Popular hill stations of North India are crumbling under over-tourism and natural calamities. Delhi folks have a thing for the mountains and hill stations near Delhi face the maximum brunt. Any weekend and the beauty of the long-winding mountain roads of Shimla, Manali, or Nainital is overpowered by serpentine queues of vehicles. Add to that water scarcity, parking woes, and disruptive landslides. Sometimes the dream vacations become a nightmare. It’s time to look beyond mountains and give hill stations a break. How about exploring the cities near Delhi that are just a few hours by road or train? Here are 5 cities that could be the perfect weekend getaway from Delhi.

Chandigarh – Well-planned Modern City Near Delhi 

One of India’s most beautiful and well-managed cities, Chandigarh has enough to keep you interested for the weekend. It is the shared capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana. While Rock Garden is a must-visit in this city, there’s more in terms of the Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, and the extravagant Sector 17 market of Chandigarh which is a hub for restaurants and shopping options.

Take an extra half-day and visit Mohali in the vicinity. If you are a cricket buff you would know why Mohali is famous. It is home to a magnificent Mohali cricket stadium that is a popular venue for many matches of international standard.

Delhi to Chandigarh takes about 4 hours by road or train.

Jaipur – The Pink City of India

Which is the Pink City of India? It is indeed Jaipur, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and one of the most doable Rajasthan cities from Delhi. You should visit the Amer Fort and walk through history, the City Palace for a glimpse of the life of Indian royals, and the Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple to see the most abstract Ganesh idol. You can click the very Instagram-worthy Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal and enjoy lip-smacking food at rooftop cafes.

Watch a movie at the heritage movie hall Raj Mandir for a luxury movie-watching experience. Shop to your heart’s content at Johari Bazar and the government-run crafts showroom Rajasthali. Before you end your trip, don’t forget to try the tangy Kanji Vada, the crispy kachories, and the dessert Ghewar.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and it takes about 4 hours from Delhi on great roads or by train.

Gwalior – Treasure Trove of Indian Heritage

Six hours drive from Delhi and you are transported to this city of forts and museums – Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Contrary to popular perception, this city is like travelling back in time. From ancient architecture to Islamic heritage, Gwalior is a perfect example of unity in the diversity of India.

You can marvel at the majestic Gwalior Fort which has also been made popular in Hindi films, marvel at the Sahasrabahu Temple, and the jaw-dropping Jain sculptures adjacent to Gwalior Fort. You should also visit the serene tomb of music maestro Tansen who is laid to rest beside his guru in marble mausoleums. Also, relish kachori with alu sabzi at S S Kachoriwala and thank us later.

The drive from Delhi to Gwalior has been smoothened by the Greater Noida Expressway. Many trains connect Delhi to Gwalior too.

Bikaner – The Land of Bhujia

The gateway to Indian deserts and Bhujia is the royal city of Bikaner in Rajasthan. There is so much to do and experience that even an extended weekend is not enough. From the internationally acclaimed Karni Mata temple with 25000 rats to Junagarh Fort and Museum, the city is a treasure trove of heritage.

Visit India’s only camel research centre and feed cute camel calves. Shop for bandhani dupattas at the local market and try sharbat at Chunnilal Sharbat Wala. Also, if you are a non-vegetarian, do try Lal-maas here, it is packed with flavours that you may miss in Delhi.

You must buy Bikaneri Bhujia (an Indian savory snack) from Bikaner along with other sweets like Patisa, barfi, and soan papdi. This bhujia is in great demand overseas and exported worldwide from Bikaner.

Delhi to Bikaner is about 9 hours by road as well as train. You can also take a flight and reach in about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Patiala – Immerse Yourself in Punjabi Culture

Patiala, an underrated city in Punjab evades the tourist map. Yet, if you want to have the flavour of a pure Punjabi vibe, Patiala is the place. Just a few hour’s drive from Delhi and you can have an amazing weekend where you can get divine blessings at Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, marvel at 300 years old Quila Mubarak, and shop for Phulkari dupattas from the market outside. You can also visit the imposing statue of Goddess Kali at the Kali Devi Temple built by the Maharaja of Patiala. A much earlier temple of Goddess Raj Rajeshwari is situated behind the main shrine.

No visit to Punjab is complete without great food. Eat mouth-watering meals at Punjabi Dhabas and finish off with Butterscotch Barfi from Jaggi Sweets. Get some Paan Petha packed for home.

Not only hill stations, but cities are calling you to explore their treasures. You will have a sense of a full vacation over a weekend in a city. Moreover, you will do your bit in restoring the balance caused by over-tourism in the hills.