John Friends Guesthouse

Srinagar


Reached from a lakeshore path by a plank-and-stilt walkway, John Friends' signature attraction is its apple-tree garden and direct access to backwater canals (albeit somewhat stagnant). The 12 bargain-value rooms come with bathrooms and there's a six-mattress dorm and communal sitting areas; upstairs rooms are brighter and fresher. Self-paddled boat hire (₹40 per hour) is a great way to explore the lake.

The owners can arrange treks for around US$30 per day per person. It's two doors down from the Crescent Lake View Restaurant.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Srinagar attractions

1. First Row Houseboats

0.38 MILES

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

2. Mirzabagh Veg Boat Dock

0.58 MILES

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

3. Shankaracharya Mandir

0.84 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…

4. Floating Vegetable Market

0.95 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…

5. Pir Dastgir Sahib

0.96 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

1.06 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. Dal Lake

1.24 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…

8. Naqshband Sahib

1.28 MILES

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