The morning I spent walking beside Dal Lake instead of taking a shikara

When people think of Dal Lake in Srinagar, one image usually comes to mind. A colourful shikara drifting through placid seas. Before my vacation, I had the same thoughts. Actually, I had every intention of taking a boat ride first thing in the morning. However, I had a change of heart when I arrived at the lakefront shortly after sunrise. The promenade was almost empty, the mountains were slowly rising from the morning mist, and the lake was awakening in the most delicate way possible. I just started walking instead of hiring a shikara. In retrospect, it was one of the most impactful choices when I was in Srinagar.

Dal Lake feels different before the city wakes up

The first thing I noticed was the quiet. There were a few people taking morning walks, local vendors preparing for the day, and fishermen heading out onto the water, but no one seemed to be in a rush. The reflections of the Zabarwan Range shimmered across the lake just as the first rays of sunlight painted the houseboats in warm golden hues.

It didn’t feel like one of Kashmir’s busiest attractions to me, but it felt like I had discovered a calmer, more personal side of it. Many hotels in Srinagar are located along Dal Lake and Boulevard Road, and I’m glad I stayed nearby. It meant I could step out early, enjoy the peaceful lakeside environment at my own pace, and experience the lake before the crowds and daytime activity arrived.

I started noticing the everyday life of Dal Lake instead of tourist attractions

I kept walking until I realised that I was no longer searching for well-known viewpoints. I was simply observing the course of life. Fresh produce was arranged on a tiny boat by a vegetable vendor. Children in school uniforms stood along the side of the road. In preparation for selling them at the floating market, a florist meticulously arranged vibrant flowers. Houseboat owners swept their wooden decks while sipping their first cup of kahwa. Guidebooks did not list these attractions. However, these turned into some of my favourite memories.

The Shikaras in Dal Lake were beautiful even from the shore

I never felt like I was missing out, which was unexpected. Early visitors travelled across the serene lake on the exquisitely painted shikaras. A few glided by the houseboats. Others were flawlessly reflected in the motionless water. It was somehow as serene to watch them from the lakeside as it was to sit inside one. It was a reminder that not every famous experience has to be had most conspicuously.

Every few minutes, the view around Dal Lake changed

It was never the same to stroll beside Dal Lake. One section gave me sights of rows of exquisitely carved houseboats. Another gave me views of the distant snow-capped peaks. Benches, cafés, and peaceful gardens further ahead beckoned people to stop for some time. Every few minutes, even the shifting morning light changed the landscape. I noticed that I was pausing frequently, not because I was exhausted, but rather because each view seemed worthy of a little more time.

Breakfast could wait at Srinagar

Usually, one of the first things on my vacation agenda is breakfast. But that morning, that changed for good. I wasn’t ready to leave the lakeside just yet, and actually the walk later turned out to be much more fun than I had anticipated. After a while, I sat down to an authentic Kashmiri breakfast and a cup of traditional kahwa in a café with water views. Drinking hot tea and watching the lake slowly come to life seemed like the perfect way to end an unexpected morning. Sometimes it makes perfect sense to postpone breakfast.

I’ll still take the shikara next time in Srinagar

I believe every itinerary for Srinagar should include a shikara ride. The next time I go, I’ll choose one of the hotels in Srinagar in the same place, and I’ll probably take a shikara. However, I’m just as appreciative to walk for my first morning. If I had gone straight to sightseeing, I might have missed Dal Lake, but the leisurely walk gave me a glimpse. Occasionally, the less obvious option turns out to be the more memorable one.

What walk beside Dal Lake eventually was

Dal Lake is one of India’s most popular destinations, and a shikara ride is rightly considered one of Srinagar’s signature experiences. But if you have an extra morning, do yourself a favour. Wake up early, step outside before the city fully comes alive, and simply walk beside the lake. Between the peaceful surroundings, the changing mountain views, the everyday life unfolding on the water, and the slow rhythm of the morning, you’ll discover a side of Srinagar that many travellers overlook. Sometimes, the best way to experience Dal Lake isn’t from the water. It’s by walking quietly beside it.