Srinagar in March
Jammu & Kashmir, India
Go in March — Tulip Garden opens and cherry blossoms peak, though early spring weather remains unpredictable; pack layers and expect occasional rain.
March is the thaw month. Srinagar warms to 6-15°C and the snow starts melting everywhere — streets get slushy, Dal Lake edges turn from ice to mud, and the Mughal Gardens begin their spring prep. The famous chinar trees are still bare but the willows along the Jhelum River start greening. Tulip Garden prep is underway (opens late March or early April depending on weather). Flights become more reliable. Crowds pick up to around 30,000-40,000 for the month.
The March story
March is transition Kashmir — you get the tail of winter pricing with the start of spring beauty. By mid-March, the mustard fields outside Srinagar turn bright yellow. Shikara rides on Dal Lake resume properly and the floating vegetable market (5 AM, worth the early alarm) runs daily. Nishat and Shalimar Bagh start coming alive with gardeners planting beds. The road to Sonamarg usually opens by late March. Wazwan is available year-round but March brings fresh greens — haak (collard greens) is peak season and served at every local dhaba. Hotel rates start climbing but are still 25-30% below April peaks. The Shankaracharya Temple hike (1,000 steps) is comfortable now without summer heat or winter ice. Full Jio/Airtel coverage restored after any winter disruptions.
Why March scores 8.0/10
Weather
Spring arriving. Almond and cherry blossoms. Tulip Garden opens.
PEAK ALERT · APRIL
Srinagar is at its best in April.
Save it to your shortlist and we'll help you catch April before it fills up.
What to do in Srinagar this March
- 1Walk through Tulip Garden during peak bloom (late March)
- 2Photograph cherry and almond blossoms in Chrar-i-Sharief and surrounding orchards
- 3Paddle on Dal Lake as water levels stabilize post-winter
- 4Explore heritage Mughal gardens—Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh—as spring vegetation emerges
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Value-seekers wanting spring beauty at winter prices
- ✓Trekkers warming up for the April-June season
- ✓Food lovers — haak, nadru (lotus stem), and fresh morels hit the markets
- ✓Couples wanting shikara rides without the summer tourist circus
Who should think twice
- ✗Tulip Festival chasers — it usually opens in April, not March
- ✗People who hate slush — snowmelt makes streets messy
- ✗Amarnath Yatra planners — registration starts but the yatra is months away
- ✗Anyone wanting guaranteed sunshine — March is overcast 60% of days
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.0/10 | Bone-cold. Dal Lake can freeze edges. Beautiful but harsh. |
| February | 2.0/10 | Same. Cheapest time to visit but you need thermal everything. |
| Marchviewing | 8.0/10 | Spring arriving. Almond and cherry blossoms. Tulip Garden opens. |
| April | 10.0/10 | PEAK. Tulip Garden in full bloom. Perfect weather. Mughal gardens green. |
| May | 10.0/10 | Warm, green, all activities open. Shikara rides perfect. |
| June | 8.0/10 | Getting hot in plains drives tourists here. Busy but good. |
| July | 6.0/10 | Some rain. Dal Lake lush. Fewer domestic tourists. |
| August | 6.0/10 | Monsoon light in Kashmir but approach roads can flood. |
| September | 10.0/10 | Post-monsoon. Crystal clear, chinar trees turning. Perfect. |
| October | 10.0/10 | Autumn. Best light for photography. Chinars golden-red. |
| November | 6.0/10 | Getting cold 2-12°C. Last chinar autumn colors fading. Dal Lake quiet. Houseboats at lowest prices. Brief window. |
| December | 4.0/10 | Winter sets in. Cold but magical if you like snow. |
What to pack for March
- ▸Layered clothing (fleece, wool sweater, light jacket)
- ▸Waterproof jacket
- ▸Comfortable walking shoes
- ▸Camera with macro lens
- ▸Sunscreen and sunglasses
- ▸Scarf or pashmina
- ▸Water bottle
Nearby in Jammu & Kashmir scoring high in March
Ready to book your stay?
We sit before the booking layer, not beside it — compare prices on the platforms below.
Tours and experiences
Treks, safaris and day tours — compare on the platforms below.
We don't take payment to feature any destination, stay or operator. Book through a link here and we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our scores or recommendations. Editorial policy
Don't miss the next Srinagar window
One Sunday briefing on where to actually go in India, plus a 3-week heads-up before each destination you save hits its peak month. No spam.
Free. No sponsored picks. Unsubscribe in one click.