Ringed by the Aravallis, Udaipur is a magical city of lakes and havelis, a city where you wake up to pigeons filling the blushing sky with the collective cacophony of their flapping wings. In the timeless streets of the old town, you can find a thriving art scene: craftsmen deftly sew handmade paper into journals and artists paint traditional Rajput motifs. There are numerous things to do in Udaipur: Roam aimlessly along the narrow, crooked streets, across bridges over the placid lakes, and find yourself facing fascinating street art or in quiet ghats where old men gather under the shades of ancient trees to discuss the news. Atop a hillock stands the grand City Palace inside whose countless rooms, you will get a chance to witness the opulence of Indian royalty. Peep out from the balconies to see Jag Mandir and Jal Mahal shining like pearls in the blue heart of Lake Pichola and if the perfection tires you, focus on the bustling city where yoga trainers hold classes in secret courtyards and home chefs teach enthusiastic foodies to rustle up delicious Rajasthani curries. Keep reading to find out about the top 10 things to do in Udaipur.
Things to do in Udaipur…
- 1. Explore City Palace
- 2. Go on a Boat Ride on Lake Pichola
- 3. Watch the Sunrise from Gangaur Ghat
- 4. Dine with a View
- 5. Stroll in Sahelion ki Baari
- 6. Offer your Prayers at Jagdish Temple
- 7. Visit the Vintage Car Museum
- 8. Walk Around the Old City
- 9. Go on a Shopping Spree
- 10. Enjoy the Sunset from Sajjan Garh
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1. Explore City Palace
City Palace is Udaipur’s main attraction. If you seek design inspiration anywhere and everywhere, find your way to Udaipur’s magnificent City Palace. Built by the Sisodia Rajputs over a span of 400 years, the magnificent palace stands on a hillock overlooking Lake Pichola and houses museums and two luxury hotels: Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace. A profusion of balconies, jharokhas, towers, and cupolas adorns the marble and granite building which exhibits a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles of architecture. Inside, in the numerous buildings like Mor-Chowk, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Badi Mahal, Krishna Vilas, and Shambhu Vilas, you can spend hours gazing at mirror-work, murals, coloured-glass inlays, marble carvings, and silver work. Walk under the scalloped Tripolia gate into the courtyard from where you can see the city sprawling below. Go early— we went around 10:30 am and had to struggle through the crowds— to enjoy the best of this architectural extravagance.
Also read: On the lookout for a road trip idea? See Rajasthan Road Trip: 10 Days in Western & Southern Rajasthan.
2. Go on a Boat Ride on Lake Pichola
One of the best things to do in Udaipur is going on a boat ride. A 20-minute boat ride will take you around Lake Pichola, an artificial lake built in 1362. Speed past the luxurious Jal Mahal (now a Taj hotel and inaccessible to visitors) and the impressive Jag Mandir (boats from the City Palace will drop you here) with its rows of carved marble elephants lining the jetty. Two other islands, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas, are also part of Lake Pichola. Around the lake are ornate chabutaras, mansions and havelis, and busy ghats. You can also opt for a sunset ride, an elixir for all romance-seeking souls.
Also read: Read about our experience of visiting Jaisalmer in Field Notes: Jaisalmer.
3. Watch the Sunrise from Gangaur Ghat
As we stood shivering on Gangaur Ghat on a December morning, a soon-to-be-married couple posed for pre-wedding photographs. Behind them, the still waters of Lake Pichola shimmered in the unsteady light. As the first light of the day lent the skies a rosy blush, locals started arriving to feed the pigeons and soon the sky was filled with the restless flapping of wings as scores of pigeons soared against the brightening skies. They would come down in flocks, peck at the grains, then take flight again. A few yards away is a bridge, Chand Pole Puliya, that offers gorgeous vistas of the pastel skies and the blue lake. Don’t miss the sunrise from Gangaur Ghat. It is truly magical and one of Udaipur’s best sights. Later, drop in at Jheel’s Ginger Coffee and Bakery for coffee and then visit the museum inside Bagore ki Haveli.
4. Dine with a View
The old city is peppered with restaurants that offer lovely views of Udaipur’s lakes. For those of us that can’t shell what it takes for a premium experience at Jal Mahal or at Fateh Prakash Palace, fear not for there are numerous other options like Sun N Moon Rooftop Café where the servers lit makeshift coal-fired heaters to keep us warm as we downed our beers in the chilly night. Try Ambrai at Amet Haveli if you are a loyal carnivore.
5. Stroll in Sahelion ki Baari
Few things have stroked a feeling of such childish glee in me as the marble elephants that sprout streams of water from their trunks at Sahelion ki Baari! Located on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake, the garden features hundreds of fountains amidst a soothing landscape of lotus ponds and native flora. It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh as a retreat for his queen and her 48 maids of honour who came to Udaipur as part of the dowry. The ornate marble chhatri-style fountain in the middle of a swimming pool of sorts is one of the most recognized monuments of Udaipur. There is a museum featuring paintings by local artists inside the compound.
6. Offer your Prayers at Jagdish Temple
Climb 32 marble steps to reach the main shrine of the intricately carved Jagdish Temple, one of Udaipur’s major attractions and an important Hindu religious site. All the lanes of the old city converge at the foot of this temple, Udaipur’s largest. Completed in 1651, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu with its 79 ft tall steeple, draws devotees and tourists from around Udaipur. Smaller shrines to Ganesha, Surya, Shakti, and Shiva encircle the main shrine. Prayers and bhajans are held in the morning and in the evening. Outside on the staircase, a man in the garbs of a sadhu sits perched onto a side but try aiming your camera at him and he will ask for money!
7. Visit the Vintage Car Museum
We had to give this a miss but the Maharana of Mewar’s collection of vintage cars is a must-see if you are into automobiles. The pick of the lot is four Rolls Royce, one of which, a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom was featured in the James Bond movie, Octopussy. While the museum is touted solely as a vintage car museum, it also houses one of the original Shell Petrol Pumps, presumably still in working conditions.
8. Walk Around the Old City
The best thing to do in Udaipur is exploring the old city and trying the street food of Udaipur! The narrow gullies of Udaipur’s old town are filled with a profusion of secret courtyards, yoga centres, and vibrant artwork. Lovely murals and brightly painted doors and windows adorn the old houses. Take a lazy stroll through the streets, pausing to muse at whatever catches your fancy. Be cautious of the free cows and the freer motorbikes because neither will stop for you. When your legs begin to complain, stop at a food stall to dig into some spicy pyaaz kachori and sticky sweet jalebi with a cup of steaming masala chai.
Also Read: Looking for offbeat travel spots? Join us on a Heritage Trail in Serampore in West Bengal.
9. Go on a Shopping Spree
Shopping in the old city tops all lists of Udaipur activities. Embroidered mojris, leather-bound journals with handmade paper, patch-work jackets, hippie-style flowing pants, colourful bangles, silver jewellery, leatherwork, paintings…the streets of Udaipur are overflowing with shops. If you are looking for souvenirs, it can get quite overwhelming but no matter what you choose, don’t forget to bargain and if your bargaining skills are so-so, befriend a local before you go!
10. Enjoy the Sunset from Sajjan Garh
Perched on the Bansdara Peak in the Aravallis, Sajjan Garh offers unmatchable views of the city of Udaipur especially during sunset when the fiery red glow of the setting sun adds a magical sheen to the lakes. During the day, you can see the marble palace shimmering golden in the hills above the city. Built by Maharana Sajjan Singh who died before its completion, it was used by his successor Maharana Fateh Singh to watch the monsoon clouds and therefore it is also known as the monsoon palace. Subsequently, the royal family began to use it as a hunting lodge. The forest around the palace is part of the Sajjan Garh Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to chitals, nilgais, sambhars, jackals, monkeys, and a variety of birds and reptiles.
Just like in Jaisalmer, the charm of Udaipur is undeniable and once you’ve had your fill of the tourist spots and the rooftops cafes, you will find yourself drawn to the winding streets, to the many ghats that lead to the lake. Come to bathe in the luscious bloom of
What are your favourite things to do in Udaipur?
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