Things to Do In Udaipur, Rajasthan

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.

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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 earlyβ€” we went around 10:30 am and had to struggle through the crowdsβ€” 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.

A boat ferrying tourists on Lake Pichola // City Palace in the background
Pigeons // Gangaur Ghat
Dawn on Lake Pichola

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 CafΓ© 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.

Views from the Sun N Moon Rooftop Cafe

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.

Elephant fountain in Sahelion ki Baari

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!

Jagdish Temple
Two men start their day with dialogue // Jagdish Temple

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. Besides the 20 odd vintage cars, a host of Solar Powered Rickshaws are also on display. Don’t give this Udaipur attraction a miss if cars are your jam! Tickets are priced around 350 INR for Indian Adults (and 250 if you are a student). Prices are significantly higher for foreigners.

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. Β 

Also Read: Looking for offbeat travel spots? Join us on a Heritage Trail in Serampore in West Bengal.

Murals in the old city

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.

A monkey at Sajjan Garh
Sajjan Garh // Monsoon Palace

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 sunset. Above you, above the palace decked with twinkling stars, there might be a shivering sliver of a silver moon. The soulful voice of a Manganiyar serenading the magnificence of the land might float in from an unknown distance. Fear not if you find yourself trembling with gratitude.

City Palace

What are your favourite things to do in Udaipur?

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27 responses to “Things to Do In Udaipur, Rajasthan”

  1. Christine Z Avatar

    Ok, I am with you – I would also like the marble elephants in the gardens! Lol. I am always nervous bargaining at markets, so I usually let my husband do it. You caught my attention though at leather bound journals with handmade paper. Those sound awesome!

    1. Mohana and Aninda Avatar

      Sorry I didn’t click a photo at the paper and journal shop…I was too engrossed in picking one! They are really beautiful!

  2. tayaramuse Avatar

    My goodness how beautiful. The pictures capture so much, wonderful post on Rajasthan. I cannot wait to visit myself. Pinning this for later for sure πŸ™‚

  3. travelfuelslife Avatar
    travelfuelslife

    Your writing is exceptional. You grabbed me in the first couple of sentences and had me daydreaming and wandering in my mind to this place. You inspire me to get more visual and immersive with my writing. And yet, you balance this with very helpful information, which makes for a pleasurable experience. I feel like I have an excellent itinerary for Udaipur. Now, just to plan my getaway.

  4. Milijana Avatar
    Milijana

    ‘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.’ – I believe in this one sentence you captured the essence of Udaipur! Timeless, old, thriving, arty, traditional …. Gorgeous Udaipur is exactly all this!!

  5. Astrid Vinje Avatar
    Astrid Vinje

    Udaipur looks gorgeous. I love the architecture and decor in your pictures. I think I would enjoy walking around the old city.

  6. Ketki Gadre Avatar
    Ketki Gadre

    I have been to udaipur 4 times and yet I find something new every time I go there. It is absolutely lovely except when there is traffic jam in the jagdish mandir chowk! I think I’ll go back soon πŸ™‚

  7. melody pittman Avatar

    All of the above…that’s what I want to do there! Udaipur is so freaking beautiful. I’ll have to say those elephant waterspouts look very real. I had to reread that part. LOL I loved it all!

  8. Lisa Avatar

    Lovely photos, Udaipur looks so beautiful! You really make me want to catch a plane to India πŸ™‚

  9. Jas Avatar

    Your photos are absolutely stunning! Especially the one of dawn at Lake Pichola. I’m not a morning person but I totally wouldn’t mind sacrificing my beauty sleep fo that! Although I think I’d much prefer to have some take out from Jheel’s and perhaps have breakfast with that view!

  10. Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad Avatar

    Wow, this looks utterly GORGEOUS! The palace, especially!

  11. Richa Avatar

    Made go back in memory lane, I visited Udaipur many years ago and would love to go back some day to do a few things on your list that I missed. Your photos are so beautiful πŸ™‚

  12. Julia Dent (@juliadentphoto) Avatar

    Udaipur looks like such a beautiful city! I absolutely love that palace, all of those rooms are gorgeous!

  13. candiceiiice Avatar

    I have never been to India but everyone’s photos are so unbelievably stunning and yours are no exception. I would really love to travel there! Thanks for sharing. <3

  14. Olivia Avatar

    Your photos are beautiful! I love the city palace, it’s details are so intricate and the colours are so vibrant!

  15. Carmen Edelson Avatar

    Wow, I’d love to explore those rooms in the palace. It’s very unique to any palace I’ve visited before. I love how despite its crumbling paint, it’s still so majestic.

  16. go4theglobe Avatar

    Udaipur looks absolutely stunning! Pinning this for when I finally make it to India πŸ™‚ I always love a good spot to watch the sunrise from you, it looks like you found the perfect place.

  17. Natasha, Away From Origin Avatar

    Beautiful photos for a stunning country! My friends and I have been debating when we want to go to India (hopefully next spring!), so I’m definitely pinning this for later.

  18. Caroline Muller Avatar

    My absolyte favorite state in India. I cannot wait to go back!

  19. World of Lina Avatar

    Udaipur looks sooo beautiful! I’d love to visit the palace, the interior looks stunning πŸ™‚

  20. Amy Aed Avatar

    I have always wanted to visit Udaipur and will definitely bear this guide in mind when I eventually go!

  21. Paula Martinelli Avatar

    I absolutely love your pictures, and this guide is amazing. I was supposed to go to India this year, but had to move to next year. I cannot wait to be able to visit, such a gorgeous country and amazing culture

  22. Marjut | The Smooth Escape Avatar

    Looks like such a gorgeous place! I’d really like to see the city palace and the colorful murals in the old city! πŸ™‚

  23. Madeline Rae Away Avatar

    This place is so high on my travel bucket list! Your photos are so beautiful. I can’t wait to visit hopefully soon πŸ™‚ I’ve saved this post for when I do!

  24. Travel By Carla Vianna Avatar
    Travel By Carla Vianna

    Such beautiful photos! India is so high up on my list!

  25. Priyanka datta Avatar
    Priyanka datta

    Hello I loved the first picture of Udaipur of the lake Pichola with sunset . Would love to get that picture framed if you can share

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