Best Places to Visit in Kashmir

Srinagar District

Top Places to Visit in Srinagar

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.

The heart of Srinagar. Take a shikara across the lake at sunrise or golden hour, past floating gardens and the floating market.

Terraced 17th-century gardens with fountains and chinar avenues framing the lake.

A hilltop temple with the finest panorama over the city and Dal Lake.

The white marble shrine on the northern shore of Dal Lake.

A grand mosque with 370 deodar pillars, surrounded by the shrines and craft lanes of downtown Srinagar.

A terraced garden-monument and a spring garden on the slopes above the lake.

Asia's largest tulip garden, in bloom for a few weeks from late March into April.

Baramulla District

Top Places to Visit in Gulmarg

On the ground in Gulmarg: where to eat, how to get around the meadow, where to hire snow gear, and the practical side of a day at the gondola or on the slopes.

The two-phase cable car to Apharwat. Go early to beat queues; tickets for each phase are bought at the base station.

Lift-served and backcountry skiing in winter; sledging and snow play for everyone else.

One of the highest golf courses in the world, playable in summer.

A small hilltop temple and gentle walks across the meadow toward Khilanmarg.

Gulmarg's high point at nearly 4,000 metres, reached by Phase 2 of the Gondola - snow, panoramic Himalayan views, and Kashmir's best off-piste skiing.

Anantnag District

Top Places to Visit in Pahalgam

On the ground in Pahalgam: riverside cafes and trout, the main market for dry fruit and crafts, local cabs to the valleys, and how to get around.

The three side valleys, reached by local Pahalgam union cabs. Plan a full day.

Riverside walks, cafes, and white-water rafting on the Lidder.

A high meadow above the town, reached on foot or by pony. Closed to visitors since the April 2025 attack and not reopened as of the latest reports; check before planning it.

Ganderbal District

Top Places to Visit in Sonamarg

On the ground in Sonamarg: trout dhabas, pony rates to the Thajiwas Glacier, rafting on the Sind, and the practical side of a high-alpine day trip.

Reached by a short pony ride or walk from the meadow; agree pony rates in advance.

Seasonal white-water rafting on the river below the meadow.

Alpine meadows and the dramatic road toward Ladakh, open in the warmer months.

The snowfield just past Zoji La, about 31 km beyond Sonamarg, where snow usually lingers into summer - the easiest place near Sonamarg for snow play.

The high mountain pass beyond Sonamarg where Kashmir's green valley gives way to Ladakh's high-altitude desert - dramatic, and closed all winter.

Pulwama District

Top Places to Visit in Pampore

The saffron town of Kashmir, where the karewa plateaus turn purple each autumn and the world's most prized Mongra saffron is harvested.

Walk the karewa plateaus, especially during the purple bloom in late October and November. The harvest is a local spectacle.

See how the delicate crimson stigmas are hand-picked, dried, and graded into Mongra saffron.

The old town has historic mosques and the Khanqah of Khwaja Masood.

The 9th-century Avantiswami temple ruins are a short drive further south.

Budgam District

Top Places to Visit in Yusmarg

A quiet pine-ringed meadow in Budgam, a gentle alternative to the busier hill stations, with Nilnag lake and the Doodh Ganga nearby.

A wide, quiet meadow ringed by pines and peaks, ideal for gentle walks and pony rides.

A small blue forest lake reached on foot or by pony from the meadow.

A milky-white mountain stream that gives the area part of its charm.

Budgam District

Top Places to Visit in Doodhpathri

The "valley of milk" in Budgam: a wide grassy meadow threaded by a shallow, milky-white stream, a favourite day trip from Srinagar.

A wide grassy meadow with a shallow, milky-white stream running through it, framed by conifer forest.

Higher meadows and forest walks around the main valley.

The gentle stream and open grass make Doodhpathri a favourite picnic spot.

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.

How much does the Gulmarg Gondola cost?

About ₹800 per person for Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdori) and about ₹1,000 for Phase 2 (to Apharwat) in 2026; Phase 2 needs a Phase 1 ticket first and runs only in good weather. See Gulmarg Gondola tickets.

What is the cab fare from Srinagar to Gulmarg?

Via Kashmir fixed fares one way are ₹2,400 by sedan, ₹2,900 by Innova and ₹3,350 by Innova Crysta for the roughly 50 km drive (October 2026).

Where do you eat in Gulmarg?

Dining in Gulmarg is mostly at the hotels and resorts near the gondola and in the small market area, serving Kashmiri and Indian food plus kahwa and quick bites for skiers. Options are limited, so plan meals around your accommodation.

Where can you hire snow gear for Gulmarg?

Snow gear such as jackets, gumboots, and gloves is usually hired in Tangmarg on the way up to Gulmarg, or from operators in Gulmarg itself. Rates are set locally; agree the price before hiring.

Which places in Pahalgam are open in 2026?

Pahalgam town, the Lidder riverside and its hotels are open. After the April 2025 attack, Betaab Valley reopened in June 2025 and Aru Valley in September 2025; Baisaran had not reopened as of the latest reports. Our Srinagar team confirms what is open before your trip.

How much do Pahalgam union taxis cost?

Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari are reached by the Pahalgam taxi union, not your own cab. The full circuit costs about ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per vehicle (an Innova about ₹2,700 in 2025-26); agree the fare at the stand before you set off.

Where do you eat in Pahalgam?

Pahalgam has riverside cafes and hotel restaurants along the main market and the Aru road, serving Kashmiri food, fresh trout, and Indian and fast food. It is the easiest of the resort towns to find a good meal.

How do you get around Pahalgam's valleys?

Betaab Valley, Aru, and Chandanwari are served by local Pahalgam union cabs with fixed rates, booked from the town stand, not your main Srinagar taxi. Baisaran, normally reached on foot or by pony, had not reopened as of the latest reports.

How much are pony rides to Thajiwas Glacier?

Pony rides to the Thajiwas Glacier from the Sonamarg meadow are arranged through a local union with set rates that vary by season and point. Agree the price and destination before setting off, and carry a warm layer even in summer.

Where do you eat in Sonamarg?

Sonamarg and the Sind valley road have basic dhabas and trout eateries. Options are limited, so many visitors carry a picnic or eat in Ganderbal or Srinagar on the way.

Why is Pampore famous?

Pampore is famous as the saffron capital of India. Its karewa plateaus produce Kashmiri Mongra saffron, considered the finest in the world and GI-tagged. The fields bloom purple in late October and November during the harvest.

When can you see the saffron bloom in Pampore?

The saffron crocus blooms for a few weeks in late October and November, when the karewa fields turn purple and the harvest takes place. This is the best time to visit Pampore for the spectacle.

Is Pampore saffron genuine?

Genuine Kashmiri Mongra saffron from Pampore is GI-tagged, deep red, and strongly aromatic. Because adulteration is common, buy only from reputable, certified sellers or cooperatives.

What is the cab fare from Srinagar to Yusmarg?

Via Kashmir fixed fares one way are ₹2,400 by sedan, ₹3,300 by Innova and ₹3,850 by Innova Crysta for the roughly 47 km, 1.5 hour drive (October 2026).

What is Yusmarg known for?

Yusmarg is known as a quiet, pine-ringed alpine meadow in Budgam, a peaceful alternative to Gulmarg and Pahalgam, with the Nilnag lake and Doodh Ganga stream nearby. It suits gentle walks and picnics.

Is Yusmarg a day trip from Srinagar?

Yes. Yusmarg is about 45 km from Srinagar and is an easy day trip, usually combined with the shrine town of Charar-i-Sharief on the way.

What is the cab fare from Srinagar to Doodhpathri?

Via Kashmir fixed fares one way are ₹2,400 by sedan, ₹3,300 by Innova and ₹3,850 by Innova Crysta for the roughly 42 km, 1.5 hour drive (October 2026).

Why is it called Doodhpathri?

Doodhpathri means "valley of milk", a name that comes from the frothy, milky-white appearance of the shallow stream that runs across its meadows.

Is Doodhpathri worth visiting?

Yes. Doodhpathri is one of the most accessible and scenic meadows near Srinagar, ideal for a relaxed day trip, picnics, and short walks amid grass, stream, and pine forest.