Chandigarh doesn’t overwhelm you with its noise and chaos like other metropolitan cities. Instead, it impresses with a more European than subcontinental design—broad boulevards, neat grids, buildings with purpose. Known as India’s first planned city, it’s clean, organized, and soothing to the eyes.
If you’re visiting Chandigarh, the green spaces, art, food, and a mix of culture and modern life are sure to win you over. Whether you’re here for a weekend or longer, here’s a thoughtfully curated list of some of the best things to do in Chandigarh.
A visit to the Rock Garden is non-negotiable when in the city. This sprawling 25-acre attraction, using broken tiles, glass, ceramics, and industrial waste, is a thing to see. The maze of sculptures, waterfalls, and courtyards gives the feel of an open-air art gallery made entirely from recycled waste. It’s creative, quirky, and fun to explore, no matter your age. Millions of people visit, making it one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Right next to the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake is another must-visit. This man-made reservoir at the foothills of the Shivalik range is perfect for boating, morning walks, or just sitting by the water. No motorboats are allowed, so it stays peaceful. You can rent paddleboats, watch migratory birds in winter, or just enjoy the sunset. The lake also hosts festivals and regattas during the year.
Be bowled over by Asia’s largest rose garden. In Sector 16 and spread across 30 acres, there are more than 1,600 species of roses and 50,000 plants. If you are visiting between December and February, you’re in luck as the annual Rose Festival takes place around that time. Make a day of it with cultural performances, flower competitions, and lots of stalls.
Leisure Valley is often called the “lungs of Chandigarh.” It’s an eight-kilometer stretch of gardens that runs through the city. Different sections have different themes—the Rose Garden, the Garden of Fragrance, the Bougainvillea Garden, and more. It’s a favorite spot for joggers and walkers, and you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring its green trails.
This is one of the best activities to do in Chandigarh if you love architecture. The Capitol Complex in Sector 1 is a UNESCO World Heritage site with models of the High Court, Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, and the famous Open Hand Monument. You could also join a guided tour to learn the history and design philosophy behind these buildings.
Check out a wide collection of Gandhara sculptures, miniature paintings, and modern art. The museum is located in Sector 10. More and more people throng to the attraction every day, making it one of the city’s cultural hotspots. There’s also a Natural History Museum and an Architecture Museum nearby, which can easily keep your little ones captivated for half a day.
Opened in 2014 in Sector 31, this garden brings a touch of Japanese culture to Chandigarh. You’ll find pagodas, meditation huts, waterfalls, golden bamboo, and a Buddha statue. It’s well maintained, free to enter, and best visited in the evening when it’s lit up.
Considering fun things to do in Chandigarh? Spend time at the city’s biggest mall, Elante, with tons of options like shopping, great food, a multiplex, and a play area for kids. On the other hand, Sector 17 Market is Chandigarh’s old shopping hub, has a distinct vibe with local shops, street food vendors, and open-air performances in the evenings. Both are worth a shot.
The city has plenty of smaller themed gardens. The Garden of Fragrance in Sector 36 features in our list of pleasant things to do in Chandigarh and boasts aromatic plants like jasmine and damask rose. The Bougainvillea Garden in Sector 3 is perfect for photography. The Terraced Garden in Sector 33 hosts an annual Chrysanthemum Show. If you enjoy greenery, you’ll never run out of places to explore.
No list of fun things to do in Chandigarh is complete without mentioning its local food. Try chole bhature or chole kulche from street stalls near Sukhna Lake. For café vibes, head to Sector 17 or Elante Mall. Pal Dhaba in Sector 28 is famous for its butter chicken and dal makhani. For vegetarian options, try Indian Coffee House—it’s been around since the 1950s and still serves strong filter coffee and cutlets.
You can’t underestimate the growing nightlife scene in the city. Some of the hot picks in lounges and bars include The Horseshoe Bar Exchange and Paara. If you’re not into bars, there are plenty of family-friendly activities like bowling, escape rooms, or late-night food walks. Choosing self-drive car rental in Chandigarh makes all the difference when it comes to autonomy and flexibility.
If you’re staying longer, use Chandigarh as a base for nearby excursions. Morni Hills (45 km) is great for hiking and boating. Pinjore Gardens (20 km) offers Mughal-style landscaping. Kasauli (60 km) is a popular hill station for a day trip with colonial charm and pine forests.
Chandigarh may be known as a “planned city,” but it offers much more- gardens, museums, art, shopping, and great food. It’s clean, well-connected, and easy to explore.
When sightseeing or just exploring the city, choosing a self-drive car rental in Chandigarh really does make more sense than booking endless cabs or driving your own car down.
The advantages of car hire in Chandigarh are the ability to look around at your own convenience – no surge prices, no hanging around for a driver, no additional kilometres piling up on your own vehicle.
When you rent a car for a day, you have flexibility and convenience at a fraction of the bother. It’s the simplest way to make your trip hassle-free, economical, and entirely your own.
Now this is one city that loves its malls! On weekends, you’ll find families, friends,…
It’s not just the weather and the student energy that people love. It’s also the…
Every city has gastronomes, and why should Gurgaon be any different? A food adventurer can…
The birthplace of the historic Maratha Empire, Maharashtra, has deep links with the history of…
Noida is buzzing. And if you love shopping, eating out, or just want to hang…
India has been ruled by the British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese for a long time,…