Srinagar travel guide
Lake city
Srinagar is renowned for its scenic lakes, Mughal gardens, houseboats, and spiritual landmarks set within the Kashmir Valley. The city attracts leisure travelers, pilgrims, honeymooners, and culture enthusiasts with its blend of natural beauty, heritage architecture, vibrant markets, and panoramic Himalayan landscapes throughout the year.
Best time to visit Srinagar
Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct are best: tulips in spring, mild summer, clear autumn. Dec–Feb is cold with snow. Jul–Aug is warm and fine for the lake and gardens.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | mixed | -2–7 °C | 60 mm | low | Coldest spell of the year; snow likely, and Dal Lake can ice over at the edges |
| February | mixed | 1–10 °C | 80 mm | low | Cold, with snow or rain; trees and gardens still bare; skiing at Gulmarg |
| March | good | 4–16 °C | 100 mm | medium | Cool and showery; almond blossom, and the Tulip Garden opens late in the month |
| April | best | 8–21 °C | 90 mm | high | Tulips and spring blossom at their peak; showers can interrupt; busy |
| May | good | 11–25 °C | 60 mm | high | Warm and pleasant, gardens in leaf; school holidays start filling hotels |
| June | good | 15–28 °C | 45 mm | high | Warm days, cooler evenings; among the busiest weeks of the year |
| July | good | 18–30 °C | 60 mm | medium | Warm days with showers; the Jammu highway can close after heavy rain |
| August | good | 18–30 °C | 60 mm | medium | Warm days, cool nights; showers possible; highway closures after heavy rain |
| September | best | 13–28 °C | 35 mm | medium | Clear, dry and mild; fewer crowds than summer; good light on the lake |
| October | best | 6–23 °C | 20 mm | medium | Clear skies and cool air; chinar leaves turn red and gold late in the month |
| November | good | 1–16 °C | 30 mm | low | Chinar leaves red and gold early in the month; cold mornings; quiet |
| December | mixed | -2–10 °C | 25 mm | medium | Cold, snow possible; the harshest winter spell, Chillai Kalan, starts 21 Dec |
How many days to spend in Srinagar
Two days cover Dal Lake, the Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi gardens and Shankaracharya Temple. A third adds the old city and Jamia Masjid; a fourth fits a Gulmarg day trip.
How to reach Srinagar
- By air: Srinagar (SXR) — 14 km by road
- By train: Srinagar (SINA) — 11 km by road. Linked by rail to Katra since 2025
- By road: From Jammu — 240 km, about about 8 h. Shared jeeps and buses run; the highway can close in snow or landslides
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws, taxis and private buses cover Srinagar; agree the rickshaw fare before you get in. Shikaras are the way onto Dal Lake. A hired cab is easiest for the lakeside gardens.
Things to do in Srinagar
- Dal Lake — Lake (3 h · Free entry)
- Houseboats In Srinagar, Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir — Stay (3 h · Paid entry)
- shikara Ride — Boat ride (1.5 h · ₹600-₹1,200 per boat)
- Gulmarg Gondola — Cable car (3 h · ₹700 (phase 1))
- Tulip Garden Srinagar — Tulips (2 h · ₹50)
- Gandola 2nd Phase Afarwat Station — Cable ride (2.5 h · ₹900)
- Mughal Heritage — Gardens
- Gulmarg Ski — Ski area (4 h · ₹2,100 day lift ticket (peak season))
- Betab Valley Chandanwari, Pahalgam J&K. — Valley (1.5 h · ₹100)
- OYO 5546 Hotel Taj Mahal Pahalgam — Glacier
- Shalimar Garden — Garden (1.5 h · ₹10)
- Hazaratbal — Shrine
- Jamia Masjid Srinagar — Mosque (1 h · Free entry)
- Snow Adventure — Snow fun
- Aru Valley — Valley (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Baisaran Road — Meadow
- Zoji La Pass or Zojila Pass (Zero Point) — Pass
- Nishat Garden — Garden (1.5 h · ₹10)
- Shri Shankaracharya Temple — Temple (2 h · Free entry)
- Lal Chowk — Market
- Drung Road — Waterfall
- Lidder River — River (2 h · Free entry)
- Shri Martand Sun Temple Mattan — Temple (1.5 h · ₹15-25)
- Zero Point Sonamarg — Snow (2 h · Free entry)
- Nigeen Lake — Lake (1.5 h · Free entry)
- YHAI BASE CAMP DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK SRINAGAR — Wildlife
- Floating Market Dal Lake — Market (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Golf course — Golf field (2.5 h)
- Baba Reshi Shrine — Shrine
- Chandanwari — Valley
- Amarnath Yatra Base Camp, Pahalgam — Pilgrim
- Verinag — Spring
- Lolab valley Kupwara — Valley (5 h · Free entry)
- River Rafting — Rafting (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- ACHABAL GARDEN — Garden (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Amarnath Trek — Basecamp
- Parimahal — Monument (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary — Reserve (3 h)
- Tulian lake — Lake (9 h)
- Horse 🐎 riding in pahalgam — Riding
- Baltal Base Camp — Valley (2 h · Free entry)
- Forest Block — Lake
- Kokernag — Garden
- Kupwara- Hayhama Road — Caves
- Dras — Town
- Chashme Shahi Garden — Garden (1 h · ₹10)
- Zabarwan Park زبرون پارک — Hills (2 h · Paid entry)
- Khilanmarg Woods — Meadow (3 h · Free entry)
- Mamaleshwar Temple, Pahalgam (J&K) — Temple (30 min · Free entry)
- Pahalgam Market — Market (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Vishansar Lake — Lake (8 h)
- SONMARG CAMPING GROUND — Camping
- Nehru park — Park (1.5 h)
- Manasbal Lake — Lake (2 h · Free entry)
- Vare-Kanoul Nag /Frozen Lake 2/Alpathar Lake — Lake (6 h)
- Tangmarg — Town
- कोलाहोइ हिमानी — Glacier (10 h)
- Kiani Marg — Trails (3 h)
- Love Pahalgam View point — Views (1 h · Free entry)
- Krishnasar lake — Lake (8 h)
- SOGAM CHADOORA — Meadow (1.5 h)
- Photography in pahalgam — Photos
- Sunset Peak — Peak
- Woodswalk Treks and Tours — Camps
- Gadsar Lake — Lake (10 h)
- Strawberry Valley — Valley (1 h · Free entry)
- Nichnai Pass — Pass
- Breng Valley — Valley (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Badam Wari Park — Garden (1 h)
- Maharani Temple — Temple
- St. Mary’s Church, Gulmarg — Church (30 min · Free entry)
- LIDDER VALLEY GOLF COURSE PAHALGAM — Golf (2 h · Paid entry)
Food to try in Srinagar
- Rogan josh — Meat cooked in a red sauce; a Kashmiri classic, usually eaten with rice
- Gushtaba — Soft meatballs cooked in yoghurt gravy
- Kahwa — Green tea with saffron, cinnamon and cardamom, served with crushed almonds or walnuts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Srinagar?
Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct are best: tulips in spring, mild summer, clear autumn. Dec–Feb is cold with snow. Jul–Aug is warm and fine for the lake and gardens.
How many days are enough for Srinagar?
2–4 days. Two days cover Dal Lake, the Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi gardens and Shankaracharya Temple. A third adds the old city and Jamia Masjid; a fourth fits a Gulmarg day trip.
How do I reach Srinagar?
By air: Srinagar (SXR) — 14 km by road. By train: Srinagar (SINA) — 11 km by road. Linked by rail to Katra since 2025. By road: From Jammu — 240 km, about about 8 h. Shared jeeps and buses run; the highway can close in snow or landslides.
What are the top things to do in Srinagar?
Dal Lake, Houseboats In Srinagar, Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir, shikara Ride, Gulmarg Gondola, Tulip Garden Srinagar, Gandola 2nd Phase Afarwat Station.
Plan your Srinagar trip
Open Guide My Holiday to turn these places into a routed, day-by-day itinerary and book a cab that follows it.
Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store
Guide checked on 2026-10-06.