Pilgrimage places to Idyllic Hill Stations are all close by.

Kheer Bhawani - This sacred spring dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi is located at a distance of 27 kms from the city. Within the spring is a small marble temple. Devotees offer milk and kheer or sweetened rice on the eighth day of the full moon in May. It is from this that the place gets its name. It is believed that the goddess changes the colour of the spring's waters to forewarn of disaster.

Avantipur - Located at a distance of 29 kms from Srinagar. Avantivarman who ruled Kashmir in the 9th century founded this ancient city. The site is famous for its two large imposing temples.

Gulmarg - This hill station located at a distance of 51 kms from Srinagar is the perfect escape for tired city souls. The hills with their grassy slopes covered with wild flowers are a treat to observe. Apart from its claim to fame as a paradise on the mountains, Gulmarg also has the highest green golf course in the world, located at a height of 2650 metres and is the country's premier ski resort during the wintertime.

The area offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy winter sports. Skiing, Sledging, Riding the Snow Mobile, Tobogganing, Snow Scooters and Snow Bobbing are popular winter activities. A gondola ride is a must on a visit to Gulmarg.

In the summer, nature enthusiasts can enjoy a peaceful horse ride on the lush green hills.

Pahalgam - At a distance of 95 kms east of Srinagar, the town is located at the confluence of the Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River. This beautiful hill station is lined with tall deodars, fir, and pine and juniper trees. Pahalgam also has a number of idyllic vacation areas close to it. Prominent among them are Baisaran, Hajan, Chandanwari. Visitors can enjoy fishing, trekking the slopes.

Sonamarg - The route to Sonamarg from Srinagar is through the Sindh Valley, visitors to this hill station can experience the beautiful countryside in Kashmir. The Sindh River gurgles through the valley. The Thajwas Glacier is a scenic pony ride away from Sonamarg. The hill station is also one of the major stops on way to Ladakh through the Zozila Pass.

Amarnath - One of the major pilgrimage places, this revered shrine in the Himalayas is reached through an arduous trek. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit this holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine is represented by an ice lingam a naturally formed ice stalagmite of Lord Shiva, flanking it are the ice lingams of his consort Goddess Parvati and their son Lord Ganesh. Amarnath is located on a narrow gorge at the end of the Lidder Valley and is 45 kms from Pahalgam and 141 kms from Srinagar. Ideal months to undertake this trek are in July and August.