The city of Udaipur, located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is built around lakes. Apart from the iconic Lake Pichola, there are several other lakes such as Fateh Sagar Lake, Doodh Talai Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Badi Lake. Hence, this city is rightly called the City of Lakes and Venice of the East.
I had visited Udaipur almost 15 years ago with family and had fond memories of this beautiful lake city. Since then I have gone back twice – once just before COVID and now in 2025 with my girlfriends.
Udaipur exudes old-world charm and is the perfect laid-back destination, which lets you escape the buzzing city life! Rajasthani cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur are busy and crowded, whereas Udaipur is the perfect place to unwind. Udaipur has a little bit of everything – from old palaces to vibrant local markets to cultural activities.
If you are planning your trip to this Indian City of Lakes, then continue reading to plan the perfect trip to Udaipur.
Best time to visit
Weather during November to early March is cooler thus, making it an ideal time to visit. This is the peak tourist season so hotels tend to be more expensive. You can expect a few deals and discounted rates during summer and monsoon season (July – early September).
Even in winter months, the afternoon sun can be a little harsh but mornings and evenings are cooler. So advise wearing layers and keep your sunglasses handy.
How Many Days to Spend
Udaipur city is small and most of the sights are located close to each other. Two days are enough to explore most of what this city has to offer.
You can combine your visit to Udaipur with few more places like Shrinathji Temple, Ekling Temple, Ranakpur Jain Temple, Kumbalgarh Fort since they are at a short driving distance from Udaipur. If you plan to do so, add a day or two accordingly.
How to get there
Udaipur is well connected via flight from most Indian metro cities. If you are visiting from Agra / Delhi or other cities in Rajasthan such as Jodhpur, Jaipur, then you can reach Udaipur via bus, train or private taxi.
Getting around the city
Udaipur is a relatively small city and most of the sights are right in the middle of the city. The best way to explore is by strolling through the streets of the old town and getting a feel of the city.
If you are staying outside the old town, use Ubers and auto rickshaws / tuk tuks to get in and out of the city. Once you are in the old town, you can walk around everywhere. Trust me, you can spend countless hours wandering through these narrow streets and not get bored.
You will find plenty of autorickshaws / tuk tuks as you step out of your hotel, but they are notorious for quoting ridiculously high prices! They don’t use a meter and try to fool tourists by charging high prices. We noticed that sometimes they quoted almost twice the amount quoted on Uber. If you still want to use tuk tuks, first check the cost on Uber/ Ola and then haggle with the drivers to bring down the cost. If the driver still doesn’t budge, then walk away, you may find someone else who will.
If you plan to hire a car and driver for the entire duration of your trip, they typically charge between INR 1,200 – INR 1,800 per day. However, since some streets in the old city are very narrow, cars are not allowed beyond a particular point. They will drop you at the last car entry point, from where you can either take a tuk tuk or walk to your destination.
Personally, I feel you don’t need to hire a car for the entire day since distances from one point of attraction to the other aren’t too much. But if you plan to go to faraway places like Shrinathji, Kumbalgarh, then yes, it is advisable to rent a car + driver for the day.
Where to Stay
Udaipur has some of the prettiest hotels situated by the lake. Waking up to the serenity of the lake and watching a spectacular sunset overlooking the lake, can be a memorable experience. You can find a bunch of hostels, boutique to mid-range hotels to five star hotels overlooking the lake!
If you are looking to splurge on accommodation, check out Taj Lake Palace, Leela Palace or Oberoi Udai Vilas.
On my recent trip in 2025, I stayed at Manuscript Jhilwara Haveli, a beautiful boutique property located near the City Palace. The location was wonderful since most of the sights in old town were at a walking distance. Oh, and the view from the rooftop, was a sight to behold! Highly recommend staying here.
Yet another beautiful boutique property in the city is Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel.
If you want to save costs and don’t mind staying slightly far, then check out Radisson Hotel, located a few minutes outside of the city center. The rooms are HUGE compared to what you typically find in the city center. Plus, it is easy to get an auto/ Uber to get into town and barely costs INR 70-100 one way.
Things to do / see
City Palace
The City Palace, located on the banks of Lake Pichola, is the most visited tourist attraction in Udaipur.
Construction of this palace started in 1559 and it took almost 400 years to complete. Over the years, each ruler added its touch and what you see today is a wonderful blend of Mughal, Medieval, European and Chinese architectural styles. In fact, you can spot Delft blue tiles and the famous Portuguese tiles in this palace.
The palace is built atop a hill, thereby providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. The main entry to the palace is through ‘Badi Pol’ (Great Gate), which leads to the first courtyard. The entry fee is nominal – INR 400 for Indians. At the foot of the palace, you will find several authorized guides. Recommend hiring a guide (charges are INR 500) so you get to know the history of the palace.
Built over a period of nearly 400 years, this palace is HUGE – it is said to be the 2nd largest palace in India! In fact, a part of the palace has now been converted into not one, but two hotels – Taj Fateh Prakash Palace and Shiv Niwas Hotel.
Given how big the whole palace is, be prepared to walk around a lot (including climbing stairs). It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes. Once you enter the palace, follow the designated path around the property to ensure you don’t miss anything. There are multiple rooms painted in bright colors with intricate details, colorful tint glasses, marble and mirror work and mosaic patterns.
One of my favorite part of the palace was the paintings that adorned the walls – as you are walking by, try to zoom in to observe the intricate details. The attention to details truly left me speechless. Since it is the topmost attraction in the city, expect it to be crowded all times of the day. Try to reach as soon as it opens (around 9 am).
The palace also has a museum and a Crystal Gallery. It is said that in 1877, Maharana Sajjan Singh had ordered an entire collection of crystals from a Birmingham-based firm. There was a delay in the delivery of the consignment and unfortunately, Sajjan Singh had passed away before the crystals arrived. The crystals were boxed in for 110 years until 1994 when the Crystal Gallery was opened and made public.
Note that an additional fee of INR 700 is required for the Crystal Gallery and you are not allowed to take pictures inside this gallery. I had already visited this gallery on my first visit so decided to skip it this time.
A light and sound show used to be organized at Manek Chowk every evening but they have stopped it now. Not sure when they restart, but if you are interested in watching this during your visit, enquire at the ticket counter.
Watch a lovely sunset
Given that Udaipur is a city built around lakes, you can be rest assured that this city provides some of the best sunset views!
The main lake, Lake Pichola, is an artificial lake. It was primarily created in 1362 AD by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighborhood. Over the years, this lake has become an iconic part of the city.
Located in the heart of the city, Gangaur Ghat is a prime location for watching sunsets. In fact, you will find many locals flocking here right at sunset. Even though it can get crowded, it is still a lovely spot to enjoy the golden hour. Here you can also find street hawkers selling traditional artifacts and local musicians playing lovely music.
Observing the flocks of pigeon on the ghat overlooking the sunset, is definitely a moment I will cherish. Seeing the whole city painted in gold was such a stunning sight!!
As you cross over to the opposite side, you will find yourself at Ambrai Ghat. From here, you can see the City Palace glowing in the sun. One of the less explored places in the Udaipur City, Ambrai Ghat is the perfect destination for evening strolls and night photography enthusiasts. From here, you can see the entire Lake Pichhola in its complete glory along with the beautifully lit up City Palace, Taj Lake Hotel and Jag Mandir.
Or simply visit one of the countless cafes and restaurants overlooking the lake (more on that later). Grab a drink and enjoy the sky painted in pink and orange hues. 
Sajjangarh Fort, is a fort is situated atop a hill and provides a perfect panoramic view of the city. It was built basically to watch the monsoon clouds, hence, popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the king built this palace at top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home, Chittorgarh. Visit during sunset so you get to witness amazing views.
Similar to Sajjangarh Fort, Karni Mata temple provides a birds eye view of the city and is an excellent spot to watch sunset.
Take a boat ride
Hopping on to a boat is the best way to enjoy the scenic views this town has to offer. It costs about INR 400 for 20-30 minute boat ride. You can also sign up for a sunset boat ride – it costs a tad bit more than the regular boat ride, but totally worth it !
Jag Mandir
One other thing you can do is take a boat ride to Jag Mandir, an island located in the middle of the lake. You can catch the boat from the City Palace itself. The boat takes a scenic loop around the lake providing beautiful glimpses of the ghats, City Palace, Taj Lake Palace Hotel, before making a stop at the island.
Once you get off the island, you can walk around and enjoy the views. This place has well-maintained gardens, creating a tranquil oasis on the island. The Garden Courtyard, with its fountains and lush greenery, provides a peaceful retreat for visitors. It is an ideal spot to relax and soak in the views.
There is also a small museum which provides a brief history, if you are interested in learning more about this place. You can stretch your legs and grab a drink / snacks at their cafe. There are several benches laid out, which provide lovely views.
A boat ride to Jag Mandir costs INR 600 per person. A ride after 4 pm costs more, INR 800 per person but it is totally worth it. The weather is a lot nicer and you get to experience sunset on the island as well as the lake. 
Jagdish Temple
This beautiful temple dedicated to lord Vishnu is located very close to the City Palace and is in the old city of Udaipur. Though not very huge, the temple has beautiful carvings on its spires and walls built in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. The temple is located right in the marketplace. There are a lot of shops in the vicinity and are good places for bargain shopping.
Karni Mata Temple
It is located on a small hill on the banks of Lake Pichola. Though the temple is not very popular, the view from the top of the hill is.
You need to hop on a cable ride to get to the top of the hill. A roundtrip tickets costs INR 210 per person.
Once on the hill top, you get to see the whole of the Udaipur City including all its major attractions. It is also an excellent spot to witness sunset.
Saheliyon ki Bari
Saheliyon ki Bari literally translates to the Courtyard of maidens. It is a garden located on the banks of Lake Fateh Sagar. It houses many lotus pools, marble pavilions, elephant statues and numerous fountains. It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh and presented to his queen and the 48 maids who accompanied her in her marriage. The queen with her maids and female companions used to come here for a stroll and spend their time in leisure.
The entry fee is nominal INR 30 for Indian residents. If you are visiting in February and March, you will be greeted with blooming bougainvilleas and dahlias. Overall, this garden is okay but since the entry fee is minimal, you can visit if you have the time.
Ahar Cenotaphs
Jaisalmer has Bada Bagh, Jaipur has Gatore ki Chhatriyan and Udaipur has Ahar cenotaphs!
Here, you will find royal cenotaphs (or chhatris) of the Maharajas of Udaipur – a cenotaph is a small temple or tribute statue for a deceased relative. All the cenotaphs in this cemetery have beautiful carved ceilings, statues and beautiful structures.
There are a total of 250 cenotaphs and 19 chhatris (umbrellas) to commemorate the 19 maharajas who were cremated at the cenotaphs. Situated in Ahar, the cenotaphs are technically not in Udaipur, but a short 2-3km tuk tuk or taxi ride outside of the city.
We reached here right after it opened (around 9.45 am) and it was basically deserted. There were two caretakers who saw us clicking pictures and threatened to take my camera away! Now, nowhere in this place has it been mentioned that photography is prohibited. I tried reasoning with them but they started getting aggressive. I have seen a few pictures of this place on IG and blogs but no one has ever mentioned that photography is prohibited.
Oh well, it’s a shame since this place is really beautiful – sharing a handful few pictures taken before the guards came and stopped us.
Shop in the local markets
A visit to Udaipur is incomplete without stopping by the local markets for some shopping. This town is famous for silver jewelry, traditional clothes, wooden handicrafts and miniature paintings. You will find plenty of local markets at Hathipole, Bapu Bazaar and the area near Jagdish temple.
If you are buying anything from the street shops, then remember to bargain hard – the shopkeepers typically quote 2-3 times the actual cost.
If you enjoy luxurious bohemian clothes and accessories, then Ganesh Handicraft Emporium is the place for you! This shop has a lot of international clientele and Bollywood celebs. The products aren’t on the cheap side but you have to visit this store to see how beautiful it is!
Bagore ki Haveli / Dharohar Folk Dance Show
Bagore Ki Haveli is a majestic palace on the shores of Lake Pichola at Gangaur Ghat. This architectural gem, once a royal residence, boasts intricate carvings and ornate balconies (jharokhas) and is a great addition to your Udaipur itinerary.
Every evening, this haveli’s courtyard is transformed into an open-air amphitheatre, where you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Rajasthani culture. It is a one hour show which includes different Rajasthani dance forms such as Ghoomar, Tera Taali dance, a musical show and puppet show. Tickets cost INR 125 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners. You can buy tickets in advance here. 
If this is your first time in India/ Rajasthan, I highly recommend a visit.
Visit the Lesser-known Lakes
While Lake Pichola is the most iconic lake in the city, this city boasts of several other lakes.
Situated around 5 kms from Udaipur, is Fateh Sagar Lake. Similar to Lake Pichola, this is an artificial freshwater lake. It is comparatively less touristy from the other lakes and one can enjoy some peaceful time over here. There are plenty of food stalls and shops around which come alive in the evening. You can even go on a boat ride here. It is scenic and less crowded compared to Lake Pichola.
Badi Lake, situated around 12 kms away from the city is another picturesque spot! Unlike Lake Pichola, you will hardly find anyone here. There is a nice hike in the area, if you are craving some activity on holiday. Badi Lake provides a scenic backdrop for photographs and is definitely one of the most picturesque sights in the area.
Visit Vintage and Classic Car Collection Museum
If you are a car lover, head over to the Vintage and Classic Car Collection Musuem. For an entry fee of INR 400, you get to be up close with around 18-20 vintage cars and peek into India’s erstwhile grandeur! In fact, one of these cars was used in the Bond movie, Octopussy. You will also find a Cadillac Convertible used by Queen Elizabeth on her visit to India in 1961.
You also get to see luxurious horse carriages from the olden days.
Where to Eat
Upre
Udaipur boasts of way too many rooftop cafes and restaurants, so you have to stop by at least one!
Upre is hands down, the prettiest restaurant in this city! It offers one of the best views of Lake Pichola, Gangaur Ghat, Bagore Ki Haveli and the illuminated City Palace. You can indulge in delicious Punjabi food, Italian or even Chinese! Enjoy lip-smacking delicacies in candle light under the star-studded sky.
Ambrai
A few steps away from Upre, you will find this lovely restaurant. Catch a table facing the lovely City Palace and the lake sparkling with moonlight. The food is as good as the view.
Both Upre and Ambrai are the go to spots in the city, so its always good to make reservations in advance. You obviously want a table overlooking the lake so better to make reservations in advance.
How romantic is this setting!!
Jagat Niwas Hotel
I have visited this one twice ! On my first visit, we spent a lovely afternoon at this hotel. We spent quite some time ogling over the beautiful interiors – painted in all white (resembling the white city), with lovely mosaic murals! Trust me, it will be hard to put down your camera here.
This hotel has two dining areas – one is the rooftop and the other is a restaurant located on the second floor. Needless to say, both restaurants offer scenic panaromic views of Lake Pichola, Taj Hotel, including Oberoi Udaivillas. Since we were visiting in the afternoon, we chose to dine on the second floor restaurant. We ate Chinese which was a good change from all the Indian food we had been eating on this trip.
On my recent trip, I stopped by during sunset hour and was totally bowled away by the views!! Unlike some other cafes in the vicinity, there is no obstruction with the view – so you get an absolutely clear view of the sunset. You can actually see the sun setting behind the hills.
Highly recommend stopping by during sunset hour.
Jheel Ginger Café
Located just a few steps away from Gangour Ghat, you will find Jheel Cafe – the perfect spot for breakfast or evening snack.
It has two seating areas – one on the ground floor and another is a rooftop restaurant (about 3-4 floor climb). The ground floor cafe offers limited food, so if you want a full meal, then you better climb up to the rooftop cafe. The service wasn’t the best but we didn’t mind it – the view makes up for it. We ordered a pizza, vegetable sandwich and a delicious hazelnut coffee!
Eat a Thali
If you are looking for a traditional Rajasthani thali, check out The Traditional Khana, located near Saheliyon ki Bari. Go on an empty stomach since the food is absolutely delicious and you want to be able to do full justice to it😉
You begin the meal with rose water and buttermilk and then you have your Rajasthani staples like ker sagri, gatte ki sabji, churma, etc. It is a totally immersive food experience and one of a kind. DO NOT miss it!
One other spot for thali is Natraj Restaurant. Here you will find traditional thaali with 3-4 vegetables, salad, a dessert, snacks, papad and a glass of buttermilk – all for measly INR 240. 
Excuse the quality of the picture – I couldn’t wait to gorge on it 🙂
Qalaa
Where are my Instagram fans 😉 If you are looking for instagrammable cafe which totally delivers on taste, check our Qalaa restaurant. 
We wanted a change of cuisine, so ordered Mexican as well as Chinese food and both were delicious! Oh and don’t forget to order coffee – we tried iced mocha and it was so good!
Kaner Bagh
A cute modern spot which serves a mix of cuisine. We started with palak chaat, jhol momos and ended with gatta sabzi. We were literally having a hard time walking after all the delicious food we ate here 🥱
Oh and they serve delicious cocktails too 😉
Enjoy Street Food
While these fancy restaurants are great, you cannot go to Udaipur and not try out the street food. Listing down a few must visit roadside stalls:
- JMB – they have a couple of outlets but go to Chetak Circle or near Surajpole for the most authentic kachoris. We tried Hing and Moong Dal Kachori and Aloo Pyaaz Kachori, both of which were delicious. We loved it so much that we actually packed a few for family and friends back home. But visit both these places in the morning so you can enjoy freshly made piping hot kachoris. Also, the branch near Surajpole has vendors selling poha and kulhad wali chai right outside, so it makes for that perfect breakfast spot 😉
- Gulab Jamuns at Lala Mishtan Bhandar
- Rabdi at Rajubhai Rabdiwala
General Tips
- Most of the major attractions charge separate fee for Indian residents and foreign residents. So make sure you buy the right ticket.
- Many a times, your taxi / tuk tuk driver may suggest places to shop or eat. These drivers often work for commission so make sure the places they suggest are authentic.
- Use Uber or Ola instead of tuk tuks. It’s so much cheaper and the fixed price saves you the headache of having to bargain for a ride.
- Bargain for all of your purchases in the bazaars: clothing, textiles, souvenirs, jewelry. Start walking away when they don’t lower the price and that usually does the trick.
* All prices are as of February 2025