Considered one of the most popular hill stations in India, Darjeeling is a city and municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. Having captured the hearts of the British Raj as a place of retreat, Darjeeling has gone on to become a tourist destination magnet for tourists around the world. Besides its pleasant climate, Darjeeling is famous for its high-quality tea known the world over as “Darjeeling Tea.” Darjeeling’s tea gardens and estates allow you to take a tour and witness the tea production processes as well as taste tea at their outlets.

Besides tea gardens, there are countless tourist places to visit in Darjeeling such as great viewpoints, Buddhist monasteries, historical churches and temples, museums, art galleries, parks & gardens, waterfalls, and cable car rides offering you stunning views of the mountain landscapes and much more.

Darjeeling is a popular destination for honeymoon couples, family trips, student educational tours, etc.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Darjeeling is in the summer months of April-June and between October-December in winters.

How to get there

Darjeeling is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport from Darjeeling is Bagdogra and the nearest railway station from Darjeeling is NJP. For local transport in Darjeeling, a large number of taxis are available.

Here are some of the must-visit places in Darjeeling

(1) Tiger Hill

While holidays are for relaxation,  dedicate one day to waking up early in the morning to experience the sunrise in Darjeeling like never before from Tiger Hill. Once you are at Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, the view of the sunrise from atop makes the whole thing worthwhile. Tiger Hill is located 11 km (6.8 miles) from Darjeeling town and is located above Ghoom. It's the highest point in the Darjeeling hills at an altitude of 8482 feet (or 2590 meters). People from many places visit Darjeeling just to view the breathtaking views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Khangchendzonga from Tiger Hill.

Read: Things to remember before visiting Tiger Hill in Darjeeling

The best time to visit Tiger Hill is between April-May. You will also get an uninterrupted view of the sunrise from Darjeeling without any clouds or fog. Colorful flowers like rhododendrons also bloom during this time in Darjeeling. You can also get some snow in Tiger Hill in Darjeeling if luck favours you. Recently, Darjeeling has witnessed snowfall in the month of January.

View from Tiger Hill, Darjeeling

(2) Ghoom Monastery

On your way back from Tiger Hill, you can visit Ghoom Monastery popularly named Yiga Choeling. The Ghoom Monastery in Darjeeling is open from 9 am to 6 pm and you will need atleast 1-2 hours to explore the monastery. No entry fee is required but you need to pay for a still camera: INR 10 and video shot: INR 50. Ghoom Monastery also preserves some rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.

 (3) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling was established on 4th November 1954. The place was established in Darjeeling to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India. Many students of schools and colleges from many places visit this place in Darjeeling.

(4) Batasia Loop

Another popular place in Darjeeling is Batasia Loop where the toy train passes in a loop-like pattern. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Darjeeling’s picture-perfect landscape. There is also an eco-garden and war memorial here.  If you’ve taken the Toy Train, it will stop at Batasia Loop for 10 minutes for passengers to admire the view. The place is open from 6 am to 5 pm. The entry fee is INR 15.

Read: Get a new perspective of Darjeeling by Toy Train

Darjeeling Toy Train

 (5) Japanese Temple

An interesting and puzzling tourist place you will come across is the Japanese Temple built in the traditional Japanese architectural style. It is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Darjeeling.

Other Must-Visit Places in Darjeeling 

Other equally popular places you can visit in Darjeeling include P. N. Zoological Park, Tenzing Rock, Rock Garden, Ganga Maya Park, and Tibetan Refugee Self-help Centre in Darjeeling. 

A trip to Darjeeling is incomplete without a tour of its tea estates. You get a tour of the tea gardens and factory and a sampling session.

Happy Valley Tea Estate

There are some great pubs and bars in Darjeeling where many locals and tourists gather in the late evenings. Some of the most frequented ones are Gatty’s Café, 1910- The Lounge Bar, Joey’s Pub, and Glenary’s Buzz Bar.

If you love to trek, hike, and enjoy nature, don't miss out on unbelievable treks across Darjeeling hills.

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