sanskriti Sangrahalaya

A folk culture museum that exhibits the rich culture of Uttarakhand in wooden artifacts, a collection of old photographs, manuscripts, folk paintings, and more. A travel place to visit in Nainital, situated between the road connecting Bhimtal and Nainital.

22. Victoria Dam

The height of the dam is 40 feet high and is built on the end of Bhimtal lake. Terrace flower gardens are attention-seekers of tourists on both sides of the dam and the 17th-century Bhimeshvar Mahadev temple is very near to the dam's location.

23. Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

Advantageously surrounded by oak and pine trees, is home to about 600 different species of birds and many natural habitats of animals. Bird-watching lovers should never miss this spot among the places to visit in Nainital.

The mesmerizing flora and fauna with a spectacular view of other beautiful places nearby like Naina peak and Himalayan ranges just sit right with the view.

24. Jim Corbett National Park

Established in 1936 by Britishers, it is the first national park of India in the foothills of the Himalayas. In 1956, it was named after a naturalist and hunter Jim Corbett, who used to hunt man-eating tigers in the forests of Nainital.

This national park is a reservoir of distinct species of tigers and is also registered under "project tiger" to preserve them from extinction. For tourists jeep safaris are available to view beautiful flora and fauna and tigers, there are waterfalls too falling from the top of adorned forested mountains.

25. Bhowali

Famed as the "heart of the state's fruit basket", farms large and enriching varieties of fruit orchards and plantations like apple, strawberries, mulberries, peaches, plums and so many more. This place, near Nainital, offers scenic beauty and major tourist attractions, places like Shyamkhet tea garden.

26. Kainchi Dham

Established under the influence of Neem Karoli Baba, a great deity of Hanuman and believed by locals as his reincarnation. A hanuman temple is built with an ashram for meditation, which was visited by famous personalities like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

It is named Kainchi Dham because it is situated in between two hills that create a scissor-like shape with a cut between them. Every year on June 15 a Bhandara is organized to commemorate the founding of the temple.

27. Mukteshwar Temple

It is considered as one of the significant worship places among the 18 Lord Shiva temples. Adorned with simple yet elegant architecture describing its ancient lineage.

There are many places to visit in Mukteshwar, Nainital like Chauli ki Jali, Dhanachuli, and more connected en route to more famous tourist places like Almora and Kumaon beauties. One can also enjoy adventure sports like rock climbing and trekking in Mukteshwar.

28. Peora

Travel places in Nainital are abundant with natural beauty, Peora is a small village with vintage British houses and a 360-degree viewpoint of snow-capped Himalayan mountains. It's a perfect aloof from industrial influence place to go camping and adventures.

29. Sitabani

This dense wildlife reserve forest has been mentioned in the Ramayana, where Sita spent a part of her exile. This travel place in Nainital is linked to the Jim Corbett National Park, surrounded by Sal forests, Oak, and Rhododendron trees that make the safari paths look like a cave.

The tourists can see 600 species of trees, herbs, grasses, etc. One can see trees of Sal, Sheesham, Haldu, Kanju, Dhak, Pipal, Mangos, and Rohini with a diversity of animals.

30. Sattal

Sat-Tal, or a cluster of seven lakes; Panna Tal or Garud Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Hanuman Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal, Sukha Tal, or Bharat Tal, is by which this place is famous for travel places in Nainital.

The charismatic nature of this lake is the oak and pine trees with migratory birds that come down from colder mountain areas for the season and an elite place to visit in Nainital for photography lovers and professionals to capture this wholesome natural beauty.

31. Sariyatal

It can be considered as an ideal travel place to visit in Nainital for students for their educational trip as there is a Himalayan Botanical Garden on the lakeside.

The garden has a butterfly park, herbarium, an auditory, a library, orchidarium, geodesic dome, and waterfalls, that well represent vegetation and geological diversity of Nainital. Coming to the lake, it has its own charm with brilliant jade-blue color with heart-shaped outlines with greenery that belts around it.

32. Jeolikot

An intact travel place to visit in Nainital presented as a "Gateway" to other tourist attractions like Naini Lake, Jim Corbett National park, Mukteshwar.

A secluded place in the lap of nature that is perfect for relaxation and perfect for meditators, great philosophers like Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo used to meditate here. You must never miss collecting pure fresh honey extracted from the bee center here.

33. Khurpatal

Among the travel places to visit in Nainital, it is a very lesser known place but still as gorgeous with a lake, terrace mountains and leisure vibes in the environment. Khurpatal lake breeds many kinds of fish where tourists can enjoy fishing.

34. Ranikhet

Although it is located at a distance of 56 kilometers from Nainital, it is the next most visited place by tourists. There are 13 places to visit in Ranikhet, some famous ones are; Chaubatia Gardens, Ashiyana Park, Jhula Devi temple,

Upat golf course, one of the highest golf courses in Asia, Bhalu Dam, Tarikhet village, which is often known as "Queen's meadows", and so much more to see. Tourists can enjoy stargazing, trekking, and jungle safari.

35. Naukuchiatal

The name of the place defines the body of the lake with nine corners. Mythology states that this lake was created by Lord Brahma and the one who would do a "Parikrama" and see all the nine corners of the lake would attain nirvana at the moment in the form of a cloud and disappear.

Boating, paddling, rowing, and parasailing add more reasons for you to visit this place and this lake is the only deepest one among all the lakes in Nainital.

36. Almora

Our next travel place to visit is dignified as the "cultural capital of Kumaon" because of its cultural diversity around this region situated on a horseshoe-shaped edgy mountain with two eastern western ends; Selifat and Talifat. There are many significant temples popularly visited like Chitai Golu Devta temple, Nanda Devi temple.

There is a 200-year-old Lala Bazaar famous for selling Angora clothes made from Angora rabbit's fur and special copper vessels. Adventure sports like rock-climbing, cycling around the Binsar wildlife forest area, and nature walks never fail to give tourists rendezvous.

37. Katarmal Sun Temple

India is a country with abundant historical heritages that are protected by the Archeological authorities of India.

The Katarmal Sun temple is 17 kilometers away from the Almora district and welcomes tourists with a phenomenal architecture of adorned pillars, wooden carves, and panels built between the 9th to 13th centuries by the Katyuri King. This temple is the 2nd most important sun temple beside the Konark Sun temple in Orissa and worships the sun deity Burhadita or Vraddhaditya.

Nainital and travel places nearby it is top-tier for eco-tourism enthusiasts and for those travelers who find places to visit that give them reminiscing solitude in nature. Everyone knows about the existence of Nainital, but they are halfway through their knowledge about the above-mentioned travel places to visit in Nainital.

The snowfall that blankets the whole Nainital is just a heavenly sight to see, as there are very few places in India that receive snowfall because of climatic and geographical reasons. If this ain't enough for you to plan your next big trip then just imagine yourself to be in the same beautiful environment shown in movies such as Vivah, Kati Patang, Koi Mil Gaya, and Batti Gul Meter Chalu, blissful.

Comment down your favorite places to visit in Nainital if you already had an experience of such heavenly sight. If not, then quickly call our travel buds and plan a trip.

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37 Places To Visit In Nainital That Must Be In Your Travel List