Discover Srinagar
A Thoughtful Introduction
Srinagar is the summer capital of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and one of the most beautiful cities in India. Situated in the heart of the Kashmir Valley at an altitude of about 1,585 meters, it is a city that has inspired poets, artists, emperors, and travelers for centuries with its extraordinary natural setting. Built around the famous Dal Lake and the Jhelum River, Srinagar is a city where life has always had an intimate relationship with water, and nowhere is this more evident than in the iconic wooden houseboats that float on the lake and the shallow shikaras, or wooden boats, that serve as taxis, floating shops, and ferry services across its waters.
Staying on a houseboat on Dal Lake or the smaller Nagin Lake is one of the most romantic and memorable travel experiences in India. These traditional wooden houseboats, many of them lovingly maintained over generations by Kashmiri families, are elaborately carved and furnished and offer a completely unique way to experience the city. The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar, including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi, were laid out by Mughal emperors as pleasure retreats and are beautiful examples of the formal garden tradition brought from Persia to India. The Hazratbal Shrine, located on the banks of Dal Lake, is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in Kashmir. The old city of Srinagar has a fascinating maze of wooden mosques, ancient shrines, craft workshops, and bazaars that are deeply authentic and largely unchanged from centuries past.
Srinagar is also the gateway to the broader Kashmir Valley and to mountain destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, which are all within a few hours of the city. This Srinagar travel guide covers the best time to visit, top attractions, houseboat experience tips, and everything you need to plan a beautiful trip to this extraordinary city.