Best Things To Do in Manali, India

Are you looking for what to do in Manali?

Manali abounds in natural and religious attractions that draw a lot of tourists to it every year. The quaint town is famous for its Hadimba Temple whose ancient architecture attracts a many. There are a lot of things to do around Manali. You can visit the heights of Rohtaang Pass, Solang Valley, Jogini waterfalls and others. Adventure enthusiasts find Manali to be a trekker’s paradise as it is a gateway to many peaks and mountains that are infused with sublime allure. You can also try river rafting at Beas river. While going up or coming down from Rohtang Paas, you can also try paragliding for a thrilling experience. Then, there is a Vashist temple which is known to the world for its hot springs and spirituality. Also considered to be a bohemian centre in India, Manali’s streets bustle with hippies who come here in search of finding a sojourn in the lap of nature.

Below we have a list of things to do in Manali and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Manali getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Manali with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Manali

Here is the list of things to do in Manali and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Solang Valley

    View Point, Adventure Sport, Valley

    There was a time when Solang valley was known to only the adventure enthusiasts who carried out camping here. However, today this valley attracts a lot of tourists who come here to get enamoured of its beauty as well. Summer might seem like the better time to visit this cold region. But the winters are action packed with skiing and other winter sports taking hold of the tourism scene. There is ...Read more
  2. Rohtang Pass

    4.6 (17782 Votes)
    Rohtang Pass

    View Point, Scenic Drive, Adventure, Valley

    From May to November, you can access one of the most precarious places on the earth; The Rohtang Pass. This beautiful and yet dangerous place is named so (the literal meaning in Bhoti is “piles of corpses) due to its reputation of being an extremely unpredictable place. Nevertheless, tourists love it. The beauty of the Rohtang Pass is extraordinary. It is the highest point in the whole of...Read more
  3. Hadimba Temple

    4.6 (16199 Votes)
    Hadimba Temple

    Religious Site, Temple

    Manali is a treat for the religious soul. The Hadimba Devi Temple or Hidibi Temple is one of the major religious sites in Manali. Another name for it is Dhungri temple. This very simply built temple is well known due to a strange geographical characteristic that the surrounding area has. A bird’s eye view of the temple will reveal that the area surrounding it is in the shape of the impres...Read more
  4. Pandoh Dam

    Waterfront

    The Pandoh Dam is situated on the mighty Beas river which runs through Himachal Pradesh. A serene spot, you won’t miss it if you are travelling from Shimla to Manali. Under the Beas Project, the dam was completed in the year 1977 and it was built with the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Head over to the dam to marvel at its architecture, its vastness and to get inspired...Read more
  5. Manali Sanctuary

    Wildlife Sanctuary

    Located two kilometres from Manali, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise spread across 3,180 hectares. The sanctuary forms the catchment of Manalsu Khad. Dense forests made up of Deodar, Chestnut, Poplar, Maple, Willow and Fir trees, pristine glaciers, colourful birds like Kingfisher, Chakor, Monal and Snow Pigeons and animals like Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear, all these leave visitor...Read more
  6. Great Himalayan National Park

    National Park, View Point, Nature

    A must visit for nature lovers, the Great Himalayan National Park is situated around 110 kilometres from Manali, in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. A paradise for trekkers, the Park was constituted in the year 1984 and was formally declared a National Park in 1999. It covers an area of 754.4 sq. km. (square kilometres) and is host to around 2,300 households spanning over 160 villages. T...Read more
  7. Vashisht Spring

    4.3 (8191 Votes)
    Vashisht Spring

    Outdoors, Water Body, Hot Spring

    Located about 3 kilometers away from Manali, the Vashisth Spring is a definite must visit. The River Beas can be seen in all its glory at this site. It is a well known attraction that is pretty popular among the tourists. The hot springs are completely natural and are a great place to see. The verdant village of Vashisht is a must visit due to these beautiful natural wonders. You can defin...Read more
  8. Vashisht Temple

    Religious Site, Temple

    The Vashisht Temple is a tiny but beautiful temple in Himachal Pradesh. A 30 minute walk or 15 minutes rickshaw ride away from Manali, this temple is a great addition to any Manali itinerary. This ancient temple is named after great sage Vashisht, one of the seven saptarishis in Hindu Mythology. The old construction which is mostly made of wood and brick is very picturesque. The veranda on...Read more
  9. Beas Kund Or Chandratal Lake

    4.8 (10936 Votes)
    Beas Kund Or Chandratal Lake

    Water Body, Adventure, Lake, Picnic Spot

    The Chandrataal is a beautiful lake in Himachal Pradesh. Its name literally stands for Moon Lake. Standing behind it is an imposing mountain range. The source of this lake is the groundwater underneath as you cannot see any source of water over the ground. This unique feature does set the lake apart but its height at more than 4000 feet makes this quite surprising. The water reserves are so vas...Read more
  10. Manu Temple

    4.4 (7445 Votes)
    Manu Temple

    Religious Site, Temple

    The Manu Temple, named so after the famous sage Manu is one of the many religious spots in and around Manali. It is said that sage Manu found Manali and decided to meditate there due to its serene nature and pristine surroundings. Manu is said to be an ancient rishi often described as “the law giver”. The temple located within three kilometers of Manali making it very easily accessi...Read more
  11. Bhrigu Lake

    4.7 (5376 Votes)
    Bhrigu Lake Image
    ©

    Water Body, Lake, Nature

    The surrounding mountains and trails of Manali make up for excellent trekking and camping opportunities. Located at a distance of just 1 hour from Manali, the Bhrigu lake is visited for its quiet beauty and exciting trails. This lake is surrounded with lush forests of fir, spruce, moru and the higher altitude Kharsu oak trees around Gulaba, from where trek starts. Spiritually also the lake is q...Read more
  12. Bijli Mahadev Temple

    Religious Site, Temple

    The serenity of Manali and its surrounding areas attracts a lot of pilgrim and spiritual believers. For them, there are a lot of temples that adorn this heavenly location. One such temple is Bijli-Mahadev temple that is renowned for its ‘Kash’ style architecture that houses a “Shiva-Lingam”. There is an oral legend associated with this place. The ‘Shiva-Lingam' is ...Read more
  13. Pin Valley National Park

    4.5 (1587 Votes)
    Pin Valley National Park

    National Park

    Stretched over an area of 1150 sq km, the Pin Valley National Park is a part of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area. This national Park acts a haven for the lovers of birds, animals and flora and fauna. Established in 1987, this national park is known throughout India for the conserving the endangered species of Snow-Leopard. Other rare animal and bird species that you can see h...Read more
  14. Beas River

    Outdoors, Water Body, River, Nature

    Running through the terrain of Manali and Kullu, the Beas River is a legendary river whose mention is found in Hindu myths as well as historical records. Flowing on India's eastern-most border that was invaded by Alexander the Great's in 326 BC, it is this river which proved to be a hurdle in the way of Alexander's expansive project. Originating from the Vyasa Kund from where it gets its name, ...Read more
  15. Kothi

    Trail, Village, Hiking Trail, Town

    Kothi used to be a very popular place for camping while trekking towards the Rohtang Pass. It is still famous as a camping spot but now it has become very easily accessible by car. As a result Kothi is now a popular tourist destination. This village is a real treat in summer. The months between March and June as well as September and October are the best time to visit Kothi. You can embark upon...Read more