Top 10 Hill Stations in India 2026
From snow-capped Himachal to misty Munnar in Kerala, India has more genuinely great hill stations than any traveller can cover in a lifetime.
The full ranking — 10 picks
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Top pickRank 1. Manali
Himachal PradeshThe all-time favourite. The Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass (in summer) and Old Manali's cafes make it the go-to for everyone from honeymooners to backpackers. Visit October-November for clear views, or January-February for snow.
Photo: Neerajsinghazm · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 2. Munnar
KeralaEndless tea plantations rolling over the Western Ghats. Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr country) and Top Station offer some of South India's most photographable landscapes.
Photo: Kondephy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 3. Ooty
Tamil NaduThe Queen of Hill Stations — for good reason. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO-listed) is an experience in itself. Best time: April-June and September-November.
Photo: Vinayaraj · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Rank 4. Darjeeling
West BengalWorld-famous tea, the toy train, and sunrise views of Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill. April-June and October-December are ideal — winter brings clearest mountain views.
Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a cropped in which the glare has been lessened · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 5. Coorg
KarnatakaCoffee plantations, Abbey Falls and quiet homestays in the Western Ghats. Less touristy than the big-name stations and great for slow travel. Visit October-March.
Photo: Jyotirmoy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 6. Shimla
Himachal PradeshBritish-era charm with the Ridge, Mall Road and Christ Church. Easily accessible from Delhi by road or the iconic toy train from Kalka. December for snow, March-June for pleasant weather.
Photo: Navneet Sharma · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 7. Gangtok
SikkimSikkim's clean, well-organised capital. Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass (with permit) and the Rumtek Monastery are the highlights. Best from March-May and October-mid December.
Photo: Ashinpt at enwiki · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Rank 8. Mussoorie
UttarakhandThe 'Queen of Hills' is a quick weekend escape from Delhi. Kempty Falls, Gun Hill and the colonial-era Mall Road. Stay at Landour for the quieter, literary side of Mussoorie.
Photo: Paul Hamilton · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 -
Rank 9. Mcleodganj & Dharamshala
Himachal PradeshHome of the Dalai Lama. Tibetan Buddhist culture, Triund trek and a thriving cafe scene. The Bhagsu Falls and Namgyal Monastery are must-visits.
Photo: Amit Phulera · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 10. Auli
UttarakhandIndia's best ski destination, with views of Nanda Devi and a 4 km cable car ride. January-March for snow and skiing; April-June for trekking and meadow walks.
Photo: Vaibhav 369 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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How this list was made
Here are ten that genuinely deserve a spot on your bucket list — picked for scenery, accessibility and that quiet thing money can't buy.
About this list
Top 10 Hill Stations in India 2026 runs from 1 to 10. Manali takes the top spot, and Auli closes it out at number 10. It was first published on 27 May 2026 and last revised on 24 September 2026.
Spotted something out of date, or an entry you would rank differently? Tell us — the order on this page is revised as the picks change.
