Across the road
Dal Lake
The lake is the obvious place to begin, and it starts directly opposite the hotel. Take a shikara to the houseboats, Char Chinar island or the quiet inner channels, or set off before dawn for the floating vegetable market. Agree the route and total fare before you board.
Our guide to a day on Dal Lake sets out how to plan it from first light to evening. In the cooler hours, the walk along Boulevard Road itself is one of the simple pleasures of Srinagar.
The Mughal gardens
Mughal emperors and nobles loved Kashmir, and they laid out terraced gardens with water channels along the slopes above the lake. All of these are on our side of the water and pair well with a morning on the lake. Most charge a small entry fee.
- Nishat Bagh, about 8 km along the Boulevard, is known as the garden of delight. Built by Asif Khan, brother of Empress Nur Jahan, it has broad terraces falling towards the lake.
- Shalimar Bagh, a little further on, was built by Emperor Jahangir for Nur Jahan and has fine pavilions and old chinar trees.
- Chashme Shahi, about 6 km away, is the smallest of the three and grew up around a natural spring.
- Pari Mahal, above Chashme Shahi, is a terraced ruin associated with Prince Dara Shikoh. Go near the end of the day for wide views over the lake and city.
The tulip garden
Below the Zabarwan hills, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a major draw for a few short weeks each spring, usually around late March or early April. Dates shift with the weather, so check before you fix your travel. Read our season-by-season guide if you are still deciding when to come.
Shankaracharya Temple
On the hill above the Boulevard, this ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva gives one of the best views over Srinagar and the lake. A road goes most of the way up, followed by a flight of about 240 steps. Security rules at the site restrict what you can carry, so check on phones and cameras before you go.
The old city
Across town from the lake, old Srinagar is a world of brick lanes, timber houses and craft workshops along the Jhelum. Jamia Masjid is a great wooden mosque with hundreds of deodar pillars, and the Khanqah of Shah Hamdan is known for its papier-mâché interiors and timber construction. Dress modestly and check visiting rules before you step inside. Lal Chowk, the city's commercial centre, is around 3 km from the hotel.
Hazratbal
On the far shore of the lake, the white marble Hazratbal Shrine is one of the holiest Muslim sites in Kashmir. It is an atmospheric stop on a drive around the lake, particularly around Friday prayers.
Further afield
Day Trips Into the Valley
Srinagar is a comfortable base for the mountains. You can leave after breakfast and be back by the lake for dinner.
- Gulmarg, roughly 50 km, for the gondola and snow
- Sonamarg, roughly 80 km, for river scenery and glaciers
- Pahalgam, roughly 90 km, for forest walks along the Lidder
Compare them in our guide to three classic day trips. Check road and weather conditions the evening before, especially in winter.
Planning your days
Three nights lets you see the essentials without rushing: one day for the lake and the Boulevard, one for the Mughal gardens and the old city, and one for a mountain day trip. With five nights, you can add a second day trip and still have an unhurried afternoon. Keep some slack in winter, when snow can close mountain roads.
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will tell you what to expect that week.