Srinagar is the base for most Kashmir trips. Mornings on a shikara across Dal Lake, afternoons in the terraced Mughal gardens and a day each in Gulmarg and Pahalgam make an easy first visit. Spring brings tulips and blossom, autumn turns the chinar trees red, and winter means snow.
Highlights
- A shikara ride on Dal Lake at sunrise, past the floating vegetable market
- Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, the Mughal gardens on the lake shore
- Gulmarg: the Gondola cable car and winter skiing
- Pahalgam and the Betaab and Aru valleys
- Sonamarg, the gateway to the high passes
- The old city: Jamia Masjid, Hazratbal shrine and the papier-mache workshops
What to eat
- Wazwan, the Kashmiri feast: rogan josh, yakhni and gushtaba
- Kahwa, saffron and almond green tea
- Noon chai (pink salt tea) with girda bread
- Haak, Kashmiri collard greens
Where to stay
A Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake houseboat for at least one night, then hotels in Srinagar or a night each in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Getting there
Srinagar airport (SXR) has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. The Vande Bharat train from Katra now runs to Srinagar, and the drive from Jammu takes most of a day.
Tips
- The Tulip Garden opens for a few weeks in late March and April only; check dates before you book.
- Prepaid SIM cards from other states do not work in Jammu and Kashmir; postpaid connections do.
- Check the current travel advisory for your country and local news before you go.
Best time to visit
Sep-Oct, Apr-Jun. See what else is good in September and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Srinagar and Kashmir Valley
- Amarnath Cave The ice lingam of Shiva
Places to see in and around Srinagar and Kashmir Valley
58 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Kashmir Valley Valley, 3 km
- Dal Lake Lake, 8 km
- Wular Lake Lake, 38 km
- Dachigam National Park National park, 21 km
- Shalimar Bagh Garden, 10 km
- Hazratbal Shrine Mosque, 7 km
- Manasbal Lake Lake, 22 km
- Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar Temple, 4 km
- Nishat Bagh Garden, 9 km
- Salim Ali National Park National park, 0 km
- Pathar Masjid Mosque, 1 km
- Parihaspore Ancient site, 16 km
- Nigeen Lake Lake, 5 km
- Tarsar Lake Lake, 33 km
- Yusmarg Hill station, 31 km
- Hokersar wetland Wildlife sanctuary, 9 km
- Avanti Swami Temple Temple, 26 km
- Aali Mosque Mosque, 3 km
- Shah Hamadan Mosque Mosque, 1 km
- Gil Sar Lake, 5 km
- Anchar Lake Lake, 8 km
- Marsar Lake Lake, 29 km
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden Garden, 8 km
- Akhund Mulla Shah's Mosque Mosque, 3 km
And 34 more on our Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh map.
Food to try in and around Srinagar and Kashmir Valley
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh favourites to look out for.
- Wazwan
- Rajma
- Kalari cheese
- Khatta meat
- Ambal
- Rajma kulcha
- Patisa
- Dahi bhalla
- Thukpa
- Skyu
- Gurgur cha
- Ramban Sulai Honey GI: speciality
The full food passport, state by state.
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