Places to Visit in Leh: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Market and Nearby Sights

Leh is where every Ladakh trip begins, and it deserves more than a quick stop. Its 17th-century palace, hilltop stupa, old town lanes and busy market are best explored slowly, which is exactly what you should be doing on your first days at altitude.

Here are the places to visit in Leh and close by, with tips on timing so you can see them while you acclimatise.

• Leh Palace: the nine-storey royal palace built in the 17th century in the style of Lhasa's Potala, with views over the town from the roof. Climb slowly.
• Shanti Stupa: the white peace stupa on a hill above Changspa, built by Japanese Buddhists and inaugurated in 1991. Go at sunset; you can drive almost to the top.
• Namgyal Tsemo: the fort and small monastery on the ridge above the palace, with prayer flags and the best view of Leh.
• Old town and Jama Masjid: narrow lanes of traditional Ladakhi houses below the palace, and the mosque at the head of the market.
• Leh Market and the Tibetan market: shawls, woollens, jewellery, thangkas and dried apricots, plus cafés and bakeries.
• Hall of Fame: the Indian Army's museum near the airport, telling the story of Ladakh's soldiers and the Kargil and Siachen campaigns.

• Spituk Monastery: on a hill beside the airport, with views of planes landing.
• Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: a gurudwara associated with Guru Nanak, looked after by the army, about 25 km from Leh.
• Magnetic Hill: a stretch of road where an optical illusion makes vehicles appear to roll uphill.
• Sangam: the confluence of the blue-green Indus and the brown Zanskar near Nimmu, also a starting point for river rafting in summer.
• Likir and Alchi: two old monasteries in Sham Valley; Alchi's 11th-century wall paintings are among the finest in the Himalaya.

Shey Palace, the old royal summer palace with a large seated Buddha; Thiksey Monastery, a 12-storey monastery on a hill with a 15-metre Maitreya Buddha and a morning prayer you can attend; Stok Palace, home of the former royal family, with a museum; and Hemis Monastery, Ladakh's richest monastery and the venue of the Hemis festival. Read our monasteries of Ladakh guide.

Day 1 should be complete rest. On the evening of day 1 or on day 2, take an easy drive to Shanti Stupa and stroll through the market. Keep Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo and the monasteries for day 2 or later, as they involve steps. The trips along the Indus to Magnetic Hill and the Sangam are mostly by car and work well as a gentle second day.

Morning: after breakfast, drive to Leh Palace and walk up slowly; continue to Namgyal Tsemo if you feel well. Midday: lunch at a café in the market, then rest at your hotel. Afternoon: visit the Hall of Fame and Spituk Monastery. Evening: sunset at Shanti Stupa, then dinner in Changspa or the main bazaar. This easy rhythm is ideal for your second day at altitude.

In summer, rafting trips on the Indus and Zanskar rivers start near Phey and Nimmu, from gentle floats suitable for families to more exciting stretches on the Zanskar. Trips include transfers, equipment and a guide, and are best from late June to August when the water is warmer. Rafting is optional and paid locally.

Leh Market and the lanes of Changspa and Fort Road have plenty of cafés, bakeries and restaurants serving Ladakhi, Tibetan, Indian and continental food. For shopping, look for pashmina from reputable shops, woollen socks and caps, Tibetan handicrafts, silver jewellery, and local apricots and sea-buckthorn juice. Read more in our Ladakhi food, festivals and shopping guide.