20 Best Places to Visit Near Delhi in Winter

Delhi is aptly situated in such a way that many popular and offbeat holiday destinations are easily accessible. Particularly in the icy-cold winters, be it ancient forts and temples, snowy hill stations, or the wilderness, these beautiful destinations are all the more alluring.

We have put together a list of 20 places to visit near Delhi in winter that should definitely find place in your holiday plans. To make things easier for you, we have broken down these destinations by distance from Delhi.

Winter Getaways from Delhi (within 300 kilometres)

1. Hastinapur

Hastinapur with it’s ancient, gorgeous and intricate carvings and architecture and riveting history is about 130 kilometres from Delhi. This town is best visited in the winter season.

Hastinapur finds its origins in the ancient text of Mahabharata known as being the capital city in the Pandava’s rule. Apart from being home to numerous beautiful and ancient temples, it is also known for its sprawling wildlife sanctuary that is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

• Distance: 130 kilometres from Delhi

2. Alwar

Winter is a great time to visit this town and its gorgeous rustic scene. A 166 kilometres from Delhi, Alwar is a lesser known gem in Rajasthan. Often overshadowed by the touristy circuit of Jaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer, Alwar is a perfect weekend getaway, providing a nice, offbeat experience.

Some of the must-sees at Alwar are the Alwar Court, Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri, Gopal Sagar Lake, Bala Qila, and the gorgeous Siliserh Lake 17 kilometres from the city.

• Distance: 166 kilometres from Delhi

3. Mandawa

The lovely, small town of Mandawa is situated In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, about 200 odd kilometres from Delhi. It is known for its ancient forts and havelis.

Make sure to visit some of the finest works of the Shekhawats such as the giant Mandawa Fort, Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala havelisand Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Some of these havelis have been converted to stunning hotels offering a glimpse into the Shekhawati way of life.

• Distance: 200 kilometres from Delhi

4. Sariska Tiger Reserve

Located about 200 kilometres from Delhi, Sariska Tiger Reserve is an awesome place to visit if you love wild life. The authorities here organise safaris early morning – the earliest being at 6.30 am. Overall there are 14 tigers with other species of wild animals like leopard, Nilgai, Deers (Spotted and Sambhar), Wild Boar, Crocs and many bird species.

Tip: Avoid going for jungle safaris on Tuesdays and Saturdays as there is free access for public on these days. Hundreds of private vehicles enter the jungle, and it could get quite chaotic.

• Distance: 201 kilometres from Delhi
  

5. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season.

Home to thousands of species of migratory birds and hundreds of endemic species of birds, the bird sanctuary is one the places to visit near delhi in winters owing to the number of migratory birds that inhabit the place in this season. The Sanctuary is just a three hour drive away from Delhi and attracts thousands of tourists. It is a nice place to de-stress and chill out.

• Distance: 222 kilometres from Delhi

6. Agra

Home to one of the wonders of the world, Agra is the most popular weekend getaway from Delhi. At distance of close to 200 kilometres from Delhi, it takes less than 3 hours to reach Agra via the Yamuna Expressway.

While it is famous for the Taj Mahal, it is also a great weekend destination away from the bustling city. If you are a history buff, this city will definitely catch your attention. It houses India’s best architectural marvels like Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb.

• Distance: 230 kilometres from Delhi

7. Rishikesh

Where the River Ganges flows down from the Himalayas, this small town in Uttarakhand is located justifiably, making it one of the holy places of India. Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Trimbakeshwar Temple are some noted places here while white-water rafting, rappelling, rock climbing, Kayaking are some of the many activities that Rishikesh is famous for. Overall, Rishikesh is one of the most popular weekend getaway from New Delhi.

It is even better in the months of October to December, making it one of the places to visit near Delhi in winters. Combining Rishikesh with Devprayag for a long weekend  trip will make the trip even more worthwhile.

• Distance: 230 kilometers from Delhi

8. Lansdowne

One of the quietest and well-maintained hill stations in Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a stunning place with mesmerizing landscape.

Just about a five-hour drive from the capital city, Lansdowne is at distance of about 250 kilometres. The place is full of old Colonial Bungalows, beautiful sunrise and sunset points and provides some rare views of the Himalayas and the River Ganga. You can engage in trekking activities,visit St. Mary’s Church, and the old War Memorial.

• Distance: 230 kilometers from Delhi

Winter Getaways from Delhi (within 500 kilometres)

1. Auli

This beautiful hill station is situated at a distance of 262 kilometres from Delhi which comes down to a seven- or eight-hour drive. The place is perfect for adventure skiers and general sport enthusiasts.

You can ski, go on Gondola rides, take a trek through Oak forests and watch the sunrise from the hills. Definitely one of the places to visit near delhi in winters, especially for skiing enthusiasts.

• Distance: 262 kilometers

2. Jaipur

Rajasthan’s culturally rich pink city, Jaipur is a five-hour drive from Delhi.  With beautiful forts, enchanting palaces, and ancient temples, Jaipur is a paradise for history buffs. Even the streets of Jaipur bask in the history of this place.

Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar are a few of the many places you could see in Jaipur. We recommend spending two to three days in the winter season here for a marvelous experience in this timeless city.

• Distance: 280 kilometers from Delhi

3. Mussoorie

One of the most popular getaways among Delhiites, Mussoorie is a beautiful hill station in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ and the breathtaking scenery it provides is one to travel for.

On a cloudy day, the hills of Mussoorie, almost touching the clouds provide an ethereal scenery. It is a nice place to relax and spend your weekend.

It is just a five hours drive away from the capital city and has many interesting places you can check out such as the Mussoorie Lake, the Bhatta Falls, Company gardens, Cloud End and Gun Hill.

• Distance: 294 kilometers from Delhi

4. Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal is a well-known lake in the Nainital district. The lake is a kilometer in length and is situated in stunning surroundings with verdant hills all around.  

The ambience, the lake, and the surrounding beauty make it a must visit place. Situated just 300 kilometres from Delhi, it is a great place to spend your weekend at. You can take boat rides in the lake, trek to the surrounding villages and just relax near the shore reading your favorite book.

• Distance: 300 kilometers from Delhi

5. Mukteshwar

At about 330 kilometres from Delhi, Mukteshwar is an offbeat hill station, and is an ideal holiday destination for the winter season.

This peaceful hill station in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand is a nice place to relax on a weekend. The town is surrounded by orchards and forests and provides some stunning views of the Mighty Himalayan Range.

The important places to check out here are the Mukteshwar Dham, Methodist Church, Renewable Park and the sunset point.

• Distance: 330 kilometers from Delhi

6. Shimla

At a distance of 300 kilometers from Delhi, the cold mountain air and the gorgeous apple orchards that make up its landscape, Shimla is one of those destinations that you can never get enough of. Kufri is a delightful place near Shimla, just a 30 min drive away, that you should definitely plan on as well.

Add Shimla to the your of places to visit near Delhi in winters if you really want to make the most of the winters. Shimla, along with Chail and Kufri, is a great winter getaway from Delhi.

• Distance: 342 kilometres from Delhi

Places to visit near Delhi (over 500 kilometres)

1. Pushkar

One of the oldest and holiest cities in India, Pushkar is a city of many charms. Just seven hours drive away from Delhi on National Highway 8, Pushkar is a special city to visit on a weekend during winters as it is full of greenery and colors post monsoon. The city famous for its holy Pushkar Lake.

The Pushkar fair which is a cultural extravaganza of sorts for the folks of the desert usually held in November, and this is the best time to visit Pushkar.

• Distance: 403 kilometers

2. Amritsar

Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das, Amritsar is most famous for the spectacular Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine and one of India’s most serene and humbling sights.

The same cannot be said for the hyperactive streets surrounding the temple,but they’re a delight to walk through for a sensory overload of sights, sounds and smells.

At a distance of about 470 kilometres from Delhi, Amritsar is a delightful destination for a winter holiday.

• Distance: 470 kilometers

3. Shoja

Just off the Kullu highway and a part of the Great Himalayan National Park, Shoja is a beautiful offbeat destination. It is a stunning place full of natural beauty and apple orchards.

Shoja is a 480 kilometres drive from Delhi and provides a couple of sightseeing options such as Serolsar Lake and Raghupur Fort.

• Distance: 480 kilometers

4. Jhansi

Just under 500 kilometres from Delhi, is the the beautiful town of Jhansi famous for its iconic queen Rani Laxmibai. Her fort lies in all its grandeur as a testimony to the historic period of the war that Rani Laxmibai fought.

Madhya Pradesh is quite warm in the summers and hence the drop in temperature October onwards makes it one of the best places to visit near delhi in winters. The area is well connected by trains and roads. Go ahead and plan your weekend trip here for the love of architecture.

• Distance: 490 kilometers

5. Manali

At a distance of around 500 kilometres from Delhi, the mornings in Manali can be spent at the ancient Hidimba Devi Temple situated in a serene ambiance, followed by a visit to the Tibetan monastery and the Vasisth village which is known for its Hot springs.  

For snow and adventure activities, you must head out to Solang Valley. For most of December, Rohtang Pass is also open and you can visit it for an even more surreal experience.

• Distance: 539 kilometers

6. Udaipur

Udaipur, the palace town of Rajasthan will leave you spoilt for choices with the number of attractions this place has to offer – City Palace, Jagdish Temple Sahelion-Ki-Bari, Lake round of Fateh Sagar and Folk Museum are some of the must-visit places here.

When clubbed together, Udaipur and Chittorgarh make an amazing long weekend getaway from Delhi. The majestic City Palace of Udaipur, and the robustness of Chittorgarh fort will definitely make a memorable trip. Udaipur is overnight journey from Delhi, at a distance of a little over 650 kilometres.

• Distance: 661 kilometers

Make your holiday a memorable one by planning a visit to some of these beautiful winter weekend getaways from Delhi. If you have anything more to add to our list, do drop in a note in the comments section!