Are you looking for the best things to do in Srinagar?
Let us tell you something; you are at the right place.
Thinking of a trip to Kashmir without taking Srinagar into account is ridiculous.
And if you think the same, we have come up with a list of the Top 10 things to do in Srinagar so that you get to gather the best out of this mesmerizing city.
It is hard to answer ‘what to do in Srinagar’ in one line.
And the reason is the number of places Srinagar offers you to visit once you get there.
From serene waters of lakes to luscious gardens, religious sites to an ancient fort, delicious cuisine to adventure sports, Srinagar has all that you desire.
Let us take you on a Srinagar sightseeing tour where you will marvel at every point.
Contents
List of Top 10 Things to do in Srinagar
- Take a Shikara Ride on Dal Lake
- Stroll through the Mughal Gardens
- Visit the Shankaracharya Temple
- Experience Diversity at Hari Parbat
- A Fort Worth-a-Visit: Pari Mahal
- Offer Prayers in Jamia Masjid
- Be Flowery at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
- Seek Blessings at Hazratbal Mosque
- Shop for Souvenirs
- Enjoy Adventure Activities
1. Take a Shikara Ride on Dal Lake
It is so simple; tourists go to Agra because of the Taj Mahal and to Srinagar because of Dal Lake.
Having such importance makes Dal Lake the ‘Jewel of Srinagar’ as it is the most-visited sight by tourists and locals.
But, people do not know how to make the most out of the Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
They know that witnessing the panoramic sunset is the lake’s beauty.
But what about spending a night in the houseboat, totally over the pristine waters of Dal Lake? It is just excellent and also one of the unusual things to do in Srinagar at night.
Take a night’s rest and experience the floating market, one-of-its-kind in the morning.
2. Stroll through the Mughal Gardens
During the Mughal reign, the Muslim emperors built Gardens all over India, amalgamating Indian and Persian architecture.
You will find them in Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Anantnag, and many other tourist places, including Srinagar.
But, what makes the Mughal Garden Srinagar different from the rest is its location amidst the snow-capped mountain ranges of the Himalayas.
If you adore garden tours, then for you, the best thing to do in Srinagar is to explore the following Mughal gardens:
- Shalimar Bagh
- Nishat Bagh
- Chashm-e-Shahi
- Achabal Bagh
- Pari Mahal Garden
- Verinag Garden
3. Visit the Shankaracharya Temple
In the southeast of Srinagar city, you will find hills and a temple structure located on the top.
The hills are Gopadhari hills, and the temple is the Shankaracharya Temple, also known as the Jyesteshwara Temple.
At 1100 feet above sea level, this magnificent temple of Lord Shiva is settled.
The specific hill where the temple resides is the Shankaracharya hill which offers a breathtaking view of Srinagar city, Dal Lake, and the Jhelum River.
The religious aura of the temple is such that it makes you sit there for hours and give you an out-of-world experience, which is everyone’s desire.
For Hindu devotees, visiting Shankaracharya temple is one of the best things to do in Srinagar at any time of the year.
4. Experience Diversity at Hari Parbat
‘Parvat/Parbat’ in Hindi is a mountain. So, the literal translation of Hari Parbat is ‘Hari Mountain.’
It is on the west of Dal Lake and hosts the famous Fort of the same name: Hari Parbat Fort.
The Fort was built in the 18th century, and the entrance gate is called Kathi Darwaja.
Other than Hari Parbat Fort at Hari Parbat, you will find a Sikh Gurudwara, Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara; a Hindu Temple, Sharika Devi Temple; and two shrines of Muslim saints: Hamza Makhdoom and Shah Badakhshi.
The Hari Parbat offers a fascinating view of Srinagar city and Dal Lake.
5. A Fort Worth-a-Visit: Pari Mahal
The translation of Pari Mahal in English would be ‘Palace of Fairies.’
At the beginning of this article, we have listed the six Mughal Gardens above. Two of them were Pari Mahal Garden and Chashm-e-Shahi Garden.
Surrounded by the Pari Mahal Garden, the Fort of Pari Mahal is situated above the Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens.
Pari Mahal was built in the 17th century by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh for his residence.
We have said that the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar give you a different experience, but if you want the best, head to the Pari Mahal.
It will not disappoint you; the luscious gardens and sunset view bring heaven down.
6. Offer Prayers in Jamia Masjid
Jamia Masjid is the largest and oldest mosque in Srinagar, built in 1394, more than 600 years ago.
The mosque is sitting in the center of the city of Nowhatta.
The Islamic architecture of the Jamia Masjid, its courtyard, and over 350 wooden pillars are enough to make it one of the best places to visit in Srinagar.
7. Be Flowery at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Among the best things to do in Srinagar in April is visit Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.
But the trip to this beautiful tulip garden will only make sense when you visit it somewhere at the end of March and the beginning of April.
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8. Seek Blessings at Hazratbal Mosque
The holiest Muslim mosque in the entire Kashmir Valley is Hazratbal Mosque which means the ‘Holy Place.’
The architecture is such that it is also known as the ‘White Mosque.’
The mosque resides on the western bank of Dal Lake and with the backdrop of mountains.
9. Shop for Souvenirs
The only way to revisit a place without visiting it is to have a look over the items you bought from that region.
And Srinagar is something which will make you a Srinagar sick.
There are so many famous things to buy in Srinagar, which you can shop at Residency Road, Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk, etc.
- Papier mache bangles
- Pashminas
- Scarves
- Wicker Baskes and Wooden Baskets
- Silver Jewelry
- Kashmir Carpets, etc.
10. Enjoy Adventure Activities
The list of top 10 things to do in Srinagar would be incomplete if we did not include the adventure activities in Srinagar in this list.
You can enjoy trekking, paragliding, skiing, birdwatching, and many other fun activities as per your choice. It is all up to you.
For trekkers, there are routes like Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek, Kolahoi Glacier Trek, etc.
You will not find skiing opportunities in Srinagar, so you must travel to Gulmarg, which is around 50 km away.
Paragliders need to go to Ashtanmarg, a famous paragliding spot in the city of Srinagar.
And birdwatching at Manasbal Lake will be the best choice.
Srinagar is surrounded by the Himalayan ranges. Read our article on Mountain Ranges in India to know more about them.
