The best things to do in Srinagar: Dal Lake & shikara rides, Nigeen Lake, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, and 13 more. Below, each one with how long it takes, the best time of day and a local tip. Ideal stay: 2 nights (3 with a houseboat).
18 things to do in Srinagar
Dal Lake & shikara rides
Dal Lake is Srinagar's heart: a large, calm lake of houseboats, floating gardens and shikaras against the Zabarwan hills.
1–2 hours on the water.Local tipAgree the route, duration and price before you step in; rates are displayed at many ghats.
Nigeen Lake
Nigeen is Dal Lake's quieter northern neighbour, ringed by willows and poplars, with fewer boats and more space.
Half day with a stay; 1 hour by shikara.Local tipAsk for a lake-facing room on your houseboat; it often costs the same.
Nishat Bagh
Nishat Bagh is the largest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, a series of terraces stepping down the Zabarwan hills to the eastern shore of Dal Lake, about 10 km from Dal Gate.
1 hour.Local tipStart at the top terrace and walk down for the lake view.
Shalimar Bagh
Shalimar Bagh was built by Emperor Jahangir in 1619 and is often called the 'crown of Srinagar'.
1 hour.Local tipVisit after Nishat to finish the garden loop in soft light.
Chashme Shahi
Chashme Shahi, the 'royal spring', is the smallest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, built in 1632 by Governor Ali Mardan Khan.
45 minutes.Local tipKeep ID handy for the security check on the approach road.
Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal, the 'palace of fairies', is a seven-terrace garden with arched stone ruins high above Chashme Shahi, associated with Mughal prince Dara Shikoh in the 17th century.
45 minutes.Local tipVisit at sunset for the best light over Dal.
Hazratbal Shrine
Hazratbal is a white marble shrine on the northern shore of Dal Lake, revered across Kashmir.
45 minutes.Local tipDress modestly (covered shoulders and legs; a scarf for women).
Jamia Masjid & the old city
Jamia Masjid in Srinagar's old city is a vast wooden-pillared mosque around a garden courtyard, first built at the end of the 14th century.
2–3 hours with the old city.Local tipDress modestly; women should carry a scarf.
Shankaracharya Temple
The Shankaracharya Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands on the Takht-e-Suleiman hill about 1,100 ft above the city.
1.5–2 hours.Local tipLeave phones and cameras in the car; they're usually not permitted beyond the checkpoint.
Tulip Garden (Indira Gandhi Memorial)
Asia's largest tulip garden opens only in spring.
1.5 hours.Local tipArrive at opening or after 4 pm.
Floating vegetable market
Before sunrise, farmers from Dal's floating gardens paddle their shikaras piled with vegetables to a meeting point on the lake to trade.
2 hours including the ride.Local tipBook the shikara the evening before.
Hari Parbat
Hari Parbat is the hill crowned by an 18th-century fort, with a long outer wall built under Emperor Akbar in 1590.
1.5–2 hours.Local tipGo on a weekday morning; the fort is closed on Sundays.
Botanical Garden
Srinagar's Botanical Garden sits at the foot of the Zabarwan hills beside the Tulip Garden and Chashme Shahi.
1 hour.Local tipPair it with the Tulip Garden in spring.
Badamwari
Badamwari is an almond orchard at the foot of Hari Parbat that turns white and pink when the almond trees blossom, usually in March, heralding spring in Kashmir.
45 minutes.Local tipCheck blossom status with us before going.
SPS Museum
The Sri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum is Kashmir's main museum, with collections of papier-mâché, shawls, carpets, arms, manuscripts, coins and archaeological finds from sites around the valley.
1.5 hours.Local tipCheck opening days before you go.
Khanqah-e-Moula
Khanqah-e-Moula is one of Srinagar's oldest and most beautiful shrines, a carved and painted wooden building on the banks of the Jhelum, associated with the 14th-century Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani.
30–45 minutes.Local tipDress modestly; women should carry a scarf.
Dachigam National Park
Dachigam National Park, just outside Srinagar, is the last stronghold of the endangered hangul (Kashmir stag), and also home to Himalayan black and brown bears.
Half day.Local tipArrange the permit before the day; we can guide you.
Kheer Bhawani Temple
Kheer Bhawani, at Tulmulla near Ganderbal, is a revered temple of Goddess Ragnya Devi built around a sacred spring whose water is said to change colour.
1–1.5 hours.Local tipInclude it on your Sonmarg day to save time.
At a glance
FAQ
Most people spend 2 nights (3 with a houseboat).
Dal Lake & shikara rides.
Yes, send your dates on WhatsApp.
