Srinagar

Nestled in the Kashmir Valley, surrounded by the magnificent Himalayas and located on the banks of River Jhelum, Srinagar is one of the finest holiday destinations in India. Srinagar is a Sanskrit word that means the city of wealth and abundance. Breathtaking mountains, lush landscapes, mesmerizing lakes, stunning Mughal gardens and luxuriant orchards add to the charm of Srinagar. Dal Lake, Nigeen lake, Walur lake, Shankaracharya Hill, Hari Parbat, SPS museum, and Mughal Garden are some of the foremost places to visit in Srinagar. A tour on the charming houseboats/ shikaras on the iconic Dal Lake is one of the major tourist attractions among the places to visit in Srinagar.

Srinagar Overview

When to visit Srinagar?

The weather in Srinagar is such that every season has its own charm. For a pleasant stay, April to October is the best time to visit Srinagar. Srinagars temperature varies between 14-30 degrees during this time and is perfect for sightseeing. Include Asias largest Tulip Garden, which is in full bloom in April, in your itinerary of places to visit in Srinagar. For snow lovers, winter (Oct-March) season would be the best time to visit Srinagar.

How to reach Srinagar?

The Sheikh Ul-Alam airport is 15kms from central Srinagar and has regular flights from major cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. The nearest railway station is in Jammu. There are taxis and state and private buses available from Jammu to Srinagar. There are numerous places to visit in Srinagar, and the best ways to explore the city are via auto rickshaws and shikara.

What are the things to see and do in Srinagar?

Rightly called Heaven on earth, Srinagar hill station is a beautiful amalgamation of lush mountains and alluring lakes. Receive divine blessings at the famous Shankaracharya Hill which is a popular site among the places to visit in Srinagar. Enjoy the exquisite Kashmiri arts and crafts at Polo view market in Srinagar. Enjoy the serenity and picture-perfect landscape at Doodhpathri KashmirCruise through the second largest freshwater lake in South Asia, the Walur lake. Include the city square Lal Chowk Srinagar in your list of places to visit in Srinagar and pick beautiful souvenirs. Soak in the beauty of the famous clock tower in Lal Chowk which is illuminated in tricolour in the evenings. While touring the places to visit in Srinagar, excite your taste buds with Srinagars famous food also popularly called Kashmiri Wazwan.

Places to visit in Srinagar

Mughal Garden:

Mughal Garden Srinagar is known for its exceptional beauty which is unique in all of India. Inspired by Persian-style architecture, the key feature of the Mughal Garden is the continuous pool of running water reflecting the magnificence of the beautiful sky and garden. The grandeur of Mughal Garden Srinagar is dedicated to Emperor Jahangir. One of the most picturesque places to visit in Srinagar is Shalimar Bagh, the largest Mughal Garden in India.

Dal Lake:

Srinagars greatest attraction is the calm waters of Dal Lake and the charming and colourful shikaras. Surrounded by the majestic Pir Panjal mountains and Mughal gardens, Dal Lake is the most popular destination among the places to visit in Srinagar. Quiet shikara rides cruising through the lake overlooking the snow-capped mountains will be the highlight of your trip. You can opt for a daytime or twilight cruise. Also reckoned as Srinagars jewel, Dal Lake is a primary mode of transport in the city and a means of daily business for the locals.

Shankaracharya Hill:

It is regarded as Kashmirs best tourist attraction and must be included in your list of places to visit in Srinagar. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited this hill around ten centuries before and attained enlightenment. The Shankaracharya temple is one of the oldest temples in India. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity at this temple. Enjoy a mild trek of 243 steps on Shankaracharya hill. The hilltop offers a spectacular panoramic view of the valley.

Nigeen Lake:

A haven for nature lovers, Nigeen Lake offers a picturesque and serene experience. It is less commercialized, clean and offers various water activities like swimming, sailing and water skiing. Hence it is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Srinagar. It is surrounded by a plethora of willow and poplar trees and is famously called Nagin/Nageena Lake meaning jewel in the ring. Make your stay memorable by choosing a houseboat accommodation and enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset at the tranquil Nigeen Lake.

Hari Parbat:

Your tour of various places to visit in Srinagar will take you to the popular attraction - Hari Parbat. Owing to its historical and religious significance, tourists flock in large numbers here. This hill is an important site that includes Durrani Fort, Sharika Bhagwati temple, Gurudwara and shrines of Akhund Mullah Shah and Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib. Goddess Parvati, the presiding deity of Srinagar, is worshipped in the sacred Sharika Bhagwati temple which is located on the western side of the hill. Trek this hill to discover commendable Mughal fortification, colourful shrines and sweeping views of Srinagar.

SPS Museum:

SPS Museum is one of the best places to visit in Srinagar if you want to experience the comprehensive history and culture of Kashmir. Named after Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh, it is one of the oldest museums in Kashmir. Located in Lal Mandi, this museum was the Maharajas summer house. It has a rich collection of antique objects from various subjects like archaeology, decorative art, arms and armoury, etc. The museum houses objects like terracotta figurines, stone sculptures, manuscripts, paintings, weaponry, jewellery items etc.

Doodhpathri:

Doodhpathri (Valley of milk) is a recent inclusion in the tourist map of Kashmir. Its a bowl-shaped alpine valley surrounded by the snow-clad, majestic Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas and meadows of Pine Fir and Deodar. The milky, shining river flowing through the vast lush green carpet-like meadows enhances the beauty of Doodhpathri. Plan a day tour to this peaceful, mesmerizing and undisturbed location in your list of places to visit in Srinagar and get rejuvenated by the alluring landscape offered by it.

Food to try in Srinagar

Srinagars famous food majorly constitutes non-vegetarian dishes which are a gastronomical treat for meat lovers. Bursting with flavour, Rogan Josh (lamb curry) is the signature dish of Kashmir. Savour the authentic, must-try dishes like Kahva (flavoured green tea), Yakhni (yogurt lamb curry), Matschgand (minced meatball in spicy red curry), Goshtaba (minced mutton in yogurt gravy - a traditional cuisine), etc. while touring places to visit in Srinagar. Vegetarians can relish Srinagars tempting, age-old delicacies like Modur Pulao (flavoured pulao), Dum Olav (dum aloo), Lyodur Tschaman (cottage cheese dish), Kashmiri Baingan, etc. Food here is flavoured by the world-famous, aromatic Kashmiri saffron cultivated in Kashmir itself.

Things to shop in Srinagar

From attractive home décor to handloom apparel, the places to visit in Srinagar offer a wonderful shopping experience to tourists. Pashminas (woollen shawls), carpets, Kashmiri tea, copper utensils, papier mache handicrafts, spices, dry fruits and walnut wood products are some of the items that you can buy while touring the places to visit in Srinagar. The streets of Srinagar are filled with the aroma of exotic spices like saffron, nutmeg, cardamom and star anise. Almost all the markets in Srinagar are dotted with shops selling Kashmiri artefacts. The most popular markets in Srinagar are Lal Chowk, Polo view market and Badshah Chowk.

Enjoy boating in Dal Lake and cherish orchards in full bloom. Visit Pari Mahal, a seven-terraced garden located at the top of Zabarwan mountain range, overlooking the city. It is an experience you will like to add to your travel book.

Take an excursion to Hari Parbat fort and Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden featuring numerous terraces and rich landscapes of lush greenery. Head to Chashma Shahi, a majestic Mughal garden and capture its beauty with your camera.

The unique cultural blend, heritage and art forms of Srinagar have made it stand out from the rest of the country. Take out an evening to enjoy traditional folk performances Bhand Pather and Chakri.

Seek blessings at Shankaracharya temple, relish authentic local cuisines of Srinagar Modur Pulav, Yakhni, Dum Olav, Goshtaba and more. Visit Jamia Masjid, Hazratbal Mosque, take a stroll through Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden and indulge into adventurous activities like trekking, skiing and river rafting at Gulmarg and Sonmarg.

If you are fond of birdwatching, head to Manasabal Lake to enjoy it. It is a haven for nature lovers, away from chaotic routine life. This place offers tranquillity, fun and joyful vibes.

Soak in experiences like staying in a gorgeous houseboat, go for Shikara ride on Dal Lake and cherish the admirable view of surroundings. Head towards a market, indulge in shopping therapy, buy some souvenirs, interact with locals and learn more about the heaven on earth.

Don't miss an outing to Nigeen Lake, Dachigam National Park, Harwan, Botanical Garden and Nishat Garden.

Leave your worries behind and head to this amazing piece of land which awaits you for a memorable holiday!

Conclusion

Drenched in natural beauty, Srinagar hill station is on everyones bucket list of holiday destinations. When travelling to the places to visit in Srinagar during winter, make sure you carry heavy woollens, sweaters and scarves. To ensure safety, there is a military presence in Srinagar, hence you will see military vehicles, armed soldiers and surveillance equipment on the streets. Please carry your identification proof while touring the places to visit in Srinagar. Come and enjoy the surreal beauty of Srinagar and make memories for a lifetime.