Things to Do in Srinagar

The Shalimar Bagh is incredibly lovely. These Mughal Gardens belonged to the royal family and are in every way exactly that; regal. The majestic beauty of these gardens is precisely what several tourists, holidaymakers and honeymooners come to witness.

These gardens are the largest in the city. Mughal horticulture which is pretty remarkable already is at its best in these gardens.  Located on the banks of the Dal Lake these lovely gardens are one of the most beautiful places to see in Srinagar.

The garden is divided into two sections and has beautiful sculptures within. The waterfalls in the park not only enhance its beauty but also make the place very tranquil and almost meditative.

Nishat or Joy resides in the very name of this place. The joyful gardens which lie to the east of the Dal Lake are an absolute delight to visit. One of the few glorious Mughal Gardens worth visiting in Srinagar, this terraced garden is the second largest one you will see.

Intricately decorated and landscaped, these gardens have 12 terraces or sections that stand for the 12 signs of the zodiac.Although they have been refurbished in the recent years to make sure that all the plants receive enough water, they are still quite lovely.

The lovely flowers and the lush plants make this place extremely refreshing to visit and quite perfect for a nice family outing.

Awantipora or Awantipura is a lovely excursion to undertake while in Srinagar. Around 30 kilometers from the city the place is a historic and scenic getaway.  The ancient ruins make for a wonderful, historic, intriguing and surprising attraction not far from the city.

The ruins were once lovely Hindu temples that had been built by King Awanti Verman and emperor Lalitaditya. The ancient place is surely not to be missed if you have some time in Srinagar but worth the trip no matter what. The stone buildings or what is left of them tell a very interesting story.

If you are the off the beaten track kind of a tourist, the secluded beauty of the site will certainly intrigue you. A stunning hidden unexplored place awaits you.

Dal is a beautiful lake in the city of Srinagar. It is obvious that it’s the pride of Srinagar but Kashmir as well from the nicknames given to it: Srinagar’s jewel and Jewel in the “Crown of Kashmir”. This is an absolute must visit site in the city of Srinagar and a very enjoyable experience as well.

The picturesque lake is best seen by taking a joyous ride in the humble shikaras although you will find other options as well. Floating languidly surrounded by beauty of the highest quality, a visit to the Dal Lake is an experience you will keep with you all your life.

The whole area is quite breathtaking and the tall trees that surround the lake provide the setting for a lovely boat ride. The Shalimar Baug and Nishat Baug near the lake are lovely and worth seeing while at the lake.

The Hazrat Bal Mosque in Srinagar, often called just “The Hazratbal” is the most important pilgrimage sites in the city and perhaps one of the most important for Haj Pilgrims other than the Mecca.

The lovely white mosque is serene and beautiful in every way. Watching the pigeons take flight around the mosque is a lovely and calming experience. Majesty is in the very name of the mosque. “Hazrat means majesty while “Bal” means enclosure. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that majesty is truly enclosed in the lovely place.

A definite must visit for the religious, but art lovers, culture seekers, history lovers and lovers of architecture will also certainly love this place.

The Shankarcharya Temple is considered to be one of the most important places to visit in Srinagar. The temple is dedicated to an old saint and one of the most brilliant minds in the history of Indian thought and Philosophy..

Built in the traditional Hindu style of Architecture, this lovely temple is a real sight to be beheld. The arches, steps and the shikhar style have a rustic feel to them and the stone temple may well transport you back in time.

The view of the city from Shankaracharya Hill where the temple is situated is also quite spectacular. History lovers, culture seekers and of course the religious will find this place quite fascinating.

Sonamarg literally means meadow of gold, which gives one a legitimate idea of just how gorgeous this hill station not far from Srinagar really is. The river Sindh, the beautiful trees, the dese and mysterious forests, the fog the snow and the seasons make Sonamarg a really special place to visit.

After winter is over, they open up the roads for transport, you will be able to see the hill station in all its glory. Tourists certainly swear by it. However, being just a pristine beauty it has been governed by very strict environmental laws that should be respected.

You can hire horses to take a ride around the scenic areas but Sonamarg is best explored by good old walking. The stunning place is certainly worth the effort.

This valley was named after a Bollywood movie though many other Bollywood movies have been filmed here. It’s one of those spots they call the Switzerland of India. You’ll have to get to Pahalgam from Srinagar first to get here. From there, the road will course upstream along an aquamarine river, past military checkpoints and tourist-trap resorts and restaurants. Those distractions will be left behind as you approach the valley, a place of alpine meadows, icy streams, green mountains, clear blue skies, and deodar and pine forests. It’s one of the most beautiful valleys in the country, perfect for picnickers and even campers.

The Pari Mahal is a lovely ruin that is known for the stunning views of the Dal Lake, the mountains and hills and Srinagar city that this place provides.The Name Pari Mahal means Palace of the angels and it is quite apt considering the view is exactly what an angel watching over the city would have/

If you have some time on your hands do visit this place. It is a short drive ahead of Chashmeshahi and is quite picturesque. While the views it provides of Srinagar are quite remarkable, so is its own rustic beauty. The ruins have lovely long arches and tiny hollows that are quite pretty to see. And since it looks so pretty now, one often wonders what it must have looked like in it’s hay-day.

If you are lucky enough to go at the right time, Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is one of the most spectacular sights you will be able to see in Srinagar. Although it is only open in April, it is a must see for tourists travelling at that time.

The amazing garden has huge sprawling acres of nothing but gorgeous flowers everywhere. The tulips in every vibrant shade imaginable are an absolute visual treat. One could spend hours together just admiring the place’s beauty.

The beauty everywhere is not to be missed if you are going in the right season. In fact, some tourists actually go to Srinagar just to view the splendor of these lovely gardens.

Nagin Lake is like a mini extension to the massive Dal Lake. The peculiar shape of this lake gives it its name. Situated right next to Dal, it is sometimes not even considered to be a separate lake but it is one and what a lovely place it is.

The meandering lake has a pristine natural beauty that it inherits from its. A leisurely boat rise along the lake is sure to be an amazing experience. You can use the shikaras or even live in one of the many beautiful boat houses. A scenic and lovely sight, this lake and the area around it is worth exploring in great detail.

Yousmarg is a charming little hill station about 40 kilometers away from the city of Srinagar. Srinagar itself is quite lovely but if you want to spend more time in the midst of nature, this place is surely a great pick for you.

Tall deodar trees, lovely streams and verdant hills are mostly what make this place so beautiful and a great tourist spot. The drive to the spot in is in itself spectacular and if you intend to spend a considerable amount of time in Srinagar, this excursion is an ideal road trip to make.

You can also choose to stay at the place as there are quite a few lovely guest houses and quaint little cottages. The magic of Kashmir can only be truly felt by living in a place like this.

The Jamia Masjid is a beautiful, simple and yet very beautiful mosque in Srinagar. The reddish building and the green garden stand in beautiful contrast and have a very calm and serene atmosphere to them.

There are 370 wooden pillars to the mosque which makes it a remarkable sight. It is a sacred place as well as a tourist attraction, as a result. Due to its Indo-Saracenic architecture it has become a very important part of the history of architecture in Srinagar as well. The British influences on the structure are worth noting.

Located in the heart of the city, this lovely mosque is a wonderful spiritual site for the traveler. Be sure to visit it to experience its beauty as well as the calmness it has.

This place is not very well-known and a little far from Srinagar but as far as one day excursions go, the place is bound to be the most rewarding one. It is a town not far from Srinagar and a very holy place.

The place has amazing natural beauty the verdant surroundings and the green leaves make it an absolute pleasure to be in. if you want to get a taste of the charming beauty of small town Kashmir, this is the place you will want to visit.

Besides this, there are a few important religious sites in the town as well. The place is considered to be very sacred and hence culture-seekers as well as religious people will find it to be fascinating.

Also known as Khanqah masjid, this stunning mosque is worth visiting in the city of Srinagar. Built of wood, it may not seem like a very interesting place to see but the amazing architecture makes it one of the must-see places in the area. History say that this is one of the oldest mosque in Srinagar. The person behind the mosque Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani was one of the most influential travelers who came to Srinagar in 14th century. Simply built but intricately decorated, the dark wood building looks gorgeous with the lovely mountains as the backdrop and the picturesque Jhelum river flowing in front of it. The interiors are equally beautiful and the mosque has some beautiful British influences to its architecture. The place is calm and peaceful as not a lot of tourists visit it which comes as a surprise. If you want to see a unique place in Srinagar, do visit this one. However, entry to the mosque might be restricted only to the Muslims. Hence, make sure you seek permission of the authorities before entering inside this holy place.