Looking for a ‘picture perfect’ destination? You have to visit Srinagar once in a lifetime. And we are not joking. There are some amazing top places to visit in Srinagar. Because of its uniqueness, most people love the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir.
If it’s your first time visiting, the city of lakes, you have to consider some factors. That’s why we will share a complete guide on Srinagar city travel. Besides the best places to visit near Srinagar, you will get to know about the best time to visit, how to reach, and travel tips. So, let’s find out.
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About Srinagar
Located at the banks of the Jhelum river, Srinagar is famous for its beautiful lakes and unparalleled natural beauty. Because of the splendid atmosphere, Srinagar is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations.
One of the most popular attractions of this city is Shikaras. Thousands of tourists visit Srinagar to explore the Floating Vegetable Market. Besides the natural beauty, you will see some top attractions from the Mughal period.
Top Places to Visit in Srinagar
Being the city of lakes, Srinagar has so many amazing places to visit. So, it was tough work for us to pick the most significant ones. However, after some deep research, we have handpicked the six top places to visit in Srinagar. Let’s have a look:
1. Dal Lake
Srinagar has India’s first floating post office at the western edge of Dal Lake.
You can’t imagine the city of lakes trip without Dal Lake. Hence, it’s one of the top places to visit in Srinagar. The wooden boats and Shikaras are the key attractions of this city. What makes this lake more beautiful is the picturesque natural view.
You can take a houseboat ride and enjoy both sunrise and sunset. Plus, don’t forget to explore the market. It takes around 20 minutes to reach Dal Lake from the city center.
2. Shankaracharya Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shankaracharya Temple is one of the most beautiful places in Srinagar. However, this temple is also popular as Pas-Pahar and Jyesteshwara Temple. However, this temple is named after Saint Shankaracharya, a worshipper of Lord Shiva.
Besides being a significant pilgrimage, this temple is also popular among Buddhists. If you want to visit Shankaracharya Temple, you have to do a little trek. Plus, you will love the breathtaking view of the valley.
3. Shalimar Bagh
Shalimar Bagh is popularly known as the ‘Crown of Srinagar’.
Located at the bank of Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh is one of the best places to visit near Srinagar. This beautiful garden is sprawled over 31 acres area and has jaw-dropping Persian architecture. Mughal Shehenshah Jahangir build this garden for his beloved wife Noor Jahan.
The garden is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm. As this garden is located near Dal Lake, it will take almost 15-20 minutes to reach this place from the city center.
4. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is Asia’s largest tulip garden.
Opened in 2007, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a significant tourist hotspot in this city. Visiting this place will give you ultimate bliss. With over 1.5 million Tulip bulbs, this garden can steal anyone’s heart. Besides Tulips, you can see different variants of flowers in this garden.
5. Nigeen Lake
When we talk about the top places to visit in Srinagar, we can’t miss out on Nigeen Lake. Even though Dal Lake is the most popular spot in this city, Nigeen Lake can give you extreme bliss with its astounding natural beauty.
This is the ideal place if you love calm and offbeat places. The clean blue placid water and the surroundings make this place more special for everyone. However, you have to walk to reach Nigeen Lake as the road is only open for walkers and bikers.
6. Hari Parbat
Hair Parbat is a significant religious place for three religions. You can find a Hindu Shakti Temple, a Muslim Shrines, and a Gurudwaras here. Plus, the main attraction is the fort which is located at the top of the hill. It looks like a crown of the hill.
Hari Parbat is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. It is only 4 km away from the city center. You can hire a cab to reach this beautiful tourist place.
Best Tips to Visit Srinagar
No matter which place you are choosing for your next trip, you have to consider some factors. The same goes for Srinagar. Before you choose the top places to visit in Srinagar, make sure you learn about some general things about the city. In the following list, we will share some tips to visit this tourist destination:
- Jammu & Kashmir is a Union Territory now. So, it would be better if you carry all your documents while traveling.
- Always try to carry light luggage while traveling to Srinagar.
- As this city is the summer capital of J&K, you have to plan your trip during the summer. The Winter months are unbearable for tourists.
- There are several rumors about this tourist destination. If you are ready to visit this place, avoid these rumors as much as possible.
- The best way to explore the city of lakes is having the proper knowledge. You can learn more about local things by reading tour guide books and blogs.
- You have to carry all essentials things and medicines.
- Make sure you carry enough cash when you are traveling to Srinagar.
How to Reach Srinagar
Being the capital city of J&K, Srinagar is well connected with the major cities of North India. So, you can reach this place by air, rail, and road. You can also reach Srinagar from Banihal railway station.
The nearest international airport is Sheikh ul Alam Airport and only 15 km away from the city. You can get regular flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. On the other hand, you can take a bus from Delhi to reach this city.
Best Time to Visit Srinagar
As we noted before, Srinagar’s winter is unbearable for most tourists. In this case, the best time to visit this city is from April to October. If you want to enjoy the cold Kashmir, you can visit from November to December.
Conclusion
Before you plan a Srinagar trip, you have to know about all the details. It would be better if you get help from a travel agency. On the other hand, make sure you pre-book everything. And don’t forget to cover the top places to visit in Srinagar, sightseeings, Kashmiri cuisines, and offbeat destinations.
Ruchira is the founder of India Travelpedia, a writer by passion and profession. Besides writing, she’s a travel buff, foodie, and culture enthusiast.
