You know how some places just stick with you? Udaipur is one of those for me. I still remember my first trip there, on a whim during a backpacking loop through Rajasthan. I arrived just before sunset, checked into a tiny guesthouse near Lake Pichola, and the owner practically dragged me up to the rooftop. “You have to see this,” he said. And wow… the lake shimmered gold, palaces glowed in the distance, and for a moment, the whole city felt like it had paused just to take a deep breath.
We spent two full days wandering winding streets, sipping chai by the lake, and getting a little lost (in the best way possible).
So if you’re wondering what Udaipur is really like, or what places are actually worth visiting, this guide’s for you. I’m sharing the top 10 must-visit places in the city, plus a few practical tips to help you plan your trip without overthinking it.
Udaipur City Palace

The City Palace is on the banks of Lake Pichola. Over 22 generations of Mewar kings built the City Palace over 400 years. The City Palace consists of many palaces, all connected by long corridors. People have turned many of these palaces into museums, while others have become luxurious hotels. Each palace has its charm and artistic brilliance. Some have delicate mirror work while other has elaborate carvings and sculptures. The paintings, textiles, glasswork, and marble craft, are marvelous things to see in City Palace.
Lake Palace

Lake Palace is famous for its scenic beauty and exceptional architecture. This magnificent royal palace is so beautiful that it appears to float on Lake Pichola. Maharana Jagat Singh II built Lake Palace to spend romantic moonlit nights with his royal ladies. Today Lake Palace is a world-class 5-star hotel. Lake Palace has spacious rooms, royal suites, orchards, gardens, pavilions, balconies, fountains, and courtyards. Guests can see magnificent sunrise views from their rooms. The rooms have fine décor, richly ornamented interiors, and luxurious furnishings. Some scenes from the James Bond movie ‘Octopussy’ were shot in Lake Palace.
Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir is very beautiful in its architecture. It is one of the top 10 places to visit in Udaipur. Jag Mandir is also popularly known by the name of Lake Garden Palace. Maharana Amar Singh started the construction of Jag Mandir in 1551 and successive kings added more structures to it. Jag Mandir was built on a natural island in Lake Pichola. The impressive elephant idols on the entrance jetty welcome guests to Jag Mandir. There are magnificent palaces inside such as the Gul Mahal and elegant gardens and marble sculptures. Today Jag Mandir hosts parties and social events.
Monsoon Palace

If you’re a fan of dramatic viewpoints, Monsoon Palace is your spot. Sitting atop a hill, this fort offers sweeping views of Udaipur and its lakes, especially magical during monsoon season when clouds dance across the sky.
Don’t expect a lavish interior—it’s more about the atmosphere and the view. Think of it as Udaipur’s own cliffside lookout.
Ahar Museum

When we talk of the top 10 places to visit in Udaipur, we cannot ignore the Ahar Museum. The maharajas who ruled over Mewar built these memorials in honor of their ancestors. These memorials were built more than 350 years ago in a place called Ahar near Udaipur. There are 250 such cenotaphs at the site. All these memorials have elegant architecture and look very elegant. Chhatris is a common feature that you can see in all these cenotaphs. The chhatris are like a small domes on top of the cenotaphs. Some rulers were even cremated here.
Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple ranks among the top 10 places to visit in Udaipur. The wonderful temple is worth visiting due to its elegant structure and Rajasthani architecture. People still visit Jagdish Temple to offer their prayers to Lord Vishnu. There are 32 marble steps to reach the temple. The marble stone architecture stands out for its intricate detail and exceptional craftsmanship. Fabulous carvings adorn every corner of Jagdish Temple. The Shikhar, or tall tower, is elegantly sculpted from marble. You can spot icons from Hindu mythology throughout the temple. There are idols of Krishna, Ganesha, Lord Jagannath, Surya, Goddess Shakti, and Lord Shiva in the Jagdish Temple.
Fateh Sagar Lake

One of the many lakes in Udaipur is Fateh Sagar Lake. This beautiful lake is an artificial lake which is named after Maharana Fateh Singh. Fateh Sagar Lake is the second largest of all the famous lakes in Udaipur. Fateh Sagar Lake is famous for its boating. Another interesting feature of Fateh Sagar Lake is its three islands. One island, which is the largest, has a park called Nehru Park. There are water jets and a public park on the second island. On the third island, there is the famous Udaipur Solar Observatory.
Lake Pichola

Pichola Lake is one of the top 10 places to visit in Udaipur. This lake was built in 1362 by gypsies and is named after a village called Pichola. Boating is one of the things that you can do in Lake Pichola. Pichola Lake is famous for its four islands where the rulers built famous palaces, temples, bathing ghats, and mansions. Lake Palace and Jag Mandir are famous palaces on these islands. Boating at sunset in Lake Pichola is a beautiful experience. You can see the entire landscape of Udaipur with its hills, palaces, and temples from this lake.
Gulab Bagh and Zoo

Gulab Bagh is a big garden with a variety of rose plants and lots of greenery. This is one of the oldest gardens that was built in Udaipur. It also ranks among one of the most beautiful gardens that was ever built in all of Rajasthan. Inside the garden, you’ll also find the Gulab Bagh Zoo, which houses exotic animals like tigers, leopards, bears, rhinos, and ostriches in enclosures. In addition to this, there is a library, a pond, several step wells, and palaces. Children can also enjoy a toy train ride in Gulab Bagh.
Bagore ki Haveli

Bagore ki Haveli is one of the vintage mansions that you can visit on your trip to Udaipur. This elegant and sprawling mansion is on the banks of Lake Pichola. Bagore ki Haveli is a palace with over 138 rooms, balconies, and courtyards. The royal ladies used to live in Bagore ki Haveli in olden times. The rooms are decorated with the finest colored glasswork, Rajasthani paintings, frescoes, delicate carvings, and ornate decorations. You can have a glimpse of the bedrooms, prayer rooms, and bathrooms, of these royal ladies. Today, there is a musical and dance program in the evenings at Bagore ki Haveli.
Best Time to Visit Udaipur
Here’s the deal—October to March is hands-down the best time. The weather is pleasant, the skies are clear, and outdoor exploring is actually enjoyable (not sweat-inducing). If you go in winter, you might even catch the Udaipur World Music Festival.
Avoid May and June unless you have a thing for melting.
How Many Days Do You Need?
If you want to check off the major sights without feeling rushed, 2 to 3 days is perfect. That gives you time for leisurely palace hopping, a couple of boat rides, a cultural show, and some good old-fashioned lazing by the lake.
Got more time? Great! Add a day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort or Mount Abu to your itinerary.
How to Reach Udaipur – Train and Airport Info
- By Air: The Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) is about 22 km from the city. It’s connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bangalore.
- By Train: Udaipur City Railway Station has good connectivity too, especially to Jaipur, Ajmer, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. Trains are generally reliable and a scenic way to arrive.
If you’re the road-trip type, you can also drive in from cities like Jaipur or Jodhpur—it’s Rajasthan after all, and the roads come with a view.
Final Thoughts
Udaipur isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. With its royal palaces, tranquil lakes, and timeless charm, it feels like stepping into a dream where everything’s a little slower, softer, and more magical.
So, pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready to fall in love with this city of lakes.
FAQ
Winter is the best season to visit Udaipur. The months from November to February are best for sightseeing and shopping in Udaipur.
You will need a minimum of three days to visit Udaipur.
There are regular flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Kolkata to Maharana Pratap International Airport in Udaipur. Express trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, and other cities stop at Udaipur Railway Station. National highways connect Udaipur, and you can travel to the city by luxury coaches, state-owned buses, or rental cabs.
You must be logged in to post a comment.