Shopping in Srinagar explained by locals: Polo View, Residency Road, Lal Chowk and the old city markets, what to buy (pashmina, kani, papier-mache, saffron, dry fruits, copper), how commission shopping works, and how to check what you buy.
Want an honest shopping morning?
Tell us your dates. Our drivers take you where you ask, with no commission stops.
In This Article
Quick Answer: For shopping in Srinagar, locals use Polo View (a refurbished pedestrian street), Residency Road (the Government Arts Emporium, dry fruits and spices), Lal Chowk (everyday clothes and winter wear) and the old city around Zaina Kadal for copperware. Buy pashmina, kani shawls, papier-mache, walnut wood, saffron and dry fruits. Avoid driver-led commission stops and always take a bill.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Shopping in Srinagar can be one of the best parts of a Kashmir trip or the most annoying. The difference is almost always where you shop and who took you there. Srinagar has some of the finest crafts in India, made a few lanes away from where they are sold, and also a long chain of showrooms that pay drivers and boat owners to bring tourists in. This guide is about the first kind.
Here is where we shop ourselves, what is genuinely worth buying, and how to check quality without being an expert.
Shopping in Srinagar at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best markets | Polo View, Residency Road, Lal Chowk, old city (Zaina Kadal and around) |
| Best buys | Pashmina, kani and sozni shawls, papier-mache, walnut wood, carpets, saffron, dry fruits, copper |
| Getting around | Polo View, Residency Road and Lal Chowk are walkable from each other; take a cab to the old city |
| Time needed | Half a day for the city markets, plus a morning for the old city |
| Plan with Via Kashmir | Add a no-commission shopping morning to your trip |
Which are the best markets in Srinagar?
Polo View
Refurbished in 2023 and described by city officials as Srinagar's first pedestrian-oriented shopping street, Polo View is the most pleasant place to browse: wide walkways, benches, cafes, and shops selling shawls, crafts, books and clothes. It is calmer than Lal Chowk and good for a first look at prices.
Residency Road
Running from Lal Chowk, Residency Road has the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, housed in the old British Residency building, plus many dry fruit and spice shops. The emporium is a good place to see fixed government prices for crafts before you bargain elsewhere.
Lal Chowk
The commercial heart of the city around the Ghanta Ghar clock tower. Come here for everyday shopping: pherans, jackets, gloves, boots and winter wear at local prices, not tourist ones.
The old city
Downtown is where many crafts are still made. Around Zaina Kadal you will find copperware shops full of samovars and engraved trays; see our copper craft guide. Combine it with a visit to Khanqah-e-Moula and Jamia Masjid.
Related reading: Driving in Kashmir in Snow: Roads, Chains, 4x4s and When to Stop
What should you buy in Srinagar?
| Item | What to look for | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Pashmina shawl | GI label, soft and light, ask for the content in writing | Real pashmina guide |
| Kani and sozni shawls | Kani is woven pattern; sozni is fine needle embroidery | Sozni guide |
| Papier-mache | Hand-painted detail, fine brushwork, light weight | Papier-mache guide |
| Walnut wood | Solid carved walnut, not veneer | Walnut wood guide |
| Carpets | Hand-knotted, knot count on the back, certificate | Carpet buying guide |
| Saffron | Sealed GI-tagged Kashmiri saffron, deep red threads | Saffron guide |
| Dry fruits | Fresh walnuts and almonds, bought loose | Dry fruits guide |
How does commission shopping work in Srinagar?
Some drivers, guides and houseboat staff earn a commission on what you spend in the showrooms they take you to. Those shops are not always bad, but the commission is built into your price, and the pressure to buy is higher. You will hear phrases like "just look, no need to buy" or "my uncle's factory".
- ✓Decide where you want to go before you get in the car, and say so.
- ✓Compare at the Government Arts Emporium first, so you know a fair price.
- ✓Never buy on the first visit to an expensive item; walk away, compare, come back.
- ✓Pay by card or UPI and take a bill naming the item and its material.
A rule worth quoting: in Srinagar, the best shop is the one you chose yourself, not the one someone chose for you.
Related reading: Zojila Pass: Road Conditions, Winter Closure and the New Tunnels
Book for this trip
How to buy a pashmina shawl without being cheated
- See real pashmina first at the Government Arts Emporium or a reputed shop, to learn the feel and price.
- Ask whether the shawl is 100 percent pashmina or a blend, and get the answer written on the bill.
- Look for the GI label for Kashmir Pashmina, which carries a unique number you can check.
- Hold it to the light: hand-woven pashmina shows slight irregularities; machine shawls are perfectly even.
- Pay by card or UPI so there is a record, and keep the bill and label.
Polo View vs the old city: where should you shop?
| Polo View and Residency Road | Old city (Downtown) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Clean, walkable, modern shops | Narrow lanes, workshops, old bazaars |
| Best for | Shawls, crafts, books, cafes, comparing prices | Copperware, everyday local goods, seeing crafts made |
| Prices | Fixed or lightly negotiable | Negotiable; better with a local |
| Time | 2 to 3 hours | A morning, with heritage stops |
If you have one afternoon, do Polo View and Residency Road. If you have a full day, add an old city morning.
Want a calm, commission-free shopping day? We plan the route and the driver.
Plan my Srinagar day →Via Kashmir drivers do not take guests to commission shops unless asked. Book verified hotels or houseboats on Dal and Nigeen, add Kashmir packages or local cabs, and tell us your dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best market in Srinagar for tourists?
Polo View is the most comfortable for browsing, and Residency Road has the Government Arts Emporium for fair crafts prices. Lal Chowk is best for everyday and winter clothing.
What should I buy in Srinagar?
Pashmina, kani and sozni shawls, papier-mache, walnut wood carving, hand-knotted carpets, Kashmiri saffron and dry fruits. Copperware from the old city also makes a lasting souvenir.
Is bargaining normal in Srinagar?
Yes, in most private shops and street markets. Government emporiums have fixed prices. Compare first, start well below the asking price and stay polite.
How can I tell real pashmina in Srinagar?
Look for the Kashmir Pashmina GI label, ask for the material in writing on the bill, and buy from a reputed shop. Our pashmina guide covers simple checks.
Should I shop where my driver takes me?
Only if you want to. Some drivers earn commission at certain showrooms, which raises prices. Tell your driver where you want to go.
Planning a trip to Kashmir? Via Kashmir offers custom itineraries, verified hotels, and local cab services, planned by people who live here.
Planning more than this? Get a full itemised Kashmir quote