Mughal Gardens Srinagar Tips: 20 Things to Know Before You Visit

About four and a half hours covers all four Srinagar gardens by taxi. That means roughly 40 minutes at Chashme Shahi, 45 at Pari Mahal and 75 minutes each at Nishat and Shalimar, plus short drives. If you only have two hours, see Nishat and Shalimar, which are 4 km apart. Add another hour if you want lunch at Harwan or a stop at the Tulip Garden in April.

Start uphill at Chashme Shahi at opening time, then drive 2.2 km up to Pari Mahal, come down to Nishat Bagh and finish at Shalimar Bagh. The small hillside gardens are quietest early and the big lakeside gardens follow naturally. If you prefer late-afternoon light, reverse the loop and reach Pari Mahal by 4 pm, before entry stops around 5 pm.

The gardens are generally listed as open every day, but travellers have reported Friday closures or late openings at some of them, especially Pari Mahal. We have found no official notice that confirms either. Ask your hotel or driver the evening before a Friday visit, and see our Mughal Gardens timings page for garden-by-garden hours.

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip, because Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal are mostly stone steps and the stone near the water stays wet. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Carry a light jacket from March to October, since evenings at the foot of the Zabarwan hills turn cool, and full winter layers with waterproof shoes from December to February.

No. Plucking flowers or fruit and stepping into the flower beds are not allowed in any of the Srinagar Mughal gardens. Garden staff watch the beds closely and a Rs 500 fine has been reported. Photograph the flowers from the paths instead, and carry your rubbish out with you, because bins are few on the upper terraces.

Not without written permission. Srinagar's district administration banned the use, possession and transport of drones across the district in July 2021, and the Dal Lake area is close to several restricted sites. Flying without permission from the district administration and police can get the drone seized. Nishat's top terrace gives you a near-aerial view without one.