Udaipur Travel Guide: Lakes, Palaces and Things to Do
Udaipur, the City of Lakes: top things to do, where to stay by Lake Pichola, a 3-day itinerary, day trips to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, food and tips.
A Udaipur trip suits anyone who loves lakes and palaces. Udaipur is the most romantic city in Rajasthan: white palaces rising from lakes, ghats where locals bathe at dawn, and rooftop restaurants glowing above the water at night. It was the capital of the Mewar kingdom, and its rulers built lakes rather than walls.
Best time to visit
September to March. Visit after a good monsoon and the lakes are full. Winters are pleasant, around 10–25°C. Summer is hot and the lakes can run low.
Getting there
Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) is about 25 km from the city, with flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and others. Udaipur City station has trains from Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad, it's about a 4-hour drive.
Top things to do
City Palace. Rajasthan's largest palace complex, built over 400 years, overlooking Lake Pichola. Allow 2–3 hours.
Boat ride on Lake Pichola. Take the sunset boat from Rameshwar Ghat; it passes Jag Mandir and the Taj Lake Palace.
Jagdish Temple. A 17th-century temple with intricate carvings, steps from the City Palace.
Bagore ki Haveli. A restored haveli museum. Its evening Dharohar folk dance show is fun and good value.
Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace). A hilltop palace with sweeping sunset views over the lakes and the Aravallis.
Fateh Sagar Lake. Locals' favourite for evening walks, with boating and street food.
Saheliyon ki Bari. Gardens with fountains and lotus pools, built for royal women.
Ambrai Ghat. The classic postcard view of the City Palace reflected in the lake at night.
A 3-day itinerary
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | City Palace, Jagdish Temple, old-city walk, Pichola sunset boat, Bagore ki Haveli show. |
| 2 | Saheliyon ki Bari, Fateh Sagar, Vintage Car Museum, sunset at Sajjangarh. |
| 3 | Day trip: Kumbhalgarh Fort (its walls are among the longest in the world) and Ranakpur's marble Jain temple. |
Where to stay
The area around Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat is ideal: walkable, with lake-view guesthouses at every budget. Hanuman Ghat, across the bridge, is slightly quieter with lovely views back to the palace. Upscale palace hotels sit on the lake itself.
What to eat
Try dal baati churma, ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi, mirchi vada, and Udaipur's poha-jalebi breakfast. Rooftop restaurants near Lal Ghat combine Rajasthani thalis with lake views.
Shopping
Miniature paintings (watch artists at work in the old city), silver jewellery, leather-bound journals, block-printed fabrics and puppets are the best buys.
Budget per person per day
| Style | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Mid-range lake-view stay | ₹4,000–8,000 |
| Palace hotel | ₹20,000+ |
Tips
- Most of the old city is best explored on foot; lanes are narrow for cars.
- Book lake-view rooms well ahead for October–January.
- Combine with Jaipur or the Rann of Kutch for a longer trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Udaipur?
Two to three days is ideal for the city itself. Add a day for Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Jain temple.
When is the best time to visit Udaipur?
September to March. Just after the monsoon (September–October), the lakes are full and the hills are green.
