Why I Love Kufri (And Why I Think It’s Better Than Shimla) — A Personal Travelogue

There are places you visit once and then forget the moment you come back home. And then there are places that quietly stay with you — not because they’re loud, famous, or “Instagrammable”, but because they feel right.

For me, Kufri is one of those places.

I’ve been to Shimla too — multiple times. I know the charm of the colonial buildings, the café hopping, the buzzing Mall Road vibe, the whole “Queen of Hills” energy. But if I’m being honest, Shimla feels like a destination you visit.

Kufri feels like a destination you breathe in.

And every time someone asks me, “Kufri or Shimla?”, my answer is instant: Kufri. Always Kufri.

Not because Shimla isn’t beautiful — it is.

But because Kufri gives me the kind of peace and mountain magic I’m actually searching for when I head to the hills.

Kufri Feels Like a Hillside Escape, Not a Hill Station Checklist

Shimla is iconic. It’s also crowded. And the moment you enter the heart of Shimla, you feel it — the rush, the honking, the constant movement of people. It’s a proper hill city now, with traffic, long queues, and that “where do we park?” stress that nobody talks about.

Kufri, on the other hand, feels like someone turned the volume down.

The air is cleaner, the roads are calmer, and the vibe is simpler.

Even when it’s tourist season, Kufri still holds onto that “small mountain getaway” feeling — the one you expect when you imagine the Himalayas.

In Kufri, I don’t feel like I have to do things.

I just feel like I have to be.

In Kufri, the Mountains Still Feel Like Mountains

Shimla has views — no doubt. But many of those views come with buildings, wires, hotels stacked on slopes, and endless commercial chaos. The hills are there, but they’re often hidden behind the “city”.

In Kufri, the hills are the main character.

There’s something about the way the landscape opens up there. The forests feel thicker. The slopes feel greener. The air feels sharper — like it has a personality. You can stand quietly and actually hear the wind move through the deodar trees.

And that’s what I love: Kufri feels raw in a soft way.

Not rugged like a hardcore trek destination — but not overly polished either.

Kufri Gives Me That “Old Himachal” Feeling. If you’ve travelled in Himachal long enough, you know what I mean.

There’s a version of Himachal that exists in our memories — where mornings are cold enough to make you pull your hoodie tighter, where chai tastes better because your hands are freezing, where you don’t need fancy cafés because the view itself is enough.

Shimla, in many ways, has moved ahead. It’s modern, developed, busy.

Kufri still feels like it’s holding onto the older rhythm.

It’s slower. Softer. Less noisy.

And as someone who travels to escape the speed of everyday life, Kufri gives me exactly what I’m looking for.

I Love Kufri Because It’s Not Trying Too Hard

Shimla is always performing.

Mall Road has that “look at me” energy — the shopping, the cafés, the crowds, the photos, the constant motion. Even when you’re relaxed, you’re still in the middle of a scene.

Kufri doesn’t perform.

Kufri just exists.

And that’s what makes it beautiful.

You can go there without a plan. You can take random turns. You can stop anywhere for a few minutes and just stare at the mountains. There’s no pressure to “cover” anything.

Kufri Mornings Hit Different

My favourite time in Kufri is early morning — that time when the light is soft, the air is cold, and everything feels clean.

In Shimla, mornings start with noise. Vehicles, people, shops opening, traffic building up.

In Kufri, mornings start with silence.

You step out and you can smell pine. You can see the mist lifting slowly. You can feel that mountain chill on your face — the kind that wakes you up better than coffee ever could.

That’s when Kufri feels like a dream.

And it’s the kind of moment I crave when I’m travelling.

Kufri is Better for People Who Love Nature More Than Markets

Let’s be real: Shimla is great for shopping.

If you want woollens, souvenirs, cafés, street food, and a “hill station city” experience, Shimla wins.

But if you’re like me — someone who wants trees, open views, cold air, quiet roads, and nature-first travel, Kufri wins without trying.

Because in Kufri, you don’t go to buy things.

You go to feel things.

Kufri Has That “Mini Adventure” Energy Without the Chaos

Kufri is one of those places where you can keep it simple or make it adventurous — depending on your mood.

You can do:

short hikes and forest walks

horse rides (yes, touristy, but still a vibe)

viewpoint hopping

winter snow activities when the season is right

But the best part is: it doesn’t feel like a crowded theme park the way Shimla sometimes does.

Even when there are tourists around, Kufri still gives you pockets of calm — and that’s rare in popular hill destinations.

Kufri Feels Like a Reset Button

Shimla is exciting, but it can be tiring.

There’s always something happening, and even if you’re on vacation, your mind doesn’t fully slow down. You’re still navigating crowds, planning routes, looking for parking, deciding where to eat.

Kufri makes me slow down naturally.

I don’t overthink in Kufri.

I don’t feel the need to constantly check my phone.

I don’t chase content.

I just exist in the moment — and honestly, that’s the biggest luxury for me.

Kufri is Less Commercial, More Real (At Least for Now)

Shimla has become very commercial — and it makes sense. It’s famous, it’s accessible, and it’s been a tourism magnet for decades.

But that fame comes with a price: the place feels busy, packed, and sometimes a little too “manufactured” for travellers who want peace.

Kufri still has commercial areas, yes. But overall, it feels less overdone.

It still has open spaces. It still has that natural charm.

And as a traveller, I’m always chasing places that feel authentic — even if they’re popular.

Kufri is the Kind of Place I Want to Return To

Shimla is a great trip.

Kufri is a great feeling.

That’s the difference.

Shimla gives you stories about cafés and streets and shopping.

Kufri gives you stories about silence, views, cold mornings, and those small moments that stay with you.

I love Kufri because it doesn’t exhaust me.

It heals me.

So… Is Kufri Really Better Than Shimla?

For me — yes.

Not because Shimla is bad. But because Kufri fits my travel style more.

Shimla is better if you want:

mall road vibes

cafés and city energy

shopping and markets

colonial architecture and tourist hotspots

Kufri is better if you want:

calm, quiet mountain air

nature and forests

slower travel

viewpoints, walks, and peace

a “getaway” feeling

Final Thoughts: Kufri Feels Like Home in the Hills

Every time I’m in Kufri, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Not in a dramatic way.

Not like some movie scene.

Just in a simple, grounded way.

Like the mountains are doing what they do best — reminding me to slow down, breathe deeper, and stop chasing noise.

Shimla will always have its charm.

But Kufri has my heart.

And if you ever ask me where I’d rather spend a quiet day in Himachal — away from the crowds, closer to the trees, with nothing but cold air and views around me…

I’ll choose Kufri. Every single time.

More info: footloosedev.com

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