With a backdrop of mighty Dhauladhar ranges, Dharamshala is blessed with pristine natural beauty. This is the second capital of Himachal Pradesh and an amazing place to experience a serene vacation. During your visit to Dharamshala, you can also extend your stay and explore the places around Dharamshala that boast of tranquillity and breathtaking views. This quaint little town is a popular weekend getaway, which has a plethora of tourist attractions.

Surrounded by coniferous forests of deodar trees, Dharamshala is a serene hill station boasting glistening lakes, gushing waterfalls, ancient temples, and Tibetan heritage. This place has something for every kind of traveler, from adventure fanatics to nature lovers and from history buffs to pilgrims.

Here are the places to visit near Dharamshala, having their own charm to make your trip memorable.

Mcleodganj

Situated in Kangra Valley and boasting of Tibetan culture, Mcleodganj is also known as Little Lhasa. It is located in Upper Dharamshala and is home to some of the most eminent monasteries in India. Blessed with the lush greenery and enchanting views of Dhauladhar ranges, Mcleodganj is the residence of His Holiness – The Dalai Lama. Undoubtedly, this scenic hill station is among the popular tourist places to visit near Dharamshala.

Places to visit in Mcleodganj: Bhagsu Falls, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Bhasunag Temple, and Tibetan Museum.

Best time to visit: October to February

Distance from Dharamshala: 10 km

Travel Time: 30 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 days

Triund

Perched at an altitude of 2,850 m above the sea level, Triund Peak is situated at the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. Triund trek is among the best things to do near Dharamshala and it is perhaps the easiest trek in the Himalayas. With the breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayas, Triund is a delight for birdwatchers and adventure enthusiasts. The trek starts from Mcleodganj and during winters, this place offers spellbinding views of snow-clad peaks.

Places to visit in Triund: Gallu Devi Temple, Shiva Cafe, Shri Kunal Pathri Devi Temple, Bhagsunag Waterfall.

Best time to visit: May to June, September to October

Distance from Dharamshala: 19 km

Travel Time: 30 minutes (approx.) to Mcleodganj, trekking time is 7 to 8 hours (both ways)

Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 days

Kangra

Dotted with picturesque views, lush greenery, and breathtaking vistas of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges; Kangra is an idyllic little hill station near Dharamshala. Kangra Valley boasts of ancient temples, lush tea estates, and spellbinding landscapes. Home to one of the oldest forts in the country – Kangra Fort, this quaint little hill town is popularly known for Masroor Rock-cut Temple. These are around 15 rock-cut temples in a huge complex. This popular temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an epitome of the finest architecture of the bygone era.

Places to visit in Kangra: Kangra Fort, Jwala Ji Temple, Baijnath Temple, Kareri Lake, Brajeshwari Temple, Masroor Rock-cut Temple.

Best time to visit: September to June

Distance from Dharamshala: 19 km

Travel Time: 40 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 days

Dal Lake

Snuggled amidst the rugged mountains, Dal Lake lies at an altitude of 1,775 m above sea level. This small picturesque lake is situated in the Kangra district and is an ideal spot to laze around. Dal Lake is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The trekking expedition around the lake is an option for adventure fanatics. A fair is organized near the lake in September, owing to the auspicious temple of Lord Shiva.

Places to visit in Kangra: Shiva Temple, Naddi View Point.

Best time to visit: September to June

Distance from Dharamshala: 9 km

Travel Time: 30 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 day

Naggar

Naggar is situated on the bank of River Beas at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. This ancient town was once the capital of the Kullu kingdom. This quaint little town has an abundance of unexplored natural beauty, which makes it rank among the popular places close to Dharamshala. The hot water spring, picturesque landscapes, and an amazing backdrop of majestic hills make it a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers.

Places to visit in Naggar: Naggar Castle, Uruswati Himalayan Folk Art Museum, Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery, Gauri Shankar Temple, Jagattipat Temple, Krishna Temple.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year

Distance from Dharamshala: 200 km

Travel Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 day

Dalhousie

Tucked away in the lap of nature, Dalhousie boasts of colonial-charm, lush greenery, and astonishing beauty. This beautiful hill town is a haven for adventure freaks as one can indulge in several activities such as paragliding, zorbing, and trekking. Khajjiar is known as ‘Mini Switzerland ‘, which is a popular tourist place near Dharamshala. It is an ideal place for travel aficionados as well.

Places to visit in Dalhousie: Khajjiar, Chamba, Mall Road, Kalatop Sanctuary, Dainkund, Panchpulla, Satdhara Falls.

Best time to visit: March to June

Distance from Dharamshala: 118 km

Travel Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days

Shimla

Nestled at an altitude of 2,200 m above the sea level, Shimla is a picturesque hill station owing to its unique charm. This popular hill town was the Summer Capital of British India and has still retained its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture. Ice-skating is a famous sport here and the naturally formed rink is the largest and only natural rink in South Asia. Shimla is among the best places to visit near Dharamshala due to its breathtaking landscapes.

Places to visit in Shimla: The Ridge, Kufri, Chail, Mall Road, Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple, Green Valley, Chadwick Falls, Himachal State Museum, Naldehra.

Best time to visit: March to June, November to February.

Distance from Dharamshala: 230 km

Travel Time: 6 hours, 50 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days

Manali

Situated on the banks of River Beas, at an altitude of 2,050 m above the sea level, Manali is blessed with jaw-dropping locales, sprawling meadows, gushing waterfalls, and ancient temples. Nestled amidst the snow-capped Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is popular among couples, families, nature lovers, and adventure junkies. There is a wide range of adventure activities in Manali such as river rafting, paragliding, skiing, camping, and trekking that can satiate your adventure-loving soul.

Places to visit in Manali: Mall Road, Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht Temple, Kasol, Manikaran Sahib, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley.

Best time to visit: October to June

Distance from Dharamshala: 214 km

Travel Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days

Bir

Located at an elevation 1,525 m above the sea level, Bir is a quaint little village, which is also known as the paragliding capital of India. This pristine village boasts serene landscapes, snow-capped hills, and lush greenery. Bir is also famous for other adventure activities like camping, trekking, mountain biking, and hand gliding, which makes it among the top places to see near Dharamshala. This town is influenced by Tibetan culture and is an important centre of spiritual studies and meditation.

Places to visit in Bir: Tibetan Colony, Chokling Monastery, Sherabling Monastery, Tashi Jong Monastery, Tea Estate, Deer Park Institute.

Best time to visit: April to June, September to November

Distance from Dharamshala: 64 km

Travel Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 days

Baijnath

One of the most popular temples of Himachal Pradesh, Baijnath Temple is considered to be extremely sacred. The water of the temple is believed to hold medicinal properties. The temple is dedicated to Baijnath or Vaidyanath, the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Built-in Nagara style of architecture, Baijnath Temple is said to be about 5,000 years old. With the backdrop of Dhauladhar ranges, Baijnath Temple is an architectural marvel.

Places to visit in Baijnath: Palampur, Kangra Fort, Bir Billing, Brajeshwari Temple.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year

Distance from Dharamshala: 51 km

Travel Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes (approx.)

Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Dharamshala is a popular tourist destination, which has an incredible hideout in its vicinity. Take a break to explore this enchanting hill town and its nearby places. With the list of popular places to visit near Dharamshala, you can make your trip memorable. Add these places to your itinerary to experience the charm of these destinations and do let us know your favorite place!