Exploring the Mountains: A Guide to the Main Attractions Along the Shimla-Manali Highway
Winding paths framed by tall snow-capped peaks, scattered colorful villages and charming cafes with hot piping momos – the scenic Shimla to Manali highway is a road tripper’s paradise. This northern mountain route offers non-stop enchanting vistas of the Himalayan foothills, with ample pitstops to experience the local cultures along the way. Covering a distance of about 240 kms, the 5-6 hours drive is best enjoyed over 2-3 days for comprehensive exploration. The cool breezy hill towns of Shimla and Manali serve as idyllic basecamps, surrounded by outdoor adventures, spiritual sites, colonial architecture and abundant nature. This guide takes you through the main attractions spanning this route, promising stunning landscapes, adrenaline rush inducing activities and delicious food discoveries around every turn! Scenic beauty of Manali (Source: Unsplash) Shimla and Nearby Attractions Nestled amidst lush green hills, Shimla is the perfect starting point to kickstart your road trip adventure. Take a stroll down the bustling Mall Road, lined with restaurants, shops and historic buildings. Stop by the towering Christ Church and charming Gaiety Theatre dating back to the British Raj era. The majestic Jakhu Temple, perched atop the highest peak in Shimla, offers panoramic views of the Shivalik ranges. Be sure to also ride the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Toy Train for an unforgettable journey from Kalka to Shimla through mountain tunnels and forests. Just outside Shimla lie stunning natural wonders like Kufri, India’s popular skiing destination. Hike through Alpine meadows and forests here. Naldehra’s iconic golf course surrounded by deodar trees is another must-visit. For breathtaking views, head to Chail, known for its lush expanse of greenery. Shimla also makes for a great base to enjoy adventure activities like rafting, camping and mountain biking. Take a day trip to nearby Mashobra and enjoy picnic lunches by the river. With its old-world charm and natural splendor, Shimla is the perfect opening chapter to your road trip story. The real beauty of Shimla (Source: Unsplash) Journey from Shimla to Manal The drive from Shimla to Manali is universally renowned for its sensational mountain vistas. Curve around roads hugged by tall pine trees, with the Beas gushing alongside in many stretches. It’s recommended to cover the distance over 2 days, stopping overnight in the village of Naggar. Here, visit the ancient Naggar Castle with its unique stone and wood architecture. Further along, the bustling town of Kullu makes for an exciting pitstop. Try rafting in the Beas or hiking nearby places like Kasol. The scenic hamlet of Jibhi with its waterfalls and trout fishing spots is another great place for some quietude. Stop frequently along the route to photograph the mesmerizing landscapes. Closer to Manali, experience Manikaran Sahib’s hot springs or visit Naggar’s quaint Nicholas Roerich art gallery. The mountainous journey from Shimla to Manali is packed with rewarding detours. A small park in the town of Kullu (Source: Unsplash) Top Attractions in/near Manali Manali’s captivating natural beauty and vibrant culture make it a must-visit. To experience the best of this charming mountain town, there are some attractions you simply cannot miss. This section highlights the top must-visit places that will allow you to soak in Manali’s allure-: Hadimba Temple – Famed for its unique four-tiered pagoda-style architecture and dedicated to Hadimba Devi. The intricately carved walls and doorway are a must-see. Mall Road – Lively main street lined with colorful shops, restaurants and cafes. Perfect place for shopping, people-watching and trying local cuisine. Old Manali – Charming old village with cobbled paths across the Manalsu River. Offers great views, spiritual vibe and quaint cafes. Solang Valley – Picturesque valley perfect for adventure activities like paragliding and zorbing in summer and skiing in winter. Rohtang Pass – Located at an altitude of 3,978 m, it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountainscapes and glaciers. Requires a permit. Manu Temple – Dedicated to the sage Manu, it is located in Old Manali and is an important pilgrimage site. Nehru Kund – A natural spring named after Jawaharlal Nehru located on the way to Rohtang Pass near Manali. Hadimba Temple, an architectural masterpiece (Source: Unsplash) Where to stay and eat With its mist-laden hillsides and old-world charm, Manali attracts travelers seeking scenic views or adrenaline-filled adventures. While the sights and activities energize your days, Manali’s excellent accommodation options ensure you have the perfect place to relax and recharge at night. From cozy guesthouses with views of the Beas River to resorts tucked away in apple orchards, Manali’s hotels cater to all budgets and styles. The options range from backpacker dorms costing under ₹500/night to lavish 5-star properties exceeding ₹15,000/night during peak seasons. For a curated list of the 10 best hotels in Manali chosen for their amenities, value and ambience, check out our previous blog post here. The list covers options in Old Manali, Mall Road, Manali town center and outskirts – so you can conveniently choose a base to match your itinerary. This is how Manali looks in the night (Source: Unsplash) An unforgettable experience The Shimla-Manali route promises an epic mountain adventure. Pack smart, make scenic playlists, and get ready to create magical memories. Follow this guide to the main attractions and experiences. Let the spectacular Himalayan terrain enchant you as you road trip through some of North India’s most majestic vistas and charming towns. You can also check out our free AI travel planning itinerary here to better organize you future trips. Free AI Travel Planner
Belgium’s Artistic Marvels: Exploring the Flemish Masters and Beyond
In the very heart of Western Europe rest a small but mighty land – Belgium. Though often overlooked on the crowded European map, this plucky country holds an embarrassment of artistic riches within its compact borders. Belgium is a country where the medieval melds seamlessly with the modern. Centuries-old cathedrals and guild houses brush up against contemporary art museums and sleek cafés. This fusion creates an energetic artistic spirit that permeates every city and town. An eclectic aesthetic where old and new are not only embraced, but celebrated. From the vibrant whirl of brushstrokes by Baroque masters to the soaring spires of Gothic grandeur, Belgium offers a bonanza of visual splendor awaiting discovery. Once you arrive here, one thing becomes clear – you don’t have to be big to make a mammoth artistic impact. Sometimes, the greatest creative wonders come in small packages. And this is what this small euro- nation proves this magnificently. A beautiful view of a Belgian city (Source: Unsplash) Now, sit back and relax while we take you across the top attractions in the country- Brussels A street full of people in Brussels (Source: Unsplash) Brussels remains one of Europe’s most enticing capitals for art and architecture devotees. The city brings Belgium’s finest structural designs together, from medieval guildhalls to Art Nouveau façades. The Grand Place exemplifies Brussels’ aesthetic appeal with Gothic towers and intricate baroque details adorning its historic central square. In Brussels you can stroll through ornate Art Nouveau neighborhoods to admire Victor Horta’s UNESCO-protected houses, including the magnificent Stoclet Palace. For an immersive overview, the CIVA Centre’s exhibits masterfully display eight centuries of Brussels’ architectural evolution. As a pilgrimage point for Art Nouveau, the city’s mansions, churches, and commercial buildings transform Brussels into a living museum of Belgian craftsmanship and style. Places to visit- Grand Place, Art Nouveau Neighborhoods, Victor Horta Houses, CIVA Centre Bruges Steep Sloped houses across a river in Bruges (Source: Unsplash) Romantic canals and medieval charm establish Bruges as one of Europe’s most picturesque art cities. Bruges brings the legacy of Belgian art to life with architecture spanning eight centuries. You can visit the egg-shaped Lake of Love for stunning views of the 13th century belfry towering over august buildings or the Groeningemuseum where 15th century Flemish Primitives take center stage, including Jan van Eyck’s “Madonna with Canon van der Paele.” Wander around beetling cobblestone lanes and discover almshouses, patrician residences, and hidden churches adorned with works by Bruges’ Flemish masters. For a quintessential Bruges experience, take a moonlit canal boat ride and enjoy the city’s twinkling architectural marvels, shaped by generations of artists’ brushstrokes. Places to visit- Lake of Love, Belfry Tower, Groeningemuseum Ghent A cathedral in Ghent (Source: Unsplash) With its medieval towers, guildhalls, and patrician mansions reflected in winding canals, Ghent encapsulates the splendor of historic Flemish cities. As one of the largest canal metropolises, Ghent intertwines art and architecture seamlessly. St. Bravo’s Cathedral safeguards the Ghent Altarpiece, featuring the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, Jan van Eyck’s pioneering 15th century masterwork. Bask in the grandeur of Graslei’s guild houses along the Leie River or venture to the 1460 Belfry and its bell tower views rising above a labyrinth of architectural marvels below, Ghent is for you. From Romanesque to Renaissance to Gothic revival styles, the city exemplifies Belgium’s finest architectural achievements and the art it has inspired for centuries. Place to visit- St. Bravo’s Cathedral, Graslei, Belfry of Ghent, Gravensteen Castle Antwerp Aerial View of a huge building across a river (Source: Unsplash) As the center of baroque style, Antwerp indulges art lovers with Rubens’ lavish paintings around every corner. The ornate guildhouses and step-gabled warehouses lining the Scheldt River reflect the prospering port’s 16th century Golden Age. Make a pilgrimage to the Rubenshuis, the iconic painter’s home and studio, to view his epic works firsthand and lose yourself within Antwerp Cathedral, whose towering Gothic spire dominates the skyline, while interiors house art-adorned chapels and the impressive Raising of the Cross triptych. As the day winds down, join locals at a lively cafe along Grote Markt square, Antwerp’s radiant centerpiece, and toast to the city’s artistic heritage lasting through the centuries. Places to visit– Rubenshuis, Antwerp Cathedral, Grote Markt, Plantin-Moretus Museum Leuven Roadside view of a street in Leuven (Source: Unsplash) With its soaring late Gothic St. Peter’s Church rising above ornate Renaissance facades, Leuven reflects the rich artistic heritage of central Belgium. As the capital of the Brabant province, Leuven cultivated influential early Flemish painters like Rogier van der Weyden. Wander the historic center and encounter stately 15th century architecture, including elaborately carved medieval halls lining the Town Hall. When in Leuven make sure to visit the M Museum Leuven, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of early Netherlandish masterpieces, including rare works by Robert Campin and Jan van Eyck. After admiring the city’s architectural gems, relax at a lively outdoor café on the Oude Markt, a square bustling with university culture and legacy. Leuven provides the perfect blend of medieval charm, Renaissance beauty, and lively modern energy. Places to visit– St. Peter’s Church, Leuven Town Hall, Groot Begijnhof, Park Abbey Mechelen Windy night on the streets of Mechelen (Source: Unsplash) Mechelen is a hidden gem overflowing with architectural splendor. While smaller than Bruges or Ghent, Belgium’s capital of culture punches above its weight class with artistic treasures. Gothic spires peek above candy-colored houses along tree-lined canals. The monumental City Hall lords over the central square, beckoning visitors inside to see its lavish interior and paintings. St. Rumbold’s soaring cathedral towers above all, its 556-foot spire climbing to the heavens. As day fades to night, witness Mechelen’s buildings glow under spotlights while strolling canal-side and listening to carillons ring out from church towers.
