Dal Lake is a famous landmark in Srinagar. It is a serene lake surrounded by the Himalayas where you can enjoy a peaceful Shikara ride that goes around the lake. The Shikara ride is a unique experience for families and children, as they can see local life and floating gardens.
Mughal gardens are popular among tourists for their beautiful architecture and landscaping. Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi are the three best-known Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. You can also visit Pari Mahal which is an ancient Buddhist Palace next to the Mughal Gardens
Hazratbal Shrine is a sacred mosque and is one of the holiest shrines for Muslims in India. It is located on the banks of Dal Lake and has a beautiful view of the Himalayas. After that, you can visit Shankaracharya Hill which provides a panoramic view of Srinagar from the top and is a popular place to watch the sunset with the family.
Travelers need to consider hiring a taxi or a private car for the whole trip because Srinagar is not much accessible by public transport. The estimated transportation cost for the whole trip is INR 2500-3000, and the travel time around the city may take 1-2 hours.
If you have more time, you can visit nearby places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg or Pahalgam, which are popular for adventure activities and skiing during winter. If you have less time, you can skip some gardens and spend more time on activities that interest your family the most.
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is the main airport that serves the city. It is located around 12 km from the city center and has both domestic and international flights.