Udaipur

About Udaipur — The City of Lakes

Udaipur — often called the Venice of the East — is one of India’s most romantic cities. Built around a series of artificial lakes by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, the city centres on the shimmering Lake Pichola with its white-marble palaces seemingly floating on the water. Add a backdrop of the Aravali Hills, intricate Mewar architecture, palace hotels, classical Rajasthani folk art and one of India’s most charming old quarters — and you have the perfect introduction to royal Rajasthan.

The royal lineage of Mewar (the longest unbroken dynasty in the world, ruling since 568 AD) still lives in the City Palace. Today’s Maharana Arvind Singh continues to reside in part of the complex while the rest is open as one of India’s most magnificent palace museums.

Best Time to Visit

• October – March — perfect weather (10–28 °C), ideal for boat rides, palace tours and rooftop dinners.
• July – September — monsoon turns the lakes full and the surrounding Aravalis emerald green. Magical and far less crowded.
• April – June — hot (up to 40 °C) but the lakes provide some respite and rooms are cheaper.

Top Attractions in Udaipur

Lake Pichola & Jag Mandir

The 4 sq km artificial lake at the heart of Udaipur. The famous Lake Palace (now Taj Lake Palace Hotel) and the 17th-century Jag Mandir Palace seem to float on the water. A sunset boat ride from Bansi Ghat is the single most-recommended Udaipur experience.

City Palace Udaipur

The largest royal complex in Rajasthan — a 4-century stack of 11 different palaces built by 22 generations of Maharanas. Don’t miss the Crystal Gallery, Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard), and the Sheesh Mahal mirror room. Allow 3–4 hours minimum.

Jagdish Temple

A 1651 Indo-Aryan temple in the heart of the old city, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The intricately carved black stone idol of Jagannath, the brass Garuda statue, and the surrounding 50-step climb make it a must.

Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens)

Built in the 18th century for the queen’s 48 maidens — pretty marble pavilions, lotus pools, and four iconic black-marble elephants spouting water from their trunks.

Fateh Sagar Lake & Nehru Park

Udaipur’s second-largest lake — perfect for sunset paddle-boating, with a small island park (Nehru Park) at its centre.

Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)

Perched at 944 m on the Bansdara Peak, this hilltop palace gives the most spectacular sunset view of the entire city. The drive up through the wildlife sanctuary takes 30 minutes from the old city.

Bagore ki Haveli

An 18th-century mansion turned museum on the lakefront, hosting the famous Dharohar evening folk-dance show (7–8 PM daily). One of the best Rajasthani cultural experiences in India.

Vintage Car Museum

Belonging to the Mewar royal family — Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs, Mercedes from the 1930s onward. Even includes the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom that featured in the James Bond film Octopussy.

Day Trips from Udaipur

Kumbhalgarh Fort (UNESCO)

2 hours’ drive — second-longest continuous wall in the world (36 km, only the Great Wall of China is longer). The 15th-century fort is birthplace of legendary warrior Maharana Pratap.

Ranakpur Jain Temples

Combine with Kumbhalgarh — 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars, no two of which are the same. One of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India.

Eklingji & Nagda Temples

30 minutes from Udaipur — 8th-century Hindu temples and the family deity of the Mewar dynasty.

Chittorgarh Fort (UNESCO)

2.5 hours’ drive — the largest fort in India, holding three palaces, two grand victory towers and a spine-tingling jauhar history.

Things to Do

• Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola
• Dharohar folk-dance show at Bagore ki Haveli (7 PM)
• Sunset views from Sajjangarh Palace
• Cooking class with a local family (Rajasthani cuisine)
• Heritage walking tour of the old city
• Hot-air balloon ride over the Aravalis (Oct–Mar)
• Drinks at Sunset Terrace overlooking the lake
• Day trip to Kumbhalgarh + Ranakpur
• Shopping at Hathi Pol & Bada Bazaar for Pichwai art & mojaris

Local Food in Udaipur

• Dal Baati Churma — the classic Rajasthani triple-act
• Laal Maans — fiery red mutton curry (Ambrai or 1559 AD restaurants)
• Gatte ki Sabzi — gram-flour dumplings in spiced yoghurt
• Pyaaz Kachori & Mawa Kachori from Jagdish Sweets
• Rabri-Ghevar at any traditional sweet shop
• Lake-side dining: Ambrai, Upre by 1559 AD, Sunset Terrace, Jagat Niwas
• Cafe culture: Cafe Edelweiss (German bakery), Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar, Café Namaste

How to Reach Udaipur

By Air

Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) at Dabok, 22 km from city. Daily direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

By Rail

Udaipur City Railway Station — direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai (Mewar Express), Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore. The overnight Mewar Express from Delhi is comfortable and convenient.

By Road

NH-48 connects Udaipur to Delhi (660 km, 11 hr), Jaipur (395 km, 7 hr), Ahmedabad (260 km, 5 hr), Mumbai (790 km). Our chauffeur-driven SUVs are ideal for the Jaipur–Udaipur–Jodhpur–Jaisalmer Rajasthan circuit.

Travel Tips

• Stay near the lake — Lal Ghat, Hanuman Ghat or Gangaur Ghat for the best lake views
• Book Bagore Ki Haveli show in advance — sells out daily, especially in season
• Climb Karni Mata Temple ropeway for panoramic city views
• Best photo spot: Ambrai Ghat at sunrise — Lake Palace at golden hour
• 2–3 days minimum — Udaipur rewards a slow pace
• Combine with Mount Abu (3 hr drive) for hill-station respite

Ready to plan your Udaipur escape? Use the booking card on the right or chat with Prithvi directly on WhatsApp — we’ll plan your boat rides, palace tours, Kumbhalgarh day-trip, and the perfect lakeside hotel.