Places to Visit in Chandigarh

Started as a hobby by the founder Nek Chand Saini in 1957, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh has now become one of the best tourist places in Chandigarh. Spread in more than 40 acres of seamlessly designed and decorated land, Rock Garden is embellished with more than 5,000 illustrations sculptures. What's more amazing is the fact that everything the place holds is made out of various industrial and urban waste.

The garden is segregated into three parts, each with a distinct collection of sculptures. From light spouts, terra cotta plants to a creative display of broken home appliances, the place is truly enigmatic to watch and walk around in. This is also what makes the Rock Garden, a go-to place to visit in Chandigarh, especially for a weekend get away.

Location: Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Sector 1, Chandigarh, 160001

Entry Fee: INR 30/Adult, INR10/Child

Timing: 9;00 AM to 7:00 PM all days of the week. 

Best Time to Visit: October To March

The gorgeous Sukhna Lake, found in Chandigarh, was brought into existence by damming the Sukhna Chole in 1958. Strearched in 3 km, the lake is encompassed with sparkling water, boats and serves as home for a number of birds including the Siberian duck and the crane.

Standing amongst the greatest places to visit in Chandigarh for nature lovers, activities like boat rides across the lake, fishing, water skiing and enjoying the beautiful sunset are much relished by many who visit the lake. The place is also famous among many walkers and joggers who can be seen hogging the place early in the morning. Strolling across the waterfronts of the lake is a delightful experience everybody enthusiast must enjoy.

Location: Sukhna Lake, Sector 1, Chandigarh 160001, India

Entry Fee: Free Entry 

Timing: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM All days 

Best Time to Visit: January to April

Spread across an area of more than 30 acres of land, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Chandigarh holds some of the most elegant and fascinating collections of roses from India and the world. The garden is named and formed in the memory of India's former president, Zakir Hussain. Migrating from various parts of the country, a collection of more than 16,00 species of 50,00 rose plantations can be found here.

Apart from roses, the place also homes a bunch of graceful trees including plants of bel, camphor, bakers, harar and others. Tourists from various parts of the world visit the place and no matter how many times they tour, they always find themselves awestruck by its beauty. An interesting locale, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is definitely one of the best tourist attractions in Chandigarh.

Location: Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Jan Marg, 16B, Sector 16, Chandigarh, 160016

Entry Fee: INR 50

Timing: 9:00 AM To 10:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: February and March

Found in sector 33 of Chandigarh, Terraced Garden is an acknowledged spot, celebrated for its lush collection of vibrant flowers and lanky trees. Founded in the year 1979, the garden is covered in more than 10 acres of land. Since its inception, new and varied species of tropics, shrugs and flowers have been continually added to the area making it one of the most attractive places to visit in Chandigarh.

Tourist and natural enthusiasts visit here to enjoy a breath of fresh air and walk across the glamorous greenery the place offers. Additionally, a number of shows and events are also commemorated at Terraced Garden around the year, including the Chrysanthemum Flowers. Fascinating and engaging these events are much loved by the visitors.

Location: Terraced Garden, Sector 33B, Sector 33, Chandigarh, 160020

Entry Fee: INR 50

Timing: 5:30 AM To 9:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: December

Peaceful and religious, the Iskon Temple is one of the greatest places to visit in Chandigarh, especially for the spiritual individuals and devotees of Lord Krishan. From daily poojas to customary celebrations throughout the year, every corner of the temple speaks about purity and devotion towards the lords.

In the vicinity of the temple are an array of shops where memorabilias and sweets among others can be bought. Surrounding the place is a land encapsulated with dense grass and greenery. Activities like picnics are best enjoyed by families here, especially on a bright sunny day.

Location: ISKCON Temple Chandigarh, Hare Krishna Dham, Sector 36-B, Dakshin Marg, Chandigarh 160036 India

Entry Fee: Free Entry

Timing: Sunday To Thursday: 4:30 Am - 5:00 Am, 07:15 Am - 12:45pm, 4:15 Pm - 8:00 Pm. Closed on Friday and Saturday

Best Time to Visit: October To April

Built for the little lads, the Topiary Park in Chandigarh is decorated with fresh cut creeps, bush and plants in various shapes of animals including beers, elephants and more. The park was founded in 1987 and it's grand orientation has slowly grown into a favourite place among children.

Spread in a massive area, the grassland provides a ton of space for a number of activities. For localities, the park serves as the go to destination for weekend extravaganzas and family time. During the weekend, one can witness a large mob of kids having the time of their life, rolling, playing and running around in the park. In other words, if you are a family guy with kids, Topiary Park is one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh.

Location: Topiary Park, Sub. City Center, Sector 35A, Chandigarh, 160035

Entry Fee: Free

Timing: 24 Hours a day, All-day

Best Time to Visit: October To April

Encapsulating an alluring history to it, Government Museum & Art Gallery was brought into existence along with the partition of India in 1947. Before partition, the properties inside the museum were decorated in the Central Museum. However, post partition, up to 6% of all the properties in Central Museum was adopted by Pakistan, others shifted to Government Museum & Art Gallery of Chandigarh.

Clasping a grand exhibition of various Pahari and Rajasthani paintings, Gandharan sculptures, decorative arts and more, the museum is surely one of the most exquisite tourist attractions in Chandigarh. A great place to learn and admire the rich history of our country, the museum is a must visit.

Location: Government Museum & Art Gallery, 502 sector, 10C, Chandigarh, 160011

Entry Fee: INR 10

Timing: 10 AM - 4:30 PM Tuesday To Sunday

Best Time to Visit: October - April

Awning an illustrious space of more than 8 kilometers, Leisure Valley is an elegant park in Chandigarh. The valley is considered to be the only destination in the entire county with multitudes of parks and gardens inside a premise. From botanical to rose, terrace and Hibiscus, the Valley holds tens of imperial parks and gardens spread across in the area. This also makes the place a go to location for joggers, walkers and picnic lovers in the city.

Leisure Valley, also acknowledged as the 'lungs of Chandigarh' was designed by Le Corbusier as an astonishing effort towards making the city a greener place for the people. The place also hosts a three day long festival celebrating the gardens and their beauty. One of the best tourist attractions in Chandigarh, Leisure Park is flawlessly designed for the holidaymakers.

Location: Leisure Valley, 10B, Sector 10, Chandigarh, 160011

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Timing: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: February To March

Like shopping? You'll love Sector 17 market in Chandigarh. Taken over by hundreds of big brand stores, local shops, and malls, the spot is one of the best tourist places in Chandigarh for the ones who love to shop.

From clothes to artworks, bridal wears, handicrafts and more, the stores here offer a variety of regional and international items to choose from. Adding on to the fun are the food stations here. With a ton of local flavors and authentic cuisines, one will be showered with a sublime experience here. If you are in Chandigarh, no matter what the weather is, your trip isn't complete unless you have visited the hub of shopping in the city, Sector 17 market in Chandigarh.

Location: Sector 17 Market, 17F, Sector 17, Chandigarh, 160017

Entry Fee: Ranges

Timing: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Open all days of the week

Best Time to Visit: October To June

After a glamorous tour of the city, next in line is a place to enjoy some delicious food and wine. One of the best places in Chandigarh, Hops N Gains, is a hip restaurant serving a buffet of delicious meals and drinks. From lip-smacking Chinese to hot and spicy, Indian food, the place specializes in offering multi-cuisine dishes. What makes the place even more special is it's calm ambiance and top-rated service.

This also makes the place a go-to spot for families, especially the one with kids. Drinks are served here too. The place serves an amazing collection of cocktails, wine, beer, among other drinks. Pocket-friendly with flavorful food and a comfortable environment, Hops N Grains is everything you would want in a restaurant. 

Location: Hops N Gains, SCO 358, Sector 9, Panchkula, Haryana 134109

Entry Fee: INR 2,000 for 2

Timing: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Best Time to Visit: October - April

Encompassed in an enormous 100 acres of land, Chandigarh Capitol Complex is a reflection of the rich architectural mastery the city has to offer. Designed by an honored and celebrated architect, Le Corbusier, the complex homes a number of uniquely constructed and curiously fitted buildings.

Apart from the buildings the place also holds three memorabilia including the Secretariat, Open Hand Monument and the Palace of Assembly, in its compound. Its wealthy historical value has also helped it gain a name in UNESCO's world heritage sites. A must-visit for every tourist, Chandigarh Capitol Complex is one of the favorite tourist places in Chandigarh, admired by both national and international tourists.

Location: Chandigarh Capitol Complex, Chandigarh Capitol Complex

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Timing: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to April

A brand new extension to the glorious amalgamation of gardens Chandigarh has, Japanese Garden was opened for the public in 2014. Spread across a vast 13 acres of land, the garden exhibits various aspects of Japanese culture and tradition.

From the equanimity of the Zen garden to the peaceful atmosphere of the meditation hut, ponds and a pagoda tower, tourists can indulge in a variety of activities here in the garden. The garden was primarily designed with the motive to protect and hold numerous sculptures and relics of the Buddhists. A spiritual place for some, an enigmatic tourist attraction for others, the Japanese Garden serves all kinds of visitors and holidaymakers.

Location: Japanese Garden, Sector 31 A, Sector 31, Chandigarh, 160030

Entry Fee:  No Entry Fee

Timing: 4:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October - March

A celebrated picnic spot for many, Garden of Fragrance in Chandigarh is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the city. Integrated in 1998, the garden is highly acknowledged for its collection of heavenly flowers and their exotic aroma.

The varieties of flowers here are adopted from various places across the country. Damask rose, Champa, Mehndi, Motia and Raat ki Rani are few of the many names of blossoms in the garden homes. Further, one can also enjoy a good jog and walk in the lush trails of the garden, early in the morning. Best for appreciating family time and indulging in various activities in and around the place, Garden of Fragrance is a place that comes off as a breath of fresh air for many tourists and localities who come here from the exhausting cities.

Location: Fragrance Garden Rd, Sector 36B, Sector 36, Chandigarh, 160036

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Timing: Round the Clock

Best Time to Visit: October To March

Exhibiting the doll culture from across the country and beyond, the International Dolls Museum in Chandigarh is a place one can never forget. Adapted from a number of tales and stories including Ali baba, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty among others, each collection of dolls here portrays a distinct story.

Informative and fun, the place goes perfectly with the little ones who are found dancing and singing around the place, enjoying the sight of their favorite Disney character doll. Adding on to the charm of the place are lush tropics and vast gardens that surround the area offering tourists a place to relish some time in the lap of nature. All in all, if you are in Chandigarh with your family, you have to include the International Dolls Museum in your itinerary.

Location: International Dolls Museum, Bal Bhawan, Udyog Path, Sector 23B, Chandigarh, 160023

Entry Fee: INR 10

Timing: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Best Time to Visit: October to April

A delight for nature enthusiasts, the Butterfly park in sector 26 of Chandigarh holds an adorable collection of more than 35 species of butterflies. Adding on to the charisma of the place is the curiously cut grass in various shapes of butterflies.

Offering a vast area of true scenic greenery, the park serves as the perfect destination for families and friends to enjoy a great evening picnic, a soothing walk and more. What makes the place even more attractive is the no honking zone the place falls under. Calm, peaceful and green, there is no reason why one should not spend some hours here.

Location: Butterfly Park, Sector 26, Chandigarh, 160019

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Timing: 8:30 AM To 5:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October To April

A reputed architect who was able to leave his mark on the planet with his profoundly designed buildings, especially in the urban space. The Le Corbusier Center is dedicated to Le Corbusier for his contribution to Chandigarh.

Built in 2008, the center offers a great insight into the rich architectural history of the city.  The center exhibits various paintings, photographs and other elements that played a vital role in the construction of the beautiful city of Chandigarh.

Location: Le Corbusier Center, Sector 19B Old Architect Building, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, 160019

Entry Fee: Free To Enter

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Best Time to Visit: September To June

Opened for public in 2015, Garden of Palms is a gorgeous garden embedded with more than 21 variations of palm trees across it's premise. The place serves as the go-to location for many localities for activities like weekend picnics among others.

From flavourful local dishes served at the eateries here to a vast cycling track for the fitness enthusiast, the place suits well for both adventures and leisure lovers in the city.

Location: Garden of Palms, Palm Garden lake SBI Colony, 42C, Sector 42, Chandigarh, 160036

Entry Fee: INR 10

Timing: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Categorised amongst the most beautiful cricket stations in all of India, a visit to Mohali Cricket Stadium is a cricket fan's dream. Established in 1993, the stadium can hold more than 26,000 audience members. From international T20 matches to the Indian Premier League, an array of international and domestic matches are played here in the stadium. A delight to watch, the stadium glows when the Indian team plays here.

Location: Mohali Cricket Stadium, I.S. Bindra Stadium, Sector 63, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Chandigarh 160062

Entry Fee: Variable

Timing: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

A grand gesture and a reminder for many, the Open hand monument in Chandigarh was designed to represent "the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind". Birthed by the great architect, Le Corbusier, the hand stands at an alarming 26 meters tall and weighs close to 50 tons. It's design also allows it to rotate with the wind. Living as pride for many localities, the Open Hand is one place you mustn't miss to visit.

Location: Open Hand Museum, 31, Uttar Marg, Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh, 160001

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Timing: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: October - June

One of the best amusement parks in all of North India, Thunder Zone is where the thrills are. Dissipated in an enormous 12 acres of land, the park holds 12 adventure rides, a dramatic waterpark with 4 pools and more. A place much enjoyed with family and friends, Thunder Zone is the perfect weekend getaway spot. 

Location: Thunder Zone, Mohali, Sirhind - Morinda Rd, Near, Landran, Punjab 140307

Entry Fee: INR 500 - INR 1,600

Timing: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Best Time to Visit: March - June