Rashtrapati Niwas (Viceregal Lodge)

The basics

While much of the lodge is closed to the public, you can join daily 30-minute tours that explore a number of rooms, as well as the impressive 3-storey entrance hall. Tours take place throughout the day in both English and Hindi, starting in the morning with a break over lunchtime. If you don’t want to join a tour, you’re able to explore the lodge’s pretty gardens independently.

Things to know before you go

• Tickets are required to tour the lodge, which you can buy at the gate.

• Viceregal Lodge and its grounds are partially accessible to wheelchair users.

• Photography inside the building is prohibited, but you can take photos of the exterior and gardens.

• There is an on-site cafeteria serving drinks and snacks.

How to get there

Rashtrapati Niwas is located on the western end of Shimla, about a 10-minute drive or 35-minute walk from Mall Road. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from just outside the pedestrian-only section of the Mall, or join a tour that includes pickup from your hotel.

When to get there

Rashtrapati Niwas is open every day of the week except for Mondays and public holidays. The last tour of the day departs two hours before closing time. The lodge is a year-round attraction, but be aware that Shimla can get cold and snowy from December well into March. For warmer weather, come in April or May—the hot season in North India. Just be prepared for crowds.

Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre

If you appreciate the beauty of Rasthrapathi Niwas, you’re sure to enjoy the Gaiety Theatre, a Gothic-revival cultural center designed by the same architect. These days it houses a theater and an art gallery featuring works by local artists and hosts many cultural events geared toward visitors and Shimla residents alike.