Some historians believe that when Jahangir called Kashmir a heaven on earth, he was predominantly talking about Srinagar. Srinagar is also known as the city of lakes, which is situated in a lush green Himalayan Valley in Kashmir. The beauty of this place is that it can be visited any time of the year and tourists from across the world come to this city in search of the best Places to visit in Srinagar. And why won’t they? The Tourist Places in Srinagar are magical, timeless, and unique to the grandeur and glory of Srinagar alone. From modern to traditional cuisine, luxury Shikara life, and a first-hand experience of the classic Srinagar Mughal architecture – sightseeing in Srinagar will help you re-discover not just Kashmir but life in general!
Heart-Touching Sightseeing in Srinagar That Will Help You Rediscover Travelling
There are many places to visit in Srinagar including historical monuments from the Mughal Era, restaurants and Shikaras of everyday life, markets and stores selling Kashmiri handicrafts, jewelry, embroidery, dry fruits, etc. Srinagar is beautiful in all seasons – in winter it is Laden with snow, and in summer it is a valley of flowers. However, seasoned tourists believe the best time to visit Srinagar is in summer, or the period between March to June.
There are endless tourist places in Srinagar, and it is humanly impossible to experience all of them. However, there are some places that simply cannot be missed. In this list, we have included both popular and underrated places to visit in Srinagar so that our readers can have an unparalleled journey.
1. Dal Lake
Everyone who has heard about Srinagar has probably also heard about Dal Lake and this is the most important Places to visit in Srinagar . It is indeed worth the hype. Dal Lake is not one lake, but a series of many lakes. Surrounding this lake is a beautiful view of mountains and Kashmiri city life. Due to the same that this Lake has attracted, many people seek accommodations around this lake. And what is the best way to experience Dal Lake other than living in a Shikara? Shikaras are a unique experience, both budget to luxury Shikaras can be found thronging this giant, beautiful body of water.
Entry Cost: No entry cost
Explore Timing: 4 Hours
Opening and closing Timing: There is no specific opening and closing timing on Dal Lake and many tourists enjoy an overnight stay at this Lake.
2. Wular Lake
This majestic, ancient Lake is also known as the Jhelum lake. Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the Asian subcontinent. To some tourists, this lake is even more beautiful than the more crowded Dal Lake. Both the input source of water and its outflow is attributed to the river waters of the majestic Jhelum. Not only is the lake itself breathtaking, several water sports like boating, skiing, motorboating, etc can be arranged for. The area surrounding this lake is filled with greenery. The distant view of the rugged, giant Himalayas will calm your soul and ease your mind.
Entry Cost: No entry cost but additional cost apply to watersport activities
Explore Timing: 4 Hours
Opening and closing Timing: There is no opening and closing time on Wular Lake but the best time to visit is from 8 AM to 12 noon.
3. Pari Mahal
The literal translation of the Pari Mahal is “the palace of the fairy”. Not only does this palace indeed look like it belongs to a fairy, but the beauty of its surroundings is also enough to transport you into a land of fantasy. There are seven terrace gardens in this exotic specimen of Mughal architecture, this palace you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire Dal Lake, along with the whole of Srinagar itself. Tourist places in Srinagar may be many, but no other can compare to this palace located at the highest of the Zabarwan Range. The peaceful simplicity of this palace will make you question everything we know about palaces and royals in general.
Entry Cost: 20 INR per person
Opening and closing Timing: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Explore Timing: 3-5 Hours
4. Shankaracharya Temple
if somebody told you the best tourist places in Srinagar are all lakes and gardens, they could not have been more wrong. It is true that Srinagar is located in Kashmir, and yet it bears the legacy that centuries of thriving Hinduism have left there. The Shankaracharya temple, also known as the Jyeshteswara Temple was built by the son of emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE. This devotee was named Jaluka, and the temple is dedicated to none other but lord Shiva himself. Shankaracharya temple also brings you face to face with the Shankaracharya hill, a beautiful specimen that you must see with your own eyes.
Entry Cost: Free
Explore Timing: 2-3 Hours
Opening and closing Timing: 7 AM to 8 PM
5. ChashmaShahi Garden: Sightseeing in Srinagar
is all about coming face to face with separate brackets of Indian history. It cannot be denied that the Mughals left a profound effect on the culture and architecture of Srinagar city. ChasmaShahi Garden is a Mughal Garden, and one of the top places to visit in Srinagar. The optimal weather conditions of Kashmir Valley give the Mughal emperors a perfect chance to build gardens filled with their favorite mountain flowers. Today you can view these well-kept gardens even after so many centuries have passed. Other than ChashmaShahi Garden, Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh are also popular Mughal gardens of Srinagar.
Entry Cost: 10 INR per person
Opening and closing Timing: 8 AM to 7:15 PM from Monday to Saturday, and 2 AM to 9 PM on Sunday
Explore Timing: 2-3 Hours
6. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden
Can you imagine walking into a garden composed of nothing but tulips? What if this garden was located in a natural Valley with towering peaks surrounding you, and clouds gathering in the sky? It’s exactly to experience this that tourists from all over the globe come sightseeing in Srinagar and fall in love with the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. Here you will learn not only about the different types of tulips but also how to grow and take care of them.
Entry Cost: 60 INR for adult visitors and 25 INR for child
Opening and closing Timing: 8 AM to 7 PM
Explore Timing: 2 Hours
7. Gulmarg Gondola
Even though the Gulmarg Gondola is located 60 km away from Srinagar, you cannot venture out sightseeing in Srinagar without at least being aware of the existence of this heavenly place. Gulmarg itself is known as a place of untouched scenic beauty. What has made this place even more popular is the highest cable car in the world, so known as the Gulmarg Gondola. From here you can see clearly some of the most mysterious and uninhabited areas of the Himalayan range, wrong with glaciers, and milk-white Himalayan mountains.
Entry Cost: 700 INR for the first stage and 900 INR for the second stage
Opening and closing Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM
Explore Timing: Boarding pass issued for 3 Hours
8. Jamia Masjid
The Jamia masjid in Srinagar is a functioning mosque that welcomes followers of the prophet from all over the world. The striking architecture of this mosque is fascinating in its own way. It was commissioned to be built in 1394 by Sultan Sikandar. Along with the heavy impact of Persian architecture in the creation of this mosque, inspiration from Buddhist pagodas throughout Asia is etched on its walls. You can book tours of the Jamia masjid ahead of time to make sure you are welcome on the premises. The Jamia masjid is without a doubt the biggest mosque in the Kashmir Valley located in the middle of Srinagar city. This mosque has a total of 370 wooden pillars. It looks completely different in the wintertime when snow adorns the streets of Srinagar.
Entry Cost: Entry is free for all followers of Islam
Opening and closing Timing: 3 PM to 7 PM
Explore Timing: 2 Hours
9. Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara
Not only for Hindus and Muslims, but Srinagar is also an important religious site for the followers of Sikhism as well. Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara is one of the most Places to visit in Srinagar not only an extremely popular, Darbar Sahib but also a trust and organization which actively participate in many social causes for the devotees and inhabitants of Srinagar. It is a beautiful white building with golden architectural elements that decorate it from the outside and the inside. It is the most important Sikh pilgrimage site in Kashmir and is situated in the heart of Srinagar city.
Entry Cost: No Entry Cost
Opening and closing Timing: 11 AM to 4 PM
Explore Timing: 1 Hour
10. Hazratbal Shrine
A Dargah Sharif which is as beautiful as it is popular, not only among Muslims but of tourists of all religions? Indeed we are talking of none other than the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar. Located against the backdrop of towering hills in a large expense of land that offers peace and solitude to the mind, the Hazratbal Shrine is a heart-winning piece of architecture. It is located on the banks of a beautiful lake that freezes in the winter. It is not only popular as a tourist attraction but also a place for celebrations of Eid and other festivals.
Entry Cost: No Entry Cost
Opening and closing Timing: 9:30 AM to 5;30 PM
Explore Timing: 2 Hours
11. Manasbal Lake
Enchanting and surprisingly calming, the Manasbal Lake is a lake sacred to Hindu and Buddhist inhabitants in Srinagar. It is said that this lake used to be a favorite place of sages and ascetics due to the unbelievably beautiful Lotus blooms that adorned this lake. This is another freshwater lake located in Safapora of Srinagar. The most popular fact about this lake is that it is equally famous for its beauty in all four seasons. If Dal lake is too crowded for you, you can enjoy a Shikara ride here. In recent years beautiful parks and resorts have come up on the banks of this lake.
Entry Cost: No entry Fee
Explore Timing: 2 Hours
Opening and closing Timing: No official opening and closing timing.
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Wular Lake is one of the 75 Indian wetlands and is home to several micro and macro species. The beauty, as well as the significance of this lake, is unparalleled.
A. The duration of your trip to Srinagar will depend on your expectations and budget. Ideally, a trip to Srinagar should be around 10 to 11 days.
A. Pari Mahal is 13-19 Km away from Srinagar city, depending on which part of the city you are in.
Conclusion
Traveling to Kashmir and exploring all the tourist places in Srinagar is now a piece of cake with just the right Kashmir Travel Package. Choose our customized, well-planned Srinagar Travel Package which will give you a chance to experience luxury service at a reasonable expense. Enjoy everything from destination traveling, pre-booking, shopping, etc with a package furnished with everything you can possibly dream of!
