Why Summer in India Is Better Than You Think
Most people hear “India in summer” and picture scorching heat and dusty roads. Fair enough. But here’s the thing -India is massive, and not every corner of it gets equally brutal in the heat. From the cool heights of the Himalayas to the misty hills of the south, there are plenty of places where summer is actually a great time to visit.
The key is picking the right spot. The wrong one and you’re stuck in 45-degree heat. The right one and you’re sipping chai with mountains in front of you and a cool breeze on your face.
This list covers 10 places that genuinely work well in summer. Some are classic picks. A couple are a bit off the beaten path. All of them are worth the trip.
Ladakh – For the Adventure Seekers
Ladakh is hard to beat in summer. It is the only time of year when most roads and passes are actually open, which makes it the best window to see this place properly.
The landscape here is unlike anything else in India. Rocky mountains, blue lakes, and wide open skies. Pangong Lake alone is worth the trip -the color of the water changes through the day in ways that are hard to believe until you see it.
If you ride bikes or do long-distance drives, the roads through Khardung La and the Nubra Valley are some of the best in the country. Trekking, rafting on the Zanskar River, and visiting old monasteries like Hemis are all solid options too.
Best for: Adventure trips, solo travelers, bikers
Nearest railway station: Jammu Tawi (around 700 km) -no direct rail link to Ladakh, so flying or driving is the way to go
Manali – The go-to hill station
Manali has been a summer favorite for years, and there is a good reason for that. Temperatures stay cool, the views are great, and there is enough to keep you busy whether you want to relax or push your limits.
Solang Valley is a must if you are into adventure sports. Rohtang Pass gives you a real taste of high-altitude scenery. And if you just want to slow down, Old Manali has quiet cafes, apple orchards, and hot springs in Vashisht that are genuinely worth a morning.
The town gets busy in peak summer, so book your stay early if you are going in May or June.
Best for: Couples, adventure lovers, first-time hill station visitors
Nearest airport: Chandigarh (around 310 km)
Nearest railway station: Joginder Nagar (around 160 km) – narrow gauge with limited trains. Chandigarh (around 300 km) is the better broad-gauge option with more frequent services
Shimla – Old charm, cool weather
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and it still carries that old-world feel. The Mall Road, Jakhu Temple, and the toy train ride from Kalka are the highlights most people come for.
But the real draw in summer is simply the weather. While plains heat up past 40 degrees, Shimla stays comfortable in the low 20s. That alone makes it one of the easiest summer escapes from cities like Delhi.
Kufri is a short drive away and adds a bit of adventure -yak rides and trekking trails are popular there.
Best for: Families, quick getaways from Delhi
Nearest airport: Chandigarh
Nearest railway station: Kalka (around 88 km) – this is where the famous Kalka-Shimla toy train starts. A UNESCO World Heritage route worth taking if you have the time
Munnar – Green hills, cool air
Munnar sits in the Western Ghats of Kerala at around 1,900 meters above sea level. In summer, the temperature stays mild and the tea plantations around it turn a deep, almost unreal shade of green.
It is a quieter destination compared to the more popular north Indian hill stations. That works in its favor if you want something peaceful rather than crowded.
Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam National Park, and the Valmeena Flower Garden are the main stops. If you enjoy short treks, the trails around here are easy and the views pay off.
Best for: Couples, nature lovers, those wanting a quieter trip
Nearest airport: Cochin (around 140 km)
Nearest railway station: Aluva (around 110 km) -well connected to major cities. Ernakulam Junction is another solid option if your train doesn’t stop at Aluva
Darjeeling – Tea, trains, and mountain views
Darjeeling is one of those places that earns its reputation. The Himalayan Railway toy train ride is not just a tourist activity -it is genuinely one of the best train rides in the country. Tiger Hill is where you go for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, and on a clear morning it does not disappoint.
Summer keeps the weather pleasant here, usually between 15 and 25 degrees. The tea gardens are lush and the town has a relaxed, unhurried pace that is hard to find elsewhere.
Best for: Tea lovers, photographers, families
Nearest airport: Bagdogra (around 88 km)
Nearest railway station: New Jalpaiguri (around 88 km) -a major junction with trains from Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train also runs from here, another UNESCO route
Coorg – Coffee, forests, and good food
Coorg, in Karnataka, is often called the Scotland of India, and while that comparison is a stretch, the green hills and misty mornings do have that kind of feel.
The coffee plantations here are the real pull. You can visit working estates, taste freshly brewed local coffee, and pick up beans to take home. The food is a standout too -Pandi Curry and Kadumbuttu are local dishes that are worth trying.
For something more active, Nagarhole National Park is nearby for wildlife, and the Barapole River is good for rafting.
Best for: Food lovers, nature enthusiasts, families
Nearest airport: Mangalore (around 160 km)
Nearest railway station: Mysore Junction (around 120 km) -well connected to Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai. Hassan Junction is another option if you are coming from the north
Ooty – A classic hill station
Ooty has been a summer escape for generations of Indians, and it still holds up. The Nilgiri Hills keep it cool, and the town has a relaxed, old-fashioned character that works well for a slow holiday.
Ooty Lake is the center of town and a good spot to spend an afternoon. The Botanical Gardens are colorful in summer, and Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in the Nilgiris -worth the climb for the view.
It can get crowded in peak summer, so weekday visits or early bookings help.
Best for: Families, short getaways from Chennai or Bangalore
Nearest airport: Coimbatore (around 90 km)
Nearest railway station: Mettupalayam (around 47 km) -this is the starting point of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage route that climbs up to Ooty in about 5 hours
Dalhousie – Quiet and underrated
Dalhousie does not get the same crowd as Shimla or Manali, which is exactly why it works so well. The town sits in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh and has a calm, colonial-era feel.
Khajjiar is the real gem near Dalhousie -a small lake surrounded by dense forest that looks almost too perfect to be real. Paragliding here is a popular option too. Chamera Lake is good for a quiet boat ride if you prefer something calmer.
The best summer weather here is from March to June, before the monsoon sets in.
Best for: Couples, those looking for fewer crowds, nature lovers
Nearest airport: Pathankot (around 77 km)
Nearest railway station: Pathankot (around 80 km) -connected to Delhi, Jammu, and Amritsar. Taxis and buses run regularly from the station to Dalhousie
Shillong – Northeast India’s cool escape
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and one of the coolest cities in India, literally. Summer temperatures here stay around 20 to 25 degrees, which makes it a comfortable place to spend time without much planning around the heat.
Umiam Lake is the biggest draw -it looks good and the area around it is calm. Elephant Falls is a short drive away and worth seeing, especially after a light rain. The food scene here is different from the rest of India, with smoked meats and local ingredients making their way into most dishes.
Best for: Solo travelers, those wanting something different from the usual hill stations
Nearest airport: Shillong has its own airport with flights from Delhi and Kolkata
Nearest railway station: Guwahati (around 100 km) -no rail lines in Meghalaya at all, so Guwahati is your only train option. It is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai
Nainital – Lakes and mountains
Nainital wraps itself around the Naini Lake and sits in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a popular summer destination from northern cities, and for good reason -the weather is cool, the lake is pretty, and the town is easy to get around.
A boat ride on Naini Lake is the most basic activity here, but it works. The cable car up to Snow View Point gives you a wider perspective of the surrounding peaks. Tiffin Top is a short trek that most visitors manage comfortably.
It does get busy, especially on weekends. Going midweek cuts the crowd significantly.
Best for: Families, short trips from Delhi or Lucknow
Nearest airport: Pantnagar (around 65 km)
Nearest railway station: Kathgodam (around 35 km) -the closest and most convenient option. Trains run from Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata. Only about an hour drive from Kathgodam to Nainital
Quick Tips Before You Book
Pack light clothes, but carry a jacket. Hill stations in India can get cold at night even in summer. Sunscreen is a must at higher altitudes -the UV exposure is stronger than you might expect.
If you are traveling with kids, hill stations like Shimla, Nainital, and Ooty are the safest and easiest choices. For adventure, Ladakh and Manali are the way to go. For something quieter and less crowded, Dalhousie and Coorg are solid picks.
Book accommodations at least two weeks ahead if you are visiting in May or June. These places fill up fast during school holidays.
Final Thought
India in summer does not have to mean suffering through the heat. Pick a spot at the right altitude or in the right part of the country, and summer actually becomes one of the better times to travel. The crowds are real, but so is the weather. Plan a little, and you will not be disappointed.
