Srinagar Tourism And Travel Guide

Srinagar is the capital city of Jammu And Kashmir, surrounded by beautiful mountains and lush green fields. The literal meaning of the word Srinagar in Sanskrit is, 'the city of wealth and abundance'. This dazzling city is nestled on the banks of the Jhelum river and houses some truly magnificent lakes like Achar, Nagin, and of course, the iconic Dal lake. Tourism in Srinagar is a mix of outdoorsy fun like rowing in shikara boats and visiting Mughal Gardens, as well as a meditative trance walk through the old city and ancient crumbling mosques and minarets. To know more about this beautiful city, read this travel guide to Srinagar.

Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu And Kashmir. It is well connected by trains, buses and has its own airport.

By Air: Srinagar International Airport is the major airport here, with Air India to Jeddah being the only international flight. It is well connected to various cities across the country, including, Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, Goa etc via Air India, Go Air, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, and Vistara. People from smaller cities in India as well as international cities can reach any of the major airports in India, and then board a connecting flight to Srinagar.

By Rail: Srinagar Railway station only connects Baramulla, Anantnag, and Qazigund. Jammu Tawi Railway Station in Jammu is connected to different cities and towns in India. There are frequent trains to Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Pune, and others.

By Bus: Srinagar has a good network of highways. The National Highway 1A connects the valley to the rest of India, and National Highway 1D connects it to Leh. Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation operates many buses to reach Srinagar. Private buses can be availed from Jammu.

Srinagar experiences a pleasant weather all around the year which makes tourists flock here from different parts of the world. The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to October as it is the perfect time for sightseeing and other activities. The snow is gone and the flowers are in full bloom.

The attractions in Srinagar comprise of lovely rivers and lakes, with charming rows of houseboats floating on them, beautiful blossoming gardens, and lush green, thriving woods. The Land of Lakes and Gardens, Srinagar is blessed with several enchanting tourist places that can attract even the most discerning traveler to this magical land.

Dal Lake: The Dal Lake is the most important of all the lakes in Srinagar. From beautifully carved wooden houseboats and gondola-like “shikaras”, to the vibrant floating gardens, the Dal lake can offer a unique experience. The Dal Lake is surrounded by beautiful Mughal Gardens and pavilions. One can take a shikara ride and visit the floating markets, and watch the golden sun rays hit the beautiful mountain ranges.

Mughal Gardens: The Mughal Gardens were built in the Mughal era. They are filled with greenery and artistic architecture. The gardens are a combination of the Shalimar Gardens, Nishat Bagh, and Chashm-e-Shahi. The gardens are full of beautiful fountains and flowers which are a must-see for every traveler.

Shikara Ride: One of the reasons why people come to Srinagar is for the relaxing shikara rides. Tourists often stay in the houseboats and then take a ride across the scenic Dal Lake in the shikaras. With the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas, it is indeed an experience both enjoyable and unparalleled.

One should try the mouth-watering local 'Wazwan' which is a platter of various non-vegetarian items. Rogan Josh and a Yakhni and different types of Kebab and Fish are quite a delicacy in Srinagar. One should also try the local tea called Khawa. Restaurants that offer delicacies are The Mughal Darbar, Mughal Darbar Bakery, Ahdoos Hotel, Krishna Vaishno Dhaba and such.

There are different places in Srinagar to shop from. One should especially check out the collection of shawls, carpets, rugs, papier mache, walnut and wood products and copper and silver ware. Places to shop from include, Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk, and the nearby Polo View. Some artisans also set up stalls at their residence. One can visit them for exclusive products.