Dal Lake is Srinagar's largest and famous lake, which has the maximum number of house-boats. House-boats in the Dal lake are of all categories, from deluxe through to d class. In Dal lake one requires a shikara to get to and from them. The lake is right across the famous Boulevard of Srinagar. The Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many places of tourist interest have, over the ages been built in it's vicinity.

The Dal is famous not only for it's beauty, but for it's vibrance, because it sustains within it's periphery a life that is unique anywhere in the world. The house-boats and shikara communities have lived for centuries on the Dal, and so complete is their infrastructure on the lake that they never have to step on land. It can be an hour long ride to see the sights of Dal, a shopping by shikara expedition to visit handicraft shops within the lake.