A field of red tulips in bloom in Srinagar in spring

Tulip season in Srinagar: planning a spring visit to Kashmir

When the tulip garden opens, what else flowers in March and April, and how to plan a spring trip around Srinagar’s gardens without the crowds.

Mahek Jatana

29 October 2026

3 minutes

Spring arrives in Srinagar in a rush of colour. Almond trees flower first, in March. Then the tulip garden on the slopes above Dal Lake opens, usually for only a few weeks, and the Mughal gardens fill with visitors. If you are planning a Kashmir trip around the flowers, timing is everything. This guide covers when to go, what to see and how to avoid the busiest hours.

The tulip garden

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden lies at the foot of the Zabarwan hills, overlooking Dal Lake. It was established in 2007 to promote floriculture and tourism, covers about 74 acres and is often described as the largest tulip garden in Asia. The 2026 season opened in mid-March with about 1.5 to 1.75 million tulip bulbs of around 70 varieties, planted alongside daffodils, hyacinths and narcissus.

When it opens: the garden usually opens in the second half of March and stays open while the flowers last, generally into April. The exact date is announced each year and depends on the weather.
Peak bloom: different varieties flower at different times, so the garden changes week to week. Early varieties open first; the full display is usually a little after opening day.
The festival: an annual Tulip Festival is held during the season, with cultural events.
Tickets: entry is ticketed. Fees and timings are set each season, so check at the gate or with J&K Tourism.

Before the tulips: almond blossom

If you arrive in March, go to Badamwari, the almond garden at the foot of Hari Parbat in the old city. The garden dates back to the Mughal period; the Dogra ruler Ranbir Singh had it planted with almond trees, which gave it its name. The blossom peaks in March and lasts about a month. Combine it with a walk through old Srinagar.

The Mughal gardens in spring

The terraced Mughal gardens along the eastern shore of Dal Lake, including Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, are at their most colourful in spring, with flowerbeds, fountains and chinar trees coming into leaf. They are close to the tulip garden, so you can combine them in one day: the tulip garden early, a garden or two after lunch, and an evening shikara ride on the lake.

Planning a spring trip

Watch the announcement. Opening dates are usually reported in early to mid-March. Keep your dates flexible if you can.
Go early in the day. Weekends and holidays are crowded, especially in the first weeks. Mornings are quieter and the light is softer.
Pack for changeable weather. Spring days can be bright and mild, but mornings and evenings are cold and showers are common. Bring layers and a waterproof.
Book early. Tulip season is a busy time for hotels and houseboats in Srinagar.
Stay a few days. Pair the gardens with the old city, a day trip to Gulmarg or Sonamarg, or our five-day Kashmir plan.
Check current access. Some places in the Valley have been closed by district order since 2025. Read our Kashmir safety notes and your government’s travel advice before you book.

For the rest of the year, see the seasons section of our Kashmir travel tips and our North India climate guide.