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Places to visit in Darjeeling in May open up a refreshing side of the hill town that’s neither crowded nor cold. May brings mild sunshine, soft breezes, and blooming gardens, making it ideal for long walks, scenic rides, and monastery visits. From peaceful hillsides to heritage spots, the month gives you the best access to both calm and colour. The summer air holds the smell of tea leaves, pine trees, and street food, perfect for slowing down and exploring at your own pace.
10 Places To Visit In Darjeeling In May
These places to visit in Darjeeling in May offer nature, history, and calm, perfect for summer travellers.
1. Observatory Hill
Photo: Sumitsurai / Wikimedia Commons
One of the oldest sites in the region, Observatory Hill combines deep spirituality with scenic advantage. Perched above the Chowrasta Mall, it is one of the most peaceful places to visit in Darjeeling in May, especially during early mornings when prayer chants rise with the mist. The hill holds both Hindu and Buddhist significance. You’ll find the revered Mahakal Temple at the summit, with colourful prayer flags fluttering all around. The short uphill walk through pine groves is manageable in May’s mild weather, offering occasional views of the snow-draped Kanchenjunga.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Mahakal Temple, Chowrasta Mall, St. Andrew’s Church
2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Photo: Rupam Dey / Wikimedia Commons
The toy train ride in Darjeeling during May passes through tea estates and quiet hamlets where the smell of damp earth and leaves lingers in the air. The route from Darjeeling to Ghum includes Batasia Loop, a circular stretch surrounded by trimmed gardens and open views of Kanchenjunga. The coaches have old wooden interiors, large windows, and a slight rattle that brings a sense of warmth instead of noise. Out of all the places to visit in Darjeeling in May, this ride lingers in memory longer than expected.
Cost: ₹1,000-1,600 per person
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
Nearby Attractions: Batasia Loop, Ghum Station Museum, Dali Monastery
3. Barbotey Rock Garden
Photo: Syed Sajidul Islam / Wikimedia Commons
Barbotey Rock Garden sits below Darjeeling town, designed along a natural hillside with steps, pathways, and tiered gardens built around a running waterfall. Pass flowering plants, stone bridges, and shaded corners as you walk down the slope. The main waterfall splits across layers of rock and flows steadily. There are benches across levels, giving you plenty of space to stop and relax. Among the places to visit in Darjeeling in May, this one offers a quiet and green escape without going too far.
Cost: ₹30 for adult, ₹10 for children
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Nearby Attractions: Chunnu Summer Falls, Hill Cart Road, Darjeeling Ropeway
4. Darjeeling Peace Pagoda
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
The Peace Pagoda on the slopes of Jalapahar Hill was built to promote peace and unity. It is one of the most meaningful places to visit in Darjeeling, during the early morning hours when soft light touches the Kanchenjunga range behind it. The structure itself is simple, circular, bright, and lined with golden carvings of Buddha in different postures. Visitors often walk the perimeter silently, pausing to take in the breeze or listen to the monks chanting nearby at the Japanese Temple next door.
Timings: 4:30 AM – 7 PM
Nearby Attractions: Japanese Temple, Jalapahar Road, Tenzing Rock
5. Nightingale Park
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Once a private garden known as Shrubbery, Nightingale Park has become a public space where travellers can breathe in clear air and enjoy open views. Set on a slope just above the town, this park is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling. A wide circular path runs through it, lined with benches, flower beds, and stone walkways. The centre has a stage for cultural performances, and you’ll often find traditional Nepali music or folk dance happening in the evenings. There’s also a massive statue of Lord Shiva and a prayer wheel that many stop by during a walk.
Cost: ₹20 per person
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Shrubbery Garden, Rink Mall, St. Columba’s Church
6. Ghum Monastery
Photo: Alexkom000 / Wikimedia Commons
Ghum Monastery, officially known as Yiga Choeling Monastery, is the kind of place where time slows down. Tucked into the hills near the highest railway station in India, it’s one of the most spiritual places to visit in Darjeeling in May. The monastery’s red roofs and golden details shine under the sunlight. The main prayer hall houses a tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is surrounded by butter lamps, thangka paintings, and low wooden benches used by monks during chanting. Visitors are welcome to sit silently, observe the rituals, or just take in the view from the edges.
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Batasia Loop, War Memorial, Ghum Viewpoint
7. Darjeeling Ropeway
Photo: JyotiPN / Wikimedia Commons
Darjeeling Ropeway gives you a quiet and uninterrupted view of the valley, something you don’t get from the roads or walking paths. In May, the weather stays clear, making it one of the most rewarding places in Darjeeling. The journey starts from Singamari, where the cable car lifts you above rows of tea bushes and tin-roofed houses tucked into the hillside of Lebong Valley. You can spot tea pickers at work, narrow village trails, and tiny rooftops that seem like models from above. The cabins are enclosed but airy, and the ride lasts around 40 minutes round trip.
Cost: ₹260 for adult, ₹130 for children
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Nearby Attractions: Singamari, North Point, Lebong Tea Estate
8. Bengal Natural History Museum
Photo: PJeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
The Bengal Natural History Museum is one of the rare spots. Originally started as a small collection for students, it has grown into one of the most interesting places, especially for those who want to see beyond the views and gardens. The museum displays birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles that are native to the Eastern Himalayas and the Bengal region. There are also fossils, botanical samples, and a quiet reading corner with old natural science books. It’s especially interesting for kids, biology enthusiasts, and travellers who enjoy small, uncrowded places that still hold local relevance.
Cost: ₹20 per person
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Nearby Attractions: Bhutia Busty Monastery, Raj Bhawan, Lloyd Botanical Garden
9. Happy Valley Tea Estate
Photo: Sreehari Devadas / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Happy Valley Tea Estate offers a close look at the work behind Darjeeling’s most famous export. Spread across the hills just a short walk from the town centre, it is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Darjeeling in May. This is when tea picking begins, and the estate is full of activity, and the scent of fresh leaves in the air. Visitors can join a guided tour through the factory, where machines hum as they roll, dry, and sort the tea. The tour explains each step in simple terms. The hills are quiet, and the path through the estate is easy to walk.
Cost: ₹100 per person (guided factory tour)
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
Nearby Attractions: Darjeeling Zoo, HMI, Tenzing Norgay Rock
10. Lamahatta Eco Park
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Lamahatta Eco Park brings a quieter rhythm compared to the tourist-heavy parts of Darjeeling, making it one of the calmest places in Darjeeling. Located along a forested slope, the park is known for its tall prayer flags, pine trees, and clean walking paths that curve through landscaped gardens. Couples and nature lovers often stop here for the peaceful atmosphere and scenic viewpoints that overlook the nearby villages and distant peaks. You’ll also find a narrow walking route that leads to a small natural lake hidden in the upper section of the forest.
Cost: ₹30 per person
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
Nearby Attractions: Lovers’ Point, Tinchuley, Takdah Heritage Village
Exploring places to visit in Darjeeling in May offers a perfect mix of nature, heritage, and peaceful charm. From scenic toy train rides and pine-covered gardens to fresh tea tasting at the source, everything unfolds at a relaxed pace. With pleasant early-summer weather, it’s an ideal time for a hill getaway. Plan your trip with TripXL and make your Darjeeling holiday in May truly unforgettable.
Cover Photo: Swati Kedia / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
