Top 15 Things to Do in Srinagar Beyond Dal Lake

Introduction

Most visitors to Srinagar spend their time on Dal Lake, and with good reason: a houseboat stay and a shikara ride are unforgettable. But Kashmir's summer capital offers much more. Behind the lake lie Mughal terraced gardens, centuries-old wooden shrines, a medieval old city along the Jhelum River, lively bazaars and one of India's great food traditions.

Here are 15 of the best things to do in Srinagar beyond Dal Lake, chosen by the D Asia Travels team for international travelers who want to see the real city.

The 15 Things at a Glance

#	Experience	Type	Time needed
1	Pari Mahal	Garden and viewpoint	1 hr
2	Shankaracharya Temple	Hilltop temple, views	2 hrs
3	Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi	Mughal gardens	Half day
4	Hazratbal Shrine	Marble shrine on the lake	1 hr
5	Nigeen Lake	Quieter lake, shikara or kayak	1–2 hrs
6	Jamia Masjid	Wooden-pillared mosque	45 min
7	Khanqah of Shah Hamadan	Carved wooden shrine	30 min
8	Pathar Masjid and Zaina Kadal	Stone mosque, river views	45 min
9	Old city heritage walk	Wooden houses, bridges, lanes	2–3 hrs
10	Floating vegetable market	Dawn market on boats	1.5 hrs
11	Kashmiri wazwan	Food	A meal
12	Craft workshops	Papier-mâché, carpets, pashmina	1–2 hrs
13	Kahwa and bakeries	Food	30 min
14	Shopping in Lal Chowk and Polo View	Markets	2 hrs
15	Jhelum River sunset	Riverfront walk	1 hr

Gardens, Lakes, Shrines and Heritage

1. Pari Mahal

Perched on the Zabarwan hills above Chashme Shahi, the "Palace of Fairies" is a 17th-century terraced garden built by the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. Its arched ruins and lawns give one of the finest views over Dal Lake and the city, especially at sunset.

2. Shankaracharya Temple

This ancient Shiva temple sits on a hill rising about 1,000 feet above Dal Lake, once known as Takht-i-Suleiman. Tradition links it to the philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, and the climb up several hundred steps rewards you with a panoramic view of Srinagar. Phones and cameras must be left in your vehicle.

3. The Mughal Gardens: Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi

Srinagar's three great Mughal gardens are masterpieces of terraced design, with fountains, water channels, and ancient chinar trees. Nishat Bagh has the grandest lake views, Shalimar Bagh was built by Emperor Jahangir for his queen, and Chashme Shahi is famous for its natural spring.

4. Hazratbal Shrine

This gleaming white marble shrine on the far shore of Dal Lake is Kashmir's most revered Muslim shrine, holding a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the only domed mosque in the Srinagar area. Visit on a Friday afternoon to see the shrine at its busiest, and try the street food in the surrounding bazaar.

5. Nigeen Lake

Connected to Dal Lake but far quieter, Nigeen Lake is lined with willows and elegant houseboats. It is ideal for a peaceful shikara ride, kayaking or simply a calmer houseboat stay away from the crowds.

6. Jamia Masjid

In the heart of the old city, the Jamia Masjid was first built in 1394 and rebuilt several times after fires. Its vast courtyard is surrounded by halls supported by 378 pillars made from single deodar trunks, a breathtaking sight. Entry is free; dress modestly and avoid prayer times.

7. Khanqah of Shah Hamadan

Standing on the bank of the Jhelum River, this shrine honors the 14th-century Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. It is one of the finest examples of Kashmiri wooden architecture, with intricately carved and painted walls and a tall spire. Non-Muslims and women can view the interior from the doorway or windows.

8. Pathar Masjid and Zaina Kadal

Across the river from the Khanqah, the Pathar Masjid (Stone Mosque) was built by Empress Nur Jahan in limestone, a rarity in a city of wooden buildings. Nearby, the Zaina Kadal bridge offers lovely views of the river, old domes and wooden houses, especially at sunset.

Old City, Food, Crafts and Experiences

9. Old City Heritage Walk

Srinagar's old city, known locally as Shehr-e-Khaas, is a maze of narrow lanes, wooden houses with carved balconies, bakeries and spice shops along the Jhelum. A guided heritage walk connects the Jamia Masjid, the Khanqah, and the old bridges, giving a real sense of life in one of India's oldest cities.

10. Floating Vegetable Market

Rise before dawn for a shikara ride to the floating vegetable market in the backwaters of Dal Lake, where farmers trade vegetables, flowers and herbs from their boats. It is over by early morning, so leave around 5–5:30 am in summer.

11. Taste a Kashmiri Wazwan

The wazwan is Kashmir's famous multi-course feast, traditionally cooked by master chefs called wazas. Look out for rogan josh, yakhni (lamb in a yogurt gravy) and gushtaba (soft meatballs in a creamy sauce). Vegetarian Kashmiri dishes such as dum aloo and nadru yakhni (lotus stem) are delicious too.

12. Visit a Craft Workshop

Srinagar is a center of fine handicrafts. Watch artisans at work on papier-mâché, hand-knotted silk carpets, pashmina shawls, walnut-wood carving and sozni embroidery. Buying from workshops supports local craftspeople and lets you see genuine quality.

13. Kahwa and Kashmiri Bakeries

Warm up with a cup of kahwa, green tea brewed with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and almonds, or try the pink, salty noon chai. Kashmiri bakeries, called kandurs, sell fresh breads such as girda and lavasa at breakfast time.

14. Shopping in Lal Chowk and Polo View

Lal Chowk is Srinagar's bustling commercial heart, while the pedestrian-friendly Polo View Market has been redeveloped with smart shopfronts. Look for pashmina, saffron, dried fruits, walnuts, and pherans (traditional woolen cloaks).

15. Sunset on the Jhelum River

End your day with a walk along the Jhelum riverfront, watching the evening light fall on old wooden houses, mosque domes and bridges. It is a peaceful counterpoint to the bustle of Dal Lake.

How Many Days in Srinagar?

We recommend at least two full days in Srinagar to enjoy the lake, gardens and old city, plus extra days for trips to Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. See our guide to how to split your nights.

A 2-day Srinagar plan

Time	Day 1: Lakes and gardens	Day 2: Old city and culture
Early morning	—	Floating vegetable market by shikara
Morning	Shankaracharya Temple	Old city heritage walk: Jamia Masjid, Khanqah, Pathar Masjid
Midday	Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh	Wazwan lunch
Afternoon	Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal	Craft workshop visit, kahwa
Evening	Shikara ride on Dal Lake	Hazratbal Shrine and Nigeen Lake, or a Jhelum sunset walk

Tip: Keep one morning in reserve for the floating market if you are staying on a houseboat, as the shikara can collect you right from your deck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Srinagar famous for?

Srinagar is famous for Dal Lake and its houseboats, the Mughal gardens, carved wooden shrines, Kashmiri crafts such as pashmina and papier-mâché, and wazwan cuisine.

What can I do in Srinagar apart from Dal Lake?

Visit Pari Mahal and the Mughal gardens, climb to Shankaracharya Temple, explore the old city's Jamia Masjid and Khanqah of Shah Hamadan, see the floating vegetable market, and try a wazwan feast.

How many days are enough for Srinagar?

Two full days are enough for the main sights, with extra days for trips to Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam.

Is the old city of Srinagar safe for tourists?

The old city is regularly visited by tourists. We recommend exploring with a local guide, who can also explain the history and help you visit shrines respectfully.

What should I wear when visiting shrines in Srinagar?

Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Women should carry a scarf to cover their head, and everyone should remove shoes where required.

Explore Srinagar with D Asia Travels

There is far more to Srinagar than Dal Lake, from Mughal gardens and wooden shrines to dawn markets and wazwan feasts. D Asia Travels includes expert local guides, houseboat stays, and a private car in our Kashmir tours, so you can see the real city at your own pace.

Ready to explore? See our Kashmir–Srinagar Tour Package, browse all Kashmir tour packages, or combine Srinagar with the capital on one of our Delhi + Kashmir Tour Packages.