9 Best Jammu and Kashmir tourist attractions (where to go, what to do and more)
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of the Indian subcontinent. No wonder people refer to Jammu and Kashmir as the Switzerland of India. With lush greenery and snow-capped mountains all year round, it is likened to paradise. You can find temples, forts, lakes, palaces and mountains all in one place. A valley on one side and a beautiful and peaceful lake on the other, amidst the mountains. Learn more about tourist attractions near Jammu in this article. We are here to provide you with places to visit, activities and do’s and don’ts in Jammu and Kashmir tourist attractions.
Attractions in Jammu and Kashmir:
Keep an eye out and keep reading to learn more about tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir. Here we have a detailed list of tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir near Jammu.
1. Srinagar:
When it comes to the famous tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir, the first thing that comes to our mind is Srinagar, the capital of the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar is the capital of the state of Jammu, located in the heart of the Kashmir valley. The main attraction of Srinagar is its lakes and houseboats where people can stay. Some of the places that tourists must visit are Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Pali Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hari Parbat, Kheer Bhavani, etc.
- Tour Highlights: The city has several important tourist attractions such as the beautiful Dal Lake, Pali Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, etc. These include religious sites and scenic spots…what more do we need!
- Things to do: Water activities such as canoeing, water surfing, and kayaking are available. Also, a boat ride or even houseboat accommodation on the famous Dal Lake is a must-do in this city.
- Best time to visit: The best part about the city is that you can visit the whole city, so it’s totally up to you, do you prefer lush green hills and urban spaces or snowy mountains?
- Peak season: Summer is usually the peak season
- Nearest city: Srinagar
- how can I get there: You can fly directly to the area as it has an airport, or you can take a train from major Indian cities like Delhi, or you can get there by road, but they are dangerous considering the location.
- Language used: Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu and English
- Ideal duration: Three days is enough to spend here.
2. Amaranth:
Next on the list of tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir is the famous Amarnath Yatra. Amarnath is known for its Yatra during the Shravan months around July-August. It starts at the Amarnath cave, known as the residence of Lord Shiva. For Yatra, one has to trek to an altitude of approximately 14,500 feet, and while this may seem intimidating, the picturesque views of the valleys and mountains, and the beauty of the surroundings, can inspire one’s enthusiasm.
- Tour Highlights: The beautiful valleys and mountains surrounding the site are worth admiring.
- Things to do: Hiking is fun.More religious offerings and events around the site
- Best time to visit: July to August
- Peak season: Yatra is held here at the same time as the peak season.
- Nearest city: 140 km from Srinagar
- how can I get there: You can hire a taxi to reach Pahalgam and then trek to Amarnath
- Language used: Kashmiri, Hindi, English
- Ideal duration: It takes about five days
[See Also: Best Honeymoon Places in Jammu & Kashmir]
3. Vishnu Devi:
Next on the list of tourist attractions in Srinagar, Jammu is the Vaishno Devi Temple. The famous Vishnu goddess temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess. The goddess is said to have spent time in a cave at an altitude of 5,200 feet and is therefore considered sacred. It is the second largest religious site in India with nearly 60,000 visitors annually. This is one of the tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir near Katra.
- Tour Highlights: Famous temples for offerings and prayers are worth visiting and the experience of a lifetime.
- Things to do: Make a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi, with horseback riding nearby for adventure lovers. Rafting is also available on the Chenab River, a tourist attraction near Katra Jammu.
- Best time to visit: This tourist attraction in Katra Jammu is open all year round, but the best time to visit this tourist attraction in Katra Jammu is from March to October.
- Peak season: Summer and October are peak holiday seasons and Puja time.
- Nearest city: jammu is the nearest city
- how can I get there: This is one of the tourist attractions in Jammu Tawi, the nearest airport is Jammu Tawi. The nearest railway station is Sri Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station.
- Language used: Dogri and Hindi
- Ideal duration: One can spend as much time here as possible.
4. Panitop:
Panitop’s landscape is blanketed in idyllic land in summer and full of snow in winter. Tourists coming out of the station, just to kill a moment of tranquility and refresh their minds, might as well stop at Panitop. This is a tourist attraction near Vaishno Devi Jammu.
- Tour Highlights: The snow-capped mountains in winter are the highlight here, which can be described as covered with white carpets
- Things to do: Paragliding in summer and skiing in winter are common. This is a must do for all adventure lovers.
- Best time to visit: December to March, taking into account snow times
- Peak season: Summer is the peak season here
- Nearest city: Jammu is the nearest city, 110 km from Panitop
- how can I get there: Local buses or taxis can be taken from the tourist resort of Jammu and Kashmir. This can take three to four hours.It is also possible to fly to Jammu and take a taxi
- Language used: Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri
- Ideal duration: Ideally, two to three days would be enough to visit the places here. Mainly here to experience the place.
5. Gulmarg:
The next tourist attraction in Jammu and Srinagar is the famous Gulmarg. Gulmarg means flower meadow in Hindi and the name fits this hill station as it is full of flowers. The most common flowers are daisies, forget-me-nots, ranunculus and hyacinth. Gulmarg is 2730 meters above sea level and offers views of snow-capped mountains. Must-see attractions are Gandora, Ski Lodge, Khilanmargalpathar Lake and Ninlinara.
- Tour Highlights: Gulmarg’s green golf course, Gondola Life are two famous tourist attractions, be sure to visit these beautiful spots for a once in a lifetime experience
- Things to do: One can ride a horse and enjoy the beauty of Gulbagh. If you’re an adventure lover, don’t miss out on skiing.
- Best time to visit: All year round, it all depends on whether you prefer snowy mountains or lush greenery around
- Peak season: Summer is the peak season here
- Nearest city: Srinagar
- how can I get there: You can fly to Srinagar and take a taxi to reach this place easily as it is 60 km from the city
- Language used: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English
- Ideal duration: 2 days
[See Also: Top Festivals in Jammu & Kashmir]
6. Badwa:
Bhaderwah is known as Mini Kashmir because the town has beautiful woodlands with streams flowing into different parts of the town. Badwa also has historical places and places of worship. It is also one of the famous tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Tour Highlights: The beautiful scenery and historical sites are a must see here. The town is called Mini Kashmir because of the picturesque surroundings.
- Things to do: Enjoy the experience in the village, look around and learn about their cultural heritage and religious beliefs
- Best time to visit: all year round
- Peak season: Summers
- Nearest city: udanpur
- how can I get there: Fly to Satwari airport and take a taxi to this place or you can get down to Udhampur railway station or take a taxi from here
- Language used: Kashmiri, Urdu and Hindi
- Ideal duration: 2 days.
7. Columns:
Who doesn’t know about this famous tourist attraction in Jammu Kashmir? Leh is made up of many mountains that merge into an oasis. The Palace of Columns is a must-see for tourists, as well as numerous monasteries. Leh is a great place for shopping, where turquoise and silver jewelry are imported from Myanmar and Tibet. The main attractions here are the Nubra Valley, Le Palace, Shanti Stupa and Tiksai Monastery.
- Tour Highlights: Handicrafts and traditional clothing are required here, so you can learn about local culture and traditions while experiencing local goods.
- Things to do: Visitors can choose from many sports such as hiking, trekking, polo, and more.
- Best time to visit: Every June to October
- Peak season: Summers
- Nearest city: Leh
- how can I get there: You can fly directly to Leh from major cities in India.Also, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery by car from the Manali Highway
- Language used: Ladakh, Tibetan, Urdu and Hindi
- Ideal duration: Ideally you can spend 3 to 4 days here.
8. Udehampur:
Udhampur is the second largest city in Jammu and is named after King Udham Singh. It is located in the eucalyptus forest and has a subtropical climate. The best places to visit in this city are Baba Dansa, Klimchi Temple, Bhimgarh Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Babore Temple etc.
- Tour Highlights: Enjoy the forts and historical places and beautiful carvings in the temples
- Things to do: Experience the beauty of a small town in Jammu and Kashmir
- Best time to visit: All year round is the best time to visit here
- Peak season: May to June is the peak season to visit here
- Nearest city: Udhpur is a city in itself. Jammu is 72 kilometers away.
- how can I get there: You can take a train to Udhampur as it has a railway station or take a taxi from Jammu
- Language used: Kashmiri, Hindi and Urdu
- Ideal duration: two days
9. Sonamag:
Don’t forget Sonamag in the list of tourist attractions in Jammu. Due to the picturesque snow-capped mountains and clear blue sky, Sonamag is named “Golden Meadow”. There are lush green meadows where visitors can enjoy a quiet time, and it is also an ideal place for a picnic. Places to visit are Vishansar Lake, Zojila Pass, Thajwas Glacier etc.
- Tour Highlights: The lush valleys, snow-capped mountains and lakes complement each other, giving people countless beautiful memories
- Things to do: For those adventurous lovers, you can do a great Kashmir trek. Also, you can get amazing local delicacies from the market here.
- Best time to visit: April to October
- Peak season: May to June
- Nearest city: Srinagar is 70 km from Sonamar
- how can I get there: You can get here by taxi from Jammu or Srinagar
- Language used: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English
- Ideal duration: 2 days are perfect to spend here
[See Also: Gorgeous National Parks In Kashmir For An Exciting Holiday]
10. Pahargan:
Last but not least, there is one more place on our list of must-sees and tourist attractions in Srinagar, Jammu. Pahalgam is full of vegetation and conifers. The grass looks beautiful, be sure to visit this place. The attractions to visit here are Pahalgam Golf Course, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, Mamaleshwar Temple, Tulian Lake etc.
- Tour Highlights: Enjoy the beautiful valley and ride horses here
- Things to do: Visitors can engage in many adventure sports, such as horseback riding, canoeing, and more.
- Best time to visit: April to September
- Peak season: May to July
- Nearest city: Srinagar is 95 kilometers from the tourist spot of Jammu
- how can I get there: You can easily get here by taxi from Srinagar
- Language used: Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu and English
- Ideal duration: 2 days is enough to spend here
Additional Tips:
- Jammu and Kashmir is well known as one of the best tourist attractions in India. So don’t miss any chance to visit these places mentioned above.
- Make sure to bring warm clothes as the weather can get very cold.
- Bring proper medication if you suffer from altitude problems
- If you are visiting during peak season, please book your accommodation in advance
- caution…