Places to Visit in Srinagar

Known to be “The Jewel of Srinagar”, Dal Lake spreads across an area of around 26 square kilometers. Popular as one of the most spellbinding places to see in Srinagar, this hillside lake flaunts colorful Shikaras, traditional wooden houseboats, and floating markets. Tourists visiting Dal Lake love to take a ride in the beautiful Shikaras, which are basically wooden boats decorated beautifully with canopies overhead.

They also enjoy shopping authentic Kashmiri items from the floating market or lake market. These markets lay amidst the lake and sell a number of items like saffron and handicrafts. The houseboats on Dal Lake feature floral motifs and intricate carvings and offer breathtaking sights of the majestic lake. These boats are equipped with single rooms and luxury suites and offer comfortable accomodation to the visitors. During the winter season, the visitors also enjoy ice skating on the frozen lake.

Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.

Timings: Anytime.

Best Time to Visit: May to November. 

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Forming the largest garden of the 3 breathtaking Mughal Gardens, the amazingly laid out Shalimar Bagh makes for one of the most sublime places to see in Srinagar. According to history, this stunning garden was constructed by Jahangir back in the year 1619 for his beautiful wife Noor Jahan.

Manifesting the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Mughal horticulturists, this garden overlooks the mesmerizing Dal Lake and showcases surreal architecture.

Shalimar Bagh presents an exquisite amalgamation of artificial structures and natural marvels. The whole premise of the garden has been beautifully carpeted with green grass. The garden has umpteen varieties of colorful flowers as well as tall trees of walnuts and almonds.

Location: Chinar chowk, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir 191121.

Timings: From 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Price: INR 10 per person.

Best Time to Visit: Mid-February to Mid-April and September-October.

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Located near the Dal Lake, Nishant Bagh happens to be an enchanting twelve terraced garden, packed with green trees, scented flowers, and beautiful fountains. Known to be the 2nd biggest Mughal garden, this garden was constructed by Noor Jahan’s elder brother, Asif Khan, in the year 1633.

With the majestic Zabarwan Mountains forming its backdrop, Nishant Bagh makes for one of the most scenic places to visit in Srinagar and attracts a huge number of photographers and couples. Strolling in the garden, the visitors can also catch a panoramic view of the beautiful Dal Lake.

Location: Main road Nishat next to mughal garden nishat Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir, 191121.

Timings: From 9 AM to 10.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Price: INR 10 per person.

Best Time to Visit: March to June.

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Opened for public in the year 2007, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was built with the aim of improving floriculture as well as tourism in the area. The initiative proved to be a huge success and in the year 2017, this beautiful garden had its name among the world’s 5 best tulip gardens.

This garden is blessed to have even the rarest of rare tulip varieties, including the “Queen of the Night”. The main highlight of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the enchanting annual festival, which is held in Spring, between the months of March and May.

Location: Jammu and Kashmir, Cheshma Shahi Road, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001.

Timings: From 7 AM to 7.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Price: INR 50 for adults and INR 25 for children.

Best Time to Visit: March, April, and May. 

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Lying on the eastern part of Srinagar, Nigeen Lake is considered to be a part of the beautiful Dal Lake, but is separated from it by a narrow causeway. Also referred to as “The Jewel in the Ring, the name of this lake is inspired by the plethora of tall trees that surround the deep blue waterbody.

Making for a rejuvenating getaway from the chaotic and monotonous life, this popular lake is considered to be one of the most amusing tourist places in Srinagar. Propelling thrill and fun seekers of all age groups, this enticing destination is suitable for various water activities including swimming, sailing, water skiing. Right on the lake’s bank, you can find the Nigeen club, which has a tea pavilion and a bar for visitors.

Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: 7 AM to 8 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: June to August.

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Popular all over the world for its mesmerizing natural spring, Chashme Shahi happens to be a section of the famous Mughal Gardens of Srinagar. Commissioned by Shah Jahan as a dedication to his son, Dara Sikoh, this stunning garden was constructed back in 1632 by the emperor’s governor, Ali Mardan. According to popular beliefs, this place was first discovered by Rupa Bhawani, Kashmir’s renowned female saint. The name of the site is thus inspired from the clan to which the saint belonged, that is the Sahib clan of Kashmiri Pandits.

Chashme Shahi features a well-manicured triple-terraced garden, showcasing the Persian style architecture. A two storey hut has been positioned atop the garden’s top terrace and this structure is considered as the source of origin of the natural spring.

Location: 7, Boulevard Rd, Chashma Shahi, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001.

Timings: From Monday to Saturday - 8 AM to 7.15 PM, On Sunday - 2 AM to 9 PM.

Price: INR 10 per person.

Best Time to Visit: October to June.

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Known popularly for its rich religious and historical significance, Hari Parbat is a magnificent mountain overlooking Srinagar city. Counted among the top religious places to visit in Srinagar, this mountainous site is home to a plethora of beautiful shrines that are dedicated to several deities. Hari Parbat shelters Sharika Devi Temple that worships Goddess Jagdamba. In addition to this Hindu temple, the mountain also houses a gurdwara and a mosque, showcasing secularism in this region.

One of the major attractions of Hari Parbat is the majestic Hari Parbat fort, which was constructed back in the nineteenth century under the Durrani Empire. At the present time, this place is a popular tourist destination attracting mainly spiritual seekers, history fanatics, and peace lovers all through the year.

Location: Nohata, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190003.

Timings: From 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: March and April.

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Offering incredible beauty and charm, the world-famous Aru Valley happens to be one of the most exquisite tourist places in Srinagar. Calling on to a huge number of fun and thrill enthusiasts from across the globe, this place offers a plethora of exciting adventure activities.

Aru Valley offers its visitors ample opportunities to enjoy camping, fishing, and horse riding. The valley also forms the beginning spot to the popular Sonamarg trek and Kolahoi Glacier and facilitates trekking for trekkers of all expertise levels. The place also makes for an ideal skiing destination during the winter season.

Location: Anantnag District, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Best Time to Visit: July to September.

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Lying in the central part of the city, Jamia Masjid happens to be one of the most ancient places to visit in Srinagar. This majestic mosque was constructed back in the year 1394 by Sultan Sikandar Shah Kashmiri Shahmiri, under the commands of Said-ul-Auliya Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani’s son, Mir Mohammad Hamadani. The construction of the shrine was extended in the later period by Zain-ul-Abidin, the son of Sultan Sikandar.

The mosque’s architecture resembles the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and also showcases certain similarities to the traditional Buddhist pagodas. In addition to its rich historical significance, Jamia Masjid is even famous as Kashmir’s largest mosque. The place has the ability to accommodate around 33,333 individuals at one time.

Location: Nowhatta Kathi Darwaza Road, Nowhatta, Srinagar, 190003.

Timings: From 3 PM to 7 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

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Considered to be one of the most rejuvenating places to visit in Srinagar, Anchar Lake is connected to the pristine Dal Lake through a channel, known as “Amir Khan Nallah”. During the occurrence of floods, the excess waters of the Dal Lake gets diverted here.

Anchar Lake makes for an excellent destination for nature lovers, who come here to indulge in birdwatching and photography. Birdwatching is mostly popular during the winter season when water birds like Teal, Pochard, Gadwall Snipe, and Mallard are easily noticeable. The visitors also get to enjoy Shikara rides at the Anchar Lake.

Location: Near Ganderbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: From 10 AM to 5 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: March to August.

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Constructed back in 1623 by Noor Jahan, Pathar Mosque is located on Jhelum river’s banks. According to popular historical facts, this mosque was built under the administration and scrutiny of the famous Mughal architect and historian, Malik Hyder Chaudhary.

The name of this beautiful mosque is inspired by its very own construction that is built mainly of stones. Depicting the magnificent Mughal architecture, this place features spellbinding designs, horizontal arches, and structural patterns. At the present time, the shrine is in its ruins and is mostly visited by archaeologists and history fanatics.

Location: Nohata, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190002.

Timings: From 9 AM to 9 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

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Crossing River Jhelum in a seemingly North-South direction, the beautiful Zero Bridge connects Sonwar on the northern end to Rajbagh on the southern end. This bridge was originally built in the 1950s under Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, who was the Prime Minister at that time. Though this bridge was earlier used for crossing the Jhelum river, vehicular movement was banned on the Zero Bridge in the 1980s in order to protect the weakening wooden structure.

Zero Bridge was initially referred to as “Zorr” Bridge due to the reason that the structure was constructed by a deaf architect and in Kashmiri, “Zorr” implies “deaf”. The bridge manifests an impressive design and is considered to be one of the oldest and best tourist places of Srinagar to get a sneak peek into the state’s glorious cultural heritage. Zero Bridge is dotted with a number of food courts and kiosks that serve authentic Kashmiri delicacies to the visitors.

Location: Zero Bridge, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190008.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

Considered to be one of the oldest spiritual places to visit in Srinagar, Dastgeer Sahib happens to be a 200 years old sufi shrine. According to popular beliefs, the shrine was constructed by the philanthropist Mir Husain Qadri back in the year 1845.

The building was expanded by Khwaja Sanaullah Shawl in 1877. Covered with a conventional Khatamband ceiling featuring multiple crystal chandeliers and surrounded by interior walls adorned with papier mache finishing, the surreal features of this shrine hardly had any parallels. However, Dastgeer Sahib was damaged badly in an ugly fire incident that took place in the year 2012. At the present day, the shrine is restored back to its original state and has attractive relics of Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jelani.

Location: Khaniyar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190003.

Timings: From 5.30 AM to 7.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year. 

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Perched above the mesmerizing Chashme Shahi Gardens, Pari Mahal happens to be one of the most historical places to visit in Srinagar. Known for its stunning 6 terraced gardens built atop Zabarwan Mountains, the place presents extraordinary scenic beauty. The gardens are very well-maintained and are filled with umpteen varieties of exotic trees and colorful flora.

Constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s eldest son, Dara Shikoh, the beautiful architecture of the Pari Mahal represents the conventional Islamic architectural style. According to popular beliefs, this palace once served as a Buddhist monastery. In the later period, the building was used as an astrology school for Dara Shikoh. At the present time, Pari Mahal is administered by the Archaeological Survey of India and happens to be a popular tourist destination of the country.

Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001.

Timings: From 9.30 AM to 7.30 PM, on all days of the week, except on Friday.

Price: INR 20 per person.

Best Time to Visit: April to September.

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Also referred to as Rupa Lank, Char Chinar happens to be a beautiful island of the pristine Dal Lake in Srinagar. This mesmerizing island has been named after the magnificent Chinar trees that have been positioned at its 4 corners. Built by the brother of emperor Aurangzeb, Murad Baksh, today, this island is considered among the most scenic places to see in Srinagar. The tourists generally travel to this island with the help of the colorful Shikaras in Dal Lake.

Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001.

Timings: From 6 AM to 6 PM, on all days of the week/

Price: INR 50 for adults and INR 25 for children.

Best Time to Visit: April to October.

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The Botanical Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir, is a captivating attraction that delights visitors with its enchanting beauty and diverse collection of flora. Nestled amidst the serene surroundings of the Zabarwan Range, this lush oasis provides a refreshing escape from the bustling city life.

Known to be one among Asia’s biggest freshwater lakes, Wular Lake offers breathtaking beauty and majesty. The basin of this lake was formed due to tectonic activity owing to which the entire land covered by this water body varies all through the year. The serene and scintillating waters of this lake allow the visitors to indulge in a plethora of fun-filled water activities including boating and water skiing.

In addition to enjoying water sports, the tourists visiting Wular Lake also love to take evening strolls around the lake and have picnic meals on its banks. The lake also invites birdwatchers, who enjoy spotting many terrestrial birds including the Himalayan Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, Barn Swallow, Himalayan Monal, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Koklass Pheasant, Alpine Swift, and Chukar Partridge.

Location: Bandipora District, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Best Time to Visit: June and August.

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Lal Chowk, located in the heart of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a bustling and iconic square that holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Literally translating to "Red Square," Lal Chowk is not only a major commercial hub but also a significant political and cultural landmark.

Polo View Market, situated in the heart of Srinagar, is a bustling commercial hub that exudes the vibrant essence of the Kashmir Valley. With its scenic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the shimmering Dal Lake, this market offers a shopping experience like no other.

Inspired by the name of Sunny Deol’s Bollywood movie Betaab that was shot here, the picturesque Betaab Valley is known all over the world for its breathtaking location, dancing streams, and romantic climate. This spellbinding valley is surrounded by lofty mountains packed with pine forests and deodar trees and is adorned by the serene Lidder River flowing through it.

Betaab Valley is mostly visited by couples, nature lovers and photo fanatics, who love to spend time amidst the jaw-dropping vistas of the place. The tourists visiting this destination also indulge in a plethora of exciting and fun-filled activities such as horse riding, camping, and birdwatching.

Betaab Valley also serves as an ideal trekking base for exploring nearby mountains. The valley even has a small amusement park that is well-equipped with many fun rides for children.

Location: Near Pahalgam, Baramulla, Hajan, Jammu and Kashmir 192126.

Timings: From 8 AM to 8 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: October to June.

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Presenting a combination of several wonderful gardens, the Mughal Gardens is counted among the brilliantly engineered places to see in Srinagar. Built by the Mughals, all these gardens feature the beautiful Persian architecture and are filled with lush grasses and colorful flowers. The site of these gardens and their planning was made by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and hence, the place’s grandeur is dedicated to him.

The Mughal Gardens comprise a number of popular gardens including Nishant Bagh, Pari Mahal, Shalimar Bagh, Achabal Garden, Verinag Garden, and Chashme Shahi. The major attractions of these gardens are their spectacular fountains and pools that are enough to leave the visitors enchanted and awestruck.

Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: From 9 AM to 7 PM, on all days of the week.

Price: INR 20 for adults and INR 10 for children.

Best Time to Visit: October to June.

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Perched at a lofty elevation of around 1700 to 4300 meters, Dachigam National Park is spread across 141 square kilometers. The name “Dachigam” means “ten villages” in Kashmiri and the name is assigned in the loving memory of the 10 villages, which had been relocated for creating land for the park.

Dachigam National Park is home to the endangered Kashmiri Stag or Hangul, which happens to be the only Red Deer species found in the whole country. Other animals that can be spotted in the park include Snow Leopard, Red Fox, Musk Deer, Himalayan weasel, long-tailed marmot, blue magpie trotter, and yellow-throated marten. In addition to wildlife exploration, the park also offers its visitors the chance to enjoy trekking.

Location: Near Harwan Mughal Garden, Dachigam Road, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 191202.

Timings: From 8 AM to 6 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: April to October.

Counted among the most sacred Islamic tourist places in Srinagar, the Hazratbal Shrine lies on the peaceful banks of Dal Lake. The name of the shrine is taken from the Kashmiri terms, “Hazrat” meaning “Sacred” and “Bal” meaning “Place”. The major attraction of this majestic shrine is a unique relic called Moi-e-Muqaddas that is basically a holy hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad. The hair is well-preserved inside the structure and is presented before the devotees only on special islamic occasions.

According to history, the Hazratbal Shrine was built by Sadiq Khan as a unique pleasure house. In the later period, the place was used for offering prayers and was eventually turned into a shrine. Today, this marble structure is referred to by many different names like Dargah Sharif, Assar-e-Sharief, and Madinat-us-Sani.

Location: Hazratbal Rd, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006.

Timings: 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

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Established in the year 1969 in the memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Nehru Garden is a beautiful botanical garden spread across a huge area of 80 hectares. Lying on the slope of the Zabarwan Mountain, this well-planned garden is maintained and administered by the Indian Forest Department.

The entire garden has been categorized into 4 segments, namely Sporting Garden, Research Section Garden, Centre of Plant Introduction, and Botanical Garden. Known to be a home to more than 1.5 lakhs ornamental plants, the entire garden looks amazingly stunning with umpteen varieties of plant species. There is also a well-constructed greenhouse sheltering a plethora of beautiful orchids at the middle of the garden. Known to offer a stress busting environment, Nehru Garden attracts peace seekers, nature lovers, photo fanatics, and fitness freaks.

Location: Cheshma Shahi, Muja Gund Ghat, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001.

Timings: From 9 AM to 7 PM, on all days of the week.

Price: INR 12 per person.

Best Time to Visit: October to June.

Nestled towards the southern part of the majestic Hari Parbat, Makhdoom Sahib happens to be a beautiful Islamic shrine, which is dedicated to the Sufi saint Makhdoom Sahib aka Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom aka Sultan-ul-Arifeen aka Mehboob-ul-Alam. Constructed using the traditional Mughal architectural design, the 2 storey shrine appears really elegant and impressive.

The mosque’s structure is supported by several pillars, which tend to add to the architectural brilliance of the building. Surrounded by scenic vistas on all sides, Makhdoom Sahib attracts spiritual seekers and peace lovers to seek blessings of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom and feel connected to the almighty in the calm and serene environment.

Location: Hari Parbat Hill, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Timings: From 10 AM to 5 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

Packed with gushing streams, impregnable woods, and verdant peaks, Chatpal is a spellbinding destination situated at a distance of around 88 kilometers from the city of Srinagar. Featuring incredible scenic beauty, this place is a non-commercialized and least explored area of Kashmir, which attracts peace lovers, honeymooners, and backpackers.

Tourists visiting this offbeat destination usually indulge in nature walks across the green valleys. They also have the authentic Kashmiri chai at the small local tea stalls as they soak in the unparalleled majesty of this quaint town. Having a talk with the locals here is a mandatory thing that every traveler wants to experience in order to get a sneak peek into their modest lifestyle and rich culture.

Location: Shangas District, South Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Timings: Anytime.

Best Time to Visit: April to June.

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The Shankaracharya Temple, located on the Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar, is a prominent Hindu religious site in the region. Believed to have been built in the 9th century by Adi Shankaracharya, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and the Dal Lake, the temple attracts both pilgrims and tourists seeking spiritual solace and natural beauty in one place.

Located inside the famous Bahu Plaza Shopping Complex, the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium is known to be a paradise for art lovers and shopaholics. The destination exhibits and sells umpteen varieties of beautiful handicrafts, starting from home decor products to apparel. All the authentic handmade articles found here depict the vibrant culture of the state and the extraordinary skills of its craftsmen. Manifesting a calm environment, regal interiors, and towering pillars, the beautiful arts emporium is also a building to marvel at in itself.

With the beautiful Dal Lake and Shankaracharya Hill serving as a scenic backdrop, Challi Point lets both locals as well as tourists spend enjoyable leisure time amidst the spellbinding natural scenery. People visit this quaint destination to chit-chat, take some great pictures, and savor some authentic local snacks.

A plethora of small food stalls are lined up in this place, serving umpteen varieties of delicacies, the most famous of which are the tempting Seekh Kebabs and crispy corns. The visitors can also take enthralling Shikara rides in the Dal Lake from this point to make their evenings even balmier.

Location: Near Boulevard, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Timings: From 9 AM to 6 PM, on all days of the week.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.

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Badam wari Park, located in Srinagar, Kashmir, is a delightful public garden renowned for its vibrant display of almond blossoms during spring. The park's name translates to "almond garden," and it lives up to its reputation with a mesmerizing carpet of pink and white blossoms that draw visitors from all over. Apart from its floral charm, the park offers a tranquil escape with scenic views of the surrounding mountains, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Nishat Market in Srinagar is a vibrant shopping destination located in the picturesque Kashmir Valley. Known for its scenic views of the Dal Lake and Zabarwan Range, the market offers a diverse array of traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, embroidered textiles, shawls, and intricate wooden artifacts. Visitors can indulge in local delicacies and immerse themselves in the rich culture of the region.