Places to Visit in Srinagar

Srinagar is famous for its lakes, Mughal gardens, lush green pastures, Jhelum river, snow-clad mountains, and dried fruits. There are age-old forts, palaces, and temples that you can visit in Srinagar. You can make your Srinagar tour plan right away. Srinagar is best to visit in summer and winter. The greenery that you will see in summer can be very captivating. But winters are even more beautiful. Snow covers the valleys and mountain tops, and even the roads are covered with snow. People visit Srinagar especially to experience the first snowfall of winter. Srinagar is one of those places in Kashmir where you can experience the rich culture of Kashmir and taste Wazwan, the traditional multi-course meal of Kashmir. When you check out Kashmir holiday packages you can visit the best places in Srinagar.

1. Shankaracharya Temple

Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar was built in memory of Adi Shankaracharya. The temple is built on a hilltop location and is also called Jyesteshwara Temple. Tourists who go for Amarnath Yatra halt for some time at Shankaracharya Temple. The temple offers magnificent views of the surrounding region due to its elevated hilltop location.

2. Kheer Bhawani Temple

Kheer Bhawani Temple is a beautiful temple of Bhawani in Srinagar. The temple is named because of the delicious Prasad that is offered as a blessing of the goddess Bhawani. Kheer Bhawani Temple is a very holy temple for Kashmiri Pandits. There are mats spread out in the open for devotees to rest.

3. Dal Lake

Dal Lake is the most famous Srinagar sightseeing place. It is the best lake in Srinagar if you want to do boating. You can choose from shikaras or houseboats for boating. Houseboats are like stationary boats where you can stay in a hotel. You can do shopping in Dal Lake. Locals here sell handicrafts, dry fruits, vegetables, Kashmiri shawls, saffron, and other items in their shikaras which are just like a floating market. Dal Lake freezes in winter and you can go ice skating on the lake.

4. Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden

Shalimar Bagh is one of the largest Mughal gardens in Srinagar. The artistically landscaped garden has lush greenery and wonderful Mughal architecture. Emperor Jehangir built this garden for his wife Noor Jehan. There are terraces and pavilions with Persian architecture and these were used for public viewing in olden times. There are as many as 410 fountains that make the garden a brilliant architectural marvel. Almond and walnut trees, many types of colorful flowers, and lawns to walk on.

5. Nishat Bagh

Nishat Bagh is another beautiful Mughal garden in Srinagar. It is also near Dal Lake. Many trees and flowers grow in this garden. The landscaped architecture of Nishat Bagh is remarkable. There are fountains with Persian architecture. The gardens of Nighat Bath look even more beautiful with the backdrop of the Zabarwan Mountains. The Cypress and Chinar trees are grown very symmetrically and this adds to the beauty of this garden.

6. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

In Srinagar, you can visit Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden which is the largest tulip garden in Asia. There are many varieties of tulips that are grown here. The tulips grow in rows and are a sight to behold. Along with tulips, you will also find fragrant roses, hyacinths, daffodils, and many other flowering plants. This garden is so famous that a Tulip Festival is celebrated in the month of spring, between March to May.

7. Nigeen Lake

The lakes in Srinagar are best for sightseeing and boating. One such lake is Nigeen Lake, which is next to Dal Lake but is much smaller. You can go for a shikara ride in Nigeen Lake, and stay on a houseboat. Tall poplar and chinar trees surround Nigeen Lake adding to the green surroundings. The magnificent mountains in the background make Nigeen Lake one of the scenic lakes in Srinagar. You can also go sailing, swimming and water skiing on this lake.

8. Chashme Shahi

Chashme Shahi is among the most beautiful Mughal gardens you can visit on your trip to Srinagar. Shah Jahan built this garden for his son Dara Shikoh in 1632. Chashme Shahi is built with Persian architecture. The garden has manicured terraces and it has three-level architecture. There is a freshwater spring that is named after a local saint called Rupa Bhawani. You can walk on pathways in the garden and see the colorful flowers from close range.

9. Hari Parbat

Hari Parbat is a hill in Srinagar. There is a fort named Hari Parbat Fort on top of the mountain, which was built in the 1700s. There are many Hindu temples and Muslim shrines, and a Sikh gurudwara, that you can visit on Hari Parbat. Hari Parbat is very close to Dal Lake and other major tourist attractions in Srinagar.

10. Aru Valley

Srinagar is full of scenic places, and one of the best ones is Aru Valley. The surrounding mountains, gushing rivers, alpine forests, and serene valleys, lend a beautiful charm to Aru Valley. Aru Valley is best for horse riding, trekking, skiing, photography, and camping. Aru Valley is also the base for treks to Kolahoi Glacier, Tarsar Lake, Sonmarg, etc. You can visit Aru Valley in summer and winter. Winter is the best time for skiing on the slopes.

11. Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Srinagar. Sultan Sikandar Shah Kashmiri Shahmiri built the mosque in the year 1394. The mosque is built in ancient Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Deodar wood was used to build the pillars of this mosque. Some parts of this mosque also resemble Buddhist pagoda-style architecture. Jama Masjid is a huge mosque where 33,333 devotees can pray at a time.

12. Anchar Lake

Anchar Lake is one of the lakes that you can visit in Srinagar. Tourists can go for shikara rides in Anchar Lake. Anchar Lake and Dal Lake are connected through a water channel. The lake gets many birds that migrate here from Siberia and Central Asia during winters. The surrounding natural beauty of Anchar Lake makes it a very scenic lake.

13. Pathar Mosque

Srinagar is full of ancient monuments. Pathar Mosque is one such mosque that you can visit on your holiday trip to Srinagar. Noor Jehan, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, built the mosque back in 1623. Pathar Mosque has very beautiful Mughal architecture. The symmetrical patterns and Islamic designs used in its construction make it one of the most attractive mosques in Srinagar.

14. Zero Bridge

Zero Bridge is built on the Jhelum river in Srinagar. It is one of the oldest bridges in Srinagar and also one of the most beautiful. According to historical records, a deaf architect built it during the 1950s. Kashmiris call a deaf person “zorr” and that is the reason why this bridge on the Jhelum is called Zero Bridge. There are many food courts and shopping markets near the bridge.

15. Dastgeer Sahib

Dastgeer Sahib is a Sufi shrine in Srinagar with wonderful architecture. The interiors have crystal chandeliers, elegant wooden architecture, and Khatamband ceilings. Dastgeer Sahib was built in 1845 and is more than 200-year-old shrine. There are five graves and one of them is of the Sufi saint Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jelani. The shrine has still preserved the strands of hair of the Sufi saint.

16. Pari Mahal

Pari Mahal is one of the most scenic and beautiful places in Srinagar. Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, built Pari Mahal. Pari Mahal is a beautiful seven-layer terraced Mughal garden with eye-catching Islamic architecture and greenery. There are many flowers and trees which provide greenery to the place. According to history, there used to be a Buddhist monastery at the place. But later on, Dara Shikoh used this place as his astronomical observatory.

17. Char Chinar

Char Chinar is the name of an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar. The island is named Char Chinar because there are chinar trees on all four corners of the island. Chinar trees are seen everywhere in Srinagar and Kashmir also. Char Chinar is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Srinagar. Murud Baksh, who was the brother of Emperor Aurangzeb, built this island. Tourists can visit this island by a shikara ride in Dal Lake.

18. Wular Lake

Wular Lake is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Asia. The surrounding landscape of mountains makes the natural scenery of Wular Lake. You can do boating and water skiing. Wular Lake is a natural wetland where you will find many migratory birds. The fish in Wular Lake is caught by local fishermen and are eaten as part of daily food. Wular Lake offers best views of sunrise and sunsets.

19. Betaab Valley

Betaab Valley is a picturesque valley in Srinagar which was made famous by the movie Betaab. Lidder River making its way through the valley. You can see horses grazing on the lush green pastures. The towering mountains of Pir Panjal range make the landscape of Betaab Valley beautiful. Betaab Valley is best for sightseeing, camping, and bird watching. You can also go horse riding and trekking to nearby places from Betaab Valley.

20. Dachigam National Park

One of the best places that you must visit in Srinagar is Dachigam National Park. You will find many creatures like Kashmiri Stag, Red Fox, Musk Deer, marmots, martens, Himalayan Brown Bear, leopards, and Himalayan grey langur in this national park. Dachigam means ‘ten villages’ in local Kashmiri lingo and this name is because of the ten village communities that were relocated to build this national park.

21. Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal Shrine is the only domed mosque in Srinagar. This is one of the most sacred and holy mosques in Srinagar. Hazratbal Mosque is located on Dal Lake and is white. It is called by different names like Assar-e-Sharief, Madinat-us-Sani, and Dargah Shari. The main attraction of this mosque is a strand of hair which is believed to be that of Prophet Muhammad’s beard.

22. Nehru Garden

Nehru Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Srinagar. This is a botanical garden with many oak trees and ornamental plants. You will also find many rare flowers blooming in Nehru Garden. Nehru Garden was built in 1969 in the memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. There is a greenhouse in the garden where many types of orchids are grown.

23. Makhdoom Sahib

On your trip to Srinagar, you can visit several Sufi shrines like Makhdoom Sahib. Makhdoom Sahib is a holy Sufi shrine built in the memory of a Sufi saint Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom. The architecture of this shrine is in Mughal style and it is a 2-storey structure. The pillars on which the Sufi shrine stands add to the beauty of this shrine.

24. Challi Point

Challi Point is a very famous place near Dal Lake in Srinagar. You will find many eateries offering delicious street food in Kashmir. You can enjoy kebabs, corn, and many other delicacies. Also enjoy the refreshing air and beautiful scenery of Dal Lake at Challi Point.

25. Badamwari Garden

Badamwari Garden is a very beautiful garden in Srinagar. The various flowers here and trees lend greenery to the garden. Badamwari Garden was built in the 14th century and is located at the base of Hari Parbat. You can walk on the pathways in the garden and watch the various colored flowers from close range.

26. Chatpal

Chatpal is a hidden gem in Srinagar with untouched scenic beauty. You can view rivers flowing through the valleys, shepherd taking their cattle for grazing, apple and walnut orchards, and mountains full of forests. Chatpal is a small town where you can stop by and have a cup of Kashmiri kahwa or a traditional Kashmiri cuisine at a local house.

27. Kashmir Government Arts Emporium

You can shop for Kashmiri shawls, woolen garments, and local handicrafts at Kashmir Government Arts Emporium. You will find various things to buy like handmade Phoolkari items, paintings, wood carvings, Ladakhi carpets, rugs, and many other home décor items. There are many eateries near the place where you can relish savory Kashmiri dishes.

28. Salim Ali National Park

Salim Ali National Park is the best place in Srinagar to watch wild animals and birds. You can watch rare creatures like Kashmiri Stag, Himalayan black bear, and flying fox. Among the birds, you can spot ringed doves, floricans, eagles, kestrels, kingfishers, etc. There is a deer park and a park for rescued animals and birds.

29. Burzhama Ruins

Burzhama Ruins is an archeological site in Srinagar where you will find prehistoric ruins. Excavations in this area unearthed stone tools, human skeletons, pottery, mud-brick houses, bones, etc. The ruins are centuries old and show that humans settled in this area many centuries ago.

30. Sinthan Top

Sinthan Top is a mountain pass near Srinagar. This is a good place for adventurous activities like trekking, camping, skiing, and mountaineering. Sinthan Top is the best place in Srinagar if you love rustic adventures. You can meet local Kashmiri shepherds who are grazing their cattle and sheep.

31. Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara

Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara is one of the largest Sikh gurudwaras in Kashmir. The gurudwara is considered to be a very holy place for Sikh people. The gurudwara offers free langar food to all visitors to the gurudwara. It offers accommodation facilities also and you can find a budget stay here.

32. SPS Museum

In SPS Museum in Srinagar, you can visit various exhibits and rare objects used in days gone by. There are manuscripts, enamelware, papier-mache art of Kashmir, decorative man-made art, natural history relics, archaeology objects, etc. which you can visit in this museum.

33. Tarsar Marsar Trek

You can go to Tarsar Marsar Trek in Aru Valley near Srinagar. The trek is one of the most beautiful treks in Kashmir. You will see the natural beauty of Srinagar and Kashmir on this trek. The wildflowers, gushing river streams, mountain peaks covered with snow, and rugged topography is what makes this one of the most amazing treks.

34. Anantnag

Anantnag city is located near Srinagar and this is a favorite tourist destination for travelers who visit Kashmir. It is at the confluence of many rivers. You can visit apple orchards in Anantnag and many of its most famous tourist sites. Amarnath Cave, Martand Surya Temple, and Kishtwar National Park are some of the famous places you can visit in Anantnag.

35. Khanqah of Shah Hamdan

Khanqah of Shah Hamdan is a Sufi shrine in Srinagar. It was built in the 1300s in memory of the Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, who was a Persian scholar. This Islamic shrine has elegant Kashmiri craftsmanship and wooden carvings.

36. Charar-i-Sharief

Charar-i-Sharief is a Muslim mosque in Srinagar which was built in the memory of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali, who was a Sufi saint. It is a very holy Sufi shrine that was built 600 years ago. The Sufi saint was the first person in Kashmir who propagated the ideas of communal harmony, vegetarianism, and non-violence.

37. Baramulla

Baramulla is a city near Srinagar with many scenic places to visit. There are Hindu temples, Sufi shrines, scenic valleys, and shimmering lakes. River Jhelum flows through Baramulla. The various places you can visit in Baramulla are Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Wular Lake, Eco Park, the Sufi shrine of Ziarat of Baba Reshi, and the ancient architectural town of Parihaspora.