Naini Lake
The crescent lake at the town's centre, with boating and Mall Road along one shore.
Nainital District
Nainital
Kumaon's best-known lake town, built in tiers around the crescent-shaped Naini Lake.
NatureFamilyRomantic
The story
Discover Nainital
Nainital is built around Naini Lake the way few Indian hill towns are built around anything — Mall Road runs along one shore, boats cross the water below it, and the hillsides climb steeply on both sides. It's Kumaon's busiest and most complete base: a real town with markets and old churches, not just a viewpoint, though the viewpoints above it (reached by ropeway or a stiff walk) are worth the climb.
Best time
March – June, September – November
Ideal duration
2–3 Days
Altitude
1,938 m
Travel style
Nature • Family • Romantic
Why visit
Why You’ll Love Nainital
Ropeway viewpoints
Snow View and other points above town, reached by cable car or a steep walk.
A complete hill-town base
Markets, churches and old colonial buildings alongside the lake, not just scenery.
Go deeper
Places Worth Discovering
Naini Lake
The heart of the town, ringed by Mall Road and the hillside above it.
Snow View Point
A ropeway-accessed viewpoint above town, looking toward the Himalayan skyline on a clear day.
Naina Devi Temple
A lakeside temple at the northern end of Naini Lake.
Bhimtal
A quieter lake town about 22 km away, often visited as a half-day trip from Nainital.
Make it yours
Experiences
Ready to book
Featured Tours in Nainital
Fixed-departure tours with a set itinerary and date — pick one and book it as-is.
No fixed-departure tours in Nainital yet — a curated journey below can be tailored instead.
Curated journeys
Journeys Through Nainital
Starting itineraries our team tailors to your dates, group and pace.
New journeys through Nainital are being curated. Explore the destination story now and check back soon.
Plan the route
Getting Around Nainital
Kathgodam → Nainital
1.5 hours • 35 km
From ₹1,800
Year-round
Local knowledge
Know Nainital Through Locals
No dedicated Nainital specialist yet — our broader team can still help you plan.
Explore all Travel ExpertsWhere to stay
Stays in Nainital
Time it right
When Does It Feel Right?
March–May is comfortable and popular, before the summer peak.
How Nainital compares
Adventure
30
Nature
65
Luxury
55
Crowds
80
Slow Travel
35
Keep exploring
