Srinagar

Located on the eastern banks of Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, the garden was designed in 1633 by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan. Literally meaning the 'garden of bliss' it commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Although a Mughal garden, it plans were altered because of the hilly terrain. It has an elongated plan (instead of a square plan of Mughal garden) of 548 m X 338 m and is centred around a water channel, measuring 4 m wide and 20 cm deep. The channel flows in the east to west direction and is decorated with fountains and occasionally fountain pools. The garden consists of 12 terraces, representing the 12 signs of the zodiac. However, it has only two sections, namely the public garden and the private garden for the Zanana or harem. The terraces are lined along the central channel and consist of stoned paved pathways and short flights of stairs. The pathways are lined with chinar trees.

Shalimar, literally means abode of love, is a Mughal garden located on the northeast corner of Dal lake. It was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir, for his wife Nur Jahan, in 1619. During Jahangir's reign, Srinagar served as the summer capital of the Mughal empire and Shilimar Bagh served as the Mughal court. Like Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh follows the elongated plan with a dimension of 587 m by 251 m. The three-stage garden covers an area of 12.4 hectares (31 acres) and is centred around a central water channel. The lowest terrace contains the Diwan-e-Aam (public audience hall). The Diwan-e-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience) is located in the second terrace. The third and the uppermost terrace is topped with a central Zenna (Harem) pavilion, whose entrance is flanked with two smaller pavilion. The garden has paved pathways lined with chinar trees. The water channels consist of fountains and pools. The garden provides a grand bird eye view of the Dal Lake and the surroundings.

The mosque houses a strand from the Prophet’s beard and hence the name Hazrat Bal. The strand of the beard is displayed on special days. The mosque is located on the western bank of Lokut Dal, the northern portion of the Dal Lake. Visible from the mosque compound is the island of Sona Lank, with four chinar trees in the four corners. The white mosque is breathtakingly beautiful. Women may enter only the first part of the mosque. The adjoining area is a foodie's delight with several makeshift food shop selling deep-fried snacks.

One of the most important mosques in Kashmir, at the centre of Srinagar's religio-political life. Built between 1394–1402, the mosque has been a platform to debate and discuss the complex politics of Kashmir.

A Sufi shrine housing the relics of saint Abdul Qadir Jeelani (1077–1166) who earned deep reverence across the subcontinent, despite never having set foot in the region.

A Sunni mosque built in 1539, and is held to be the first khanqah (mosques associated with specific saints) in the Kashmir Valley. It is one of the best examples of Kashmiri wooden architecture, and is decorated with papier-mâché.

A Mughal-era stone mosque, built by empress Noor Jehan, the consort of Jahangir, in 1623.

A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on a hilltop. It can be reached by car or taxi or auto rickshaw. You can walk too. It is a 5 km walk from the entrance of the hill. No cameras or mobiles phones are allowed within the temple, and you are supposed to leave them in the vehicle before entering the temple premises. The army checkpoint can also keep your camera and mobile phones. Cigarettes and alcoholic drinks should also be deposited with the police before the ascent of the hill, as these items are against Hinduism. Locals from Dal Gate say there are 250 steps to reach the temple. The temple is visible from Dal Lake Area. The temple complex offers a great bird eye view of the Dal Lake area and beyond.

Hidden in the streets between river and Zainda Kadal, this extraordinary brick mausoleum marks the final resting place of Sultan Sikande’s wife.

This tomb, also known as Roza Bal, is believed by some to be the tomb of Jesus (part of the larger theory that he survived the crucifixion and made his way to Kashmir where he lived until at least the age of 100). It has been made popular by books such as Jesus Lived in India by Holger Kersten (1983) among others. It's down a little side road - ask around, pretty much anyone in the area can point you in the right direction. It was closed in 2011 and sealed, photography and videography are not permitted.

A pre-Indus archaeological site.

Pari Mahal, literally meaning the palace of the fairies, is a seven terraced garden located at the southeast corner of Dal Lake. The garden was constructed by Dara Sukho, elder brother of Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals. It was constructed in the mid 17th century. The uppermost terrace contains two baradari-styled structures and a reservoir. The walls consists of arched gateways and there are several other structures in the compound.

Visit the ruins located on the outskirts of Srinagar on way to Gulmarg. See the palaces of Kashmir's Buddhist and Hindu rulers and Buddhist places of worship.

This museum established in the late 19th century houses around 80,000 artefacts mainly from the broader Jammu and Kashmir region.In 2017, a second building which is more resistant to earthquakes and other natural disasters was constructed, and many of the more valuable and vulnerable artefacts were moved there. The original building is still in use.

The musical fountain along with laser show was inaugurated in April 2019. It runs three times a day after 7 pm and consists of a 15-minute show. Apart from the musical fountain the show also depicts the history of Kashmir through a laser show.

Home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag (hangul). Grasslands, alpine meadows, waterfalls and craggy cliffs provide a home for various species of mammals such as the Himalayan black and brown bears, jackal and leopard and birds such as the woodpecker, pygmy owl and cinnamon sparrow.

A Ramsar site and a bird sanctuary.