Srinagar Travel Guide: Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, Tulips, Side Trips and Flights
The Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India site calls Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It points visitors to Dal Lake, with its shikara rides and houseboats, to the Mughal gardens, to the mosques and shrines of the old city and to Shankaracharya Hill. Each year, at the onset of spring, a tulip festival is held at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, which looks out over Dal Lake, according to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Flights land at Srinagar International Airport (SXR), and the side trips below cover Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
What to see in Srinagar
Dal Lake, shikaras and houseboats
Incredible India lists shikara rides, floating markets and gardens, and houseboats at Dal Lake, and also names a floating vegetable market near Nehru Park. The Srinagar district administration describes shikaras as traditional wooden boats used for transport and sightseeing on the lakes, operated by registered boat owners. Nagin Lake appears on the same attractions list.
The Mughal gardens and Pari Mahal
Among Srinagar's Mughal gardens, Incredible India names Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi. It says Shalimar Bagh was built for Nur Jahan by her husband Jehangir, and describes Nishat Bagh's steep terracing and its view over the lake. Pari Mahal, which the site also lists, appears on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) list of centrally protected monuments for Srinagar district.
The tulip garden
According to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir (Government of Jammu and Kashmir), the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden lies on the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, overlooking Dal Lake. It opened in 2007, and hyacinths, daffodils and ranunculus grow there as well as tulips. Its tulip festival is held each year at the onset of spring in the Kashmir Valley, so check the year's dates with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir before you book.
The old city, shrines and Shankaracharya Hill
In the old city, Incredible India names the Jamia Masjid, the Shah Hamdan shrine, Khanqah-e-Muala and the Hazratbal Shrine. It says Hazratbal houses a relic believed to be the hair of the Prophet Muhammad. Shankaracharya Hill, with its Shiva temple, is another entry.
The ASI's list of centrally protected monuments in Srinagar district includes the Shankaracharya Temple and the Khanqah of Shah Hamdan. The Srinagar district administration asks visitors to dress modestly at religious sites and to remove their shoes at mosques and shrines, and warns that photography restrictions may apply at certain locations.
Museum, emporium and bazaars
Incredible India names the Sri Pratap Singh Historical Museum and the former British Residency building, which it says is now the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium. It points shoppers to the old-city bazaars for Kashmiri handicrafts, pashmina and dry fruits.
When to visit Srinagar
The Srinagar district administration gives March to October as the peak tourist season and recommends booking accommodation in advance at that time. It says the winter months, December to February, bring snowfall, and asks travellers to check weather conditions and road status before they set out. Incredible India calls Srinagar a year-round destination, with gardens in bloom in spring and snow-covered landscapes in winter.
Flying to Srinagar
Srinagar's airport is Srinagar International Airport (SXR), a civil enclave operated by the Airports Authority of India. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) places it about 12 km from the city. The terminal, taxis and buses, and the full list of routes recorded from the airport are on the Srinagar International Airport page.
Main routes from Srinagar
The main direct routes recorded from Srinagar go to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Others go to Chandigarh, Amritsar, Noida and Jammu. The airlines recorded on these routes are IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air.
Restricted and Protected Area Permits for foreign nationals
The Bureau of Immigration lists "Parts of Jammu & Kashmir" among the places foreign nationals need a Restricted or Protected Area Permit to visit. It says foreign nationals living outside India apply through the Indian mission at least 30 days in advance, and those already in India apply to the jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) at least 15 days in advance.
The Indian e-Visa site says the e-Visa is not valid for visiting Protected, Restricted and Cantonment Areas, and that a visit to one needs prior permission from the Civil Authority.
The train to Srinagar
According to the Ministry of Railways, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link was inaugurated on 6 June 2025, and a Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar entered regular service from 2 May 2026. A Ministry of Railways release of 29 April 2026 lists halts at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi and Banihal for its first service and at Banihal and Katra for its second. Check Indian Railways for the current timetable before you plan around it.
Getting around Srinagar
The Srinagar district administration's travel page lists private taxis and cab services, metered taxis, auto-rickshaws and local buses within the city, as well as car rental with or without a driver. It says pre-paid taxi counters are available at the airport and the main bus stand, and that shared autos follow fixed routes. Two-wheelers can be rented with a valid licence, a security deposit and proof of identity, and helmets are mandatory.
The same page says the Tourism Department runs Tourist Reception Centres at key locations in the city and at the airport.
Houseboats and guest registration
The district administration says Srinagar's houseboats are categorised as Deluxe, A-Class, B-Class, C-Class and D-Class and are registered with the Tourism Department, and it advises visitors to verify a houseboat's registration before booking. Hotels, houseboats and guest houses keep guest registration, and the page asks visitors to carry valid identity documents, such as an Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence, for check-in.
Side trips from Srinagar
Gulmarg
Incredible India places Gulmarg in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas and lists skiing and winter sports, the Gulmarg Gondola, the golf course and Alpathar Lake. Khilanmarg, which the site puts 4 km from Gulmarg's bus stop, and Tangmarg, a town on the way to Gulmarg, are on its list. Ferozepur Nallah, the Ziarat of Baba Reshi, the Maharani Temple and St. Mary's Church are named as well.
Pahalgam
Incredible India says the name Pahalgam means the village of shepherds in Kashmiri. It mentions trout, walks and rafting on the Lidder River, along with orchards and Betaab Valley. The page names the Mamleshwar Temple and the Aishmuqam Shrine.
Sonamarg and the road to Leh
The Ganderbal district administration's Sonamarg page, last updated in January 2023, says the name means "meadow of gold" and that Sonamarg is reached from Srinagar by road on National Highway 1D. It calls the Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months.
A PIB backgrounder says the Border Roads Organisation cleared the Zoji La on 16 March 2023 and reopened it on 1 April 2025 after a winter closure. The same backgrounder names the Srinagar-Leh highway among the routes it covers. Check the road status before you plan an overland trip on to Leh.
More places on Incredible India's list
Incredible India's Srinagar page also lists Dachigam National Park, Salim Ali National Park, Wular Lake and Yusmarg.
More travel guides
These cities on the main routes from Srinagar have their own guides:
The India travel guide covers the country as a whole.
Questions about Srinagar
Which airport serves Srinagar?
Srinagar International Airport (SXR), which PIB places about 12 km from the city. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India.
When is the tulip festival in Srinagar?
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir says the festival at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is held each year at the onset of spring in the Kashmir Valley. Check the year's dates with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir before you book.
Can I take the train to Srinagar from Jammu?
The Ministry of Railways says a Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar entered regular service from 2 May 2026. Check Indian Railways for the current timetable.
What do I need to check in at a Srinagar hotel or houseboat?
The Srinagar district administration asks visitors to carry valid identity documents, such as an Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence, for check-in at hotels, houseboats and guest houses, which keep guest registration. It also advises visitors to verify a houseboat's registration before booking.
Do foreign visitors need a permit for parts of Jammu and Kashmir?
The Bureau of Immigration lists parts of Jammu and Kashmir among the places where foreign nationals need a Restricted or Protected Area Permit, and the e-Visa is not valid for Protected, Restricted and Cantonment Areas.
How do I get from Srinagar to Sonamarg?
The Ganderbal district administration says Sonamarg is reached from Srinagar by road on National Highway 1D, on a page last updated in January 2023.