Srinagar Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Srinagar tours and things to do in the summer capital of Kashmir: drift across Dal Lake on a shikara, stay on a carved wooden houseboat, stroll the terraced Mughal gardens, wander the old city and day-trip to the alpine meadows of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Srinagar by interest
Whatever brings you to Srinagar — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Srinagar
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Dal Lake Shikara
Serene rides.
Mughal Gardens
Terraced beauty.
Gulmarg
Alpine meadows.
Pahalgam
Green valley.
Houseboat Stay
Floating tradition.
Old City
Heritage lanes.
Sonamarg
Golden meadow.
Srinagar
Summer capital.
City awayDal Lake Shikara
Serene rides.
City awayMughal Gardens
Terraced beauty.
2 hrs awayGulmarg
Alpine meadows.
2.5 hrs awayPahalgam
Green valley.
Dal Lake awayHouseboat Stay
Floating tradition.
3 hrs awaySonamarg
Golden meadow.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Srinagar visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Blooming gardens and mild days — ideal.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and green, escaping the plains’ heat.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Golden chinar leaves and crisp air.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold and snowy — skiing at Gulmarg.
For gardens
Spring, when the Mughal gardens bloom.
Best overall
April to October for gardens and valleys.
One day
A shikara ride and the gardens.
Two days
Add Gulmarg and a houseboat stay.
Three+ days
Add Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
For the lake
A shikara ride and houseboat night.
For mountains
Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonamarg.
For gardens
The Mughal gardens above the lake.
By shikara
Shikaras cross Dal Lake and its channels.
Tours
Tours reach Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
By taxi
Taxis serve the gardens and day trips.
On foot
The old city is explored on foot.
Where to stay
Stay on a Dal Lake houseboat.
Indian rupee
India uses the rupee; carry some cash.
Shikara
Agree the price and route before you set off.
Houseboat
Book a reputable houseboat in advance.
Gardens
Visit in the morning to beat the crowds.
Gulmarg
Book the Gondola cable car ahead.
Old city
Dress modestly for the mosques and shrines.
Combos
Some tours pair the lake with the gardens.
Gulmarg trips
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Pahalgam trips
Valley tours fill up — reserve early.
Houseboats
Good houseboats sell out — book ahead.
Shikara rides
Sunset rides fill up — reserve early.
Sonamarg trips
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Summer peak
Summer is busiest — book far ahead.
Shikara ride
Around €15–30 for a Dal Lake shikara ride.
Gardens tour
About €40 for a Mughal gardens tour.
Gulmarg trip
Roughly €40+ for a Gulmarg day trip.
Pahalgam trip
Around €51+ for a Pahalgam day trip.
Houseboat
About €30+ per night on a houseboat.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Srinagar through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Blooming gardens.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Green valleys.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Golden chinars.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Gulmarg skiing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.