Srinagar – Places to See in and around Srinagar

Soak your memories in a warm cup of Kahwah Tea, while indulging in the varied landscapes of Kashmir. Take in the crisp misty air, while gorging on warm Kashmiri pulao and home-made Rista. Feel your heart synchronize with the gushing waters that travel from the glaciers above. Dust the snow off your shoulders after a long trek up a hill and watch the sun-kissed, snow-capped mountains.

A valley between the Great Himalayan range and the Pir Panjal mountain range, Kashmir is a place of beautiful simplicity and pristine natural beauty. Kashmir is painted with a unique culture that keeps you intrigued throughout your journey, from Srinagar to Sonamarg and Gulmarg till Pahalgam. Here are few places in and around Srinagar that you must visit,

1. Nigeen Lake & Dal lake – Unmatched beauty of Nature

Carrying the oldest legacy of Kashmir, of being a popular location to enjoy a Shikhara ride or a houseboat stay, Nigeen is certainly a hot favorite place. The beautiful lake destination in Kashmir features some of the topmost houseboats in Srinagar and offers a range of romantic activities, especially for honeymooners. Historical structures and natural escapades around the lake put it atop the list of most beautiful thing to do in Kashmir.

2. Wular Lake – No words can Define

This lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia that leaves the travelers spellbound as they sail across the lake on a shikara or a boat. And the beauty is breathtaking; it couldn’t get better for a nature photography enthusiast!. Wular lake is a popular tourist attraction at a distance of 65 km from Srinagar. 

3. Chatpal – Serine is a small word

Located 88 km from Srinagar, this spellbinding place is the popular turf for nature enthusiasts. With verdant peaks, and gushing river streams cutting through the impregnable woods, there’s nothing more enchanting you’d find in the city. There’s so much to explore in the valley that even the most avid travelers haven’t seen all of it. In the list of hidden Srinagar tourist places is Chatpal in the Shangas district of South Kashmir.

4. Betaab Valley – The perfect shade of Green

Picnic spots, shooting trees, and absolute greenery makes Betaab Valley truly an exceptional destination in Srinagar. Sunny Deol starrer Bollywood film - Betaab was the inspiration behind the name of this picturesque valley located 15 km from Pahalgam in the Anantnag district. Romantic climate, breathtaking location, and dancing streams cutting through the valley make it one of the best places to visit in Srinagar.

5. Aru Valley – Of pines and alpines!

Pahalgam is the nearest town at a distance of 12 km from Aru Valley. The beauty of snow-capped peaks, and towering pines make it one of the best places to visit in Srinagar. The actual colors of Kashmir ooze from its vast valleys. Aru Valley in the Anantnag district, around 100 km from the capital city, is one of the best Kashmir tourist spots. The Valley is the perfect place for adventure lovers and also acts as the starting point to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonamarg Trek.

6. Mughal Gardens – Cherish the Royal touch

Holding Dal Lake in the background, this one of the popular Srinagar tourist places encloses beautiful moments and monuments. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the garden keeps flourishing with greenery and indigenous flower species and is a prime attraction close to Dal Lake. What used to be the favorite leisure activity of Mughals, (gardening) today thrives as a wonderful crown of the Kashmir Valley. Following the Persian style of architecture, the Mughal garden is a lovely tourist attraction in Kashmir.

7. Dachigam National Park – The Hamlets!

Some 22 km from the Srinagar main town lies Dachigam National Park – a perfect sojourn to explore the best of conserved wildlife in the Kashmir valley. One of the most important Srinagar sightseeing places, Dachigam is known as popular dwelling spot of Kashmiri Stag and Himalayan black bear among other species of flora and fauna.

8. Pahalgam – where beauty melts into stream

Pahalgam is famous for its scenic beauty and is the jewel of the picturesque Liddar valley located in the high Himalayas. It provides an ideal setting for activities like hiking, trekking, and fishing. It is also the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath. It is positioned beside the Liddar River, in the Liddar valley. Pahalgam is 95 km east of Srinagar. Pease go thru an individual article in which we have explained this place in detail. Your Kashmir trip is incomplete without visiting Pahalgam.

 9. Shankaracharya Temple – Jai Jai Shiv Shankar

Do you remember this famous song starring Rajesh Khanna?. Yes it was shot here. Shankaracharya Temple is said to be the oldest shrine in the Kashmir valley, Shankaracharya Temple is one of the renowned Srinagar sightseeing places to catch the majestic nature at its best. It is an architectural marvel, stationed on a hill peak, 1100 feet above sea level. The view from the top is truly enchanting, especially from May to September.

10. Hazratbal Mosque – Delightfully white

Hazratbal is a popular tourist attraction in the vicinity of Srinagar town! One of the popular places to see in Srinagar, the mosque has been a bang on tourist attraction in the valley that has retained its rustic charm for almost 3 decades. The beauty, sculpted out of white marbles is definitely a captivating watch around the Srinagar city. There’s a lot of preservings in the mosque like the immaculate design and huge dome. Yes, Hazratbal is the only domed attraction, without visiting which no tour to Srinagar is complete.

11. Awantipora – Visit the glorious past

Awantipora is one of the popular tourist places in Srinagar that must not be missed! The place is famed as the erstwhile capital city of Avantipora during ancient days. The ruins also showcase the fine architecture and art during good old days! It is a popular historical site in Awantipora and one of the best places to visit in Srinagar.

How to reach Srinagar

By flight: Srinagar Airport is the nearest airstrip which is well connected with major Indian and a few international cities as well.

By train: Udhampur Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Srinagar. Buses and private vehicles ply from the railway station to the city on a regular basis.

By road: Regular buses operate from Jammu to Srinagar in tandem. Also, there are ample of options to travel to Srinagar by a private vehicle.

Kashmir is a wonderful idea for a visit, especially for those wishing to experience teeth chattering temperatures and snow for the first time. Kashmir promises a lot of fun in snow and ensure you fly home with snow-capped memories imprinted in your mind’s eye. So book your tickets soon,

Paradise is waiting!