Srinagar
Srinagar is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region.
It is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River, and the shores of Dal Lake and Anchar Lakes, between the Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya hills. The city is known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like the Kashmir shawl, papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewel making, as well as for dried fruits. It is the second-largest metropolitan area in the Himalayas.
Getting to Srinagar
Due to the delays in completing the Kashmir Railway (Jammu–Baramulla), many people still take a train to Jammu followed by a taxi or bus ride to Srinagar. The journey from Jammu to Srinagar is costlier in the summers because the capital is being shifted from Jammu to Srinagar, both in buses and taxis. Buses are safer but take more time and are a bit uncomfortable.
- 01Srinagar International Airport
Although there has been a proposal to rename it as "Sheikh ul-Alam Airport", the current name of the airport is "Srinagar International Airport".
- 02Srinagar NR
A station on the Kashmir Railway (Jammu-Baramulla).
Worth seeing
- 01Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of the prime attractions of Srinagar.
- 02Nagin Lake
Unlike the other three parts of Dal Lake the Nagin Lake is a separate lake connected to the Dal Lake by a narrow water channel.
- 03Mughal Gardens
These beautiful gardens line the periphery of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.
- 04Rupa Lank
Rupa Lank, literally meaning silver island, is in the Dod Dal (central area of Dal Lake).
- 05Sona Lank
Sona Lank, literally meaning gold island, is located in Lokut Dal, in the northern part of Dal Lake.
- 06Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden
Things to do
Shikara ride in Dal Lake: Go for a shikara ride in the Dal lake which costs around ₹150 (off season) - ₹500 (peak season) for the whole shikara. For better views and a more peaceful ride in an area devoid of other tourists, walk up a fair bit of distance till you can see the fountain and ask the shikara rider to take you for a ride to the fountain. It costs ₹300 (off season) to ₹600 (peak season).
- 01Musical Fountain
Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC).
- 02Dachigam National Park
Home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag (hangul).
- 03Hokersar
A Ramsar site and a bird sanctuary.
Where to eat
There are numerous bakeries in the city. Kashmiris are very fond of bakery products, especially pastries and cakes, and you can find these bakeries very crowded, especially around the times of major festivals. The more famous bakeries include: Jee Enn Sons, Nallahmar Rd. Famous for its pastries, bread, bakery products, patties and themed cakes. Mughal Darbar. Notable for sweets, cakes and pastries. Shawl Bakery.
Getting around Srinagar the local way
- Get inThere is a minibus from airport to TRC (Tourist Reception Centre).
- Get inHiring a TATA Sumo SUV (fits up to 9 people, or 5 comfortably plus luggage) from Jammu costs approximately ₹1,900-2,700 depending on time of year or even time of day.
- Get inTo reduce costs many people choose not to take an exclusive taxi, and share the Sumo taxi with others.
- Get aroundNegotiate a price with a rickshaw driver before getting in; they are notorious for overcharging and generally being dishonest.
- Get aroundA rickshaw from Nigeen Lake to Boulevard is approximately ₹70 depending on negotiation skills (August 2009).
- Go nextJammu Jeeps leave daily as well as buses, be aware that J&K bus company quite often go on strike.
- Go nextJeep costs ₹350-450 and takes approx 8 hr.
- Go nextOne can take package tours advertised in the Tourist Information Centre.
From Wikivoyage: Srinagar, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Suhail Skindar Sofi (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
