Nainital travel guide

The lake town of Kumaon – boats on Naini Lake, the Mall, and quieter lakes all around

📍 Uttarakhand 9 places to visit 🏨 5 stays to book Updated 31 Oct 2026

Nainital is a hill town at about 2,000 m in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, built around the eye-shaped Naini Lake. With the Mall Road, the Naina Devi temple, ropeway views of the Himalaya and a ring of quieter lakes – Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Sattal – it is one of North India’s favourite family hill stations.

History of Nainital

Hindu legend says Nainital’s lake formed where the eye (nayan) of Sati fell, and the Naina Devi temple on the lake’s north shore is counted among the Shakti peeths. The hills were part of the Kumaon kingdom of the Chand rulers, then came under the Gorkhas, and passed to the British after the Anglo-Gorkha war of 1814–16.

The town as we know it began in 1841, when a sugar trader named P. Barron wrote about the lake and built the first European house. Nainital grew quickly into a hill station and became the summer capital of the United Provinces, with the Raj Bhavan (Government House), schools and the Mall.

In 1880 a huge landslide killed about 150 people and buried part of the town; the ground was later levelled as the Flats, today’s open ground by the lake. Since 2000 Nainital has been in Uttarakhand and is home to the state’s High Court.

Best time to visit Nainital

March–June and October–November are the best months. Winters are cold with occasional snow in December–February; July–September brings heavy rain and landslide risk.

Mar–Jun

Spring & summer · Pleasant, about 10–25°C

Peak season – book stays early for May and June weekends.

Best

Jul–Sep

Monsoon · Heavy rain, misty

Green and quiet, but roads can be blocked by slides.

Avoid

Oct–Nov

Autumn · Clear, about 7–20°C

The clearest Himalayan views of the year.

Best

Dec–Feb

Winter · Cold, about 0–12°C

Chance of snow; carry warm clothes.

Good

How to reach Nainital

✈️

Nearest airport

Pantnagar Airport (PGH)

About 65–70 km (2–2.5 hours by taxi). Delhi airport is about 300 km away.

🚆

Nearest railway station

Kathgodam (KGM) – trains from Delhi, including the Shatabdi

About 35 km (1–1.5 hours by taxi or bus).

🚌

Bus stand

Tallital bus stand (south end of the lake) – Uttarakhand Roadways buses to Delhi, Haldwani, Kathgodam and Almora. Shared taxis run to Bhimtal, Bhowali and Kathgodam.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Delhi	About 300 km	7–8 hours
Kathgodam	About 35 km	1–1.5 hours
Haldwani	About 40 km	1.5 hours
Bhimtal	About 22 km	45 minutes
Naukuchiatal	About 26 km	1 hour
Mukteshwar	About 50 km	1.5–2 hours
Almora	About 65 km	2–2.5 hours

Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.

Famous places to visit in Nainital

1Naini Lake

Lake 📍 Town centre 🕘 Boating in the day · paddle and rowing boats

The heart of Nainital: an eye-shaped lake ringed by hills, with boating from Mallital and Tallital and an easy walk round the shore.

2Naina Devi Temple

Temple 📍 Mallital, on the lake 🕘 Morning to evening

The town’s main temple on the north shore of the lake, dedicated to Naina Devi and counted among the Shakti peeths.

3Mall Road

Market 📍 Along the lake 🕘 Busy in the evening

The lakeside road between Mallital and Tallital with cafés, shops and the famous candle and woollen stalls of the Tibetan market.

4Snow View Point (ropeway)

Viewpoint 📍 Ropeway from Mallital 🕘 Day time · ropeway ticket

A short ropeway ride to a ridge with views of the snow peaks of the Himalaya – including Nanda Devi – on a clear morning.

5Naina Peak (China Peak)

Trek 📍 About 6 km from town 🕘 Best early morning

The highest point around Nainital at about 2,600 m. A walk or pony ride through oak forest to wide views of the lake and the Himalaya.

6Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat)

Viewpoint 📍 About 4 km 🕘 Day time

A rocky viewpoint on Ayarpata hill reached by a forest walk or on horseback, popular for picnics and photos.

7Bhimtal

Lake 📍 About 22 km 🕘 Boating in the day

A larger, calmer lake with an island café in the middle and the old Bhimeshwar Mahadev temple near the dam.

8Naukuchiatal

Lake 📍 About 26 km 🕘 Boating and paragliding (season)

The “nine-cornered lake”, deep and quiet, with birdlife, boating and lake-view homestays – a peaceful base away from the crowds.

9Sattal

Nature 📍 About 22 km 🕘 Day time

A cluster of small connected lakes in thick oak and pine forest, known for birdwatching, kayaking and quiet walks.

Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.

🏞️ The lakes around Nainital

Naini Lake: In town – boating, the Mall and the temple
Bhimtal: About 22 km – biggest lake, island café
Naukuchiatal: About 26 km – nine corners, deep and quiet
Sattal: About 22 km – seven small lakes in forest, birdwatching
Khurpatal: About 10 km – small lake in terraced fields

Staying at Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal is quieter and often better value than Nainital town in peak season.

Nainital itinerary

2 days in Nainital

Day 1

Boat ride on Naini Lake and Naina Devi temple.
Ropeway to Snow View Point.
Evening on the Mall Road.

Day 2

Early walk to Tiffin Top or Naina Peak.
Afternoon at Sattal and Bhimtal.

3 days – the lake circuit

Day 1

Nainital town, lake and Mall Road.

Day 2

Sattal and Bhimtal; stay at Naukuchiatal.

Day 3

Naukuchiatal boating, or a day trip to Mukteshwar for Himalayan views.

Trip budget for Nainital

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (homestay / hotel)	About ₹1,500–5,000 / night	Higher in May–June and holidays
Food	About ₹400–900 per person / day	Cafés and dhabas on the Mall
Taxi Kathgodam → Nainital	About ₹1,200–1,800	Shared taxis cheaper
Boating on Naini Lake	About ₹300–500 per boat	Fixed rates at the boat stands
Weekend for 2 (approx.)	₹9,000–16,000	2 nights’ stay + food + local taxi

Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.

Nainital vs Mukteshwar, Mussoorie and Shimla

Planning a hill break from Delhi? Here’s how Nainital compares.

Place	From Delhi	Vibe	Best for
Nainital	About 300 km, 7–8 h	Lakes, Mall Road, lively	Families, boating
Mukteshwar	About 350 km, 8–9 h	Quiet orchards, Himalayan views	Slow stays
Mussoorie	About 290 km, 6–7 h	Busy hill town, Mall Road	Weekend crowds, cafés
Shimla	About 350 km, 8 h	Colonial capital, Ridge	Heritage, toy train

Where to stay in Nainital

Stay near Mallital or Tallital to walk to the lake and the Mall. For quiet nights and lake views, choose Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal or Sattal; for valley views and fresh air on the way up, Jeolikote and Bhowali are good choices.