Manali is famous as a place for honeymoons and friends. The place offers various adventures for tourists such as trekking, camping, rock climbing, paragliding etc.
Want to do all these adventures on a budget? The best way to do so is to travel by bus like me and my friends took a bus from Delhi to Manali. You can find these buses at night time too.
The place is not only known for its beauty only but it also had some great food to eat. Manali has a full package of a variety of cuisines like Italian, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan etc.
Today I came up with Things to do in Manali, the Best Places to visit whether you are with friends, family or with a special one so as to make your trip fab.
Things to do in Manali
Want to add some spice of adventure to your trip? One must try these amazing activities in Manali, especially in June/July.
| Adventures | Locations |
| Paragliding | Solang Valley |
| River Rafting | Old Manali road |
| Kayaking | Old Manali road |
| Zorbing | Solang Valley |
| River crossing | Old Manali road |
| Snow trekking | Rohtang pas |
1. Paragliding
Going to Manali and not having this amazing experience is just like food without spices. It was the best experience I ever had flying like a bird, feeling the gusty wind is something that one must try who has been to Manali.
Location: Solang Valley
Best time to try: June to November
2. River Rafting
If you want to float with the rapid rowing of water turns you must try River Rafting especially. Dealing with the risk at every moment in some kind of different experience.
Location: Old Manali road
The best time to try: is June and July without getting restricted by the monsoon
3. Kayaking
It’s a kind of race done while river rafting. this can only be done if you have experience before. I and my friends thought to do that but after watching other people doing that we just dropped our idea.
4. Zorbing
This sport allows a person to see the views of Manali from different angles. In this, a person rolls down from a hill while in an orb. Three to four persons just push you down from a hill and you roll down freely in a big ball-like orb.
Location: Solang Valley
Best time to try: June and July
5. River Crossing
This adventure allows a person to feel the flow of River Beas. At first, you will be terrified but when you reach the middle of the river you will enjoy that moment.
Location: Old Manali
Best time to try: June to September
6. Snow Trekking
Trekking on snowy-covered hills is like heaven. Though it is not easy and tests the strength and endurance of a person, still climbing to the top of a hill is a breathtaking view.
Location: Rohtang pass
Best time to go: June to December
After experiencing all these adventures, now’s the time to explore Manali’s best restaurants.
Top restaurants and Cafes to visit in Manali
| Restaurants | Locations |
| 2. Mount View | Get directions |
| 7. People’s Cafe | Get directions |
| 3. IL forno | Get Directions |
| 4. Fat Plate Restaurant | Get Directions |
| 5. Cafe 1947 | Get Directions |
| 6. Basil Leaf Restaurant | Get directions |
| 10. Drifters Cafe | Get directions |
| 8. The Lazy Dog | Get Directions |
| 9. Chopsticks Restaurant | Get Directions |
| 11. Johnson’s Cafe | Get Directions |
| 11. Johnson’s cafe | Get Directions |
| 12. Dylan’s roasted and toasted | Get Directions |
1. Renaissance Manali
Walking on the busy roads of old Manali, We found this fabulous restaurant. The place will give you a vintage look. They serve Italian and Mexican cuisines. Here you can order pasta, lasagne and smoked chicken. One must take a quick bite of nachos and a sandwich.
What’s special:- Tiramisu and chocolate crepes
Timings:- 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Location:- Old Manali Road Get directions
Meal for two:- Rs. 800/-
2. Mount View Restaurant
Among the best restaurants of Manali next comes up the Mount View restaurant. It is the oldest fine dining. This is mainly recommended as they serve exquisite Chinese, Tibetan, Continental and Indian delicacies.
The place is highly famous for its beer rooftop garden where you can hold meetings or get-togethers.
What’s special:- Italian dishes
Timings:- 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Location:- Mall Road, Model Town, Siyal, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 800/-
3. IL Forno
IL Forno is a restaurant famous for its deep Italian cultural vibes that a person gets there. They serve marvellous and finest Italian food in Manali. The place will warm you with its peaceful surroundings, Himalayan view and rustic design. The person who wants peace or a couple who needs a special moment can definitely have remarkable moments here.
What’s special:- Wood fired pizza
Timings:- 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Location:- Near Hadimba temple, Siyal Area, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 800/-
4. Fat Plate Restaurant
The next destination among the best restaurants comes the place on the bank of the Beas River. The fat plate gives you a home-like vibe giving you a choice whether to sit on the open lawn with greenery around or in the inner dining. They mainly serve North Indian and Continental dishes.
What’s special:- Pizza, trout and Grilled Chicken
Timings:- 9 am to 10 pm
Location:- Gurung Cottage, Shuru, Manali Naggar Road, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 200/-
5. Cafe 1947
Next on our list comes one of the best Cafe 1947. The name of the place is dedicated to our independence. The place’s goal to give a good vibe by playing soothing live music. The interior decor complements the name of the cafe as it includes the colours of our national flag which is green and saffron. They mainly serve Italian food.
What’s special:- hot coffee, fries and bruschetta
Timings:- 1 pm to 11 pm
Location:- Near Nehru Kund, leh manali highway,Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 1y500/-
6. Basil Leaf Restaurant
When it comes to the best offering in these Manali mountains, Basil Leaf is considered to be one of the best as it comes with a variety of cuisines. This place is best to spend time with their loved ones. They provide you with inner and outdoor seating along with the bonfire barbeque.
What’s special:- Grilled chicken
Timings:- 7 am to 11 pm
Location:- In-house restaurant, Anantmaya Resort, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 2000/-
7. People’s Cafe
The cafe is known for its live soothing music. People’s Cafe is run by a Russian lady in old Manali. This is one of the best restaurants which also allows you to sing in your own verses but also at intervals with their hired musicians. They serve delightful Indian vegetarian delicacies. Their service is a bit slow but by that time you can enjoy Sheesha on the ground floor.
What’s special:- Grilled potato with some cheese on it
Timings:- 9 am to 11 pm
Location:- Manu temple road, Old Manali, Manali
Meal for two:– Rs. 600/-
8. The Lazy Dog
Next on our list comes the restaurant with a luxurious feeling of outdoor seating and a pleasing view of rivers and mountains. The place is best to enjoy and feel the nature around you, have food and listen to the rhythmic sound of rivers and birds chirping.
What’s special:- trout fish with garlic sauce
Timings:- 11 am to 1 am
Location:- Near Manu temple, old Manali, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 500/-
9. Chopsticks Restaurant
For foodie, Chopstick restaurant seems like paradise. The menu filled with a variety of Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, and Continental dishes will leave you in a dilemma about what to order and it’s true. It is one of the best restaurants located amidst the busy street in Manali. At first, you will not be attracted to this little place but afterward, you will love the experience.
What’s special:- Sizzlers with a drink on the rocks
Timings:- 10 am to 11 pm
Location:- Model Town, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 500/-
10. Drifter’s Cafe
Following the list next is the Drifter’s cafe, the best place to read a book while enjoying your favorite coffee and can play fun board games with your loved ones. It provides us with music and karaoke nights. It is considered to be one of the best South Indian foods in Manali.
What’s special:- Idli, Dosa, and Sambhar
Timings:- 9 am to 11 pm
Location:- Manu temple road, old Manali, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 800/-
11. Johnson’s Cafe
Another one of the best comes the Johnson’s Cafe with live gigs taking over the evening. The cafe is highly recommended and famous in Manali before going there you should make your table reservation so as to end up with a last-minute hustle. There is a beautiful garden and an excellent space for performance and bar as well.
What’s special:- Trout fish with 10 variants
Timings:- 9 am to 11 pm
Location:- Circuit House Road , Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 1500/-
12. Dylan’s Roasted and Toasted
Last but not least comes one of the charming places to please and calm yourself, Dylan’s Cafe. The place is highly famous for its breakfast range. When for friends a coffee is not enough satisfactory then you must try this place.
What’s special:- Shakshuka,a local dish
Timings:- 9 am to 11 pm
Location:- Before govt school, Old Manali, Manali
Meal for two:- Rs. 1200/-
Manali also has some Hidden places to visit that no one will tell you about. Actually I and my friends went by bus going through the villages.
So I have some hidden gems for you:-
- Thanedaar
It is 196 kilometres away from Manali. here you can enjoy scenic views. You can spend your day peacefully and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Sajla
Sajla is basically a village known for the historic Shri Vishnu Temple. Here you can enjoy a peaceful waterfall. It is 28 minutes from Manali.
- Vishisht Bath
The place is mainly known after Rishi Vashisth and here you will be astonished to find hot water baths naturally coming in writers also. the place has some mythological connections and is located in Manali Town.
- Bhuntar
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere and nature of Manali then you should visit this place. This area is full of a variety of flora and fauna. It is located an hour away from Manali. Here a person can come and have a relaxing holiday from his work routine.
Is Manali crowded in June?
Famous Manali Food?
Is Rohtang open in June?
My experience was fabulous with every cafe, every place has its own vibe. walking on Mall road at night, enjoying with friends, eating local dishes there was the best one.