Srinagar District · Kashmir Valley
Srinagar: Things to Do, Food, Markets & Local Guide
The summer capital of Kashmir: Dal Lake and houseboats, Mughal gardens, the bustling bazaars of Lal Chowk, and the craft that made the valley famous.
Overview
Srinagar is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, built around Dal and Nigeen lakes and the Jhelum river. It is the commercial and cultural heart of the valley: houseboats and shikaras, the Mughal gardens, the old city with its shrines and craft lanes, and the modern shopping and business hub of Lal Chowk. It is also the base for trips across Kashmir.
Srinagar on the Map
Things to Do & Places to Visit in Srinagar
Dal Lake & Shikara Ride
View on map →The heart of Srinagar. Take a shikara across the lake at sunrise or golden hour, past floating gardens and the floating market.
Mughal Gardens (Nishat & Shalimar)
View on map →Terraced 17th-century gardens with fountains and chinar avenues framing the lake.
Shankaracharya Temple
View on map →A hilltop temple with the finest panorama over the city and Dal Lake.
Hazratbal Shrine
View on map →The white marble shrine on the northern shore of Dal Lake.
Jamia Masjid & the Old City
View on map →A grand mosque with 370 deodar pillars, surrounded by the shrines and craft lanes of downtown Srinagar.
Pari Mahal & Chashme Shahi
View on map →A terraced garden-monument and a spring garden on the slopes above the lake.
Tulip Garden (seasonal)
View on map →Asia's largest tulip garden, in bloom for a few weeks from late March into April.
Food & Restaurants in Srinagar
Srinagar is the home of Wazwan, the multi-course Kashmiri feast, with signature dishes like rogan josh, rista, and gushtaba. The city is full of restaurants serving Kashmiri and Mughlai food, riverside cafes along the Boulevard, and traditional bakeries selling bakerkhani, kandi kulcha, and girda. Do not leave without a cup of noon chai (pink salt tea) or kahwa.
Find restaurants in SrinagarMarkets & Bazaars in Srinagar
Lal Chowk is the main commercial centre, with Hari Singh High Street, Residency Road, and the upmarket Polo View Market nearby for shawls and crafts. The old city bazaars around Zaina Kadal and Maharaj Gunj are the traditional trading lanes, while the government Kashmir Government Arts Emporium and Kashmir Haat are good for fixed-price crafts.
Find markets in SrinagarShopping, Crafts & Clothes in Srinagar
Srinagar is the place to buy Kashmiri crafts: pashmina and cashmere shawls, hand-knotted silk and wool carpets, papier-mache, walnut-wood carving, crewel embroidery, and the traditional pheran (the long woollen robe). Buy pashmina from reputable, GI-tagged sellers and ask for certification, as imitations are common.
Find shops in SrinagarLocal Specialities of Srinagar
Pashmina & Cashmere
Srinagar is the global home of genuine pashmina shawls, hand-spun and woven in the old city.
Kashmiri Saffron
The prized Mongra saffron from nearby Pampore is graded and traded in Srinagar.
Dry Fruits
Walnuts, almonds, and dried apricots from across the valley, sold along the old city lanes.
Papier-mache & Walnut Wood
Hand-painted papier-mache and intricately carved walnut wood are Srinagar specialities.
Business & Commercial Zone in Srinagar
Lal Chowk is the commercial and business hub of Srinagar and the wider valley, home to banks, offices, showrooms, and the main shopping streets. Rajbagh, Residency Road, and the Boulevard are other key commercial areas.
View commercial area on mapHow to Reach Srinagar
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other metros. By road, Srinagar is on the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH 44). The city is the transport hub for the rest of Kashmir, with Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg all around 2 to 2.5 hours away.
Srinagar FAQs
What is Srinagar famous for?
Srinagar is famous for Dal Lake with its houseboats and shikaras, the Mughal gardens, the old city with its shrines and craft bazaars, and for Kashmiri crafts like pashmina, carpets, and papier-mache. It is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the commercial heart of the valley.
Where is the main market in Srinagar?
Lal Chowk is the main market and commercial centre of Srinagar, with Hari Singh High Street, Residency Road, and Polo View Market nearby. The old city bazaars around Zaina Kadal are the traditional craft-trading lanes.
What should I buy in Srinagar?
Srinagar is best for genuine pashmina shawls, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mache, walnut-wood carving, saffron, and dry fruits. Buy pashmina and saffron from reputable, GI-certified sellers to avoid imitations.
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