Srinagar
India · Jammu and Kashmir · 1585 m
Description
Srinagar (श्रीनगर) is the summer capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It sits in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River. Dal Lake defines the city, with its wooden houseboats, floating gardens and shikara boats. The terraced Mughal gardens of Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh climb the Zabarwan hills above the water. In the old town, wooden mosques and shrines rise among narrow lanes and craft workshops. Mornings on the lake are quiet and misty, and the light turns the mountains soft blue. Travellers use Srinagar as the base for trips to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Dal Lake and Shikara Rides
- Hazratbal Shrine
- Nishat Bagh Mughal Garden
- Gulmarg Meadows and Gondola(Day trip)
- Skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg (December - March)(Day trip)
- Jamia Masjid
- Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
- Shankaracharya Temple
- Pahalgam and the Lidder Valley(Day trip)
- Chashme Shahi Garden
- Makhdoom Sahib Shrine
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden (approx. April)
- Sonamarg and Thajiwas Glacier (June - September)(Day trip)
- Floating Vegetable Market on Dal Lake
- Old City Bazaars and Pashmina Workshops
- Khanqah-e-Moula
- Hari Parbat Fort
- Pari Mahal
- Nigeen Lake Houseboats
- Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmul(Day trip)
- Dachigam National Park(Day trip)
- Awantipora Temple Ruins(Day trip)
- Badamwari Almond Blossom Garden (approx. March)
- Manasbal Lake(Day trip)
- Yusmarg Meadows(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- SXR
- Train stations:
- Srinagar, Budgam
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry