The Great Persian Poet wrote about Kashmir in his poem
Agar Firdaus bar rōy-e zamin ast,
hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast.
Its English translation meaning is IF THERE IS PARADISE ON THE EARTH, IT IS HERE, IT IS HERE, IT IS HERE.
Capital of Jammu and Kashmir Union territory. Srinagar is one of the most visited and beautiful places in the world. Jammu and Kashmir have all natural beauty and people across India and outside India come every year to visit this state. Talking about Srinagar is the most developed city in J&K and here we have lots of the best places to visit in Srinagar.Even if you have limited time you can cover Srinagar's beautiful places in one day.
Dal Lake
Dal Lake is the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir and every person who comes to Srinagar visits Dal Lake. Tourist journey is incomplete without Dal Lake; you will find Dal Lake in everyone's itinerary. Dal Lake is Srinagar’s centre of attraction. You will find beautiful houseboats floating on the Dal Lake and tourists love to stay on houseboats. You can also enjoy a shikara ride. In Dal Lake, you will find local people selling their products on the shikara ride and you will even see shopping stores in the middle of the Dal Lake. In the winter Dal Lake freezes and even you can walk on the Lake.
Shalimar baug / Mughal Garden
Shalimar baug is also known as the Mughal Garden and we can say that it is the ‘crown of Srinagar’. Shalimar garden/baug was built by Mughal king Jahangir in 1619. Mughal kings used to spend their summertime in Kashmir. This garden is a perfect example of Mughal Architecture. Mughal Garden is located at 7, Boulevard Road, Chasme Shahi, Srinagar. It is just close to the Dal Lake.
Nishat Baug
Nishat Baug is the second biggest Mughal garden in Kashmir Valley and it is also one of the most beautiful gardens in Srinagar. Nishat Baug was built and designed by Asif Khan in the year 1633. Nishat Baug is very close to the Shalimar Baug in Srinagar
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden previously known as Siraj Bagh. It is located near Chashme Shahi Road and Dal Lake. In the year 2023 around 3.5 laks visitors visit this place. Plan your trip from March to mid-May to see these beautiful tulip flowers.
Chasme Shahi
Chashme Shahi is Srinagar's smallest Mughal architectural garden. Chashme shahi baug was built by Ali Mardan Khan in 1632 on the order of Mughal king Shah Jahan to gift his son Dara Shikoh.
Pari Mahal
Pari Mahal is located just 13 km from Srinagar. It is one of the best places in Srinagar. It is located on the hill. Pari Maha was built in 1650 by Dara Shikoh the elder son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. You will see the beautiful view of Dal Lake and the Srinagar city view from the Pari Mahal. Pari Mahal gives you the Mughal and Persian architecture examples.
Shankaracharya Temple
This Hindu temple is just 11 km from Srinagar and close to Dal Lake. This temple is devoted to the lord Shiva. This temple is 1000 feet above the valley and you will see the all-city view as well as Dal Lake. Shankaracharya temple is built on solid hard rock and you will see a majority of tourist visit this temple in their journey.
Shikara Ride
The Shikara ride is the famous ride in Dal Lake and you will enjoy it. You will find lots of shikara rides in Dal Lake. You will feel relaxed during the shikara ride. You will find shikara rides in other lakes also. People also used shikara for fishing and local transportation in the Dal Lake.
Floating Market
Floating market is very famous in Dal Lake. Once you start a shikara ride at Dal Lake the boat person will take you to the floating market which is located in the lake. You will see lots of local shikara sailers selling fresh vegetables, fish and the very famous drink of Kashmir Kahwa. Even there are big shops built on the lake and they sell clothes and locally made things to sell the tourists.
House Boat
Srinagar is very famous for its houseboats and you will hundreds of beautiful houseboats at Dal Lake. You can spend your 1 night at a houseboat, you will find economy to luxurious houseboats starting from around 6000 to 15000 rs per day which include your 2 meals, 1 breakfast and a shikara ride. This houseboat is made from the Cader woods which stay for so many years in the water.
How to reach Srinagar
Srinagar is very well connected with other states of India by air. If you want to visit Srinagar, I highly recommend going by air cause it will save you time
By Road
Most people from Delhi and Punjab visit Srinagar via road. Follow this route to reach Srinagar - Delhi – Chandigarh – Pathankot – Jammu – Udhampur – Patnitop – Ramban – Anantnag – Pampore – Srinagar. You might stuck in heavy traffic between Jammu to Ramban it will give you a headache.
Jammu to Srinagar distance - Jammu to Srinagar is 240 km and it will take around 9 to 10 hours to reach depending on traffic.
Delhi to Srinagar - Delhi to Srinagar is 800 km and it will take 24 hours to reach.
By Air
Srinagar is very well connected via airways from the major cities you have direct flights to Srinagar or you can catch a flight from Delhi airport and it will save you time.
By Train
If you are planning to reach Srinagar, Jammu is the only railway station which is connected to rest of the India. Srinagar has its railway station but it is not connected with the Jammu railway station, the government has a plan to connect the rail service between Jammu to Srinagar. From Jammu railway station you can catch a bus to Srinagar.
The best time to visit Srinagar
The best season to visit Srinagar is from October to May. If you want snowfall and cold weather then visit Srinagar from October to February, you will find Srinagar in White Blanket.
Hotels in Srinagar
Srinagar has thousands of affordable luxury hotels to stay. One night plan starts from 1000rs to above depending on the hotel and the amenities or you have one more option to stay at Srinagar is Houseboat.
Itinerary for Srinagar trip
First check in to your hotel then visit Pari Mahal, Nishat Baug, Shalimar Baug, Chasme Shahi Baug, Shankaracharya Temple. During the sunset take a shikara ride to enjoy the beautiful Dal Lake.
Is travelling to Srinagar safe
Yes, Srinagar is fully safe for travel. Every year lack of tourists visit Srinagar, and for security reasons government deploy the Paramilitary and Local police on the ground.
Weather of Srinagar
The weather of Srinagar is unpredictable, weather can change at any time anywhere in the state. From October to January, you will feel too cold in the valley and from February onward temperature goes up. In the winter season, the temperature can go -5, to -10 degrees Celsius.
Things to do at Srinagar
Visit Dal Lake, Take a Shikara ride and visit the floating market at Dal Lake. Have Famous Kashmiri food, and capture all the beautiful things in the camera.
