- A 2-day Srinagar itinerary covers the lake, gardens and old city comfortably.
- Do the floating vegetable market at sunrise; it ends by 7 AM.
- Keep the Shikara ride for late afternoon or sunset.
- Old Srinagar's shrines and bakeries are worth a half-day on their own.
A good Srinagar itinerary makes the most of the city before you head out to the meadows. Srinagar is more than a base; its lake, gardens and old quarter deserve a day or two of their own.
This two-day plan covers the highlights at a comfortable pace, with timings that dodge the crowds.
What does a 2-day Srinagar itinerary look like?
Day one is the Mughal gardens and Dal Lake; day two is the old city and a sunrise market.
Day one: start with Nishat and Shalimar gardens in the morning, see Pari Mahal and the Shankaracharya viewpoint, then take a Shikara ride on Dal Lake at sunset.
Day two: begin at dawn with the floating vegetable market, then explore Old Srinagar's shrines, bridges and craft workshops.
When should you do the Shikara ride?
Late afternoon or sunset, not midday.
The light on the Zabarwan hills is softest then and the lake is calmer, which makes for a far nicer ride and better photos.
What is worth seeing in Old Srinagar?
The Jamia Masjid, the riverside shrines, the seven old bridges and the papier-mache and pashmina workshops.
It is the living, working side of the city, and a local guide brings its history to life. See our old Srinagar heritage walk.
How many days do you need in Srinagar?
Two full days for the city, more if you want day trips to Gulmarg or Pahalgam from a Srinagar base.
General visitor information is available from the J&K Department of Tourism.
Build a Srinagar-based trip
See our Srinagar tour packages 3 nights 4 days or the Srinagar weekend getaway.
Have a question about planning your trip? Message us on WhatsApp or contact our Kashmir team for a free itinerary.
