You may already have a vision of India in your head. An India that is loud, chaotic, busy, polluted. And I won’t argue that it can’t be. But Rajasthan—Udaipur to be exact, is a magical city that breaks down those stereotypes of India. It felt more tranquil than anywhere else I’d visited in India. Maybe it was the glittering lakes, the verdant hills in the distance, or the grand City Palace walls… Whatever it was, Udaipur has become a firm favourite from my India travels.
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to the five major lakes within the city, Udaipur feels romantic and almost serene. Located in the North of India, bordering Pakistan, it has a rich history to explore, beautiful landscapes to enjoy, and delicious cuisine you just need to taste.
How many days in Udaipur is enough?
You don’t need heaps of time here. 2-3 day is plenty of time to see the main highlights without feeling super busy. You could pair it with a trip to Jaipur to really appreciate the beauty Rajasthan has to offer.
So, here are 8 of the best things to do in Udaipur:
Visit City Palace
The City Palace has to be your first stop. It’s one of the largest palace complexes in India, and the sheer size of the palace will take your breath away first. Consisting of 11 palaces built over 400 years, the intricate details on the balconies, stained glass windows, large marble courtyards and grand, lavish halls give you an insight into the grandeur of the Rajput era.
Give yourself at least 2-3 hours to explore the grounds here, taking in the history of each of the rooms and courtyards. The museum is filled with royal artefacts, paintings, and even a room of weapons. As you climb higher, you’ll see the sweeping views across the city. Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Island Palace, and the Aravalli Hills.
It’s a really spectacular palace and one of the best things to do in Udaipur. I’m not the biggest history buff but I was seriously impressed and fascinated with every part of this palace. Some of my standouts were the Baddi Mahal, a picturesque garden with marble corridors that was used for celebrations by the royal family; the Zenana Mahal, which was a space dedicated to the royal ladies of the palace; and the weapons room. It was so surreal seeing huge swords and axes that were actually used in battle.
I recommend visiting in the morning to give yourself enough time to explore at your own pace. The entrance fee is somewhere between Rs 300 – 500 (I can’t remember how much we paid and can’t find an accurate cost online).
Cruise across Lake Pichola
You can’t visit the city of lakes and not enjoy a cruise. Get a unique view of Udaipur and appreciate the grandeur of the City Palace from afar – you can really marvel at its size from the water!
There’s no question that you should opt for a sunset cruise. As we drifted away from the city, a warm hue covered the sky, the hills, and the velvety waves of the lake. Golden hour was doing its thing! Me and my sisters didn’t say a word during this journey – we just enjoyed the peaceful sounds of the boat splashing in the water, the gentle waves swaying us, and the last of the sun’s warmth on our skin.
Jagmandir Island Palace
As part of your sunset cruise, you’ll visit Jagmandir Island Palace. Constructed in the 17th century by three Rajput rulers, it was once used as a summer resort by the royal family. Nowadays, it serves as a beautiful heritage hotel with just seven rooms. The island is small but does not lack grandeur. A white marble elephant welcomes you onto the island, with large stone elephants wrapped around the island. To the right, the old palace walls looked like they were made from gold during sunset, sitting within a blanket of luscious greenery.
To the left, more of the palace walls surround a large pavilion, which now serves as a bar. We grabbed a cold Kingfisher beer and sat at the edge of the island, staring out at the peaceful lake as the sun went down. This is a 10/10 sunset spot.
Pratap Gaurav Kendra
If you’re fascinated by the history deep within Udaipur’s roots, Pratap Gaurav Kendra needs to be on your itinerary. The museum displays the tales of Maharana Pratap, the king of the Kingdom of Mewar in the 1500s. Through paintings, structures and displays, you’ll learn about historic events like the Battle of Haldighati.
I won’t lie—some of the displays are a little bit kitsch. The museum is run by a small team and often gets overlooked as a tourist attraction but that doesn’t stop it from being a must-visit. The grounds are impressive, with luscious gardens, a temple right at the top, and a huge statue of Maharana Pratap across the road.
It’s about half an hour out of the main city centre of Udaipur but it’s a fascinating insight into the royal history and battles of the Rajputs. Entrance is approx. Rs 460 (less than £5.00).
Dine al fresco by the lake
There’s nothing better than dinner with a view and Udaipur’s lakes provide the perfect backdrop for just that. We dined at Ambrai Restaurant, and though there are plenty of lakeside spots to choose from, this one blew me away.
We visited in February, so the evening temperatures really dropped. The seating happened to be outside but there’s no better way to warm up than a steaming bowl of delicious curry. Since Rajasthan is famed for its lamb dish called ‘Laal Maas’, we obviously had to try it. Mathania chillies give it a fiery base whilst tender lamb is swimming in a rich and flavour-packed gravy. Wow. If in Rajasthan, it’s a must-try dish. We also ordered the Gosht Dum Biryani (lamb biryani) and Murgh Jahangiri (chicken curry), all lapped up with fluffy, garlic naan. My mouth is watering thinking back on this meal.
Ambrai Restaurant sits on the Ambrai Ghat, with views of the City Palace perched across the lake, making it a really special spot to enjoy dinner. It’s situated within the Amet Haveli Heritage Hotel, and the grounds are spectacular. Ornate courtyards, intricate elephant statues and grand archways guide you through to your al fresco lakefront dining, and at nights, the lights of the city sparkle off Lake Pichola. A wonderful place to end a day of exploring and one of the best things to do in Udaipur.
Rooftop drinks
Okay, maybe it does get better – drinks with a view! Udaipur is full of hidden rooftop spots for grabbing a bite and enjoying a cheeky beverage. A lot of the places don’t look like anything exciting from ground level but just keep your eyes up and you’ll see signs for rooftop bars or restaurants with a lake view. Some are very low-key but make a great spot for enjoying some snacks and drinks.
If you do fancy something a bit fancier, try the XX hotel (where did we stay??)
Overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake, HOTEL’s garden terrace is a beautiful place to enjoy the view of Udaipur.
Saheliyon ki bari Botanical Gardens
I just love wandering around a botanical garden. Saheliyon ki bari, with its luscious landscapes, sprinkling water fountains and pond draped in delicate lily pads was a perfect place to spend an afternoon. It was originally designed and created in the 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh as a peaceful escape for the Queen of Udaipur and to this day, that’s exactly what it is. Entry is just 50 rupees (less than 50p) so if you need a break from the chaos of India, this is the perfect retreat.
Neemach Mata Mandir Ropeway
Perched atop the lush Dewali hill, lies the Neemach Mata Mandir (temple). Whilst you can opt to take the 900-metre uphill trek with around 1000 steps, I recommend taking the ropeway, for stunning sweeping panoramic views of Udaipur’s cityscape and the serene Fateh Sagar Lake below. It’s only a three-minute ride but provides a moment of beauty and bliss as you ride upwards to the spiritual Neemach Mata Mandir. Enjoy the views from the top and soak in the cultural atmosphere of Hindu tradition.