Things to do in Srinagar — the lake, the gardens, the old city and day trips
Srinagar rewards a slow visit: the water, the gardens and the old city each need a half day.
On the water
Dal Lake is the centre of the visit. A shikara, the wooden boat that seats about six, takes you past houseboats and the floating gardens, which flower with lotus in July and August. Wikipedia says the houseboats are made of local cedar and are known as floating palaces.
The Mughal gardens
Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi line the lake's shore, and Pari Mahal looks down on it from the hillside. In spring the tulip garden opens with the festival.
The old city
The wooden Khanqah-e-Moula stands on the Jhelum, and the Jama Masjid in Nowhatta is one of the valley's great mosques. The Hari Parbat Fort overlooks them, and the Hazratbal Shrine stands on the lake's north shore. These are places of worship, so dress modestly and ask before photographing.
The hilltop
The Shankaracharya Temple crowns the Zabarwan Range above the lake, with a long view of the city.
Day trips
The Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla is about 32 minutes away. Gulmarg is about 57 minutes, Pahalgam about 84 and Sonamarg about 95 minutes on our routing.
Next reads
Copy the one-day plan, the two-day old city plan or the spring tulip day, and read when to visit Srinagar and how to reach Srinagar.
Places around Srinagar
The Srinagar guide →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
What are the best things to do in Srinagar?
Take a shikara across Dal Lake, visit the Mughal gardens of Shalimar, Nishat and Chashme Shahi, climb to the Shankaracharya Temple, and see the old city's Khanqah-e-Moula and Jama Masjid. In spring, visit the tulip garden. Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg make day trips of about an hour or more by road.
What is Srinagar known for?
Dal Lake, its houseboats and shikaras, its Mughal gardens and its wooden shrines. Wikipedia also lists its traditional handicrafts: Kashmir shawls of pashmina and cashmere, papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving and jewellery, and its dried fruits. It describes the city as the second largest in the Himalayas after Kathmandu.
Can you stay on a houseboat?
Yes. Wikipedia says the houseboats on Dal Lake are made of local cedar, measure about 24 to 38 metres in length, and are nicknamed floating palaces; many are owned and kept by Kashmiri Hanji families. We have no verified rates or booking rules, so ask for the price and what it includes before you book.