Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state. It has a reputation as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination. Set on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It's also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass.
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Manali is this ancient 15th-century temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Hidimba who was the wife of Bheem, one of the Pandavas. This pagoda-style temple set on a rock, which is revered by the locals, has a fantastic architecture of cone-shaped roof and intricately carved wooden walls and doors.
If you are done with roaming around the common Manali tourist places, the head out to Solang Valley. Laying between Solang Village and Beas Kund, Solang Valley derives its name from to separate words namely, Solang (the village nearby) and Nullah (Water Stream).
Suspended at an elevation of over 13,000 feet above the ground, Rohtang Pass acts as the gateway to the valleys of Spiti and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh. Ensconced within the towering peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains, this narrow pass is well known for its matchless natural beauty.
This historical Hindu temple, dedicated to Sage Manu, is a place of great religious significance to Hindus. There are many interesting folktales associated with the establishment of this temple which you can learn about when you visit this place.
No trip to Manali is complete without visiting this sanctuary to see the native mountain wildlife and hundreds of varieties of plants & trees. An important part of the protected northwest Himalayan biogeographic zone, you can spot animals & birds like Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Kashmir Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Snow Pigeons, Chakor, Treecreepers, etc.
Located in the premise of the 4000-year-old temple of Vashisht, the kulguru of Lord Ram, the hot springs are a major places to visit in manali. Revered by the locals and tourists alike, the springs are said to have medicinal properties due to the presence of chemicals like lithium, calcium, etc. that cure a host of diseases.
A visit to this charming market, amongst the most popular places to visit in Manali, tops the charts of almost all the travellers. This place, lined up with hundreds of shops, cannot be missed to experience the local flavours, sights, and sounds of the region.
Separated from its newer counterpart by the river Beas, Old Manali is a charming, laid back district known for its distinct old world charm. Dotted with wooded mountain trails and apple orchards, the elegance of the little town secures its place as one of the top inclusions in any Manali honeymoon package. The Mall Road, stretching through the town, is the pulsating heart of the town, riddled with low-key stores selling handmade items and quaint little cafes boasting delicious wares.
This museum was established in 1998 to exhibit the cultural and folk art and antiques of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at a short distance from the famous Hidimba Devi Temple of Manali.
One of the best places in Manali to visit, this park is a beautiful getaway from the busy streets. Even during the daytime, the hundreds of sky-high deodar & pine trees canopy the sky and surrounding the place in cool duskiness.
These 160 feet tall waterfall is one of the landmark attractions in Manali. The beauty of the falls accentuates with the surrounding lush greenery and the tranquillity of nature. Travellers love to spend time here listening to the sounds of water and sipping cups of tea and enjoying bowls of Maggi from the nearby restaurants.
This ancient Buddhist monastery with Pagoda-styled structure is among the major places to visit in manali. Its fascinating Tibetan style architecture is worth admiring. The elements that make this temple so popular are the massive, two-storey-tall statue of Lord Buddha and eye-catching wall paintings it houses.
This monastery, amongst the most popular tourist places in Manali, is an important seat of the Buddhist faith visited by people from as far as Nepal and Tibet. Built-in the 1960s by Tibetan refugees, it is famous for its beige and rust architecture frilled by bright golden colour. Visit the shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha and see the murals and carvings showcasing his life and teachings.
It is a natural spring located on Manali-Leh highway at a very short distance from Manali. The spring was named after India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who drank water from this spring and often visited it during his stay in Manali.
About 5km from Manali, as you take the road that goes towards Naggar, you will arrive at this destination which is known as Arjun Gunfa. One of the offbeat places to visit in Manali, it is replete with thousands of years’ worth of legends, folklore and tales.
One of the oldest and best-known cafes in Old Manali and also the best places to visit in manali, Café 1947 was its first music café. Resting easily on the banks of the gushing waters of Manalsu River, it is a quaint albeit a highly recommended and a beautiful place to satisfy your taste buds.
Situated in the Naggar town amidst stunning hills, the Naggar castle is one of its most enduring monuments. Constructed of stone and wood, it as a beautiful combination of Indian and western sensibilities of architecture.
Cascading from a height of 8,500ft, the Rahalla or Rehala Falls as they are called as one of the most stunning natural places to visit in Manali. They are located at a distance of 16km from the town on the way to the Rohtang Pass and are must stopover on your way to visit this haven of snow.
River Beas, the holy Himalayan river, is an alluring attraction in the already stunning Manali landscape. Clear waters backdropped by snow-capped mountains and lush pine thickets offer beautiful views.
This typically charming Himalayan village, amongst the most enthralling places to visit in Manali, is a holy village famous for its Shikhara style ancient Shiva Temple and the Gaurishankar Temple.
