Srinagar is where mornings sparkle like spilt silver on Dal Lake, and evenings wrap themselves in the glow of countless little lamps from shikaras drifting home. Chinar leaves crunch underfoot like nature’s confetti, while the air itself feels perfumed with kahwa steam and laughter. The city hums in a rhythm that’s part prayer and part celebration. If you are planning your trip to this splendid place soon, here are some of the must-visit Srinagar tourist places to check out!
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13 Best Srinagar Tourist Places To Visit
1 . Boat Ride on Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of Srinagar’s most iconic landmarks! Here, you can take a traditional shikara ride to explore the lake, view the floating vegetable and flower markets, and enjoy reflections of the mountains at sunset. A highlight of Dal Lake is Char Chinar, a small island with four majestic chinar trees.
Key Attractions: Floating markets, houseboats, shikara rides, Char Chinar island, photography opportunities, sunset views
Best Time to Visit: April – October
Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry: Shikara ride – ₹500 – ₹1500 per hour
2 . Shankaracharya Temple
Shankaracharya Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a history of over 2,000 years. It is present atop Shankaracharya Hill overlooking the Dal Lake. To reach the shrine, you need to climb around 200 steps through rugged paths that offer stunning views of the mountain backdrop.
Key Attractions: Panoramic views of Srinagar, ancient stone carvings, religious significance, and historical architecture
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry: Free
3 . Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal, or the “Palace of Fairies,” is a seven-terraced Mughal garden built in the mid-17th century. The garden was created for the emperor’s spiritual advisor and later became a Mughal retreat. This is one of the most scenic Srinagar tourist places to explore!
Key Attractions: Terraced lawns, Mughal-style fountains, heritage architecture, scenic viewpoints, photography opportunities
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Timings: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Entry: ₹20
4 . Hazratbal Shrine
Hazratbal Shrine is a prominent Islamic site located on the northern shore of Dal Lake. It is famous for housing a relic believed to be a hair strand of Prophet Muhammad, making it a revered place for pilgrims. The area surrounding the shrine is awe-inspiring with clear views of Dal Lake and the Himalayan foothills.
Key Attractions: White Marble structure, Islamic architecture, waterfront views, and the Zabarwan range backdrop.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry: Free
5 . Shalimar Bagh
Also popular as Srinagar’s Mughal Garden, the place was constructed in the 17th century by Emperor Jahangir. It served as the royal family’s summer retreat and reflects the grandeur of Mughal landscaping. You can stroll along its stone pathways, admire the water channels, and take in the serene views of the mighty mountains.
Key Attractions: Heritage Architecture, Terraced lawns, Mughal-style fountains, cypress-lined pathways, and symmetrical flower beds.
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Entry: ₹30
6 . Shri Pratap Singh Museum
If you want a quick dive into Kashmir’s past, the SPS Museum is the spot. You’ll find everything from ancient coins and manuscripts to Kashmiri shawls and wooden crafts. It’s like walking through a gallery that tells the valley’s story piece by piece.
Key Attractions: Archaeological finds, coins, manuscripts, textiles, and crafts.
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Timings: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed Mondays)
Entry: Indians: ₹10; Foreigners: ₹50
7 . Pathar Mosque
Pathar Mosque is one of the unique Srinagar tourist places to explore. Built by Noor Jahan using solid grey limestone, it showcases Mughal arches and a distinct design. Simple yet striking, it undoubtedly deserves a place in your Srinagar photo diary.
Key Attractions: Grey limestone build, Mughal arches, Noor Jahan’s commission, unusual mosque layout without domes or minarets
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Entry: Free
8 . Khanqah-e-Moula
You cannot come to Srinagar and miss out on Khanqah-e-Moula! It is said to be Srinagar’s oldest mosque and is built almost entirely of wood. It’s also covered in intricate carvings and decorated with colourful papier-mâché interiors, the kind that will make you stop and stare.
Key Attractions: 14th-century shrine, wooden structure, papier-mâché ceilings, association with Sufi saint Shah Hamdan
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Entry: Free
9 . Lal Chowk Bazaars
Lal Chowk is where the city’s buzz really hits you. You’ll find everything here – pashmina shawls, carpets, spices, kahwa blends, and papier-mâché souvenirs. Don’t forget to sharpen your bargaining skills for the best deals.
Key Attractions: Famous for pashmina and carpets, saffron and spices, iconic Clock Tower, historic gathering spot
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Timings: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Entry: Free
10 . Aali Masjid
Aali Masjid, in Srinagar’s Eidgah area, is a 15th-century mosque built from 151 deodar pillars on stone bases. Spacious and grand, this is the place to be if you want to witness Kashmiri wooden architecture at its finest.
Key Attractions: 15th-century origin, 151 deodar pillars, stone-based grid layout, capacity of roughly 2,500 worshippers.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 4:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Entry: Free
11 . Old City Alleys
Srinagar’s Old City alleys are a maze of stories! They are all about timber-braced houses leaning over narrow lanes, spice-laden shops, and bakeries pulling out fresh noon chai bread. It’s raw, chaotic, and stunningly authentic!
Key Features: Timber homes, local bakeries, spice shops, heritage charm, and local conversations.
Best Time to Visit: March – October
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Entry: Free
12 . Shah-e-Hamdan Shrine
The Shah-e-Hamdan Shrine honours the revered Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani and is built in the traditional Kashmiri wooden style. The interiors glow beautifully with papier-mâché art and intricate patterns, offering both spiritual calm and a glimpse of Kashmir’s most exquisite craftsmanship.
Key Attractions: Sufi heritage, wooden structure, papier-mâché interiors, deep spiritual significance, Annual Urs festival.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Entry: Free
13 . Kashmir Arts Government Emporium
The Arts & Crafts Emporium is where Kashmiri artistry takes the centre stage. This government-run hub is where you can purchase authentic souvenirs without fretting about quality.
Key Attractions: Authentic Kashmiri crafts, home decor, pashmina, carpets, papier-mâché, walnut woodwork.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry: Free
How to Plan Your Trip to Srinagar?
| Travel category | Details |
|---|---|
| How to Reach | Air: Direct flights to Srinagar Airport from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. Rail: Jammu Tawi (270 km) is the nearest major station. Road: Good connectivity via buses, cabs, and self-drives from Jammu |
| Best Time to Visit | March – May for tulip bloom and spring colours. June – August for cool summer weather. October – February for snow lovers. |
| Days to Spend | 4 – 5 days |
| Local Transport | Auto-rickshaws for short distances Hire a taxi for a day-long sightseeing |
| Stay Options | Traditional houseboats on Dal/Nigeen Lake. Mid-range hotels near Lal Chowk & Rajbagh. Luxury resorts on the city outskirts. |
| Food | Must-try Wazwan dishes: Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Yakhni. Vegetarian delights: Dum Aloo, Nadru Yakhni. Don’t miss Kahwa tea & fresh Kashmiri breads. |
| What to Pack? | Warm layers (even in summer evenings), shawls, walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a small backpack with cash, moisturiser, medicine kit, rain gear (monsoon), and a camera. |
| Documentation | Valid ID proof, driving licence if renting a vehicle. Carry permits if heading beyond Srinagar (Gulmarg, Sonamarg). |
No matter your travel vibe, IndianHoliday has the best Srinagar tour packages curated just for you!
Consider booking – Kashmir Luxury Tour, Srinagar with Sonmarg Tour, Charismatic Kashmir Tour, Manali-Srinagar-Leh Bike Tour, Kashmir To Leh By Road, Ancient Monasteries Tour, and Srinagar Honeymoon Package.
Struggling to map the ideal itinerary to explore the best of Srinagar? Our Experts Will Help You!.
Chashme Shahi
Dal Lake Srinagar
Hazratbal Shrine
Khanqah-e-Molla
Kheer Bhawani Temple
Mughal Garden