Srinagar: Kashmir’s Summer Capital
Srinagar is at 1,585 meters above sea level in Kashmir Valley which has the Zabarwan mountains to the East and Dal Lake which extends 18 to 22 square km along its border. The Jhelum River goes through the city. Also within a few hours of the city center are snow capped peaks, alpine meadows and freshwater lakes.
Population
Srinagar’s in 2026 is projected to have a population of about 1.8 million as reported by World Population Review which also notes that it is the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir. Here the Islam religion is the dominant with almost 95.97% of the city’s population. Second to that is Hindu at about 2.75%. 2011 Census The district has a literacy rate of 69.41% which is below the national average. Indiography Also nearly 98.6% of the population lives in urban areas which makes Srinagar one of the most urbanized districts in the union territory.
Tourism: The Main Draw
Dal Lake, shikara rides, houseboat stays, the floating vegetable market are main things to experience in Srinagar. For natural beauty head to the Mughal Gardens which also include Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi. Tripadvisor reports in 2026 that the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden had 1.4 lakh visitors in 202 days. From Travel And Tour World we learn that in Gulmarg which is at a distance of 50 km there is the highest gondola ride at 13,780 feet in the world. Sonamarg which is located at a distance of 80 km is the entry point to Ladakh. Sostravelhouse.
Culture
Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Yakhni, and Kahwa tea which we put forth that each visitor try at least once. In the old city you will find a maze of narrow lanes which house also very old mosques, also bazaars that sell Kashmiri handicrafts, pashmina shawls, traditional spices, and dry fruits. Expedia Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the city, and Polo View Market are the best places to shop.
Connectivity and Transport
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR) is only 12 km from the main bus terminal in the city and provides both national and global access. There are non-stop flights to several of India’s biggest cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, among others. There is presently no metro service available at the airport since the Srinagar Metro Project is currently being worked on but is still in its conceptual stage. The planned MetroLite project is planned to have 25 km of infrastructure and two separate elevated corridors and is by 2027 to be able to provide service to 200,000 people daily. In the interim, there are electric buses that run directly connecting Batamaloo with the airport via Jehangir Chowk, plus, other transportation options available are taxis, auto-rickshaws, and shared mini-buses.
Conclusion
Srinagar reports that it doesn’t require any push. Of the Dal Lake, Mughal gardens, ancient shrines and access to Gulmarg and Sonamarg it has plenty to go around. In 2026 tourism numbers are breaking records, infrastructure is improving, and the city’s culture is strong. Start your Kashmir trip here. For most travelers it0 stops being just a start point and becomes the main event.
Airport
- Name: Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR)
- Distance from City: ~12 km from city centre
- Distance from Bus Stand: 12 km
- Flights: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata
- Type: Domestic + International
Railway Station
- Name: Srinagar Railway Station
- Distance from Airport: ~14 km
- Status: Connected via private taxis
- Note: Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
Bus Stand
- Name: Srinagar Central Bus Stand
- Location: City Centre
- Routes: Jammu (270 km), Gulmarg (50 km), Pahalgam (90 km), Sonamarg (80 km)
- E-Bus Routes: 14 active city routes
Nearby Day Trips
- Gulmarg: 50 km
- Pahalgam: 90 km
- Sonamarg: 80 km
- Doodhpathri: 42 km
- Dachigam National Park: 22 km