Things to do in Dehradun — temples, a gorge, a monastery and Mussoorie
Dehradun is known as a gateway, but it has enough to fill a day or two.
In the old town
The Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib is the city's founding monument, with domes, minarets and old murals, about 6 minutes from the centre. Its Jhanda Mela, held each March, is the city's best-known fair. The Clock Tower, the Ghanta Ghar, marks the city centre and has four working clocks.
Heritage and learning
The Forest Research Institute, 10 minutes out, is a Greco-Roman brick landmark with a museum of six sections. The Uttara Museum of Contemporary Art, in the city, was founded in 2017 and shows work made in memory of the 2013 Kedarnath disaster. The Khalanga memorial near the city commemorates the Battle of Nalapani, in 1814.
Caves and temples
Tapkeshwar is a Shiva temple built over a natural cave, about 12 minutes out. Robber's Cave, about 14 minutes out, is a river cave in a narrow gorge. The two sit within a short drive of each other.
A Tibetan monastery
The Mindrolling Monastery, 18 minutes from the centre, was re-established in 1965 and has a 190-foot stupa and a large Buddhist college.
A hill walk
Wikipedia describes the Kipling Trail, the old walking route to Mussoorie, which begins at Shahanshahi Ashram in Rajpur village. It is being revived, but we have no verified distance or timing for it, so ask locally before you set out.
Day trips
Mussoorie is about 39 minutes away, Rishikesh 45 and Haridwar 48. The one-day plan and the two-day plan with Mussoorie put it in order. Read when to visit and how to reach Dehradun.
Places around Dehradun
The Dehradun guide →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
What are the best things to do in Dehradun?
Visit the Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib in the old town, the Forest Research Institute with its brick buildings and museum, Tapkeshwar cave temple, and Robber's Cave, a river cave about 8 km from the centre. The Mindrolling Monastery near Clement Town adds a Tibetan Buddhist stop with a 190-foot stupa.
What is Dehradun famous for?
It is the winter capital of Uttarakhand, a gateway to Mussoorie, Rishikesh and the Garhwal hills, and a centre of forestry, research and defence institutions. Its name is traditionally tied to the camp of Baba Ram Rai, and its Forest Research Institute and the Indian Military Academy are among its best-known institutions.
Can you do Dehradun as a day trip?
Yes, from Haridwar or Rishikesh, which are about 48 and 45 minutes away on our routing, or as a stop before the hills. A day covers the darbar, the institute, Tapkeshwar and Robber's Cave. Our one-day plan is free to copy, and the two-day plan adds the monastery and a night in Mussoorie.