Places to visit in Chandigarh in 24 hours

Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana and a Union Territory, is a city like no other in India. Known as “The City Beautiful”, Chandigarh is one of the best-planned cities in India, designed by the legendary architect Le Corbusier. Wide boulevards, symmetrical sectors, abundant greenery, and a calm pace of life define this city that effortlessly merges modernism with small town warmth.

Whether you’re visiting as part of a weekend getaway from Delhi or stopping over en route to Shimla, Kasauli, or Manali, Chandigarh deserves more than just a pit stop. Even if you have just a day, there’s so much to discover from its iconic architecture and lakes to cosy cafés and cultural corners.

This Chandigarh travel guide walks you through a well-paced 24-hour itinerary in Chandigarh covering top attractions, food experiences, and local finds—ideal for couples, solo travellers, or families alike.

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 

Next up was a much-needed dessert break at one of the best cafes in Chandigarh—Nik Bakers. Known for its European-style pastries, aromatic coffee, and relaxed ambiance, Nik Bakers is a hit among locals and travellers alike. We ordered a rich chocolate pastry and their classic chocolate éclair—both perfectly balanced in sweetness and beautifully plated. The café is ideal for a light meal, working session, or just catching up with friends.

Just a few minutes from Nik Bakers, we explored Castles & Decor, a boutique home decor store in Sector 7-C. Think ceramic crockery, floral vases, pastel-toned linens, and Parisian tea sets. This elegant shop is a haven for interior lovers and makes for a serene pause in your Chandigarh itinerary. The owners, two gracious women, have curated everything with an eye for subtle luxury.

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.