City Palace and Museum
The vast lakeside palace complex begun in 1559 and added to for four centuries, now a museum of mirrored halls, peacock courtyards and royal collections. A licensed guide with entry tickets makes the labyrinth easy.
India
Udaipur
Udaipur is Rajasthan’s City of Lakes, a white-and-gold maze of palaces, havelis and temple spires wrapped around Lake Pichola and backed by the folds of the Aravalli hills.
The Sisodia rulers of Mewar moved their capital here in the 16th century, and the great City Palace they began in 1559 still towers above the water, with centuries of courtyards, mirrored halls and balconies added by their successors. Out on the lake, a boat ride reaches the island palace of Jag Mandir; on shore, the old city climbs from the ghats through lanes of miniature-painting shops to the Jagdish Temple and the lantern-lit courtyard of Bagore Ki Haveli, where a nightly folk dance show is staged. Beyond the centre lie the fountains of Saheliyon-ki-Bari, the sunset promenade of Fateh Sagar Lake and the hilltop Sajjangarh (Monsoon) Palace, with a vintage car museum and home cooking classes to fill spare hours. Day trips run to the vast ramparts of Kumbhalgarh and the carved marble pillars of Ranakpur, and to the hill fort of Chittorgarh, all World Heritage or close to it. This guide picks the sights worth planning, flags opening hours and the Diwali crowds, and shows how to fit them into a first trip.
Don't miss
City Palace and Museum
The vast lakeside palace complex begun in 1559 and added to for four centuries, now a museum of mirrored halls, peacock courtyards and royal collections. A licensed guide with entry tickets makes the labyrinth easy.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride and Jag Mandir Island
A boat across Lake Pichola to the island palace of Jag Mandir, with the City Palace glowing behind you. The linked evening experience adds a three-course dinner on the island and hotel transport.
Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Day Trip
A long private day trip from Udaipur to the UNESCO-listed ramparts of Kumbhalgarh and the carved marble Jain temple at Ranakpur. Highly rated, with 113 reviews.
Jagdish Temple
A living Vishnu temple on a flight of 32 marble steps beside the City Palace, finished in 1651 and still thronged with worshippers. Free to enter, best in the early morning or at evening aarti.
Things to do in Udaipur
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride and Jag Mandir Island
A boat across Lake Pichola to the island palace of Jag Mandir, with the City Palace glowing behind you. The linked evening experience adds a three-course dinner on the island and hotel transport.
FreeJagdish Temple
A living Vishnu temple on a flight of 32 marble steps beside the City Palace, finished in 1651 and still thronged with worshippers. Free to enter, best in the early morning or at evening aarti.
30-45 minutesDetails →
Bagore Ki Haveli and the Dharohar Folk Dance Show
An 18th-century lakeside haveli with a daytime museum and a nightly Dharohar folk dance programme in its courtyard. Book the show seats online and arrive early for a good view.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
The Garden of the Maidens, an 18th-century royal retreat of gravity-fed fountains, lotus pools and marble kiosks. A calm, shaded hour away from the old-city crowds.
Sajjangarh (Monsoon) Palace
A hilltop palace built to watch the monsoon clouds, with sweeping views of Udaipur’s lakes at golden hour. A round-trip transfer with entry tickets is an easy way up.
FreeFateh Sagar Lake
Udaipur’s second great lake, with three islands, a lakeside promenade and the town’s favourite sunset walk. Free to stroll, with boats to the islands.
1-2 hoursDetails →
Vintage and Classic Car Collection
The Mewar family’s private collection of vintage and classic cars, from Rolls-Royce and Cadillac models to royal carriages. A quick, fun museum stop that suits all ages.
Home Cooking Class in Udaipur
A hands-on, three-hour cooking class in a local kitchen, ending with a shared meal of what you made. Highly rated and one of the friendliest ways to meet people in Udaipur.
Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Day Trip
A long private day trip from Udaipur to the UNESCO-listed ramparts of Kumbhalgarh and the carved marble Jain temple at Ranakpur. Highly rated, with 113 reviews.
Chittorgarh Fort Day Trip
A private day trip from Udaipur to Chittorgarh, the former Sisodia capital and UNESCO hill fort of palaces, towers and temples. Rated 4.8 from 39 reviews.
Nathdwara, Eklingji and Haldighati Day Trip
A full day north of Udaipur through three very different stops: the Shrinathji temple town of Nathdwara, the marble Eklingji Shiva temples and the Haldighati battlefield of Maharana Pratap.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Taj Lake Palace
Lake Pichola (island)
The white-marble palace floating in the middle of Lake Pichola, a heritage hotel since 1963 with 65 rooms and 18 suites, a pool, a spa and three restaurants. The splurge pick.
Check rates →
$$$$The Oberoi Udaivilas
Lake Pichola (Haridas Ji Ki Magri)
A 30-acre palace-style resort on the banks of Lake Pichola, opposite the City Palace, with private-pool suites, two main pools and a private boat across the lake. A luxury alternative to the island palace.
Check rates →Trident Udaipur
Lake Pichola (Haridasji Ki Magri)
A 28-acre lakeside hotel with an outdoor pool, a spa, a kids’ club and lake views toward the City Palace. A comfortable mid-range to upper-range base, good for families.
Check rates →Jagat Niwas Palace
Lal Ghat (Old City)
A heritage haveli hotel built around 1700 on Lal Ghat, one minute from Lake Pichola and five from Bagore Ki Haveli and the Jagdish Temple. Rooftop terrace, lake-view rooms and the best old-city location.
Check rates →Jaiwana Haveli
Lalghat (Old City)
A budget-friendly haveli hotel on Lalghat with a rooftop restaurant, free parking and a 1-minute walk to Lake Pichola. The best-value pick for the old city.
Check rates →The Leela Palace Udaipur
Lake Pichola shore
A palace-style luxury hotel on the shore of Lake Pichola, with lake-facing rooms, a spa, a pool and grand courtyards, set apart from the old-city crowds.
Check rates →
$$$$Fateh Prakash Palace
City Palace complex, old city
A palace hotel inside the City Palace complex, run as a heritage property with lake views, grand halls and the Crystal Gallery next door.
Check rates →
$$Lake Pichola Hotel
Hanuman Ghat, old city
A 25-room heritage hotel by Hanuman Ghat in the old city, with Rajput-style rooms, a rooftop restaurant and evening puppet and folk shows.
Check rates →Udaipur guides
First Time in Udaipur: What to Book, How Many Days and Getting Around
The practical primer for a first visit to Udaipur: how many days to plan, what to book ahead, opening hours that catch people out, the Diwali crowds in November and how the lakes, palaces and day trips fit together.
Where to Stay in Udaipur: The Best Areas and Hotels for a First Trip
Where to stay in Udaipur: the walkable Lal Ghat lanes, the island and lakeside palace hotels and the quieter resort side of Lake Pichola, with a hotel to match each area and budget.
Udaipur in Three Days: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for the City of Lakes
A realistic three-day Udaipur itinerary: the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Bagore Ki Haveli on day one, the lakes, gardens and Monsoon Palace on day two, and a fort-and-temple day trip on day three, with timing and transport tips.
Eating and Drinking in Udaipur: Mewari Dishes, Thalis and Lake-View Rooftops
What to eat in Udaipur: dal baati churma, laal maas, gatte ki sabzi, street snacks and sweets, how thalis work, where rooftop dining fits, and tips on spice, water and vegetarian-friendly eating.
Best Time to Visit Udaipur: Seasons, Festivals and What to Expect
When to visit Udaipur: the cool dry season from October to March, the hot months of April to June, the green monsoon from July to September, and how festivals shape crowds, prices and the city’s mood.
Day Trips from Udaipur: Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur, Chittorgarh and Beyond
The best day trips from Udaipur: Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Jain Temple, the hill fort at Chittorgarh, and shorter outings to Eklingji, Nathdwara and Haldighati, with distances, timing and how to arrange them.
