Only have one day in Dehradun? You can see a lot of it if you plan around the traffic instead of fighting it. This plan gets you the city's best breakfast, its most famous building, a walk through a cold river, a quiet monastery, a café and the best view in town, roughly in that order.
8:00 am: Breakfast in Moti Bazaar
Start the way locals do, with chole katlamba in the lanes of Moti Bazaar near Paltan Bazaar. Sethi's and Mama Ji are the two famous names, and people in Doon will happily argue about which is better. Get there early, while the katlamba is fresh and the lanes are still quiet.
9:30 am: Forest Research Institute
Take a cab to the Forest Research Institute on Chakrata Road. The red-brick colonial building is the most photographed sight in Dehradun, and the campus around it is enormous and green. Walk the grounds, and go into the museums if they're open.
Allow: about two hours.
12:00 pm: Robber's Cave
Head to Robber's Cave (Guchhupani), about 8 km from the city centre. Roll up your jeans and walk upstream through the cold, shallow water between tall rock walls. After a morning in the sun, it's the most refreshing hour you'll spend in Dehradun.
Bring: sandals you don't mind getting wet.
1:30 pm: Lunch
Grab something simple at the stalls near Robber's Cave, or head back towards the city for a proper sit- down meal.
3:00 pm: Mindrolling Monastery
Drive south to Clement Town for Mindrolling Monastery. After the morning's rush, the tall stupa and quiet gardens are a good place to slow down. Have a look at the small Tibetan market outside.
4:30 pm: Coffee on Rajpur Road
Head to Rajpur Road and pick a café around Kishanpur for coffee and dessert. If you'd rather have something savoury, the Tibetan kitchens on the same road do momos and thukpa. Our Rajpur Road café guide can help you choose.
6:00 pm: Sunset on the Mussoorie road
Drive a little way up the Mussoorie road as the sun goes down and pull over somewhere safe. On a clear evening, the lights spreading across the valley below are the best view in Dehradun.
7:30 pm: Bun tikki at the Clock Tower
Finish where the city starts, at Ghanta Ghar. Eat bun tikki and momos from the evening stalls around Paltan Bazaar, then pick up a box of rusks from a bakery to take home.
Got more time?
Add Sahastradhara or Shikhar Falls for more water and greenery. Our guide to waterfalls near Dehradun covers them.
Spend a whole morning shopping in Paltan Bazaar and Indira Market.
Take a day trip up to Mussoorie.
Getting around
Cabs and app-based autos are the easiest way to follow this plan. If you're driving, park once in each area and walk, especially around the Clock Tower, where parking is hard to find.
Frequently asked questions
Can Dehradun be covered in one day?
You can see the highlights in a day, but two days is more relaxed. For the longer list, see things to do in Dehradun.
What should I not miss in Dehradun?
The Forest Research Institute, a walk through Robber's Cave, chole katlamba for breakfast and the city lights from the Mussoorie road.
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