Tucked in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Nainital is a picture-postcard destination that has everything you’d want to do and explore on your vacation. Right from ancient temples and tranquil lakes, to the awe-inspiring mountains, there are so many places to see here. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful destination or need a place to fulfill your thirst for adventure, you can blindly choose Nainital. We’ve covered everything in our ultimate itinerary about 48 hours in Nainital for your trip here.
Nainital 2 Days Itinerary
Nainital Tourist Places To Visit On Day 1
1. Naina Devi Temple
Located on the banks of the Naini Lake is the popular pilgrimage site Naina Devi Temple. You can start your first day in this city at this temple, which is believed to have been built in the 15th century AD. When you reach here, you’ll notice a vast courtyard and a huge sacred peepal tree that stands strong to the left of the temple. As you enter, you can’t help but feel the holy and mystic vibes of this sacred place, which have attracted pilgrims from all over. The location of Naina Devi Temple is such that you get to see beautiful mountain ranges from here. The location of Naina Devi Temple is such that you also get to see the beautiful fringes of the mountain ranges from here.
The main entrance of this temple has two huge statues of lions, and as you enter, you’ll find idols of three deities – Kali Devi, Maa Naina Devi, and Lord Ganesh. If you visit here during the months of August and September, you’ll get to witness the most talked-about festival, Nanda Ashtami. It’s an 8-day-long festival wherein devotees come and do the ‘visarjan’ (immersion) of the idols of deities on the temple premises.
Timing: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free.
2. Naini Lake
Located in the center of the city, Naini Lake, also known as ‘Nainital Lake,’ is one of the major tourist attractions here. This freshwater lake is like a hidden gem that’s tucked away amidst the tall oak trees between the foothills of the beautiful Himalayas. Naini Lake is at an altitude of around 2,000 meters above sea level and is the crowd’s favorite.
This famous lake of the Kumaon region is shaped like a pear or a kidney, and its shoreline is scattered with several green trees, guest houses, Mall Road, and religious temples. From here, the scenery is absolutely spellbinding. You get to see craggy hilltops and mountain barns that are a treat to the eyes. This lake is the perfect spot for photographers to capture the essence of this beautiful hill station.
A boat ride in this sparkling lake is something you must try. There are other things you can enjoy near the lake, like yachting, kayaking, and scenic jungle hikes. Naini Lake is also a great spot for a picnic with your family and friends.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: The entry to this lake is free. However, you’ll have to pay to enjoy the many boat rides here.
Also Read: 5 Of The Best Hostels In Nainital For Every Backpacker
3. Snow View Point
If you’re visiting Nainital for sightseeing the snow-covered mountains here, Snow View Point is the right destination for you. From here, you get a panoramic view of the beautiful Nainital city, making it one of the best tourist places near Nainital. It’s located at an altitude of 2,270 m above sea level and is around 2 km away from Nainital city center. Tourists visiting here get incredible views of the Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Trishul peaks.
To reach this point, you will have to take an air cable car from the Mall Road of Mallital. There’s a pair of binoculars that have been installed at Snow View Point, through which you get a beautiful glimpse of all the incredible views that await you.
All tourists who visit here also visit a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Durga Devi. An early morning trek to this temple is a great time to witness the spectacular Himalayan ranges on the way. There are several fun activities at Snow Point that you can enjoy, like gun shooting stalls and several other arcade games. To be honest, this is one of the best places to visit in Nainital in May for refreshing views and cool weather!
Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: Entry is free.
4. Mall Road
Mall Road can be considered the heart of Nainital city. It’s near Naini Lake and is a shopper’s paradise. You’ll get to witness the vibrant culture of the people living in this city. The two ends of the Nainital city, Mallital and Talital, are connected by Mall Road.
It’s also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg and is lined with shopping stalls and restaurants. This busy street has everything, from different artifacts, handicrafts, and street food stalls. You can buy things like aromatic candles, woolen caps, artificial jewelry, shawls, and other wooden artifacts.
All foodies can go on a gastronomical adventure here, as Mall Road has a great food scene. You can try delicious foods like honey chicken, pizzas, sandwiches, apple pies, chocolate truffles, and pastries at the many restaurants and cafes here. After feasting on some yummy food, you can take a stroll and see the beautiful Naini Lake in all its glory.
Timing: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free.
Nainital Tourist Places To Visit On Day 2
1. Nainital Zoo
Situated at an altitude of 2,100 m near Sher Ka Dhanda is another famous tourist attraction of the city, the Nainital Zoo. It sprawls over an area of 11 acres and is known as one of the three major altitude zoos in the country. Nainital Zoo is located amidst the Himalayan and the Shivalik mountain ranges and is surrounded by beautiful oak trees. You get the most breathtaking views of Nainital from this zoo that are worth capturing in your camera.
Anyone who enjoys bird watching will definitely have a great time here, as the zoo also has bird species like Red Junglefowl, White Peafowl, Steppe Eagle, and many others. A lot of the wildlife species at Nainital Zoo have been adopted by several animal welfare organizations.
There are many outreach programs that the zoo organizes to raise awareness regarding the conservation of animals and species that are nearing extinction. You can partake in the quiz games, art, and debating contests at the zoo.
Timing: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (except Thursdays). The zoo is closed on public holidays.
Entry Fees: Entry is free for disabled and elderly people.
- INR 100 per person for adults.
- INR 50 per person for children.
2. Lover’s Point
Lover’s Point is a vantage point where you can have your me-time in moments of solitude. The views from here are absolutely romantic and appreciated by honeymooners and tourists alike. It’s located in close proximity to Bara Pathar in the northwestern region of Nainital. If you visit Lover’s Point in the evenings, you’ll get to see the most spectacular sunset.
It’ll take a trek of 5 km from the Nainital bus stand to reach here. But tourists generally take a taxi to reach here quickly and safely. If you’re a person who loves landscape photography, you’ll enjoy your time here. You can chill and take some rest at the play area here and enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
Timing: Open 24 hours. But visiting is recommended only from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fees: Free.
Also Read: 10 Places To Visit In Nainital For A Much-Needed Break
3. Eco Cave Garden
Eco Cave Garden is a cluster of rocky caves that are constructed into an eco-garden. You can easily reach here from Mall Road, one of the most famous Nainital tourist places. All visitors who come here get to see six magnificent caves that have been formed in the shape of animals. The six caves of this garden, namely Tiger, Panther, Flying Fox, Squirrels, Bats, and Aves, are all connected through a tunnel. Some of these caves are easy to go through, and you might have to crawl to enter others.
There’s also a music fountain here with audio and visual effects that take the adventure quotient of the garden to the next level. Making your way through the many hanging gardens here is an experience in itself, something that you definitely wouldn’t want to miss.
Timing: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Fees:
- INR 100 per person for adults.
- INR 50 per person for children.
4. Tiffin Top
A magnificent spot located on Ayarpatta hill that has become a famous tourist attraction of Nainital is Tiffin Top. It is at an altitude of 2,292 m above sea level. All travelers and tourists carry their tiffin boxes to have a gala time here, hence the name. This romantic gem is a fantastic picnic spot and gives the tourists a 360-degree view of Nainital city and the gorgeous Kumaon mountains.
Apart from being a famous hangout spot in the city, Tiffin Top is famous for its soothing and serene environment. You’ll get to see an incredible scenery of oak and deodar trees from this hilltop. The hill is close to Mall Road, and many travelers prefer taking a 4-5 km hike up to this point.
Fun Fact: It’s believed that Tiffin Top was built by an army officer named Col J.P. Kellet in loving memory of his dear wife Dorothy Kellet. ‘Dorothy’s Seat’ is another popular name for this site.
Timing: Open 24 hours
Entry Fees: Free.
Also Read: Best Homestays In Nainital
Summing Up
This hidden gem of Uttarakhand has plenty of sightseeing spots that you can explore. The exquisite lakes, snow-clad mountains, and plenty of hiking and trekking trails make it a place worth visiting. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, pack your bags, and plan your upcoming trip to Nainital!
