First Row Houseboats

Srinagar


For guests, the first-row houseboats can prove noisy and lacking in privacy. However, as an attraction they collectively form Srinagar's signature image.

The city plans to move these boats to a different part of the lake, with the aim of improving water quality, but locals doubt it will actually happen.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Srinagar attractions

1. Shankaracharya Mandir

0.59 MILES

On top of thickly forested Shankaracharya Hill, this small Shiva temple is built from hefty blocks of ancient grey stone. Previously known as Takht-i…

2. Floating Vegetable Market

0.67 MILES

In the maze of channels at the edge of Dal Lake, the dawn vegetable market is a photogenic sight, even if vendors flogging souvenirs and saffron can…

3. Mirzabagh Veg Boat Dock

0.69 MILES

Much of Srinagar's fresh produce is brought in from 'floating gardens' and landed at this tiny dock, making for photogenic scenes.

4. Dal Lake

0.91 MILES

Over 15km around, Dal Lake is Srinagar's jewel, a vast sheet of water reflecting the carved wooden balconies of the houseboats and the misty peaks of the…

5. Pir Dastgir Sahib

1.19 MILES

This large, popular Sufi shrine was ravaged by fire in 2012 but the colourful paper mache interior work for which it was renowned has been restored. The…

6. Rozabal

1.27 MILES

At the north end of the triangular patch of grass near the Sufi shrine of Pir Dastgir Sahib is a small, green shrine known as Rozabal. A highly…

7. Naagar-Nagar Interpretation Centre

1.4 MILES

Beside the Makhdoom Ropeway, this empty hall has a few boards explaining the Mughal history of the Hari Parbat ('Naagar-Nagar') walled city.

8. Naqshband Sahib

1.51 MILES

This beautifully proportioned if uncoloured 17th-century shrine was built in Himachal Pradesh style, with alternating layers of wood and brick to…