Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations In India
Winter is the best season to take a break from the hectic and busy schedule of life and explore beautiful places in the country. Winter is also suitable for sightseeing and makes it possible to explore as much as we can, which is not possible in summer.
India is a country of a myriad of beautiful and magnificent places, whose beauty cannot be expressed in words. This post describes the Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity:
- Table of Contents show
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is the most popular winter holiday destination in India, which is located in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Manali is considered a heaven for tourists and adventure seekers because of its exotic tourist attractions and adventure sites. Manali is an ideal place for various adventure sports like Paragliding, Trekking, River Rafting, Rock Climbing and Skiing.
Tourist Attractions:
- Manu Temple
- Monasteries
- Jogini Waterfall
- Solang Valley
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Bhuntar, which is 10 kilometres from Manali.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Jogindernagar, which is 143 kilometres from Manali.
- Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, once the summer capital of India is a great tourist destination in India that needs no introduction when it’s about exotic places and scenic views. Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, famous for its pleasant climate, scenic locations and forests. Shimla is an excellent place for trekking, river rafting, skiing and shopping and the trip seems incomplete without giving a try on these things.
Tourist Attractions:
- Viceregal Lodge
- Tara Devi Temple
- Annandale
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study
- The Glen
- State Museum
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Shimla, which is 22 kilometres from Shimla.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Kalka, which is 90 kilometres from Shimla.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital stands at 3rd in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Located in Uttarakhand, Nainital is also known as the “Lake District” of India due to the presence of beautiful lakes. The beauty of Nainital reaches its peak during winters with a pleasant climate, beautiful lakes and magnificent scenic views.
Tourist Attractions:
- Naini Lake
- Naina Devi Temple
- Naina Peak
- Cave Garden
- Tiffin Top
- Kilbury
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Pantnagar, which is 65 kilometres from Nainital.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Kathgodam, which is 34 kilometres from Nainital.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling is a great winter holiday destination in India, which is located in West Bengal. Darjeeling is known for its magnificent tea gardens and exotic tourist attractions. Popularly known as “Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling is an ideal place to enjoy winter vacations in pleasant weather and exotic surroundings.
Tourist Attractions:
- Tiger Hill
- Batasia Loop
- Peace Pagoda
- Botanical Garden
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
- Mahakal Temple
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Bagdogra, which is 96 kilometres from Darjeeling.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri, which is 62 kilometres from Darjeeling.
- Gulmarg, Jammu And Kashmir
Next on this list, Gulmarg, an ideal destination for adventure seekers and those who want to experience exceptional beauty. Located in the Baramula district, Gulmarg has been one of the most popular winter holiday destinations in India and is visited by a large number of tourists every year.
Tourist Attractions:
- Gulmarg Gondola
- Alpather Lake
- Apharwat Peak
- Outer Circle Walk
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Srinagar, which is 56 kilometres from Gulmarg.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Jammu, which is 290 kilometres from Gulmarg.
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Udhagamandalam popularly known as Ooty is ranked 6th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Located in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is a famous hill station, which is known for its pleasant climate and exceptional beauty. Ooty is considered one of the best places to visit in winter vacations as its beauty reaches at peak during winters.
Tourist Attractions:
- Upper Bhavani Lake
- Botanical Gardens
- Avalanche Lake
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Coimbatore, which is 90 kilometres from Ooty.
- Nearest Railway Station: Udhagamandalam
Gangtok, Sikkim
Next on this list is Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, a state located in the northeastern part of the country. Gangtok is an ideal place to visit during winters as it offers numerous places to visit along with magnificent scenic views.
Tourist Attractions:
- Nathula Pass
- Tsomgo Lake
- Hanuman Tok
- Himalayan Zoological Park
- Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
- Ranka Monastery
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Bagdogra, which is 124 kilometres from Gangtok.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri, which is 117 kilometres from Gangtok.
- Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is one of the most popular winter holiday destinations in India and an ideal place for skiing. Located in Uttarakhand, Auli is the top choice of adventure seekers who want to try skiing. Auli is also famous for having one of the longest cable cars in Asia, which covers a distance of 4 km.
Tourist Attractions:
- Trishul Peak
- Chenab Lake
- Bhavishya Badri
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Dehradun, which is about 279 kilometres from Auli.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Haridwar, which is about 273 kilometres from Auli.
- Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is ranked 9th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Mount Abu is a famous hill station in Rajasthan and is also known as ”An Oasis in the Desert” due to the presence of lakes and rivers. The best time to visit Mount Abu is during winters as the beauty of Mount Abu reaches its peak in winters.
Tourist Attractions:
- Dilwara Jain Temples
- Guru Shikhar
- Table Rock
- Nakki Lake
- Adhar Devi Temple
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Udaipur, which is about 185 kilometres from Mount Abu.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Abu Road, which is 29 kilometres from, Mount Abu.
Goa
Goa, the party capital of the country is next on this list, which is the most happening destination in India. Goa is visited by millions of tourists every year but during winters the charm of Goa increases many times due to Sunburn Festival and Supersonic Festival, which are organized at the year-end. Numerous beautiful beaches and tourist attractions make it an ideal place to visit during winters.
Tourist Attractions:
- Agonda Beach
- Mandrem Beach
- Ashwem Beach
- Cola Beach
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Dabolim
- Nearest Railway Station: Vasco-Da-Gama, Madgaon
- Munnar, Kerala
Munnar is a famous hill station in Kerala, known for its pleasant climate and magnificent scenic views. Located in the Idukki district, Munnar is one of the most visited hill stations in India and its beauty increases during winters. Although Munnar is visited by tourists throughout the year during winters, its charm increases several times.
Tourist Attractions:
- Tea Gardens
- Lock Heart Gap
- Anamudi Peak
- Top Station
- Lakkam Waterfalls
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Kochi, which is 110 kilometres from Munnar.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Aluva, which is 110 kilometres from Munnar.
- Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Kasol stands at 12th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Kasol is a beautiful village located in Himachal Pradesh known for its exotic scenic sites. Kasol is also known as “Mini Israel” as it is inhabited by a large number of residents of Israel.
Tourist Attractions:
- Parvati Valley
- Tosh Village
- Malana
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Bhuntar, which is 30 kilometres from Kasol.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Joginder Nagar, which is 124 kilometres from Kasol.
Shillong, Meghalaya
The capital city of Meghalaya, Shillong is next on this list, which is also known as “Scotland of the East” due to the presence of numerous hills, valleys and forests. Shillong is an ideal place to spend winter vacations and take a glimpse of the natural beauty of this place. Shillong can be visited throughout the year but the best time to visit Shillong is during winters.
Tourist Attractions:
- Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures
- Mawlynnong Waterfall
- Laitlum Canyons
- Umium Lake
- Mawjymbuin Cave
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Umroi, which is 35 kilometres from Shillong.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Guwahati, which is 105 kilometres from Shillong.
Patnitop, Jammu And Kashmir
Patnitop is a famous tourist destination located in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. Located in Shivalik hills, Patnitop offers numerous beautiful scenic views and picnic spots to tourists. Patnitop is also an ideal place for adventure seekers, who can try adventure sports like Trekking and Paragliding.
Tourist Attractions:
- Nathatop
- Sanasar Lake
- Naag Mandir
- Baglihar Dam
- Sudh Mahadev
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Jammu, which is 111 kilometres from Patnitop.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Udhampur, which is 45 kilometres from Patnitop.
- Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is ranked 15th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Mussoorie is a popular winter holiday destination in the country as, during the winters, the beautiful scenic views changes to a magnificent white blanket due to snowfall. Due to the presence of numerous hills, Mussoorie is also known as the “Queen of Hills”.
Tourist Attractions:
- Soham Heritage & Art Centre
- Lal Tibba
- Camel’s Back Road
- Cloud’s End
- Mussorie Adventure Park
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Dehradun, which is about 54 kilometres from Mussoorie.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Dehradun, which is 34 kilometres from Mussoorie.
- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Golden City of India, Jaisalmer is next on this list, which is a popular holiday destination in the country. Forts, Temples, Parks and Museum present in this city makes it a premier choice to spend vacations. The best time to visit Jaisalmer is during winters as the climate becomes pleasant and suitable for sightseeing.
Tourist Attractions:
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Jain Temples
- Patwaon-Ki-Haveli
- Desert National Park
- The Thar Heritage Museum
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Jodhpur, which is about 275 kilometres from Jaisalmer.
- Nearest Railway Station: Jaisalmer
- haramshala, Himachal Pradesh
Another city of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala has made into this list, which is a home of various magnificent hills, temples and waterfalls. Dharamshala International Film Festival is organized every year during winters which screen films of different countries. Also, Dharamshala is an ideal place for adventure sports like Trekking.
Tourist Attractions:
- Triund Hill
- Jawalamukhi Devi Temple
- Bhagsunag Falls
- Norbulingka Institute
- Masrur
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Gaggal, which is 13 kilometres from Dharamshala.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Pathankot, which is 85 kilometres from Dharamshala.
Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh
Pachmarhi stands at 18th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Holiday Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Located in the Hoshangabad district, Pachmarhi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central India and is visited by a large number of tourists every year. The presence of waterfalls, temples and picnic spots makes it an ideal place for winter vacations.
Tourist Attractions:
- Dhoopgarh
- Chandigarh Peak
- Jata Shankar
- Satpura National Park
- Bee Falls
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Bhopal, which is about 195 kilometres from Pachmarhi.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Pipariya, which is 47 kilometres from Pachmarhi.
- Kufri, Himachal Pradesh
Next on this list is Kufri, a famous hill station located about 13 kilometres from Shimla. Kufri is famous for its forests, ski slopes and offers an ideal place for adventure sports like skiing and tobogganing. Winter Sports Festival is organized every year during winter, which acts as the main attraction for tourists.
Tourist Attractions:
- Mahasu Peak
- Himalayan Nature Park
- Kufri Fun World
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Shimla, which is 20 kilometres from Kufri.
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Shimla, which is 20 kilometres from Kufri
- Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad is ranked 20th in the list of Top 20 Best Winter Destinations in India on the basis of popularity. Visit Kerala seems incomplete without visiting Wayanad, a beautiful place in Kerala, which is famous for its scenic locations, waterfalls, temples and caves. Wayanad is an ideal place to spend winter vacations as the weather becomes pleasant during winter.
Tourist Attractions:
- Chembra Peak
- Banasura Sagar Dam
- Meenmutty Waterfalls
- Thirunelli Temple
- Lakkidi View Point
How to Reach:
- Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is Calicut, which is 65 kilometres from Wayanad
- Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Railway Station is Calicut, which is 62 kilometres from Wayanad.
