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Udaipur is the city many people mean when they say Rajasthan is romantic. White palaces rise from the edge of Lake Pichola, the hills of the Aravallis frame every view and the old city is a tangle of lanes, havelis and rooftop restaurants. It is gentler than Jaipur or Jodhpur, and travellers often tell us it is the place where they finally slowed down.
What Udaipur is like
Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II after the Mewar capital at Chittorgarh was threatened, and it remained the seat of the Mewar kings for centuries. The city grew around artificial lakes: Pichola, Fateh Sagar and others. Water, hills and marble give it a calmer mood than the desert cities of the west.
What to see
The City Palace is a grand complex on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, with a museum, courtyards and terraces over the lake. Lake Pichola is best seen from a boat at sunset, with Jag Mandir island and the Lake Palace hotel in view. The Jagdish Temple is an active Hindu temple in the heart of the old city. Saheliyon-ki-Bari is a landscaped garden with fountains and lotus pools. Fateh Sagar Lake is a quieter lake for an evening walk. The Monsoon Palace at Sajjangarh gives a hilltop view over the lakes, particularly at sunset. Bagore Ki Haveli hosts an evening folk dance performance.
How many days
Two nights is the minimum. Three nights allow a day trip to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, or to the temple town of Nathdwara. A spare afternoon by the lake is not wasted here, because the setting is the point.
Day trips
- Kumbhalgarh Fort. About 85 km away, with a 36-km wall that is often compared to the Great Wall of China, and a UNESCO listing among the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
- Ranakpur. About 90 km away, with a large fifteenth-century Jain temple known for its carved marble pillars.
- Eklingji and Nathdwara. Temple towns north of the city, important for Mewar's religious life.
- Haldighati. The site of the famous 1576 battle, with a small museum.
Combining Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur takes a long day of about 8 to 9 hours, so many travellers do it on the way to or from Jodhpur.
Where to stay
Stay close to the lake if you can. The Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat areas have hotels with views, though their approach roads are narrow. Hotels on the west bank near Hanuman Ghat and in Ambamata have views of the City Palace. Luxury palace hotels on the lake and in the hills offer a different experience but at much higher prices. In winter and peak holiday weeks, book early.
Food and shopping
Udaipur is known for rooftop restaurants with views, as well as vegetarian Rajasthani thalis and Mewari dishes. Shopping includes miniature paintings, silver jewellery, textiles and puppets. The lanes around the City Palace and Jagdish Temple have the best choice. Compare prices and avoid pressure from shop owners.
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and app cabs work in town; walking is best in the old city. Boats cross the lake and run to the City Palace jetties. Cars with drivers are easiest for day trips. Maharana Pratap Airport is about 22 km from the centre.
Best time
October to March is ideal. The monsoon brings green hills and full lakes and is a good season for photography, with fewer tourists. Summers are hot, though less severe than in the desert cities.
Plan Udaipur with us
Udaipur is the romantic centre of our Jaipur and Udaipur honeymoon and the finish of the Royal Rajasthan circuit. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the right stay.
