A 2-day travel guide to Srinagar: Houseboats, Mughal Gardens, and more

Imagine waking up to the gentle ripples of Dal Lake, sipping Kahwa on a floating houseboat, and strolling through gardens fit for Mughal emperors—welcome to Srinagar, where every corner feels like straight out of a picture book!
This brief two-day trip guide will take you from the surreal shikara rides to the lively bustle of Lal Chowk's bazaars, with a dash of nature, history, and mouthwatering Wazwan cuisine, should you decide to visit this location. Srinagar is lovely, whether you're there for the snow-dusted charm of winter or the tulips in spring. One picture-perfect location at a time, so put on your woollens (or sunglasses), charge your camera, and get to work!
Morning: First thing first. Since you get to see the picture-perfect shots of the very beautiful Dal Lake, whenever you browse Srinagar, start your journey with a traditional shikara ride on Dal Lake. Enjoy the view of misty waters, take in the floating markets, vibrant houseboats, and stunning reflections of the Zabarwan Mountains. After the boat ride, head to Shankaracharya Temple, perched on a hill with panoramic views of the city.
Afternoon: It's time for some colour after boating! Explore the Mughal Gardens, beginning with Emperor Jahangir's terraced garden, Shalimar Bagh. After visiting Nishat Bagh, spend the remainder of the afternoon at Chashme Shahi, a lovely garden with natural springs thought to have therapeutic qualities.
Evening: A houseboat on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake is the best way to enjoy Srinagar. Enjoy rogan josh, yakhni, and gustaba, a traditional Kashmiri Wazwan dish, while admiring the stunning sunset across the lake.
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Morning: Visit the Hazratbal Shrine first thing in the morning. Then proceed to the old city's Jama Masjid, which is renowned for its 378 wooden pillars and Indo-Saracenic flair. You can purchase genuine Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets, saffron, and handcrafted mementos while strolling around the Lal Chowk and Polo View Market.
Afternoon: Drive to Pari Mahal, a historic palace with terraced gardens overlooking the Dal Lake. Then, visit the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden (if traveling in spring), home to Asia’s largest collection of tulips.

Evening: Before leaving for the airport, spend a relaxing evening at Café de Linz or Chai Jaai sipping Kashmiri Kahwa to cap off your trip to Srinagar. Enjoy one last stroll along the Boulevard Road along the lake, if you have time.
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Best time to visit: April to October (for pleasant weather), March (for tulips), or winter (for snow lovers).
Getting around: Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and shikara rides.
What to pack: Warm clothes (especially in winter), comfortable shoes, and a camera to capture Srinagar’s beauty.