Rajasthan, India · Travel guide
Udaipur travel guide
The City of Lakes: marble palaces on Pichola, rooftop sunsets and the Aravalli hills.
- Best time
- Sep - Mar
- A day, mid-range
- ₹6,000-10,000 per person
- Getting there
- Air · Train
- Ready-made trips
- 1 itinerary
Founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, Udaipur grew up around a chain of man-made lakes. The City Palace rises above Lake Pichola, the white Lake Palace seems to float on it, and the old city's lanes run down to bathing ghats.
It's Rajasthan's most romantic city and the most relaxed: days are for palaces and havelis, evenings for boat rides and rooftop dinners.
When to go
Best time to visit Udaipur
October to March for mild weather; September to October when the lakes are fullest after the monsoon.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Best
- Apr: Avoid
- May: Avoid
- Jun: Avoid
- Jul: Good
- Aug: Good
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Best
- Dec: Best
- Sep - MarPleasant, full lakes after the monsoon; peak season
- Apr - JunHot (up to 40°C), lower lake levels
- Jul - AugMonsoon: green hills and dramatic skies
Getting there
How to reach Udaipur
- Air
- Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), 22 km from the city, has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- Train
- Udaipur City station connects to Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
- Getting around
- Walk the old city; autos for short hops; a cab for Sajjangarh and day trips.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Udaipur
Lal Ghat & Gangaur Ghat
Lake-view havelis in the heart of the old city.
Hanuman Ghat (Ambrai)
Quieter west bank with views back to the City Palace.
Lake Pichola islands
The Taj Lake Palace and Jagmandir Island Palace for a splurge.
Fateh Sagar
Modern hotels near the promenade, quieter at night.
What to see
Top things to do in Udaipur
- 01
City Palace
A complex of palaces built over 400 years, with peacock mosaics and mirrored halls.
Take the audio guide; it's a maze.
Open in Maps - 02
Lake Pichola boat ride
Boats from the City Palace jetty stop at the island palace of Jag Mandir.
Book the sunset departure in the morning.
Open in Maps - 03
Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
A hilltop palace with views over all of Udaipur's lakes.
Go for sunset; vehicles stop going up around dusk.
Open in Maps - 04
Jagdish Temple
A carved 17th-century Vishnu temple in the old city.
Visit at the evening aarti.
Open in Maps - 05
Bagore ki Haveli
An 18th-century mansion museum with a nightly folk dance show.
The Dharohar show starts around 7 PM.
Open in Maps - 06
Saheliyon ki Bari
A garden of fountains, lotus pools and marble elephants.
Pair with a walk on Fateh Sagar's promenade.
Open in Maps - 07
Fateh Sagar Lake
A larger lake north of the city with a lively evening promenade.
Try the boat to Nehru Garden island.
Open in Maps - 08
Eklingji Temple
The Mewar rulers' family temple, 22 km north in the Aravallis.
No phones or cameras inside.
Open in Maps
What to eat
What to eat in Udaipur
Dal baati churma
The Rajasthani classic, at its best in thali restaurants.
Gatte ki sabzi
Gram-flour dumplings in spiced yoghurt gravy.
Mirchi vada
Stuffed green chilli fritters, a street-food favourite.
Malpua
Syrup-soaked pancakes from old-city sweet shops.
What it costs
Udaipur trip cost per day
Backpacker
₹2,000-3,000
per person, per day
Guesthouse, walking, local thalis
Mid-range
₹6,000-10,000
per person, per day
Lake-view haveli, boat rides, rooftop dinners
Comfort
₹40,000+
per person, per day
Lake Palace or Oberoi Udaivilas
- Reserve lake-edge dinner tables a day ahead on weekends.
- Most sights close by 5-6 PM; keep evenings for the lakes.
- The Octopussy screenings in old-city cafés are a long-running Udaipur ritual.
Good questions
Udaipur travel FAQs
How many days are enough for Udaipur?
Two days for the main sights; three to add Eklingji, Nagda and a slower pace by the lakes.
Is Udaipur good for a honeymoon?
Yes, it's one of India's most popular honeymoon cities for its lake-view hotels, boat rides and romantic dinners.
Which is better, Jaipur or Udaipur?
Jaipur for forts and shopping, Udaipur for lakes and a relaxed, romantic pace. Many trips combine both.
Can you visit the Taj Lake Palace without staying?
Generally no; access is for hotel guests and restaurant reservations only.