Best Places to Visit in Winter in India 2024

The beauty of Gulmarg is heightened during the winters because snowfall happens here. Hoards of international and local Indians flock to Gulmarg during winters to enjoy holidays amidst the snowfall. Due to its high elevation - 2650 m (approx.), there is a breathtaking combination of outdoor winter sports in Gulmarg like snowboarding, skiing, etc. And the real reason Gulmarg is our top place to visit in winters in India? There are gondola rides at the height of 14000 ft (approx.) that will fill your wanderlust soul with excitement. What more could you want in winters in India?

The erstwhile summer capital of Britishers looks even more beautiful in winters. It is the capital town of Himachal Pradesh and is winter nirvana for honeymooners. Shimla is often called the "White Winter Queen of India" because this place is blanketed with snow during winters. Come in between mid-December-February to witness guaranteed snow in Shimla. It is when the famous town of Himachal Pradesh at its coldest; temperatures can drop as low that it goes into minus - truly a sight to behold. Feeling brave? Hit the trekking trails in Shimla and enjoy the Shimla Toy Train ride to witness splendid snow-flakes around you!

Work from home is mainstream - how about work from mountains? If that sounds like what you exactly want in winters in India, visit Manali. This adventurous hill town in Himachal Pradesh is often associated with honeymooners as Manali was once the honeymoon capital of India (No doubt it still is). It remains enchanting throughout the year, but Manali takes on a whole new dimension of wonders during winters. Expect paragliding, skiing, trekking in Manali in winters. Take a stroll around Mall Road, and eventually, you will witness the first snowfall from mid-November to the starting of December.

Glue your eyes on Auli because it is India's premier ski resort destination. Located in Uttarakhand, this is one of the best winter destinations in North India, where nature comes alive in all its splendor and glory. The bright and shining slopes, compelling sunrise and sunsets, trekking, skiing are the few reasons to visit Auli in winters. The sun does not rise for several weeks in Auli in December and January. Stop off at the claims to fame - Artificial Lake for Instagram-Worthy photos. If you find snow blocking your path to reach Auli, take Asia's largest aerial tramway from Joshimath. You can't miss embracing the dept of winters in Auli.

Exploring Uttar Pradesh's city is a dream you will never forget because it houses the Taj Mahal. It is the Seventh Wonder of the world and is a grandeur of love shown by Mughal Emperor - Shah Jahan for one of his beloved wives - Mumtaaz, upon her death in 1631. There is no other mausoleum like the Taj Mahal in the world as it incorporates the black calligraphy inlaid around its entrance. The epitome of love is a white marbled structure and is made up of the finest gemstones like lazuli, diamonds, jade, etc. Agra was once the capital of India during the Mughal era, becoming the hotspot for international tourists due to many Islamic architectures.

Coorg is the place to escape from Urban life in winters and enjoy lush green winter vacations in India. Weekenders from Bangalore take full advantage of exploring the coffee plantations, cascading falls in Coorg. Kodagu (another name) merged with Karnataka state in 1956. In South India, this hill station is the perfect place for winters when you want to hike the verdant western ghats, stargazing at riverside camps. There is plenty to do and see in Coorg. At the Barapole river, you can enjoy river rafting. But the real pull is Coorg's colonial-style bungalows, where you can stay. The best ones are surrounded and have direct access to coffee estates. The cool breeze, child climate of Coorg in winters guarantees rejuvenation.

Alappuzha and Venice have an almost striking resemblance because this tranquil town in Kerala has brilliant backwaters, beautiful lagoons, serene beaches. This is why former Viceroy of India - Lord Curzon, described Alleppey (Alappuzha) as the Venitian Capital of Kerala. It has a vast network of waterways where hundreds of traditional houseboat sails. During winters, the temperature of Alleppey is ideal for touring the best attractions. You can plan your overnight stays in houseboats as waterways remain open in winters. If you have an eye for nature, you will be bewildered by the lush greenery of Alleppey. Indulge in pampering spa bliss at the promising Ayurveda resorts in Alappuzha.

Your hunt for the best places to visit in winters in East India should end with Darjeeling. Often called West Bengal's premier destination, Darjeeling is highly known for its emerald tea plantations and its high elevation because it provides glorious snow-flaked Kanchenjunga views. This town in East India will require a fair amount of willpower to resist trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, etc. You will be spoiled with choices in Darjeeling because the Toy Train Ride will give you the feeling of a scenic Sri Lanka train ride that runs from Kandy to Ella. However, snowfall in Darjeeling could be experienced anytime during December and January but not always! To see guaranteed snowfall, head to North Sikkim.

For a winter galore with a touch of adrenaline, Kaziranga National Park is a popular place to visit in winter in East India. This National park in Assam is crowned with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its sheer presence of Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. Varied flora and fauna houses inside the national park, and the best time to see them is between November-April. It is the time when the wildlife safari is best enjoyed inside the Kaziranga National Park. For the remaining seasons, the tourist entry is closed due to massive rain since the land of Kaziranga gets covered with Brahmaputra waters.

India's most prolific Film industry makes Mumbai famous amongst the tourists, but there is more to Mumbai than Bollywood. Formerly known as Bombay, this city in Maharashtra houses the grandest colonial-era structures, vibrant bazaars, energetic nightlife, which could be best experienced in winters. As the monsoon season (July-September) marks the heavy rainfall in Mumbai, summers also trouble tourists with its scorching heat. There are ample hill stations located near Mumbai to make a winter escape. Rejuvenate your mind with winter outdoor sports at Khandala, Lonavala. Become a beach bump at the Alibaug beaches. The voyage across the Matheran - the automobile-friendly town.

Why don't you shake off the winter blues with a promise of sun, palm-fringed sands? Goa is beautiful all year round, but it becomes a winter wonderland in West India as the cold month approaches. A blend of music festivals, beach parties, swanky resort stays, and heaps of watersports options make India's party capital the winter destination. Goa is divided into two parts - North Goa and South Goa.The former is known for its electrifying parties, while the latter is considered best for sand-sational beaches. Guess what? Taste the party and beach fun both in winters in Goa at its best!

If you want to discover what paradise feels like in North East India, head to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang sees snowfalls between late November to December beginning. It is a great place to enjoy relaxed, natural beauty among the famous places to visit in North-East India. Before giving more information about it, let me tell you that Tawang is also known as the stroller 'Hidden Paradise'. Tawang adjoining Tibet and Bhutan in the north-west of the state has been decorated by nature with a great heart. The mountain peaks, shining lakes, and the beautiful Himalayan beauty of Tawang still lead a very original life. People here live in houses made of bamboo-wood on stone. It is exciting for many tourists to see them up close. Pray for peace at the Buddhist monasteries in Tawang to recharge your monotonous life.

Finally, not all destinations require a snowfall to showcase its winter nature. So does the Shillong! The capital of Meghalaya (the smallest state) is a picturesque hill station surrounded by emerald greenery. Shillong's gorgeous landscape really peaks in the winters. Besides offering the cultural extravaganza, the city has enchanting waterfalls, pristine lakes, and all of this makes it a perfect winter escape. Also, the winter temperature of Shillong is cold (without snowfall), and mornings greet tourists with heavy frosting.