The picturesque Himalayan lake town of Nainital is one of the most well-liked hill towns in Northern India. Nainital, also referred to as the “Lake District,” is tucked away high in the Kumaon Himalayas at a height of about 2,000 metres above sea level.Nainital is the true treasure trove of Kumaon, engulfed in a thick shield of nature and enhanced by the aroma of the flowering blossoms that miraculously blends in the crisp pure air. Since the British era, it has become one of the most popular hill stations in North India. The town of Nainital draws both domestic and foreign tourists.Here are 10 places to visit in Nainital whenever you plan for Nainital tourism.

. Nainital Lake: A beautiful area is Naini Lake, also known as Nainital Lake. Green, lush mountains form a stunning V shape around this. Naini Lake is a breathtaking freshwater lake that is located in the centre of Nainital. One of the most well-known lakes in the Kumaon region, the lake is shaped like a crescent or a kidney. The Nainital Lake offers a spectacular view, especially at sunrise and sunset, and Seven hills known as Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi Bandi, Cheena Peak , Alma , Laria Kanta, and Sher-ka-Danda encircle Naini Lake.

Mallital and Tallital are the two distinct regions of Naini Lake’s topography. While the southern section is referred to as Tallital, the northern part is called Mallital. A boat trip on the lake is necessary for a thorough visit to Nainital. Visitors enjoy using the Nainital Boat Club’s boats to explore the captivating lake and also picnics and evening walks also form a major part of Nainital sightseeing. On renowned Mall Road, tourists may find various shopping options close to Nainital Lake.

Tiffin top(Dorothy’s seat): Tiffin Top, also known as Dorothy’s Seat, is a well-liked picnic area in Nainital. It is situated on Ayarpatta hill and provides a stunning 360-degree view over the town of Nainital and the surrounding hills of the Kumaon region. Tiffin Top is a photographer’s paradise in addition to being a great place for a picnic in a peaceful setting. Those who enjoy the call of nature and adore photographing the sublime beauty of nature ought to go there. After people started eating their lunch at the top of the hill on Dorothy’s Seat, the area was given the name Tiffin Top. Tiffin Top is renowned for its trekking and hiking trails. The short, uphill hike is very popular with trekkers because it is only 4 kilometers from Nainital city. For the hike and to see the splendor this place has to offer, people travel in groups.

Mall Road: One of Nainital’s most well-known names is The Mall road. The Mall, which is the busiest road throughout the day, runs parallel to Nainital Lake. The Mall Road, which is 1.5km long and built by the British, connects Nainital’s two leading ends, Mallital and Tallital, and runs through the city’s center. Despite the fact that the street is now officially known as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg, it is still frequently referred to as Mall Road. Mall Road is well known for its delectable cuisine, regional crafts, woolens, and candles. The place is typically bustling during the day as locals and visitors come for shopping and sightseeing. Numerous hotels, shops, office buildings, travel agencies, restaurants, and cafes can be found in the Mall road. Most often in the evening, visitors and residents love strolling along the Mall Road to take in Naini Lake’s splendor.

Eco cave gardens: Eco Cave Garden is a collection of rocky natural caves that have been turned into a garden. This garden contains six underground caves that are linked by tunnels. Tiger Cave, Panther Cave, Bat Cave, Squirrel Cave, Flying Fox Cave, and Ape Cave are some of the names of caves. The garden, kept up by Nainital Tourism, is situated on Kaladungi Road in the Mallital neighborhood. A musical fountain uses both auditory and visual effects to accentuate the area’s beauty. Its attractiveness is enhanced by hanging gardens in addition to the caverns. If you’re considering visiting Nainital, set aside some time to visit the Eco Cave Garden and take in the splendor of the local fauna.

Bhimtal Lake:Bhima, the endearing mythological figure from the Mahabharata, inspired the name of the lake city Bhimtal. Bhimtal, a city revered for its visual splendour, is proudly located 1,370 metres above sea level. The Bhimtal Lake is located in a picturesque area and has a little island in the middle with a gorgeous, sizable aquarium that was formerly a restaurant. Near the lake is a historic Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple that was constructed in the 17th century by Kumaon King Baz Bahadur Chand. The western side hills are much higher than the eastern side hills and are arranged in such a way that the lake can never dry up.

Pangot and Kilbury bird sanctuary:The Pangot village is located at a height of 6,510 feet above sea level, around 13 kilometres from Nainital city. Pangot village is a well-known tourist destination since it is home to nearly 580 different bird species. Numerous birds and creatures can be seen in this bird sanctuary. The most frequently observed birds among the diverse group of 580 others include the Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, White-throated Laughing thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied niltava, Khalij pheasant, Brown Wood Owls, Collared Grosbeaks, Little Pied Flycatcher, Himalayan bulbul etc.The area is a paradise for birdwatchers because it is home to both migratory and indigenous birds.

.Naina Devi Temple:The Naina Devi Temple, a well-known Indian temple and one of India’s 51 Shaktipeeths, is situated on one side of the lovely Naini Lake. One of the most revered temples in the nation, the Naina Devi Temple bestows blessings on visitors from all over the world.A extremely old temple that was restructured in 1883 is thought to have been constructed in the 15th century A.D. Behind the temple lies a lake that is 93 feet deep and 167 yards wide. A massive Peepal tree to the left serves as the entrance to the temple’s gate. The idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha are located to the right. Three gods, Mata Kali Devi, Maa Naina Devi, and Lord Ganesha, are housed within the temple. During the eight-day Nanda Ashtami celebration held on the grounds of the Naina Devi temple, the shrine draws thousands of visitors and locals. Numerous people attend other festivities like Navratri and Chaitra.

Snow view point Nainital:The Snow View Point, which is only 2 km from the heart of Nainital, provides visitors with a breathtaking view of the snow-covered peaks of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Trishul.One of the main attractions in Nainital, this observation point is situated 2,270 meters above sea level.  Using a ropeway, you can travel to Snow View Point while admiring the grandeur of the surrounding landscape. Visitors may get a closer look at the snow-covered peaks thanks to a massive pair of binoculars that have been put at the summit of the Snow View Point. You may zoom in to view a modest temple with statues of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Durga that is encircled by a blanket of snow.Snow View Point is one of the most popular sights in Nainital because of the snow valleys and the powerful mountains of the Great Himalayas. As a result, this location draws tourists, including families, couples, nature enthusiasts, elderly people, children, and so on.

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science:It focuses on astronomy, solar physics, astrophysics, and atmospheric science. It is a separate entity under the Department of Science and Technology of the Indian government. The institute is located at Manora Peak, which has an elevation of 1,951 meters (6,401 feet), roughly 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Nainital, the Kumaon division’s administrative center. Prior appointments must be made at the center before visiting. The Astronomical Observatory in Nainital, an independent institution open to the public during working hours and in the afternoons, is home to one of India’s most sophisticated telescopes. During the full moon period, three to four days are set aside for night viewing, for which prior authorization is required.

Naukuchiatal Lake:Nakuchiatal, often known as the “lake of nine corners,” is a beautiful lake that can be found in Nainital. The serene, 175-foot-deep lake is idyllically positioned 1,220 meters above sea level. An underground perennial spring supplies it with water. Nakuchiatal, one of Nainital’s deepest lakes, is 983 meters in length, 693 meters in width, and 40.3 meters in depth. There are options for bird watching and fishing within the valley. Fishing, rowing, paddling, paragliding, and yachting are some additional activities. Additionally, Naukuchiatal is well-known for its yearly “escape festival” which is usually held in the month of May.Around the lake, there are stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and souvenir shops where you may stroll and hang out with friends and spend quality time with your family.

There are many other places to visit in Nainital, including the Khurpa Taal, a beautiful lake surrounded by forests,  the Gurney House, the former residence of the famous naturalist Jim Corbett ,the Sariyatal, Khurpatal, and Hanuman Garhi. Whether you are an adventure seeker or just looking to relax in a peaceful setting, Nainital has something for everyone.

Things to buy in Nainital: Handmade candles, jams, squashes, juice concentrates, and fruit preserves created at home are also well known in Nainital. Genuine stores like Bara Bazaar, The Mall Road, Bhotia Bazaar, and Mallital sell all of this and more.The hill town is home to numerous well-known retail specialties, from woolens to brass goods. There are other smaller bazaars to explore and haggle in addition to the mall road, which is constantly busy.

Best time to visit Nainital: Like other high altitude Himalayan towns, Nainital, which developed around the lovely eye-shaped lake, has a subtropical highland climate. As a result, Nainital enjoys a cooler summer than the majority of the rest of the nation and a dry, chilly winter with a potential of snow. The summer season in Nainital lasts from March to June, when it is also busiest for tourists. Thus the  best time to visit Nainital is around this time because the weather is still good and conducive to sightseeing and other activities. The Phool Dei event is also celebrated in Nainital during the summer.

How to reach Nainital

How to reach Nainital by air: Nainital lacks direct air access because it is a hill station. Pantnagar, which is 65 kilometers away from Nainital, is home to the closest airport. Private chartered planes make up a large portion of the air traffic at Pantnagar Airport. There are no active commercial flights to and from this location.The second-closest airport is located in New Delhi, which is located about 290 kilometers from the heart of Nainital. The Delhi airport has excellent connections to numerous locations throughout the world. From the airport, you can book private cabs for roughly Rs. 4000 to 4500. You can catch a train from the Delhi railway station if you’re looking for a cheap choice.

How to reach Nainital by bus: Excellent bus connections from Nainital to significant North Indian locations. Daily bus service from New Delhi to Nainital is provided by a number of travel operators, and options include Volvo, sleeper, and air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses. The most practical way to go to Nainital is via overnight bus, while some buses run throughout the day as well.

How to reach Nainital by train: At the slopes of the Kumaon hills in Kathgodham, which is 34 kilometers away, is where you’ll find the closest railway station. With daily trains going to New Delhi, Kathgodam railway station enjoys good connectivity to significant locations such as Delhi, Lucknow, and Howrah.Popular trains that depart from Kathgodam station include the Ranikhet Express, Uttar Sampark, Kranti Express, Bagh Express, Dehradun Kathgodam Express, and Anvt Kgm Shatabdi Express. You can either get into a shared taxi or a private taxi outside the train station to get to the city.

How to reach Nainital by road: A network of well-built highways connects Nainital to all adjacent locations, including National Highway 87, which connects it to Rudrapur and Rampur. Nainital is a simple 6- to 7-hour trip from New Delhi, with a few stops along the way. Regular taxi services from and to Nainital are provided by tour operators, but you can also choose to drive yourself there if you’re a little cautious on the ascent.