Things to Do in Udaipur: The Complete Guide

Udaipur, the romantic City of Lakes, is one of the most beautiful cities in India, a place of shimmering lakes, grand palaces, ancient temples and glorious sunsets, set among the green Aravalli hills. This guide from Delhi Agra Tour Packages covers the very best things to do in Udaipur, from the great sights to the quiet pleasures and the wonderful day trips, so you can plan the perfect visit, often as part of a wider Rajasthan journey or a Golden Triangle tour extended into the state.

I was born in Delhi and in more than 11 years planning trips across Rajasthan for Experience My India I have taken many travellers to Udaipur and come to know its lakes, palaces and hidden corners well. Here is the clear, practical guide to what to see and do.

Things to do in Udaipur at a glance

Explore the magnificent City Palace

No visit to Udaipur is complete without exploring the magnificent City Palace, the grand and sprawling royal palace complex that rises above the shores of Lake Pichola. One of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan, built and extended by the rulers of Mewar over centuries, it is a breathtaking maze of courtyards, balconies, towers and ornately decorated rooms, filled with beautiful mirror work, paintings, coloured glass and royal treasures.

Wandering through its halls and climbing to its upper terraces, you are rewarded with stunning views over the lake and the city below, with the island palaces shimmering on the water. Part of the complex houses a wonderful museum and the Crystal Gallery nearby displays a rare royal collection of crystal. The City Palace is the heart of royal Udaipur and one of the finest palaces in all of India, as our best palaces of Udaipur guide covers the royal palaces of the city in more detail. Give yourself a few hours to take it all in.

Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola

The most magical experience in Udaipur is a boat ride on the beautiful Lake Pichola, the shimmering heart of the City of Lakes. Gliding across the water, you pass the city's grand buildings reflected in the lake and reach its famous island palaces, including the romantic Jag Mandir, a lovely island palace where you can step ashore and you gaze upon the celebrated Lake Palace, the dreamlike white palace that seems to float on the water.

A boat ride is especially beautiful in the late afternoon and at sunset, when the light turns golden and the palaces glow. It is simply the finest way to appreciate the romance and beauty of Udaipur and a highlight of any visit. The lakes are the very soul of the city, as our best lakes of Udaipur guide covers the lakes of Udaipur and what to see around them.

Watch the sunset from the Monsoon Palace

For the most spectacular sunset in Udaipur, head up to the Sajjangarh Palace, better known as the Monsoon Palace, which crowns a hilltop high above the city. Built by the Mewar rulers, this hilltop palace was designed to watch the monsoon clouds and today it offers simply the finest panoramic views over Udaipur, its lakes and the surrounding Aravalli hills.

Arriving in the late afternoon to watch the sun set over the lakes from this lofty vantage point is an unforgettable experience, the whole City of Lakes spread out and glowing below you. It is one of the most romantic things to do in Udaipur and a favourite with photographers.

Visit the Jagdish Temple

In the heart of the old city, a short walk from the City Palace, stands the beautiful Jagdish Temple, one of the most important and striking temples in Udaipur. Built in the 17th century, this large and ornate temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a fine example of the architecture of its age, with its tall, intricately carved spire and its beautifully sculpted exterior.

The temple is a living place of worship, full of devotion and atmosphere and its central location makes it easy to combine with a walk through the old city's lanes and bazaars. It is well worth a visit to admire the architecture and soak up the spiritual atmosphere.

Wander through Saheliyon Ki Bari

For a peaceful interlude, visit the lovely Saheliyon Ki Bari, the Garden of the Maidens, a beautiful royal garden in the north of the city. Laid out for the ladies of the royal household, this charming garden is a delight, with its green lawns, shady trees, lotus pools, marble pavilions and, above all, its famous fountains, which were designed to work on the natural pressure of the water.

It is a lovely, restful spot to stroll and relax away from the bustle and a reminder of the gentle, graceful side of royal Udaipur. The garden is especially pretty and a pleasant escape on a warm afternoon.

Enjoy a folk show at Bagore Ki Haveli

On the waterfront at Gangaur Ghat stands the beautiful old Bagore Ki Haveli, a grand lakeside mansion that is now a museum of Mewar life, with its many rooms, courtyards and displays of royal and everyday objects. The haveli is worth exploring in the day, but its greatest draw is in the evening.

Each evening the haveli hosts the wonderful Dharohar folk dance show, a colourful performance of traditional Rajasthani music and dance, including spectacular folk dances and the famous dance in which performers balance many pots on their heads. It is one of the best cultural experiences in Udaipur, a joyful window into the folk traditions of Rajasthan and a lovely way to spend an evening by the lake.

Admire the ghats and the old city

Some of the simplest pleasures in Udaipur are the loveliest. The lakeside ghats, especially the beautiful Gangaur Ghat and the Ambrai Ghat across the water, are wonderful places to sit and watch life by the lake, to see the palaces reflected in the water and to enjoy the famous Udaipur sunsets. Ambrai Ghat in particular offers one of the most celebrated views of the City Palace and the lake, especially magical in the evening light.

Beyond the ghats, the old city of Udaipur is a delight to wander, its narrow lanes winding between old havelis, little temples, craft shops and cafes, many with rooftop views over the lakes. Simply strolling, pausing for a coffee with a view and soaking up the romantic atmosphere is one of the great pleasures of the City of Lakes.

See the Vintage Car Museum and Shilpgram

For something a little different, Udaipur has a couple of rewarding attractions. The Vintage and Classic Car Museum displays a wonderful collection of the old royal cars of the Mewar family, a treat for anyone who loves beautiful vintage vehicles, with grand old limousines and classic cars from a bygone age.

A little outside the city lies Shilpgram, a rural arts and crafts village that showcases the folk art, crafts, music and traditions of Rajasthan and the wider region, with craftspeople, demonstrations and a lovely setting. It is a fine place to see traditional crafts and to pick up handmade souvenirs and a good outing for families.

Shop in the bazaars of Udaipur

Udaipur is a wonderful place to shop for the handicrafts and arts for which Rajasthan is famous. The old city bazaars, particularly around the Hathi Pol and the Bada Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar areas, are full of colour and treasures: beautiful miniature paintings, for which Udaipur is especially known, along with handicrafts, textiles, silver jewellery, puppets, leather goods and all manner of souvenirs.

Browsing and bargaining in the lively lanes is an experience in itself and a chance to take home a piece of Udaipur's rich artistic tradition. The miniature paintings in particular make a lovely and distinctive keepsake of the City of Lakes.

Take day trips from Udaipur

One of the joys of Udaipur is that it is the gateway to some of the finest sights in southern Rajasthan and with a little extra time there are wonderful day trips to add to your visit.

The most popular is the mighty Kumbhalgarh Fort, with its colossal wall winding over the Aravalli hills, often combined with the exquisite Ranakpur Jain Temple, as our Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh distance guide covers that drive. The great fort of Chittorgarh, one of the most historic in Rajasthan, is another fine excursion, as our Udaipur to Chittorgarh distance guide covers that journey. The famous Shrinathji temple town of Nathdwara is a popular pilgrimage trip, as our Udaipur to Nathdwara distance guide covers that drive and the hill station of Mount Abu makes a longer excursion, as our Udaipur to Mount Abu distance guide covers that route. Udaipur is also the start of the road north to the Blue City, as our Udaipur to Jodhpur distance guide covers that onward journey.

Taste the food of Udaipur

No visit to Udaipur is complete without enjoying the wonderful food of Rajasthan. The region is famous for its hearty vegetarian cuisine, above all the classic dal baati churma, along with a rich variety of traditional Rajasthani dishes and thalis that let you taste many flavours at once. Udaipur also has a lovely cafe culture, with many rooftop restaurants offering beautiful views over the lakes and palaces, a perfect setting for a meal.

From a traditional Rajasthani thali to a sunset dinner with a lake view, the food of Udaipur is a delight and sharing a meal overlooking the shimmering water is one of the most memorable experiences the city offers.

The best time to visit Udaipur

The best time to visit Udaipur and to enjoy all these things to do, is the cool season from about October to March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing, boating and exploring. This is the peak season and with good reason, as our best time to visit Rajasthan guide covers the seasons across the state. The summer can be hot, so an early start and a rest in the afternoon help, while the monsoon brings a special beauty to Udaipur, filling the lakes and turning the hills green.

How to reach Udaipur and plan your visit

Udaipur is well connected and easy to reach, with its own airport and good road and rail links. By road, it is reached from Delhi, as our Delhi to Udaipur distance guide covers that journey and from Jaipur, as our Jaipur to Udaipur distance guide covers that drive.

To enjoy the city properly, allow at least two days for Udaipur itself, with more time for the day trips and it combines beautifully with the Golden Triangle and a wider Rajasthan journey, as our one week North India itinerary guide maps out a route that can be extended to include the City of Lakes.

Want your Udaipur trip planned, with the sights, the boat ride, the sunsets and the day trips all sorted? Message us on WhatsApp and Experience My India will build it for you.

Tips for visiting Udaipur

• Allow at least two days for Udaipur itself and more if you want to add day trips to Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur or Chittorgarh.

• Take the Lake Pichola boat ride in the late afternoon or at sunset for the most beautiful light.

• Head up to the Monsoon Palace for sunset, one of the finest views in the city.

• Catch the evening Dharohar folk show at Bagore Ki Haveli for a wonderful taste of Rajasthani culture.

• Visit in the cool season, October to March, for the most comfortable weather and reconfirm any show or attraction timings locally.

• Enjoy a meal at a rooftop restaurant with a lake view for a memorable Udaipur experience.

• Look out for Udaipur's famous miniature paintings when shopping in the old city bazaars.

What to expect

Udaipur is a city made for romance and beauty and the things to do here reflect that: a grand palace above the lake, a boat ride past floating palaces, a sunset from a hilltop, a folk dance by the water, a quiet temple, a peaceful garden and lanes full of art and colour. Few cities in India are as lovely or as rewarding to explore at a gentle pace.

Whether you have two days or a week, Udaipur offers a wonderful blend of royal grandeur, natural beauty, culture and relaxation, with some of the finest day trips in Rajasthan on its doorstep. With a little planning around the season and the sights, a visit to the City of Lakes is one of the great experiences of a North India journey.

Plan your trip with us

A trip to Udaipur, with its palaces, lakes, sunsets and day trips, is easiest and most enjoyable when the travel, the stays, the sightseeing and the experiences are all arranged for you. That is what we do, a comfortable private car and an experienced driver, a knowledgeable guide, well-chosen stays with lake views where you wish and the whole trip planned around you.

Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it honestly around your standard rather than a fixed figure. You can combine Udaipur with the classic circuit on our Golden Triangle tours and we can build it all within our wider Delhi Agra Tour Packages.

Related guides

• New Delhi tour: the capital's imperial landmarks.

• Old Delhi tour: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

• Delhi day tour: the best of the capital in a day.

Experience My India has personally hosted 50,000+ travelers and the service he leads is rated 4.9 from 2,600+ reviews, operating since 2015. Delhi Agra Tour Packages is a unit of Experience My India.