Nainital is built almost entirely around Naini Lake, a pear-shaped natural lake ringed by forested hills at just over 2,000 m in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region. Boating, a lakeside Mall Road, and a handful of ropeway-accessed viewpoints make it one of North India's most popular family hill-station trips.
The Story of Nainital
Nainital's origin story is tied to its lake: in Hindu tradition, the water body is said to mark the spot where the eyes ("nain") of the goddess Sati fell, making it one of the Shakti Peeth pilgrimage sites even before it was a hill resort. The Naina Devi temple on the lake's northern shore still draws pilgrims alongside tourists.
As a colonial hill station, Nainital's founding date is more precise: in 1841, a British sugar trader named P. Barron came across the lake while trekking through the Kumaon hills and quickly began promoting it as a summer retreat. Within a decade it had a church, a boat club and a growing cluster of English-style cottages around the water.
By the late 19th century Nainital had become the summer capital of the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh), a status it held until Independence. A tragic 1880 landslide destroyed part of the town and the original Naina Devi temple, which was subsequently rebuilt on higher ground. Today Nainital is Kumaon's largest hill town and, since 2000, part of Uttarakhand state.
Top Places to Visit in Nainital
Naini Lake, Boating & Mall Road — here's what most visitors build their itinerary around.
Best Time to Visit Nainital
How to Reach Nainital
* Indicative one-way sedan fares — the exact fare (including driver allowance, taxes and estimated tolls) is always shown before you confirm your booking. Ertiga, Innova Crysta and Tempo Traveller options are available at checkout.
Good to Know Before You Go
Nainital Travel — Frequently Asked Questions
Nainital is about 300 km from Delhi, roughly 7–8 hours by cab via Rudrapur or Haldwani.
It's a natural lake considered sacred in Hindu tradition and the centrepiece of Nainital town, ringed by hills and offering boating, a lakeside promenade, and the Naina Devi temple on its shore.
March to June for pleasant boating weather, or September to November for the clearest mountain views. Monsoon months (July–August) see the heaviest rain and occasional landslide risk.
Yes — boating, a walkable Mall Road, a ropeway and gentle viewpoints make it one of the more family-friendly hill stations in North India.
Yes — One-Way Bhaarat offers flat-fare one-way cabs from Delhi to Nainital, with the complete fare breakup shown before you confirm.