Places to Visit in Kashmir This Summer

Kashmir. The name alone feels like poetry, doesn’t it? Somewhere between the Himalayan hush and the warmth of a summer sun, lies a version of this valley that not many truly see. Because while most visit with a checklist, few arrive with an open heart. Let’s change that. Let’s not just talk about places to visit in Kashmir—let’s feel them. The smell of saffron in the air, the rustle of poplar trees in the breeze, the sound of your own breath catching when you turn a corner and the valley unfolds before you.

Here’s our journey—through ten unforgettable places that define Kashmir in the summer. Not a guide, really. More like a slow walk through memory and wonder.

1. Gulmarg – Where the meadows stretch like dreams

You’d think a place this famous would feel crowded. But in summer, Gulmarg does something unexpected—it exhales. The snow has melted, the ski crowd’s gone home, and what’s left is wild grassland dotted with wildflowers and silence.

If you’ve ever longed for that place where time feels slower and the sky feels wider, this is it. And if you’re lucky, you might find a shepherd who’ll share stories over noon chai. Isn’t that what travel’s about?

2. Pahalgam – The pause button for the soul

Pahalgam isn’t loud about its beauty. It doesn’t need to be. River Lidder hums its own tune as horses clip-clop on grassy trails. If you’ve ever painted an idyllic hill in your mind, this is probably it.

But here’s the thing: what makes it special isn’t the postcard views, it’s the stillness. The kind that nudges you to look inward. The kind that stays with you long after you’ve left.

3. Srinagar – The city that floats

Yes, Dal Lake is the headline act. Yes, you should stay on a houseboat, and yes, the shikara ride at sunset is just as magical as they say. But don’t forget to go deeper.

Walk through the old bazaars. Talk to the artisans weaving pashmina by hand. Ask someone about their favorite bakery in the lanes of Downtown Srinagar. Because places to visit in Kashmir aren’t always marked on maps.

Sometimes they’re wrapped in a conversation.

4. Sonamarg – Meadows of gold, and silence

Sonamarg looks like it was sketched by a daydreaming artist. And yet, no picture does it justice. There’s a road that snakes past glaciers, waterfalls, and sleepy villages where kids play cricket on makeshift pitches.

It’s wild, and a little untamed, and that’s the charm. No frills, no filter. Just nature, raw and radiant.

5. Yusmarg – The lesser-known symphony

Ever heard of Yusmarg? Most haven’t. And that’s what makes it so precious. Tucked away about 2 hours from Srinagar, Yusmarg feels like a secret the valley is keeping just for you.

It’s not crowded. There aren’t many hotels. What you’ll find is a vast, open meadow bordered by pine forests and shy wildflowers. Bring a book. Or don’t. Just lie back and listen to nothing.

6. Kupwara – A peek into untouched Kashmir

Kupwara doesn’t usually feature on standard lists. But if you’re drawn to places to visit in Kashmir that feel untouched, almost frozen in time, this one will surprise you.

It’s not polished. That’s the point. You’ll see wooden houses, step into quiet mosques, and meet people who are as curious about you as you are about them. Travel, after all, is a two-way mirror.

7. Betaab Valley – Where stories are born

Named after a Bollywood film, sure—but don’t let that distract you. This valley is about much more than its name. It’s about children playing by the river. Local picnickers carrying pots of wazwan. It’s about laughter echoing off hills.

It’s about being part of someone else’s weekend story, just for a moment.

8. Doodhpathri – The valley of milk-white rivers

Doodhpathri isn’t easy to reach. The road is bumpy, the signs are few, and your driver might ask twice if you’re sure you want to go there.

But oh, when you get there—streams so clear they look white, meadows so soft you’ll want to lie down and stay forever. It’s not about what’s “to see” here. It’s about how it makes you feel.

9. Aru Valley – For those who wander off the path

Not far from Pahalgam, but a whole different world. Aru is smaller, quieter, and somehow more intimate. Perfect for those who want to hike, or just sit on a boulder by the river and let their thoughts wander.

Come here if you’ve had too much of everything and just need less.

10. Naranag – Where ruins whisper

A place forgotten by many but remembered by the wind. Naranag isn’t your typical hill station. It’s a spiritual place, with ancient temples and mountain trails. There’s something about its silence that feels sacred.

You won’t find cafes here. Or souvenir shops. What you’ll find are echoes—of history, of mythology, of something older than all of us.

And just like that… Kashmir becomes your

Kashmir is not a place you tick off—it’s one you experience, one story at a time.

So when someone asks you about the best places to visit in Kashmir, don’t just say “Gulmarg” or “Pahalgam.” Tell them about the tea you had with a shepherd. The smile from a child who waved from a window. The way the air smelled after rain.

Because the real journey? It’s not always in the destination. Sometimes, it’s in the pauses between.

10 Top Places to Visit in Kashmir During the Summer Season 2025!!

1. Gulmarg – Where the meadows stretch like dreams