Places to visit in Chandigarh in 24 hours

Being the capital of two states—Punjab and Haryana—while also functioning as a union territory, Chandigarh is unique in many ways. Known as the City of Beauty, it stands out as a planned city with architectural finesse, wide boulevards, organised sectors, and a touch of serenity not commonly associated with urban India.

Designed by the famed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is a model of urban design with plenty of green cover, cycling lanes, and a calm pace of life that makes it feel both contemporary and nostalgic.

For many travellers, especially those flying in from other parts of India, Chandigarh serves as a first stop before heading to the Himalayas. Whether you're on your way to Shimla, Kasauli, or Manali, there's a good chance you'll be spending a day or even a few hours here. If you’re wondering how best to use that time, we’ve curated a perfect itinerary for you to explore Chandigarh in 24 hours, with a blend of nature, culture, food, and a bit of nostalgia.

Table of contents

1. Nekchand’s Rock Garden is one of the top tourist places in Chandigarh

2. Nik Bakers & Castles & Decor 

3. Sunset at Sukhna Lake

4. Vibrant Sector 17 & Indian Coffee House

5. Last Word 

Nekchand’s Rock Garden is one of the top tourist places in Chandigarh

Perhaps the most iconic of all tourist spots in Chandigarh, Nek Chand’s Rock Garden is more than just a local attraction—it’s a testament to creativity, sustainability, and grassroots artistic expression.

This sprawling, maze-like garden covers over 40 acres, and is a fascinating public space made entirely from recycled industrial and domestic waste. From broken bangles and ceramic tiles to bathroom fittings, electrical sockets, and plastic bottles—everything has been transformed into quirky sculptures and figures, creating a surreal yet playful atmosphere. It’s one of those rare places where art, urban planning, and sustainability intersect seamlessly. 

The mastermind behind it, Nek Chand, was a humble government road inspector who began building this garden in secret. Over time, the space grew into a labyrinth of installations, waterfalls, courtyards, and passageways—all built from discarded items. When his work was discovered, instead of demolishing it, the city embraced the project and turned it into a full-fledged public park.

You don’t necessarily need to be an art connoisseur to enjoy it—this place is more about wandering aimlessly, posing for the occasional Instagram photo, or just soaking in the sheer audacity of a vision brought to life through scrap.

Pro-tip: Try to visit during the late afternoon or early evening, especially in warmer months, when the stone and concrete paths begin to cool down and you can enjoy a more pleasant walk.

Time spent: Upon landing, we spent about an hour getting to our accommodation at ISB Mohali from the airport. We spent another hour visiting Brother’s Amritsari Kulcha for a quick lunch before we headed to the Rock Garden. We spent around 2 hours inside the Rock Garden and lost our way twice before making it to the exit. We were commuting in a hired cab, saving us any time to wait for an Uber/Ola.

Nik Bakers & Castles & Decor 

After all that walking and exploring, we were ready for a coffee and dessert break, and Nik Bakers was just the place. A favourite among locals, this cafe-patisserie has carved a niche for itself in Chandigarh’s food scene.

We tried their rich chocolate pastry, which was incredibly moist with a glossy chocolate ganache that melted beautifully on the palate. The Chocolate Éclair that followed was equally delightful—light, airy, and not overly sweet. Nik Bakers manages to maintain that balance between indulgence and refinement, making it perfect for a casual yet satisfying break.

Our sugar high led us to Castles & Decor, a charming boutique home decor store in Sector 7-C. The store, run by two warm and well-travelled women, was like stepping into a cozy corner of Europe. From Italian-style ceramic crockery to off-white bed linen, floral vases, and dainty tea sets, everything oozed elegance. It reminded us of home decor stores we had visited in Paris earlier this year and served as a peaceful, aesthetic stop on our day of sightseeing.

Time Spent: About 1.5 hours spent with 30 mins each spent in commuting, at Nik Bakers and at Castles & Decor.

Sunset at Sukhna Lake 

Next up was one of the most beloved public spaces in Chandigarh—Sukhna Lake. Nestled at the foothills of the Shivalik range, the lake is artificial but beautifully maintained, with a tranquil promenade and lush surroundings.

As we arrived in the early evening, the place was buzzing with families, joggers, street vendors, and couples—very reminiscent of Carter Road in Mumbai on a weekend evening. There’s a food court area with vendors selling everything from ice cream and bhel puri to peanut chaat, which we sampled while watching the sun dip behind the hills.

An unexpected highlight was seeing artists sketching portraits by the lake. It added a touch of old-school charm, and many couples (us included) stopped to watch them work.

To cap the visit, we rented a pedal boat for 30 minutes. As we glided across the lake, surrounded by laughter and the joyful chaos of large Punjabi families, it took us back to our childhood holidays—where boating was a staple in any Indian tourist itinerary. It was nostalgic, joyful, and oddly comforting.

Time Spent: About 2 hours including the commute, boat ride and sitting by the lakefront at Sukhna Lake.

Vibrant Sector 17 & Indian Coffee House

No trip to Chandigarh is complete without a visit to Sector 17 Plaza, the city’s answer to Connaught Place in Delhi or Colaba in Mumbai. On this particular Saturday evening, the area was especially lively with folk musicians from Himachal Pradesh performing on a small stage, drawing in curious crowds and claps from all sides.

There’s a certain vintage feel to Sector 17—wide pedestrian-friendly promenades, trees swaying in the breeze, and people casually window shopping or grabbing snacks. Among the many eateries here, we stopped at the iconic Indian Coffee House, which is a slice of India’s post-independence culinary history. Think white uniforms, no-frills interiors, and excellent, airy cold coffee. It reminded me of Café Mondegar in Mumbai, minus the graffiti and beer. The Indian Coffee House offers nostalgia with a touch of caffeine—a fitting way to wrap up our day.

Time Spent: We spent another 2 hours commuting to and from Sector 17 back to ISB Mohali along with enjoying the vibe of the place and our short visit to the Indian Coffee House.

Last Word

Our 24 hours in Chandigarh were everything we hoped for and more—relaxed, culturally rich, slightly nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. We began our day with a morning flight from Mumbai, reached ISB Mohali, explored the city’s key attractions, and wrapped it up with dinner at the ISB campus. We even managed to squeeze in a quick street food brunch the next day before heading out of the city—another 3 hours that left us happily full and more connected to the city’s roots.

What stood out most was Chandigarh’s ability to balance modernity with charm, offering the conveniences of a metro but the vibe of a town where people still say hello and take their time. Whether you're stopping over on your way to the mountains or planning a weekend getaway, Chandigarh is absolutely worth a full day—or more.

This day well spent reminded us of the joys of slow travel: fewer attractions, more engagement, less scrolling, more living. And of course, a few delicious bites in between.