Udaipur, known as the “City of Lakes,” is a captivating destination nestled in the heart of Rajasthan, India. This enchanting city offers a blend of historic charm and picturesque beauty, making it a must-visit for travelers. With its shimmering lakes, opulent palaces, and vibrant bazaars, Udaipur presents a multitude of things to do and see.
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Things to do in Udaipur
Besides the popular tourist places in Udaipur, there are many fun and exciting activities you can do on your Udaipur trip.
- Join a Heritage Walking Tour of Udaipur. The walk takes you through the older parts of the city and hidden lanes, gardens, lakes, and local haunts. On this tour, you can shop at local bazaars, sample local food and more.
- Go on a wildlife safari at the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, housing exotic flora and fauna, including hyenas, jackals, panthers, and deer species.
- Visit the Doodh Talai Musical Garden. This is one of the best places to visit in Udaipur at night and watch the musical fountain and play of lights, and enjoy a night picnic.
Best places to visit in Udaipur
From royal palaces and monuments to ancient temples, forts, and museums, there’s a host of places in Udaipur to explore. Most of these attractions in Udaipur are centrally located and can easily be travelled in a day or two. Here are some of the best places of Udaipur to visit –
Udaipur Palace
- How to Reach – The palace is located at 2KM from the city bus station. You can take a local cab, auto, tonga, bus, or book a car to reach.
- Timings – 9.30 AM-5.30 PM
- Entry Fee –
- Adult (Above 18 years) INR 300
- Child INR 100
- Student INR 100
- Time Required – 3 Hours
- Tips – Stop by the palace museum to see ancient artefacts and relics.
Jagmandir Palace (&Hotel)
- How to Reach – The island palace is located inside Lake Pichola, off the premises of the City Palace. You have to take the ferry ride to the lake palace to explore.
- Timings – 10 AM-6 PM
- Entry Fee – Boat ride to palace: INR 400 (after 3 PM – INR 700), Palace entry separate.
- Time Required – Less than 1 hour
Saheliyon ki Bari
- How to Reach – The garden is located at 4.4KM from the city bus station. You can book a local transport or rent a private car to reach.
- Timings – 9 AM-7 PM
- Entry Fee – INR 5
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – Visit in the afternoon through sunset for the best experience.
Monsoon Palace/ Sajjangarh Palace
- How to Reach – The hilltop Udaipur fort and palace is located at 5KM from the city centre. You can take a cab, auto or private car to reach the base and trek or drive to the top.
- Timings – 8 AM-6 PM
- Entry Fee – INR 10, For auto: INR 20, For car: INR 65
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
- Tips – For treks and exploring neighbouring natural landscapes, visit only in winters or early spring when the weather is dry.
Vintage Car Museum
- How to Reach – The museum is within walking distance from Udaipur bus station. If you are travelling from any other location in the city, you can hire a local transport or book a car to reach.
- Timings – 9.30 AM-5.30 PM (all days)
- Entry Fee – INR 100
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – You can also visit the Gulab Bagh Zoo, at a distance of 1.5KM from the museum.
Lake Pichola
- How to Reach – The lake area is at 4KM from Udaipur bus station. You can take the local bus, taxi, tonga, or book a cab to reach.
- Timings – 9 AM-6 PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – Do a sunset sail and take a ferry to the Jagmandir Palace Hotel on the river island.
Fateh Sagar Lake
- How to Reach – The lake area is located at 5KM from Udaipur bus station. You can book any local transport or rent a car to reach.
- Timings – 10AM-5PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – Join the World Music Festival in February, showcasing national and international artists for 3 days.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
- How to Reach – The museum is located at 3.3KM from the city centre. You can book a cab, auto, local bus, or rent a car to reach.
- Timings – 9AM-5.30PM
- Entry Fee – INR 20 (photography: INR 20, videography: INR 50)
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
Places to visit nearby
Apart from the famous places in Udaipur, there are many other interesting sites near the city to explore. These are mostly places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days. Include some of these temples and lake areas in your Udaipur sightseeing.
Eklingji Temple
- How to Reach – The ancient temple is located at 22KM outside Udaipur city centre. You can book a cab or rent a car to travel and return.
- Timings – 4:30AM – 7AM, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5PM – 7:30PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
- Tips – Also visit the Sahasrabhu Temple at 2KM from the Eklingji Temple.
Haldighati Battlefield
- How to Reach – The historical battlefield is located in Nathdwara, 40KM from Udaipur. You can book a cab or rent a private car for the day to travel and return.
- Timings – 10 AM-6 PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Tips – Also visit the Haldighati Museum nearby, documenting all events that took place here.
Jaisamand Lake
- How to Reach – The lake area is located at 50KM from the city centre. You can get a local transport like taxi, bus, or auto, or rent a car in Udaipur for half-day to travel and return.
- Timings – 10AM-5PM
- Entry Fee – Free, Boat ride: INR 30-50 (depending on time and distance)
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
- Tips – Visit the hilltop palaces, river islands, or the adjacent Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary on your trip.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
- How to Reach – The ancient fort is located at 85KM from the city. You can get a local transport like taxi, bus, or auto, or rent a car for the day to travel and return.
- Timings – 9 AM-5 PM
- Entry Fee – INR 20
- Time Required – 1 day
- Tips – Also visit the Badal Mahal, a hilltop palace, at walking distance from the fort.
Chittorgarh Fort
- How to Reach – The historical fort is located at 115KM from the city. You have to book an outstation cab or rent a private car for a day to travel.
- Timings – 9AM-6PM
- Entry Fee – INR50 (adults), INR 25 (children)
- Time Required – 1 day
[Also Read: The Great Rajasthan Road trip – An 11-Day Itinerary for Offbeat Rajasthan]
Best places to eat in Udaipur
You’ll find everything from traditional eateries to upscale contemporary cafés. Sample the city’s flavours at some of these top restaurants in Udaipur
- Jaajam Restaurant
- Millets of Mewar
- Royal Repast Restaurant & Bar
- Neelam Restaurant
- 1559 AD
- Restaurant Harigarh
How to Plan a Trip to Udaipur
How to reach Udaipur
By Train
There are two railway junctions – Udaipur City and Rana Pratap Nagar, at about 3KM from the city centre. There are daily and weekly trains to Udaipur from most cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kota, Agra, Jaipur, Ajmer etc.
By Road
The city of lake is well-connected to all major cities and towns in the North and West India. There are regular state-run and private buses from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Ajmer, Ratlam, Jodhpur, Kota, Mount Abu, etc. You can also book a private car from any of these places with a driver and drive to Udaipur.
By Flight
The city is served by Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok, about 22 KM from Udaipur city. There are frequent flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Jaipur to Udaipur, among other major cities/towns in India. You can take a Udaipur airport taxi for a means of smooth transport.
Best time to visit Udaipur
The city sits in the southern corner of the state, and hence the weather is relatively better than in the rest of Rajasthan. But summers are still hot and dry, while winters are chilly but comfortable. November to February is the most pleasant time and also the peak time for Udaipur tourism. This period is also best to explore the outdoors. You can also visit right after the monsoon months when the summer temperature in Udaipur drops by a few degrees.
About Udaipur
One of the most prominent cities of Rajasthan, Udaipur stands as an icon of art, architecture, and rich history. A fine blend of royalty, old-world charm, and modern lifestyle, its heritage has made Udaipur attractive to travellers of all kinds, from within the country and abroad.
The city’s legacy reflects in its ancient monuments, in its people and their culture, food, art, and their aesthetics.
History
The city of Udaipur has a legacy of over 1000 years. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II, in 1559, after whom the city was named. It was in the fertile Girwa Valley by the Banas River, where the Rajput king set up the new capital of the Mewar kingdom.
When Akbar conquered Chittor in 1567, Udai Singh built seven gates to wall the city from invaders. These walls still exist and the area within these walls are called the “old city”. Nearly a century later, the then king, Rana Amar Singh, agreed to become a Mughal vassal and retained Udaipur as the capital of the state.
By 1818 it became a princely state of British India. Presently, Maharana Mahendra Singh Mewar is the 76th custodian of the Mewar dynasty.
Hidden Facts
Besides the popular tourist places in Udaipur, there are many lesser-known trivia about the city that makes it interesting.
- The Lake Palace Hotel sitting in the middle of the Lake Pichola was once voted as the “Most romantic hotel in the world”.
- The Jaisamand Lake or Dhebar Lake is regarded as the second largest artificial lake in Asia. It consists of seven river islands and the largest dam in the region.
- Udaipur Palace or the City Palace was built over a period of 400 years.
- The city’s Jagmandir Palace (earlier known as Gul Mahal) was the original inspiration for Taj Mahal.
Best Places to stay in Udaipur
Hotels and resorts are integral to your Udaipur vacation. You can look for hotels near Lake Pichola, for great views. Try some of these best resorts and hotels in Udaipur –
- Jagatniwas Palace Hotel
- The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace
- Chunda Palace
- TatSaraasa Resort and Spa
- The Pichola Home Stay
- The Oberoi Udaivilas
- Taj Lake Palace
- Janak Vilas
- Aurika
Download our Savaari car Booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey. For exclusive discounts on your next Jaipur to Udaipur road trip, log in to the Savaari app or website
Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Swati Deol
