Top Best Wonderful Tourist Destinations to Visit in Kashmir

   Explore the top tourist destinations in Kashmir .Kashmir is like a jewel in India’s Himalayas. People call it “Paradise on Earth” because of the stunning landscapes that will leave you speechless. Their are so many tourist destinations in Kashmir where You can see snow-capped peaks, beautiful valleys, and so much more.

The enchanting landscapes of Gulmarg, and Pahalgam, are perfect for adventurers and nature lovers. Gulmarg is a paradise not just for winter skiing but also for summer golfing. Activities are available here throughout the entire year! At the meeting point of the Lidder River and Sheshnag Lake is the charming, tiny town of Pahalgam. It’s a wonderful spot to begin journeys to the revered Amarnath Cave and a starting point for some thrilling hikes. Here is a list of famous tourist destinations in Kashmir in 2024

Discover Tourist destinations in Kashmir

1. Dal Lake

• Description: Dal Lake is one of the iconic tourist destinations in Kashmir. It features houseboats, shikaras (traditional wooden boats), and floating gardens. A shikara ride is a quintessential Srinagar experience.
• Activities: Shikara rides, houseboat stays, and exploring the floating market.
  • Prices for Shikara Rides in Dal Lake per Hour Rate
  • Shikara ride for 1 Hour INR 770, 2 Hours INR 1210, 3 Hours INR 1650
• Timing for Shikhara rides: In Winter 10 am – 6 pm, In summers 7 am – 8 pm

Mughal Gardens

• Shalimar Bagh: The bagh has a beautiful fountain and breathtaking views. Emperor Jahangir gifted this garden to his wife Nur Jahan
• Nishat Bagh: Nishat Bagh, the largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley, overlooks Dal Lake and offers terraced lawns and magnificent views.
• Chashme Shahi: A small but charming garden, known for its freshwater spring.

Pari Mahal

• Description: Also known as the “Palace of Fairies,” Pari Mahal is a seven-terraced garden located on Zabarwan Mountain overlooking Dal Lake.
• Activities: Enjoy panoramic views of Srinagar and Dal Lake, and explore the historical architecture.

Shankaracharya Temple

• Description: This temple situated on Shankaracharya hills offers amazing views it dedicates to Lord Shiva
• Activities: Climb up to the temple and enjoy the breathtaking views

Jamia Masjid

• Description: . Jama Masjid is popular for its architecture and 378 wooden pillars. It is an old masjid since the 14th century and located at Srinagar’s old city
• Activities: Explore the mosque and its surroundings in the old city.

Tulip Garden

• Description: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia, blooming with vibrant tulips every spring. It is a breathtaking tourist destinations in Kashmir.
• Activities: Visit during the spring season (March to April) to see the tulips in full bloom.

Floating Market

• Description: The floating vegetable market on Dal Lake is a unique experience where local farmers sell their produce from boats. it is the only one of the tourist destinations in Kashmir with a floating Market.
• Activities: Visit early in the morning to witness the bustling market.

Dachigam National Park

• Description: Located about 22 km from Srinagar, this national park is home to the endangered Hangul deer and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and trekking.
• Activities: Wildlife-spotting, trekking, and bird-watching.

2. Pahalgam

 Pahalgam is an one of the amazing tourist destinations in Kashmir to visit! Nested between Lidder Lake and Betaab Valley. The river rafting at Lidder Lake is an absolute must-do, and exploring the deep valleys is an experience unlike any other. And if you’re a golfer, you won’t want to miss this spot. Trust me, Pahalgam is a destination that you won’t regret adding to your travel itinerary.

River rafting Prices in Kashmir in 2024

• Prices for River rafting in Kashmir are Rs.1300/- per person
• For Booking Advance: Rs 300 per person
• Eligibility of Age: Above 6 years

Betaab Valley

• Description: This valley offers a great view of snow-capped mountains with the Lidder River.Betaab Valley’s name taken from the Bollywood movie “Betaab”.
• Activities: Picnicking, photography, and nature walks.

Aru Valley

• Description: Aru Valley is a beautiful village surrounds by mountains Located 12 Km away from Pahalgam ,It is a base for trekking routes and other adventure activities.
• Activities: Trekking, horse riding, and fishing.

Lidder River

• Description: Flowing through Pahalgam, the Lidder River offers opportunities for white-water rafting and fishing. It is one of the tourist destinations in Kashmir with river rafting activity.
• Activities: Rafting, angling, and riverside picnics.

Baisaran Valley

• Description: People often call Baisaran Valley “Mini Switzerland” for its dense pine and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
• Activities: Hiking, horse riding, and zorbing.

Pahalgam Golf Course

• Description: One of the highest golf courses in the world, offering a unique experience amidst the stunning landscape.
• Activities: Playing golf and enjoying the scenic views.

3. Gulmarg

Gulmarg is like a snow paradise in Kashmir, man! You’ve got to check it out if you’re into skiing, it’s like one of the perfect tourist places in Kashmir. They have this super long ropeway, like one of the biggest in the world, which covers like 5 km. And when you reach the top of the mountain at 3979 meters above sea level, dude, the view is just insane! And get this, you can even enjoy snowfall in the summer, which is totally rare.

Gulmarg Gondola

• Description: One of the highest and longest cable cars in the world, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
• Activities: Ride the gondola to Kongdoori and Apharwat Peak for stunning vistas and skiing

Gulmarg Golf Course

• Description: One of the highest golf courses in the world, set amidst a beautiful landscape with lush greenery.
• Activities: Golfing and enjoying the scenic beauty

St. Mary’s Church

• Description: A charming, historical church set amidst a serene landscape, known for its Victorian-style architecture.
• Activities: Exploring the church and its surroundings.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

• Description: A wildlife sanctuary home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the endangered musk deer and various bird species.
• Activities: Wildlife viewing, bird watching, and nature walks.

Amazing Handicrafts of Kashmir

The amazing handicrafts of Kashmir are famous worldwide for their beautiful craftsmanship and intricate designs. In Jammu, these handicrafts reflect its rich cultural heritage and comprise a variety of unique and stunning items, such as:

Kashmiri Carpets: Kashmiri carpets are famous worldwide for their incredible beauty, pattern, and design. These carpets originated in Kashmir, India. Kashmiri carpets are handmade using fabrics like wool or silk.  These carpets indicate the art and culture of Kashmir and the price is very high for durability.

Kashmiri Shawls: Kashmiri shawls have become famous for their brilliant designs, luxurious feel, and softness. These wonderful shawls, top-notch materials like Shahtoosh and Pashmina wool, feature designs that are frequently based on natural phenomena, like the traditional paisley pattern. 

Namdha. Namda handicrafts are a unique form of wool craft that originated in India. This craft involves felting wool to create a dense textile product commonly used for floor coverings, mattresses, and even decorative wall hangings—Kashmir region of India.

Famous delicious cuisines in Kashmir

Kashmir has an amazing landscape, whereas the Popular Delicious Cuisines in Kashmir are a delightful blend of flavors from the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and Persia, reflecting the region’s complex history and cultural diversity. Here are some of the popular traditional foods in Kashmir that you must try:

Rogan Josh:

This is perhaps one of the most famous dishes from Kashmir. Rogan Josh is a rich and aromatic curry made with tender pieces of lamb, cooked in a gravy seasoned with garlic, ginger, and a variety of spices including clove, bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Gushtab

Cooks make Gushtaba from minced mutton balls, which they cook in a creamy yogurt gravy and spice with cardamom and other seasonings.

Dum Aloo:

One of the vegetarian delights of the region, Dum Aloo involves potatoes cooked slowly at low heat in a spicy gravy. First, cooks prick the potatoes, usually the smaller ones, then deep-fry them, and finally slow-cook them in the curry, allowing them to absorb the rich flavors.

Kashmiri Rajma:

Unlike the typical Rajma (kidney bean curry) found elsewhere in India, chefs cooks this dish with a unique blend of spices, giving it a distinct flavor that pairs well with rice.

Harisa:

A traditional winter dish in Kashmir, Harisa is a warming meal made of slow-cooked meat mixed with rice, seasoned heavily with spices. It is consumes in breakfast.

Kashmiri Saag:

This is a local version of the saag dish popular in other parts of India. Made from spinach or other greens, it’s make with mild spices which allow the flavor of the greens to shine through.

Aab Gosht:

A traditional Kashmiri dish of boiled mutton cooked with a variety of spices and milk or yogurt, creating a rich and aromatic broth.

Shab Deg:

A traditional dish that combines turnips and meat cooked overnight to achieve deep flavors and tender meat.

 The food in is super amazing! Each dish has a unique flavor and cooking technique that’s been passed down from generations. Whether you’re into meaty curries or subtle vegetarian flavors, the cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir is just unbeatable. It’s like an incredible experience that you’ll never forget!

Famous Restaurants in Kashmir

Here is a list of some of the famous restaurants in Kashmir that are a must-see for any traveler who enjoys fine cuisine.  There are many different places to eat in this region. From modern cafés to traditional Kashmiri restaurants, each provides a unique taste.

In Srinagar

• Ahdoos Restaurant
• Mughal Darbar
• Shamyana restaurant

In Gulmarg

• Cloves Restaurant
• Bakshi Restaurant

In Pahalgam

• Trautbeat
• Dana Pani