Places to Visit in Srinagar

1. Dal Lake – Search for Srinagar online and the first picture you’ll see is of the Dal Lake. Spread over 15.5 km, Dal Lake is a natural lake and the jewel of Srinagar. Surrounded by houseboats, Mughal gardens, and the PirPanjal Mountains, Dal Lake is an attraction you cannot miss. A ride in the bright shikaras (taxi boats) across the lake is a must-do here.
2. Mughal Gardens – Built by Mughals, Mughal Gardens are a group of gardens with impeccable Persian styled architecture. Shalimar Bagh, ChhhashhhmeShahi, and Nishat Gardens are breath-taking and definitely worth your visit.
3. Jamia Masjid – Featuring Indo-Saracenic architecture, Jamia Masjid is an integral part of Srinagar. The impressive courtyard with a fountain and the 358 wooden columns made from the trunk of a single deodar tree imprints a lasting impression on anyone who visits Jamia Masjid.
4. Hari Parbat Fort – Located atop Hari Parbat or Sharika Hill, Hari Parbat Fort is an iconic fort whose construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1590 but complete by Shuja Shah Durrani of the Durrani Empire in 1808. From the hill, you can take in the whole view of Srinagar. As the hill is considered sacred by Kashmiri Pandits, there are several shrines here and you’ll find a temple of Sharika, SriSharika Temple, inside the fort.
   There is also a mosque and a gurudwara at the lower part of the hill.
5. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden – Spread over 30 hectares, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia. A stroll across the garden is a calming experience with various species of flowers blooming colourfully across the rows. To see the flowers in full bloom, visit the garden during April-May.

Things To Do in Srinagar

• Sight-Seeing – Visit the above mentioned places and if you have time, you can visit other interesting places like ShankaracharyaMandir, Badshah Tomb, Hazarbal Mosque, etc.
• Shopping – Srinagar is famous for Kashmiri handicrafts, Pashminas, Kashmiri carpets, dry fruits, jewellery, and spices among others. Stroll through the local markets and buy souvenirs at cheap prices.
  Local markets of Srinagar- LalChowk, Residency Road, BadshahChowk, Raghunath Bazaar
• Trying Local Cuisines – Travel is incomplete without trying out the local cuisines and when you are in Srinagar, Kashmiri cuisine is a must have. The flavours and the unique blend of ingredients add a distinct taste in their cuisine which you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
  Popular Kashmiri cuisines- Rogan Josh, Chaman, Kashmiri pulao, NadrooYakhni, Kashmiri Rajma&saag.
• Trekking & Hiking – There are many high altitude lakes in the Kashmir valley and Srinagar serves as a base for most trekking expeditions to the lakes. Youn can trek to Vishansar Lake, Nundkol Lake, Tarsar Lake, and others.
  If you are time bound then you can explore the scenic landscape of Srinagar by hiking across the lanes and trekking to nearby attractions like Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya Hill.
  Exploring a place by foot is one of the best way to get to know the true essence of the place.
• Adventure Sports – Adventure sports like paragliding, skiing, and horse riding are some ways to add a thrill to your experience in Srinagar. Be sure to try them and make your travel to Srinagar memorable.

How to Reach Srinagar

You can reach Srinagar by flight, train, bus, or cab.

By flight : Srinagar Airport (Sheikh ulAlam Airport) is an international airport and connected to major cities of India and the world. Travelling by flight is convenient and the fastest way to reach Srinagar. From the airport, you can take State Transport Buses to get to the main town/Tourist Reception Centre of Srinagar.

Note: Ola, Uber, and other app based transport services do not operate in Kashmir.

By Train : To travel to Srinagar by train, you have to take a train to Jammu and then take a bus/cab to Srinagar. Alternatively, you can take a train till Udhampur and then take a bus/cab to Srinagar.

By Bus : Direct buses to Srinagar is available from Jammu and Leh. Direct buses to Srinagar is also available from Delhi.

By Taxi : You can book private taxis from Jammu and Delhi to Srinagar.

How to Travel in Srinagar

Private and public buses, auto rickshaws, and taxis can be found commonly in Srinagar.

You can roam around Srinagar yourself through any of these transports or you can book a package and roam without any hassle.

Best Time to Visit Srinagar

One of the best things of Srinagar is you can visit it all year round.

• Winters are very cold here with eminent snowfall from December to February. You can visit during the winters to experience the snow and enjoy skiing.
• Summers are pleasant with warm days and cool nights. Visiting Srinagar in summers is the perfect option to get away from the heat at other parts of India. April-June is the peak season.
• Monsoon usually starts from mid-July. However, the Amarnath Yatra during July-August adds up to the crowd during this time.
• Autumns are chillier than summer but bearable than winters. September-October sees less number of crowd than summers and offers a peaceful respite for those in need of a break.

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