Nainital
A lake shaped like an eye, and a whole town built around it.
Languages Hindi, Kumaoni, English
Known for Boating · Mall Road · Ropeway
Updated July 28, 2026
The short version
Nainital is a little town wrapped around a green, eye-shaped lake in the Kumaon hills, the kind of place you slow right down in. Days here are for drifting across the water at dawn, wandering the bazaar, and eating far too well. Give it three days, leave the car behind, and let the lake set the pace.
Getting to Nainital
The three ways in. Full breakdowns on the dedicated pages.
What to actually see
Gaurav Joshi's picks, with the honest timing notes. See the full guide →
From the Nainital blog
Real stories from Nainital. See all Nainital stories →
Nainital, answered
Tours & tickets block, shown only when the city's GetYourGuide toggle is ON.
Gallery
Nainital, through Gaurav Joshi's lens
More Nainital guides
More stories
Keep reading
One good city idea a month. No inbox spam.
New guides, Insider videos and trip notes as BonVoyah grows, city by city.