Best time to visit Nainital
March to June and September to November are the comfortable seasons. Winters are cold, and the hills can see snowfall.
Nainital is a town built around one very good lake, and everything, from boating to the evening stroll, follows from that. Bring a jacket and a camera.
March to June and September to November are the comfortable seasons. Winters are cold, and the hills can see snowfall.
The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 35 km away; Delhi is roughly 300 km by road. Pantnagar is the nearest airport.
The Mall Road area is easy on foot. Vehicle entry to the town centre can be restricted at busy times, so check your hotel’s access before you arrive.
A boat ride on Naini Lake, the Naina Devi Temple, Tiffin Top, and the ropeway to Snow View Point. Bhimtal and Sattal are quieter lakes nearby.
Hot momos and tea by the lake, bal mithai, and Kumaoni staples like bhatt ki churkani.
























Prices are per night, taxes included, for a one-night stay on 29 Oct 2026. Pick your own dates above for the live rate. Seen it cheaper elsewhere? You can request a lower price on any hotel page.
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Seen the same room cheaper elsewhere? Request a better rate on any hotel page.
Every room shows whether it is refundable, and until when, before you pay.
Prefer a villa or apartment? Browse homestays in Nainital.
You’ll find everything from budget stays to premium hotels in and around Nainital. Use the search above to pick your dates and guests, then filter by star rating, price and property type to narrow it down.
For a one-night stay on 29 Oct 2026, hotels in Nainital start from ₹2,100 per night (taxes included) and go up to ₹4,71,965. Prices change with dates and demand, so check your exact dates for the live rate.
Among the highest star-rated hotels on Unpaqd in Nainital are ALhito Cafe & Resort, APPLE HILLTOP HOMESTAY and Aahana Resort & Spa - Jim Corbett. The list above is ordered by star rating.
Our top 24 hotels in Nainital include 24 5-star. Open any hotel to see its star rating, photos, room types and amenities before you book.
The best time to visit Nainital is March to June and September to November. Hotel prices are usually higher in peak season and on weekends, so book early for those dates.
Popular areas to stay in Nainital include Mallital, Tallital, Bhimtal, Sattal. The best choice depends on whether you want to be close to sights, the airport or station, or a quieter setting.
The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 35 km away; Delhi is roughly 300 km by road. Pantnagar is the nearest airport.
It depends on the room you pick. Each room option shows whether it is refundable and the cancellation deadline before you pay, so you always know the terms up front.
Yes. If you have seen a lower price for the same room and dates elsewhere, you can ask for it on the hotel page and our team will try to match or beat it.
Yes. If you prefer a villa, apartment or homestay, see our homestays in Nainital at https://unpaqd.com/best-homestays-in-nainital.
Homestays, villas and stays chosen by what matters most to you in Nainital.
Nainital sits at roughly 2,000 metres in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, wrapped around the eye-shaped Naini Lake, which gives the town its name and rhythm. The lake is where people go to row, to walk the Mall Road at dusk, and to watch the hills turn gold at sunrise.
Nainital is also an old British hill station, with colonial buildings such as the gothic Raj Bhavan and the church of St John in the Wilderness among the pines. The Naina Devi Temple on the lake’s northern shore is a major pilgrimage site, so the town blends devotion, holiday-making and mountain air in one compact place.
March to June brings cool, pleasant weather and is peak season, so expect crowds on the Mall and heavy traffic. September to November is clearer, quieter and good for lake views. Winter is cold, and the higher viewpoints may get snow, though not on a schedule.
The monsoon (July to September) fills the lake and the hills turn lush, but heavy rain can trigger landslides on the access roads. Always check conditions and keep flexible plans. Long weekends and festival days can be very busy, so reserve early.
Mallital, the northern end of the lake, is the liveliest, close to the Mall, the boat stand and the temple. Tallital, at the southern end, is slightly quieter and handier for the bus stand and arriving travellers.
If the town feels crowded, consider Bhimtal and Sattal, calmer lake towns a short drive away, or forest stays around Mukteshwar for views and silence. Vehicle access to the centre can be restricted at busy times, so confirm your hotel’s parking before you book.
The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 35 kilometres away, and the nearest airport is Pantnagar. Delhi is roughly 300 kilometres by road, a long drive that most people break with a meal on the way. Taxis and shared cabs run from Kathgodam up the hill.
Within Nainital, you will walk along the lake and use taxis for the farther viewpoints. Traffic can queue on weekends, so allow extra time on the climb.
The lake itself is the main attraction: take a rowboat or paddle boat and see the town from the water. Ride the ropeway to Snow View Point, walk or drive to Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat), and try Naina Peak for sweeping Himalayan views on clear days. The Eco Cave Gardens are a hit with children.
The wider Kumaon region is full of day trips: Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal for quieter lakes, Kainchi Dham for its famous ashram, and Ranikhet and Mukteshwar for mountain views. Jim Corbett National Park is also within reach if wildlife is on your list.
Try bal mithai and singori, two Kumaoni sweets, along with hot momos at the Tibetan market, and local dishes such as bhatt ki churkani and aloo ke gutke. Nainital is also known for its colourful handmade candles and woollens.
Carry warm layers even in summer, book hotels with parking, and avoid peak weekends if you can. Be careful on steep, slippery streets after rain, and keep to marked paths at viewpoints.