✦ Must-Visit Places

Top Attractions in Nainital

From the iconic Naini Lake to hidden viewpoints, here are Nainital's most beloved tourist destinations — all accessible from Hotel Naini Inn.

Naini Lake Nainital boating tourist attraction
0.3 km from Hotel

Naini Lake

The pear-shaped heart of Nainital. Row a shikara, stroll the promenade at sunset, or simply sit by the ghats watching the mist roll in off the Kumaon hills.

🛶 Boating ₹80–200 · Open all day
Mall Road Nainital shopping evening stroll
0.2 km from Hotel

Mall Road

The beating social artery of Nainital — lined with woollens, candles, street food stalls and lakeside eateries. Best explored in the evening.

🛍 Shopping · 🍜 Street Food
Naina Devi Temple Nainital pilgrimage site
0.5 km from Hotel

Naina Devi Temple

One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, perched above the northern shore of Naini Lake. The morning aarti is a truly moving spiritual experience.

🙏 Free Entry · Best at Sunrise
Snow View Point Nainital ropeway Himalaya views
2.5 km · Ropeway

Snow View Point

Take the aerial ropeway for breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi. Best on clear winter mornings.

🚡 Ropeway ₹100 · 7AM–6PM
Tiffin Top Dorothys Seat Nainital hiking viewpoint
4 km · Horse / Trek

Tiffin Top

Hike or ride a horse to Dorothy's Seat for a 360° panorama of the entire Kumaon valley and the distant snow-clad peaks.

🐴 Horse Ride ₹300 · Best at Sunrise
Nainital Zoo GB Pant High Altitude Zoo wildlife
1 km from Hotel

Nainital Zoo

G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is home to rare Himalayan animals — snow leopards, red pandas, clouded leopards and vibrant pheasants.

🐆 Entry ₹50 · 10AM–5PM (Tue closed)
🏛
Governor's House
Colonial architecture · 1 km
🔭
Astronomical Observatory
Asia's first · 2 km
🌊
Sattal Lake
Seven lakes cluster · 23 km
🦅
Pangot Bird Sanctuary
150+ bird species · 15 km
✦ Experiences

Things to Do in Nainital

Nainital offers a rich mix of adventure, spirituality, wildlife, and relaxation — here's what you must not miss.

🛶

Boating on Naini Lake

Glide across the serene Naini Lake in a pedal boat or rowboat. The surrounding hills reflecting on the water make for unforgettable photographs.

₹80–₹200 / 30 min
🚡

Cable Car Ride

Ascend to Snow View Point by the scenic aerial ropeway for bird's-eye panoramas of Nainital town, the lake, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

₹100 Return
🥾

Nature Trekking

Trek through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Tiffin Top, China Peak (Naina Peak) or the tranquil Kilbury Bird Sanctuary.

Free – ₹500 Guide
🐴

Horse Riding

Hire a horse at the lakeside for a scenic ride up to Tiffin Top or Dorothy's Seat — a beloved Nainital tradition for all ages.

₹200–₹500
🛍

Mall Road Shopping

Browse hand-knitted woollens, candles, local jams, Kumaoni handicrafts, and quirky souvenirs along the vibrant Mall Road promenade.

Anytime · Free Entry
🦅

Birdwatching at Pangot

A short 15-km drive opens up one of India's finest birding spots with over 150 Himalayan species including Koklass Pheasant.

Oct–Mar Best Season
🏛

Heritage Walk

Explore Nainital's colonial heritage — the Raj-era Governor's House, St. John's Church, and the iconic Flats (Bhotia Parao) ground.

Free · 2–3 hrs
🌄

Sunrise at Naina Peak

Rise before dawn for the drive or trek to Naina Peak (2,611 m) — Nainital's highest point — for a golden sunrise over the Himalayas.

Best: Oct–March
✦ Plan Your Trip

3-Day Nainital Itinerary

A perfectly paced 3-day schedule crafted to make the most of your Nainital getaway, starting from Hotel Naini Inn.

Day 1
Arrive & Explore the Lake
Naini Lake · Mall Road · Naina Devi
Day 2
Hills, Heights & Wildlife
Snow View · Tiffin Top · Zoo
Day 3
Day Trips & Departure
Sattal · Mukteshwar · Shopping

Day 1 — Arrive & Fall in Love

"Let the lake cast its spell from the very first evening"

🚗
Morning · 10:00 AM
Arrive in Nainital & Check in at Hotel Naini Inn
Drive from Kathgodam (35 km, ~1 hr) or Delhi (300 km, ~7–8 hrs). Check in to your room, freshen up and enjoy a welcome tea on the hotel balcony with lake views.
💡 Tip: Book the Lake View room for the best first-impression views
🛶
Afternoon · 1:00 PM
Boating on Naini Lake
After a leisurely lunch at the hotel restaurant, head to the Naini Lake boating point (3-min walk). Choose from pedal boats, row boats or shikaras. Spend 45–60 minutes on the water.
💡 Cost: ₹80–200 per 30 minutes
🙏
Late Afternoon · 3:30 PM
Naina Devi Temple & Lakeside Stroll
Visit the sacred Naina Devi Temple on the northern shore for blessings and panoramic lake views. Follow with a relaxed stroll along the entire lakeside promenade (1.2 km loop).
🛍
Evening · 6:00 PM
Mall Road — Shopping & Street Food
Explore Mall Road as it comes alive in the evening. Browse woollens, pick up Kumaoni candles and local jams. Try a hot plate of Bal Mithai or Singodi from the roadside stalls.
💡 Best buys: Woollen shawls, honey, rhododendron jam
🌙
Night · 8:00 PM
Dinner at Hotel Restaurant & Rest
Return to Hotel Naini Inn for a warm dinner featuring North Indian and Kumaoni specials. Wind down on the balcony watching the lit-up lake — pure magic.

Day 2 — Heights & Himalayan Views

"Ascend above the clouds — the peaks reward the early riser"

🌅
Early Morning · 6:30 AM
Sunrise at Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat)
Set out early for the 4 km trek or horse ride to Tiffin Top. Reach before sunrise to catch the golden light spreading over the Kumaon valley and distant snow peaks — a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
💡 Horse Ride: ₹300–500 · Trek: Free
☕
Morning · 9:00 AM
Breakfast at Hotel Naini Inn
Return to the hotel for a hearty complimentary breakfast. Replenish your energy before the day's adventures. The hotel restaurant opens at 7:30 AM.
🚡
Mid-Morning · 10:30 AM
Snow View Point via Ropeway
Take the aerial ropeway from Snow View Ropeway Station to Snow View Point (2,270 m). On clear days you'll see Nanda Devi, Trishul and other Himalayan giants. The ride itself is spectacular.
💡 Ropeway: ₹100 return · 7AM–6PM
🐆
Afternoon · 1:30 PM
Nainital Zoo (G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo)
Visit the zoo to spot Himalayan wildlife including snow leopards, clouded leopards, Himalayan black bear, red pandas, and the spectacular Satyr Tragopan pheasant.
💡 Entry: ₹50 adults · Closed Tuesdays
🔭
Late Afternoon · 4:00 PM
Astronomical Observatory & Eco Cave Gardens
Visit Asia's first astronomical observatory (ARIES) and the unique Eco Cave Gardens — a series of interconnected natural caves perfect for families and curious minds.
🌊
Evening · 6:30 PM
Sunset at Naini Lake
End the day watching the sunset paint the lake in shades of orange and crimson. The Flats (open ground near the lake) is a perfect spot to sit and soak it all in.

Day 3 — Day Trips & Departure

"Explore the hidden jewels beyond the main town before bidding goodbye"

🌊
Morning · 8:00 AM
Sattal — The Seven Lakes
Drive 23 km to Sattal (Seven Lakes) — a pristine cluster of seven interconnected freshwater lakes surrounded by dense oak and pine forests. Kayaking and birdwatching available.
💡 Kayaking: ₹200–400 · Best birdwatching Oct–Feb
🏔
Mid-Morning · 11:00 AM
Bhimtal & Bhimtal Lake (Optional)
Stop at the larger Bhimtal Lake (22 km from Nainital) — calmer and less crowded than Naini Lake, with an island restaurant in the middle. Perfect for a peaceful hour.
☕
Lunch · 1:00 PM
Return to Hotel for Final Lunch
Return to Hotel Naini Inn for a final lunch. Our hotel offers storage for luggage post-checkout (11 AM) so you can freely explore before departure.
💡 Hotel Naini Inn offers free luggage storage
🛍
Afternoon · 2:30 PM
Final Shopping & Tibetan Market
Visit the Tibetan Market near Tallital for affordable woollen clothes, jewellery, and souvenirs. Don't miss picking up some local Kumaoni honey, pickles and rhododendron juice.
🚗
Evening · 5:00 PM
Depart for Kathgodam / Delhi
Begin your journey back. Our travel desk can arrange cabs to Kathgodam Railway Station or direct to Delhi. Carry the memories of Nainital's magic with you!
💡 Ask Hotel Naini Inn for cab arrangements: +91-9217563489
✦ Climate Guide

Nainital Weather Throughout the Year

Plan your trip with confidence — here's what to expect month by month in Nainital.

Jan–Feb
❄️
0–12°C
Snowfall possible
Mar–Apr
🌸
8–20°C
Pleasant & blooming
May–Jun
☀️
15–28°C
Peak season · Warm
Jul–Sep
🌧️
15–22°C
Monsoon · Misty
Oct–Nov
🍂
8–22°C
Clear skies · Crisp
December
🌨️
2–14°C
Winter · Cold nights
✦ Eat Like a Local

Must-Try Local Food in Nainital

Nainital's food culture is a delicious blend of Kumaoni traditions, street-side snacks and mountain warmth.

Bal Mithai local sweet Nainital Kumaoni Sweet

Bal Mithai

The iconic Kumaoni sweet made from roasted khoya, coated with white sugar balls. Rich, fudgy and utterly addictive — a must-buy as a souvenir too.

📍 Where to Try: Baba Mithai Shop, Mall Road
Aloo Ke Gutke Nainital street food Kumaoni Street Food

Aloo Ke Gutke

A classic Kumaoni preparation of boiled potatoes stir-fried with aromatic local spices, mustard oil and green chillies. Hearty, simple and incredibly flavourful.

📍 Where to Try: Roadside stalls near Tallital
Bhatt Ki Churkani Nainital Kumaoni dal Main Course

Bhatt Ki Churkani

A rich and hearty black soybean curry made with local Kumaoni spices, slow-cooked to perfection. Typically served with steamed rice or rotis in local dhabas.

📍 Where to Try: Nainital Dhaba, near Zoo
Maggi and hot tea Nainital viewpoint Snack

Viewpoint Maggi & Chai

No hill station experience is complete without a steaming bowl of Maggi noodles and masala chai at a roadside stall perched above the clouds. A Nainital ritual.

📍 Where to Try: Snow View Point · Tiffin Top
Singodi sweet Uttarakhand Nainital Dessert

Singodi

A unique Kumaoni sweet — khoya (condensed milk) wrapped in a cone of maalu leaf, giving it a subtly earthy fragrance. Found only in the Kumaon hills.

📍 Where to Try: Confectionery shops on Mall Road
Rhododendron juice buransh drink Uttarakhand Drink

Buransh (Rhododendron) Juice

Made from the blood-red flowers of the Buransh (rhododendron) tree, this sweet-tangy drink is refreshing, locally beloved, and found throughout Kumaon in summer.

📍 Where to Try: Local shops · Hotel Naini Inn Bar
✦ Getting There

How to Reach Nainital

Nainital is well-connected by road, rail and air. Here's everything you need to plan your journey.

✈️
By Air
Pantnagar Airport

The nearest airport is Pantnagar (PGH), approximately 65 km from Nainital. Direct flights operate from Delhi. From the airport, taxis to Nainital take about 2 hours.

🚕 Taxi from Airport: ₹1,200–1,800 · ~2 hrs
🚂
By Train
Kathgodam Railway Station

Kathgodam (KGM) is the nearest railhead, 35 km from Nainital. Several trains connect Delhi, Lucknow and other cities to Kathgodam. From there, taxis and shared cabs run to Nainital.

🚕 Taxi from Kathgodam: ₹600–900 · ~1.5 hrs
🚌
By Bus
UPSRTC / Uttarakhand Roadways

Regular government and private buses operate from Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT, Haridwar, Dehradun, Haldwani and Bareilly to Nainital's bus terminal at Tallital.

🕐 From Delhi: ~8–9 hrs · ₹400–700
🚗
By Road
Self-Drive or Hired Cab

Nainital is ~300 km from Delhi via NH-9 through Moradabad and Haldwani. The scenic mountain drive from Kathgodam takes about 1.5 hours. Cabs available from all nearby cities.

🗺 Delhi → Nainital: ~7–8 hrs · NH-9 via Moradabad
🏙 Getting Around Nainital
🚶 Walking
Most of Nainital's main attractions are within easy walking distance of Hotel Naini Inn. Naini Lake is just 300 m away.
🚕 Local Taxis
Shared jeeps and taxis ply between Mallital and Tallital. Auto-rickshaws are not permitted in Nainital to control pollution.
🐴 Horse Riding
Horses are available for hire near the lakeside and at the base of Tiffin Top for those who prefer a traditional Nainital experience.
✦ Insider Advice

Essential Travel Tips for Nainital

Make the most of your trip with these practical tips from Hotel Naini Inn's local team.

01

Book Hotels in Advance

Nainital fills up quickly during peak season (May–June) and holidays. Book Hotel Naini Inn at least 2–3 weeks in advance via WhatsApp (+91-9217563489) to secure the best room and rate.

02

Pack Warm Layers

Even in summer, evenings in Nainital can be chilly (10–15°C). Always pack a light jacket, a fleece layer, and a waterproof shell. In winter, heavy woolens are essential.

03

Visit Attractions Early

Naini Lake, Snow View Point and Naina Devi Temple are most peaceful and beautiful in the early morning before tourist crowds arrive. Sunrise at Tiffin Top is unforgettable.

04

Carry Cash

While many shops accept UPI, several local dhabas, viewpoints and street stalls are cash-only. Carry enough Rupees as ATMs can sometimes run dry on busy weekends.

05

Respect Plastic Restrictions

Uttarakhand has strict plastic bans in hill areas. Carry a reusable water bottle and cloth bag. The hotel provides filtered drinking water and eco-friendly toiletries.

06

Use Hotel Travel Desk

Hotel Naini Inn's travel desk arranges cabs, guides, day trips and adventure activities at the best local rates — saving you the hassle of bargaining at tourist points.

07

Monsoon: Check Road Conditions

During July–September, landslides can occasionally block mountain roads. Always check road conditions with the hotel before heading out on day trips during the monsoon.

08

Local SIM / Internet

Jio and BSNL offer the best mobile coverage in Nainital. Hotel Naini Inn provides complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property for uninterrupted connectivity.

09

Altitude Awareness

Nainital sits at 2,084 m. Some visitors feel mild breathlessness on the first day. Stay hydrated, avoid over-exertion on Day 1, and acclimatize before attempting longer treks.

Ready to Experience Nainital?

Book your stay at Hotel Naini Inn and let us take care of everything — rooms, meals, sightseeing and more.

Book via WhatsApp 🛏 View All Rooms 📞 +91-9217563489