What Are the Main Places to See in Udaipur? Complete Travel Guide

Udaipur — the City of Lakes — is widely considered the most romantic city in India and one of the most beautiful in all of Asia. Built by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559 on the banks of Lake Pichola in the Aravalli Hills of southern Rajasthan, Udaipur is a city of white marble palaces, shimmering lakes, ancient temples, and a quality of light that painters and photographers obsess over. James Bond's "Octopussy" was filmed here. Countless Bollywood films have used its backdrop. And yet, somehow, it never feels like it's performing for visitors — Udaipur is genuinely, deeply beautiful.

Getting to Udaipur from Delhi: 650 km via NH48 through Jaipur and Ajmer — 10–12 hours by road. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Udaipur outstation cabs — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. Many visitors fly Delhi-Udaipur (1.5 hours) and use EZPZ Taxi for Udaipur local sightseeing.

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1. City Palace — The Most Magnificent Palace in Rajasthan

Lake Pichola eastern bank | Open: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Entry: ₹300 Indians, ₹500 foreigners

The City Palace Complex is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan — a series of palaces built and expanded by successive Maharanas over 400 years. The result is an extraordinary accretion of architectural styles, courtyards, galleries, and terraces that somehow achieves unity despite its multi-century construction.

What to see inside:
- Mardana Mahal (Palace of Men): The main palace with the magnificent Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) — a courtyard with three enormous glass mosaic peacocks representing the three seasons. The craftsmanship is astonishing.
- Zenana Mahal (Women's Palace): Now converted into a museum with royal costumes, weapons, and miniature paintings
- Dilkushal Mahal: Beautiful painted chambers with 17th-century frescoes
- Badi Mahal (Garden Palace): Rooftop garden palace with marble garden and excellent lake views
- Amar Vilas: Highest terrace of the complex with panoramic views of Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir island

View from the palace: The City Palace's elevated position on the lake's eastern shore gives commanding views of the entire lake — Lake Palace Hotel (Jag Niwas) appears to float on the water below, and Jag Mandir island is visible to the south.

Note: The City Palace is still partially occupied by the royal family — only designated museum sections are open to the public.

Official: www.udaipurcitypalace.com



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2. Lake Pichola Boat Ride — The Essential Experience

Boat departure: City Palace jetty and Rameshwar Ghat | Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM | Cost: ₹400–800 per person

Lake Pichola is the oldest and most beautiful of Udaipur's lakes — 4 km long and 3 km wide, ringed by the city's white buildings, temples, and the City Palace. A boat ride on Lake Pichola is non-negotiable in Udaipur.

On the boat: You glide past the City Palace's imposing lakeside facade, pass the floating Lake Palace Hotel (you cannot land unless you're a hotel guest, but seeing it from the water is the real experience), and reach Jag Mandir island.

Jag Mandir Island — a beautiful island palace built in the 17th century where Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) took refuge from his father Jahangir. The island has beautiful gardens, carved elephants, a domed pavilion, and — crucially — the finest view of the City Palace from the water. Entry included in boat ticket.

Sunset boat ride: Do the boat ride in the late afternoon. As the sun sets behind the Aravalli Hills, the entire western sky turns orange and pink, the lake glows golden, and the white City Palace turns warm amber. This is Udaipur at its absolute finest.

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3. Lake Palace Hotel (Jag Niwas) — Icon of India

On Lake Pichola | Restricted access (guests only)

The Lake Palace Hotel appears to float on Lake Pichola — a brilliant white marble palace-on-water that is one of the most photographed buildings in India. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1743 as a royal summer pleasure palace, it has been a luxury hotel (Taj Hotels) since 1971.

Visiting: The hotel is accessible only to guests and restaurant diners. If your budget allows, lunch or dinner at the hotel's restaurants while looking out at the lake and City Palace from the water is an extraordinary experience.

The view from the lake: Even if you don't visit the hotel, seeing it from your boat or from the City Palace rooftop is one of India's great visual experiences.

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4. Jagdish Temple — Udaipur's Spiritual Heart

Near City Palace entrance | Open: 5 AM – 2 PM and 4 PM – 10 PM | Entry: Free

Jagdish Temple is a magnificent 17th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Jagdish = Lord of the World) — the largest and most important temple in Udaipur. Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I, it is an outstanding example of Indo-Aryan temple architecture.

What to see:
- The intricate carvings covering every surface — elephants, horses, musicians, deities, erotic panels (in Nagara tradition)
- The massive black stone idol of Vishnu in the inner sanctum
- The stone platform at the entrance with elephant sculptures and carved panels
- The 79-step stairway with guardian lion statues

The evening aarti at Jagdish Temple is beautiful — drums, cymbals, and chanting fill the courtyard. The temple is packed on Thursdays and Ekadashi.

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5. Saheliyon Ki Bari — Garden of the Maidens

Near Fateh Sagar Lake | Open: 8 AM – 7:30 PM | Entry: ₹50 Indians, ₹100 foreigners

Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens) is a jewel of Rajput garden design — a series of fountains, marble pavilions, lotus pools, and manicured flower beds built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in the 18th century as a pleasure garden for the royal ladies (saheliyon = lady companions) and their attendants.

The garden's fountains were designed to function without any pump — using only natural pressure from the reservoir above. They still work today. Walking through the garden on a hot afternoon with the fountains splashing cool water is one of Udaipur's most pleasant experiences.

What to see: The elephant-headed fountain, the kiosk pavilions over the lotus pool, the marble sculptures, and the beautiful bougainvillea and rose plantings.

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6. Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh)

9 km from city centre, 944m altitude | Open: 9 AM – 6 PM | Entry: ₹35 Indians, ₹80 foreigners

Sajjan Garh — the Monsoon Palace — sits on the highest hill above Udaipur at 944m altitude and offers the finest panoramic view of Udaipur, its lakes, and the surrounding Aravalli landscape. The palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh to observe monsoon clouds from — he died before its completion.

The view at sunset: From Sajjan Garh at sunset, you look down on the entire white city of Udaipur, its lakes shimmering, the Aravalli Hills stretching in every direction, and the sky turning colours that only the Rajasthani desert atmosphere produces. It is one of Rajasthan's great sunset viewpoints.

Getting there: Taxis only — the road is steep. No buses. EZPZ Taxi offers Udaipur local sightseeing — for enquiries contact +91-9871121217.

Sajjan Garh Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the palace — the drive up through the forest sometimes yields sightings of deer, wild boar, and birds.

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7. Shilpgram — Living Crafts Village

3 km from city | Open: 10 AM – 7 PM | Entry: ₹30

Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex that showcases the traditional art, architecture, and crafts of western Indian tribal communities (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra). The 70-acre complex has replica village huts from different communities with artisans demonstrating their crafts inside.

What to see and buy:
- Tribal paintings, pottery, leather craft, weaving
- Folk performances (scheduled throughout the day)
- The annual Shilpgram Utsav (crafts festival) in December draws artisans from across India

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Udaipur Food — The Finest Rajasthani Cuisine

- Ambrai Restaurant (Amet Haveli) — lakeside restaurant on the Chandpole ghats with the best view of City Palace across the water. Expensive but the setting is unmatched.
- Upré (Lake Pichola Hotel) — fine dining with Lake Pichola views
- Millets of Mewar — healthy, innovative Rajasthani food using traditional millets
- Natraj Dining Hall — no-frills Rajasthani thali, popular with locals, incredible value
- Savage Garden — rooftop restaurant popular for sundowners
- Little Prince — traveller favourite near Jagdish Temple

Must-try dishes: Dal baati churma, laal maas (spicy mutton), ker sangri (desert beans and berries), gatte ki sabzi, bajra roti, and malai ghewar (a Rajasthani sweet).

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Practical Information

Best time: October–March — ideal weather (15–28°C). Monsoon (July–September) brings beautiful greenery and full lakes. Avoid April–June (heat up to 42°C).

Where to stay:
- Budget: Nukkad Guest House, Jaiwana Haveli (₹800–2,500)
- Mid-range: Fateh Prakash Palace, Kankarwa Haveli (₹4,000–9,000)
- Luxury: Taj Lake Palace (on the water), Oberoi Udaivilas (₹20,000–60,000)

Rajasthan Tourism: www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in

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EZPZ Taxi for Udaipur

Delhi to Udaipur long-distance cabs. Fixed fares, comfortable vehicles, 24/7 support.

Call: +91-9871121217 | Book: ezpztaxi.com

Have you seen the Lake Palace from the water or watched sunset from Sajjan Garh? Share your Udaipur highlights below!