Places to Visit in Srinagar

Sitting gracefully on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar or the ‘Summer Capital’ of Jammu & Kashmir is one of the most stunning places to visit in the world! Wrapped up in the greenery of mother nature and serene lakes, there are several places to visit in Srinagar with family, friends, or your romantic partner.
Home to many ancient temples and wildlife reserves, Srinagar’s climate remains pleasant throughout the year with an average temperature of 0-3 degrees.

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The crystalline air during summer offers an ideal time for sightseeing and attracts many sightseeing enthusiasts from all over the world. Also known for its winters where valleys and mountains are covered with snow, the chilled feeling of falling snowflakes in Srinagar captivates the hearts and souls of many tourists. Here is a list of the 10 best places to visit in Srinagar.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

1. Dal Lake

One of the most reckoned places to visit in Srinagar is Dal Lake. Enclosed by the Pir Panjal Mountains and Mughal Gardens, the lake is spread over 15km with pristine mirror-like water that reflects the snowy Pir Panjal Mountains giving it a picturesque view.

House Boat in Dal Lake — ( Lifestyle in Dal lake, People living in ‘House boat’ and using small boat ‘Shikara’ for transportation, Srinagar, India )

Floating on the azure water of Dal Lake are the vibrant shikaras, houseboats, and the floating market (also known as Raad) which are major attractions for not only tourists but many filmmakers too. The actors and directors shooting here believe that the serene environment and the glorious picturesque sight of Dal Lake give them a feeling of being in love, carefree, and young.

Dal Lake In Winter — ( A view of Dal Lake in winter, and the beautiful mountain range in the background in the city of Srinagar, Kashmir, India )

The vendors selling goods on the floating market or ‘Raad’ do not shy away to approach the tourists with different handicrafts, vegetables, and even ice cream. In this market, one of the purest forms of saffron can also be found costing over 250,000-270,000 INR per kg.

Along with all the famous tourist attraction qualities, Dal Lake is also home to a plethora of fish along with Carp. Many local dwellers go fishing in the lake for their survival, and you can also give yourself a handy tryout by staying in a houseboat or simply asking a boatman to help you sail a canoe.

Also Read: Things to do in Kashmir

2. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden

( Tulip Garden in the valley of Kashmir, India )

Set in the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountain range, this seven-terraced colourful garden is one of best places to visit in Srinagar. This exquisite garden offers several types of flowers like roses, hyacinths, daffodils, etc., and the 48 varieties of tulips are the major point of attraction that interests tourists of all ages.

Formerly known as Model Floriculture Center, this is also the largest tulip garden in Asia. Tourists from all over the world make sure to visit this elegant garden on their trip to Srinagar, and ‘The Tulip Festival’ organised here between March and May is the highlight of this garden.

3. Shalimar Bagh

Fountain Mughal Gardan — ( Decorative fountain in Mughal Garden. Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India )

The beautifully laid out Shalimar Bagh is the largest Mughal Garden in the Kashmir Valley and is one of the major tourist places in Srinagar. Built in 1619 by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir served as a summer camp for him and his wife, Nur Jahan.

( Mughal Heritage Building with snoe covered Zabarwan Mountains in the background during Autumn in Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden of Kashmir )

Covered in an area of 31 hectares, the garden is beautifully blended with natural allure and man-made architecture which portrays the craftsmanship of the Mughals. An exquisitely designed canal that runs through the centre and Chinar trees planted surrounding it enhance the tranquil environment of the garden. The highlight of this famous Srinagar tourist place is the Chini Khanas which create a charming picturesque site. However, these Chini Khanas are now decorated with flower pots.

4. Nishat Bagh

Located on the eastern side of the pristine Dal Lake against the backdrop of the magnificent Zabarwan Mountain, Nishat Bagh is the second largest Mughal Garden in the Kashmir Valley. Girdled by beautiful Chinar trees and a water channel running through the middle of the garden, it gives a surreal experience to nature lovers, holiday goers, and even romantic couples.

Nishat Bagh Gardan — ( People enjoy summer in Nishat Bagh garden, NISHAT BAGH, SRINAGAR, KASHMIR )

Popularly known as Garden of Bliss, this famous Srinagar tourist place has a Persian influence on its architecture and is built in 1633 by Asaf Khan, the eldest brother of Nur Jahan.

5. Hazratbal Shrine

Located on the bank of the mesmerizing Dal Lake, Hazratbal Shrine is known as the holiest shrine in Kashmir where the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammed’s beard is preserved. The hair is called as Moi-e-Muqqadas or ‘the relic’. The shrine takes its name from the Kashmiri language where Hazrat means holy/respected and Bal means place.

( It is considered to be Kashmir’s holiest Muslim shrine. Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. )

The rich history ingrained in this Srinagar tourist place captivates the hearts and minds of the visitors, making it one of the popular places to visit in Srinagar. Tourists from across the country make sure to visit this place to experience peace and tranquility.

Syed Abdullah, the descendant of Prophet Muhammad, brought the relic to India. After his death, his son Syed Hamid took custody of the relic, however, he was unable to take care of the relic and sold it to a Kashmiri businessman Khwaja Nur-ud-din Eshai.

Inayat Begum, the daughter of Khwaja Nur-ud-din Eshai took custody after his death and built the Hazratbal Shrine. The relic or Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed to the general public during special occasions, such as the birthday of Prophet Mohammad and his four companions.

Many tourists and devotees visit the glorious shrine during such special occasions to experience the peaceful environment that resonates with the silvery-white touch of the shrine and witness the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad.

6. Chasme Shahi Garden

Enclosed by the magnificent Zabarwan Mountain range, Chasme Shahi Garden is one of the Mughal Gardens that is popular among the Srinagar tourist places. The three-terraced garden has a Persian influence in its architecture through which the natural spring water flows, and the origin of the spring is on the top terrace where a double-storey hut is built.

( Chashme Shahi is one of the Mughal gardens built in 1632 AD, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. )

Built in 1632 by Ali Marda Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan for his eldest son Dara Shikoh, Chasme Shahi was discovered by a Kashmiri saint, Rupa Bhawani. Since then, people have visited this fascinating tourist place in Srinagar to take a sip of the spring water, which is believed to have medicinal values. Moreover, amazingly enough, the spring water remains cold even during the scorching heat of the summer.

7. Pari Mahal

The grandeur seven-terraced Pari Mahal sits on top of the Zabarwan Mountain range and is one of the top tourist places to visit in Srinagar. Home to a wide variety of colourful flowering plants, trees, and shrubs, the palace is also known as the ‘Adobe of Fairies’ or the home of angels.

Pari Mahal Srinagar — ( Unidentified people relax in the grounds of the Pari Mahal, a Mughal terraced garden palace on the banks of Dal Lake. SRINAGAR KASHMIR )

With different plants and trees in the surroundings and mountains girdling, this magnificent palace was built by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and used it as a residence and library for himself. Later, Dara Shikoh dedicated the palace to his Sufi teacher, Shah Mullah as an homage and used it as an observatory for astronomy and astrology.

8. Shankaracharya Temple

Sitting elegantly atop the Shankaracharya Hill is one of the oldest shrines and most adored places to visit in Srinagar, the Shankaracharya Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple offers a panoramic view of the charming Srinagar City, and a Shiva Linga encircled by a snake is established which is supported by four octagonal pillars and can be approached by 243 steps.

The temple is named after the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya who attained spiritual enlightenment at this place about ten centuries ago and is also known as Jyeshteshwara Temple.

This elegant temple attracts the eye of many tourists all year round, but between May and September, when the sky is crystalline, the true elegance of the temple blooms out giving a lifetime experience to the visitors.

9. Nigeen Lake

Located on the west of Dal Lake and canopied by beautiful willow and poplar trees, Nigeen Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Srinagar. Renowned for its pristine water and the tranquility of sunrise and sunset, this lake offers tourists to enjoy peaceful holidays with friends, family, or loved ones.

The houseboat accommodation option and several shikaras ferrying around Nigeen Lake portrays a perfect tourist place to visit in Srinagar. It is also the hotspot for tourists enjoying the drizzling sound of the lake and stunning views of the serenity and peace surrounding the mountains.

10. Char Chinar

Flaunting its glorious beauty in the pristine water of Dal Lake, Char Chinar is one of three islands that are found in this Srinagar tourist place. The island has its name from the four Chinar trees that stand tall on four of its sides. Constructed by Murad Baksh, brother of Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, the island is also known as Rupa Lank.

( The snow coverd mountains behind the char chinar in Dal Lake in winter season.Srinagar, Kashmir, India )

Also Read: Places to visit in Sonmarg & Places to visit in Pahalgam

This mesmerizing island captivates the eyes of many tourists visiting Dal Lake. Taking a shikara ride to the island, visitors can’t help but feel the buzzing sound of trees, sprinkling water, and far away from land, making them feel young and loved.