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Dharamshala is a town in Himachal Pradesh that perfectly blends natural beauty and cultural richness. Being home to the Dalai Lama, it is prominent in its Tibetan Buddhist beliefs. Places to visit near Dharamshala is surrounded by amazing natural beauty, with cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayas. Known for its spiritual ambience, Dharamshala houses the largest Tibetan temple in India. As beautiful as Dharamshala is, it has endless places and sights nearby for tourists to visit during their getaway.
12 Popular Places To See Near Dharamshala
Explore the best places to see near Dharamshala, from scenic treks and ancient forts to serene viewpoints and peaceful monasteries nestled in the Himalayas.
1. McLeodganj
Photo: Aditya Chache / Unsplash
McLeodganj is one of the popular places to visit near Dharamshala and is a favourite among trekkers. Located in the shadows of Dhauladhar Mountain, it is home to The Dalai Lama. Mcleodganj showcases a beautiful blend of Tibetan culture with British influence. This village is at an elevation of 2082 metres. From April to June, you can experience the pleasant and breezy summers. From July to September, the place exhibits the most beautiful and one of the beautiful hill stations near Dharamshala, which is drenched in the rain. If you want to experience snow, visit McLeodganj between October and February.
Distance From Dharamshala: 9.1 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near McLeodGanj For A Memorable Outing
2. Bir
Photo: Arun Kashyap / Unsplash
Bir is a small village situated in the Kangra District of Himachal. It is known as the Bir Paragliding Capital of India. This village is situated in the north of Joginder Nagar Valley. Bir is a centre of Tibetan Refugee Settlements and a crucial spot for meditation, eco-tourism, and spiritual learning. This place is the landing ground for the paragliding activities that take off at Billing. Bir has some Tibetan monasteries teaching spirituality and Tibetan culture. The village also has a large Stupa situated, making it one of the popular tourist places near Dharamshala.
Distance From Dharamshala: 63.4 km
How To Reach: Buses are available from Dharamshala to Bir which take about 2.2 hours. Cabs are also available from Dharamshala to Bir.
3. Naggar
Photo: Schwiki / Wikimedia Commons
The beautiful town of Naggar, one of the places to visit near Dharamshala, is situated between the very popular cities of Himachal, Manali, and Kullu. When you see the Naggar valley from the balconies of the Naggar castle, it exhibits a whole different beauty of Himachal Pradesh. The town is filled with deodar trees and ancient temples. The Naggar castle situated in this town is over 500 years old and holds the heritage of the best times that this place has seen.
Distance From Dharamshala: 199 km
How To Reach: Cabs and taxis are available from Dharamshala and takes about 4.5 hours to reach Naggar. Buses from Dharamshala take approximately 6.5 hours to reach from Dharamshala.
Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Naggar On Your Next Trip
4. Mandi
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons
Places to visit in Mandi, which was once known as Mandav Nagar, is the place where sage Rishi Mandav performed his spiritual meditation. The city of Mandi was once the capital of the princely state of Mandi. It is situated on the banks of River Beas and at the convergence of the Suketi Khad Stream. Mandi is situated at an elevation of 2507 feet in the midlands of the Himalayas. March to June marks the peak season and the tourists visit Mandi in large numbers.
Distance From Dharamshala: 125.3 km
How To Reach: Buses are available from Dharamshala to Mandi and take approximately 2 hours. Cabs can also be availed.
5. Prashar Lake
Photo: Yogeshvhora / Wikimedia Commons
Prashar Lake is situated in the Mandi district and is one of the places to visit near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The lake is named after Sage Prashar, who meditated on the bank of this river. The lake has a three-storied temple which Raja Ban Sen built in the 14th Century. River Beas flows from right underneath, making the scenery stunning. The floating island here is created by decomposing plant remains at a different pace and maintained afloat by the oxygen from the roots. April to May showcases the most amazing greenery and December to February is ideal to experience the snowy white mountains near Prashar Lake.
Distance From Dharamshala: 157.5 km
How To Reach: Buses and cans are always available from Dharamshala to Mandi.
Suggested Read: Lakes In Himachal
6. Triund
Photo: Nikhil Singh / Unsplash
Triund is a small hill station situated at the foot of the Dhauladhar Mountains, with the perfect view of Dhauladhar on one side and the Kangra Valley on the other. This place is very popular for its trekking sites and attracts a lot of tourists every year. Triund Trek is very popular because it is easily accomplished by any age group. The way for the Triund Trek goes through the beautiful forest of oak, rhododendrons, and Deodhar. May to June and September to October are the most suitable times for trekking.
Distance From Dharamshala: 6 km
How To Reach: Gaggal or Kangra Airport is the nearest airport. Pathankot is the nearest Railway Station from Dharamshala from where you can take a cab or bus to Triund.
7. Palampur
Photo: Rajputcenation / Wikimedia Commons
Palampur, the town situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, is very popular for its endless tea gardens and mesmerising Deodar Forest surrounding the town. Places to visit in Palampur caught the eyes of the British and eventually became a base for commerce and trade. The influence of the British is still very evident in the town, which has Victorian-style architecture for castles and mansions. Rafting, trekking, paragliding in Dharamshala, and many more sports are conducted in Palampur, and the surroundings make all these experiences so much more memorable.
Distance From Dharamshala: 33.7 km
How To Reach: Palampur Himachal Railway Station is the nearest narrow-gauge station and Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge station. Kangra Airport or Gaggal Airport is the nearest Airport
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Palampur
8. Barot
Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons
Barot Valley is located in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. This place was quite unexplored until the Haulage Trolley Ride from Joginder Nagar to Barot started attracting a huge number of tourists. This small town was developed for the Shanan Hydel Project, which is aimed at utilising the scope of generating hydroelectric power in megawatts at the height of 6000 ft. This town is also known for being the entrance of Nagru Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to Ghoral, black bears, morals, and more.
Distance From Dharamshala: 109.6 km
How To Reach: Joginder Nagar is the nearest Railway Station and Kullu Airport is the nearest airport.
9. Kangra Fort
Photo: Kartik Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
Kangra Fort is one of the oldest forts in India. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Himachal’s royal history and features ancient stone walls, gates, and temples within the complex. The fort is perched on a hill and provides stunning views of the Kangra Valley and Banganga River. It’s a great place for history lovers and photographers. The site also has an audio guide facility to help visitors understand the significance of each section.
Distance From Dharamshala: 19.7 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Kangra For An Unforgettable Trip
10. Masroor Rock Cut Temples
Photo: Kartik Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
The Masroor Rock Cut Temples are a group of ancient stone temples carved out of a single rock. These temples are believed to date back to the 8th century. They resemble the famous Ellora Caves and are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The carvings are detailed and impressive, making it a unique historical spot. Surrounded by hills and a small lake, the area is peaceful and perfect for those who enjoy heritage sites and natural beauty.
Distance From Dharamshala: 40.8 km
11. Bhagsu Waterfall
Photo: Nishat.ch100 / Wikimedia Commons
Bhagsu Waterfall is a popular natural attraction near McLeodganj, just a short trek from Bhagsunag Temple. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and rocky terrain, making it a refreshing place to visit. During monsoon or after rains, the waterfall is in full flow and looks especially beautiful. There are small cafés nearby where visitors can relax and enjoy the view. It’s a great spot for a short hike, nature photography, or simply spending some peaceful time in the hills.
Distance From Dharamshala: 12.2 km
Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Himachal Pradesh
12. Naddi View Point
Photo: Sitikantha kheti / Wikimedia Commons
Naddi View Point is a scenic spot located just 4–5 km from McLeodganj. It offers breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar mountain range and is especially popular for watching sunrise and sunset. The area is peaceful and less crowded compared to other tourist spots. On a clear day, the snow-capped peaks look absolutely stunning. It’s a great place to unwind, take photos, or just sit and enjoy the cool breeze. There are also small eateries nearby serving tea and snacks.
Distance From Dharamshala: 11.2 km
Dharamshala is a place that holds immense beauty and historical heritage. It is beautiful all through the year with each season exhibiting a very different view to be cherished by the visitors. The town is surrounded by picturesque views and filled with fun, adventurous sports and Dharamshala Monasteries. Dharamshala has something for everyone to enjoy and thus is a very popular part of Himachal Pradesh. With TripXL, plan your next trip to Dharamshala and enjoy all that this captivating hill station has to offer.
Cover Photo: Sanket Barik / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
