15 Hidden Gems In Srinagar Off The Beaten Track You Have To Visit

Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Kashmir Valley, the city of Srinagar is one of India’s most unique capitals. It’s home to one of the most famous and scenic floating markets in India, beautiful temples and mosques, two lakes, and a bunch of other popular tourist sites. However, it’s also home to less famous places and in this article, we focus on them. From secluded gardens to hidden viewpoints and quirky museums, here are the best hidden gems in Srinagar.

How To Get To Srinagar

There are two ways to get to Srinagar from Delhi via road. Those are Delhi-Manali-Leh and Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar. The first passage is open only 3-4 months in the year, while the second is open throughout the year. You can also take a train from Delhi to Jammu and then from Jammu to Srinagar but the most hassle-free option is to just get a flight from Delhi to Srinagar.

Just note that if you’re traveling by road, make sure the passage you’re taking is open. Once, I took a trip to Kashmir in May even the people at the bus station in Delhi didn’t have that information. We decided to take the advice of an old man from Manali that we met at the bus station who claimed that the passage was but when we reached Manali, we found out that the passage was closed due to the unexpected snow. So, being left without other options, we bought another ticket from Manali to Jammu and traveled for 14 hours starting from Delhi to Manali and 16 hours from Manali to Jammu.

Where To Stay In Srinagar?

I’ve stayed in different kinds of accommodation from luxurious hotels to cheap boathouses. The first time I visited, I stayed in the cheapest boathouses we could find. We only paid 200 INR per night ($3.5 USD). It wasn’t the best accommodation, but it had everything we need. We were making instant jokes about how we might wake up in the water because the floor was screeching every time you’d set a foot on it. Luckily, that didn’t happen. But whatever you choose, you can use our Booking affiliate link and get up to 15% off on all properties in Srinagar.

Best Tours To Take In Srinagar

Tours are a great way to explore the city and support local tourism companies who despite the natural beauties of the region have been struggling because the region doesn’t get a lot of visitors because of the political turmoil between India and Pakistan. I’ve taken many tours in Srinagar and here are some of my favorite choices.

If you’re looking for a tour that covers most of Srinagar’s highlights, the Srinagar Splendors tours is a great choice but if you’re looking to explore the city for the whole day, this tour shows you not only the highlights of Srinagar and the beauty of its lakes but also the finest dining options in town.

Alternatively, this tour is a great choice for people who want to get an in-depth tour of Srinagar’s old town.

If you’re looking for some nice day trip ideas from Srinagar, I warmly recommend this Gulmarg excursion– it’s one of the most beautiful places in the region and the tour also gives you a taste of traditional Kashmiri food.

Sonamarg is another great day trip ideas and the guides on this tour were just amazing.

Last but not least, if you’re looking for some longer tours that take care of your accommodation, food, transportation, and activities (so you don’t have to plan a thing), I recommend this private 6-day tour of Kashmir and this 15-day Sringar-Leh tour.

What’s Life Like In Srinagar?

The tale of Kashmir always begins with a cold breeze that smacks you in the face as soon as you reach Srinagar. After that, this breeze becomes your faithful companion throughout your trip.
Srinagar, the home of the Dal lake is an amazing city that looks like a winter version of Venice and as such has a lot of fascinating tourism sights. At this lake, you will find one of the biggest floating markets in India where you can buy literally everything, including hash and weed, if you’re into this stuff.

However, one can’t help but notice the deep trails that the political situation left on the people of Kashmir. The roads are awful, electricity and water breakdowns are common, the Internet is almost not existent, and home-made jugaads are omnipresent. Being in such a difficult situation, the Indian Government is afraid to invest in the region, because of the fear of separation. On the other hand, people don’t trust the Government and don’t feel like they are part of India, and their animosity towards the Government grows. That’s what I call the vicious circle of Kashmir…

Our Favorite Hidden Gems In Srinagar

Now that we covered some basics about Srinagar, let’s focus on the most important part of this article; the hidden gems in Srinagar for people looking to get off the beaten track…

Zero Bridge

We start off this list of hidden gems in Srinagar with Zero Bridge, a charming and lesser-known bridge that connects the Raj Bagh area with the old town and offering some very nice views along the way. The bridge is named after the zero milestone that once marked the starting point of the arterial roads leading to different parts of the city. Today, its picturesque setting is a great viewpoint where you can take photos of the glistening waters of the Jhelum River with the colorful old houses of old town in the background.

Astanmarg Viewpoint

Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, this viewpoint is one of Srinagar’s most underrated sites, offering beautiful views of the city and the glorious Dargah Hazratbal Shrine (by the way, located close to the viewpoint). To get to the viewpoint, you need to take a short trek up the hill from the Hazratbal area and from the top, you can see everything- the beautiful ancient city flirting with its most precious jewel, Dal Lake with the gorgeous Himalayas in the background.

Pathar Masjid

Pathar Masjid is one of the city’s historic but often forgotten mosques and one of our favorite hidden gems in Srinagar. Situated in the heart of the old city, near the bustling Nowhatta area, this ancient mosque dates back to the 17th century and showcases a fusion of Persian and Mughal styles.

Shah-e-Hamdan RH Mosque

And speaking of mosques we shouldn’t forget about an even older one- Shah-e-Hamdan RH Mosque, one named after the revered Sufi saint, who was one of the crucial figures in spreading Islam in Kashmir during the 14th century. The mosque also dates back to the 14th century, but it has been renovated many times throughout the centuries, resulting in a fusion of architectural styles that it has today. The mosque’s architecture showcases intricate woodwork, ornate carvings, and vibrant Kashmiri-style frescoes, with delicate filigree and intricate motifs.

Emporium Garden

Located in the heart of the city, Emporium Garden is one of those hidden gems that lies hidden in plain sight. Locals often refer to it as Srinagar’s oasis for its lush green lawns and towering chinar trees. Well, technically in the winter, it looks very dry and gray but as spring sets in, Emporium Garden transforms into a sea of white blooms The garden is also decorated with gorgeous ornate fountains and pathways adorned with colorful mosaic tiles that just make it even more pretty.

Shri Pratap Singh Museum

Sri Pratap Museum houses one of the most extensive collection of artifacts, artworks, and historical relics in Srinagar. It’s housed in a beautiful colonial-era building, and has many exhibits that chronicle the history, culture, and traditions of the region, including more than 2000 ancient manuscripts, close to 2000 statues and archaeological finds, more than 600 paintings, and more than 350 ancient weapons, among others.

Kabootar Khana

Kabootar Khana is one of the most peaceful hidden gems in Srinagar, is a place where time seems to stand still, which is why it’s the favorite refuge of local pigeons (its name also translates to Pigeon House). This centuries-old tradition of feeding and caring for pigeons actually holds great cultural significance for people living Srinagar, they’ve been practicing it for centuries. Most tourists just pass by it (it’s located in the famous Maharaj Gunj area) without ever looking closely and realizing just what of a gem this structure is.

Burzuhama

Situated in the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, about 16 km away from the city this archaeological site is the foremost historical site located in the Kashmir valley, discovering a Neolithic settlement between 3,000 and 1,500 BC. Excavations have unearthed evidence of early human settlements, including tools, pottery, and burial sites. What makes this site one of the most important ones in India is the fact that it showes the evolution from the underground housing to the first mud-brick structures of the Megalithic era in this part of the world.

Kheer Bhawani Temple

The Kheer Bhawani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi, believed to be the presiding deity of the Kashmir Valley in Hinduism. Technically, it’s located in the village of Tula Mula, approximately 25 kilometers from the city center, but it surely is worth the detour, especially if you are visiting during the annual eponymously named Mela, one of the largest gatherings of Hindus in the region.

Nigeen Lake

This list of hidden gems in Srinagar wouldn’t be complete without Nigeen Lake, one that leaves in an eternal shadow of its more famous cousin- Dal Lake. The lake si fed by the many mountain streams from the neighboring mountains. It’s famous for its aquatic plants like algae, its crystal clear waters, tiny islets of lush green towering trees, and for being connected to Dal Lake via a narrow strait which is one of the most scenic sites in Srinagar.

Char Chinar

Speaking of islets hidden gems in Srinagar, how can we forget about Char Chinar? Char Chinar, a lush islet in the midst of Dal Lake, adorned with four majestic Chinar trees that characteristically grow in Western Himalayas. It’s beautiful in the spring and summer when the trees bloom but it’s also equally gorgeous to see the beautiful trees standing tall in the middle of the lake as Srinagar puts on its white winter clothes.

Challi Point

Located 5 km away from the local bus station, Challi is a gorgeous viewpoint that lies right next to Dal Lake and offers gorgeous views of Dal Lake, with its sparkling waters and vibrant houseboats, kissing Srinagar’s famous Boulevard Road, showing that peace and quiet can be found even among the city’s constant hustle and bustle.

Lolab Valley

Lolab Valley is a picturesque valley located in the northern region of the state that’s worth taking the day trip. It’s famous for its verdant meadows that form a gorgeous view constantly rolling against the surrounding mountains. The distance from Srinagar is about 60 kilometers and it’s the perfect scenic road journey for nature lovers visiting Kashmir’s summer capital.

Yusmarg

If you’re looking for another day trip idea from Srinagar, you should add Yusmarg on your list. It’s roughly 45 kilometers away from the city and its name translates to “Meadow of Jesus”. Some locals told me that they believe that Jesus once visited the valley of which I’m skeptical but I can see how the meadow would be named after him because it’s divinely beautiful.

Pahalgam

Last but not least, we round up this list of hidden gems in Srinagar (or in this case, near it) with Pahalgam. Pahalgam is a nature paradise that lies approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Srinagar, at the confluence of the Lidder River and the Sheshnag Lake, creating and is renowned in the region for its lush green meadows, deep forests, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic views of the snow-clad peaks.

Did you enjoy this list of the best hidden gems in Srinagar? Would you like to visit Srinagar someday? Judging from this article, what do you think about the local Srinagar tourism? Let me know in the comments!

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