Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom, Udaipur, the “Lake City” of Rajasthan is often referred to as the “Venice of the East.” Udaipur is famous for performing arts and crafts and for its plethora of zinc and copper mines. Housing the largest artificial lake in Asia, Jaisamand Lake, and one of the best solar observatories of Asia, Udaipur is a marvel in itself. The miniature painting of Udaipur is also renowned worldwide. Aside from the top Oyo rooms and the best places to stay, let’s take a look at what this beautiful Rajasthani city has in store for travelers. Here is a list of the 13 best things to do in Udaipur:
1. Take a city tour
Following our guide below, a tour of Udaipur city will present you with a number of experiences. Here, you can explore museums, parks, and several other areas of interest. You can also check out the city’s top Airbnb vacation rentals and best budget hotels to top your vacation experience.
i) Gulab Bagh and Zoo
The Gulab Bagh is the largest garden in Udaipur, displaying an assortment of rose varieties, hence the name. It is spread over 100 acres (40.46 hectares).
Address: Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Opening Hours: 6 am to 8 pm
Time Required: 1.5 Hours
Entry Fee: 1 USD (Entry fee, zoo fee, and camera fee included)
ii) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park
The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park, built around the Doodh Talai, is a feast to the eyes. It provides a spectacular view of the Jag Mandir, Lake Palace, Lake Pichola, and the City Palace.
Address: Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Opening Hours: All Day
Time Required: 1.5 Hours
Entry Fee: Free
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iii) Haldighati
The legendary mountain pass in the hills of the Aravalli Range connects the district of Rajsamand and Pali from Udaipur. This pass gets its name from the yellow coloured soil of the region since turmeric is known as haldi in Hindi.
Distance from Udaipur: 40 km (24.85 mi)
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Time Required: 3 Hours
Entry Fee: Free
iv) Monsoon Palace
Built on the top of the Bansdara Mountain in the 19th century, the Monsoon Palace was used as a hunting lodge by Maharana Sajjan Singh. Also, known as the Sajjangarh Palace, this beautiful palace offers a stupendous view of Udaipur’s skyline and other nearby areas. For travelers who seek magnificent landscapes, Udaipur also offers the best locations for destination weddings.
Address: Kodiyat, Rajasthan 313011
Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Time Required: 1 Hour
Entry Fee: 1 USD
v) Ahar Museum
The Ahar Museum is an extraordinary cluster of cenotaphs (burial monuments or memorials) of the Maharanas of Mewar. The museum also holds a rare collection of earthen pottery and one can also see sculptures and archaeological findings dating back to 1700 BC. The most significant attraction of the Ahar Museum is the 10th century metal figure of Buddha.
Address: Ganapati Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Time Required: 1.5 Hours
Entry Fee: Less than 0.05 USD
2) Take a day trip to forts near Udaipur
Exhibiting the glorious past and the royalty of Mewar, the forts of Udaipur keep imperial history alive within them. These solid structures have resisted all type of weather over the years. The most prominent forts are Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh Forts.
i) Chittorgarh Fort
Located on a hill close to the Gambheri River, Chittorgarh Fort is known as the largest fort in India. It was built by the Maurya rulers in the 7th century and is the crowing glory of Udaipur. This time tested fort has witnessed many wars and is presently open for visitors around the globe to come and admire the majestic beauty of its fine architecture.
Address: Chittorgarh Fort Village, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan 312001
Opening Hours: 9:45 am to 6:30 pm
Time Required: 1.5 to 2 Hours
Entry Fee: Approximately 0.20 USD
Tip from Trip101 local expert
The fort has had a historical significance. The story has also been depicted in a Bollywood film that goes by the name of "Padmavati". You can find the infamous jauhar kund and the mirror palace of Rani Padmavati within the fort's premises.
Once you are done exploring the fort you can visit a saree shop that apparently sells saree made from the fabric of rice, banana leaves and rose petals, etc.
Traveler's tips
Instead of a day trip we actually chose to spend a night at Chittorgarh on our way from Ranthambore. We booked a guide through our hotel who took us around the fort and recommended a place for shopping. The fort has some nice shops if you are looking to pick up sarees. There is also a musical show in the evening that tells about the history of the fort.
The best tip he gave us was to go to Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate for the sunrise. We got there like 30 minutes before sunrise, and it was just wow! I was surprised that we were the only ones there. We spent maybe 45 minutes at the gate - loved it!
The second time we stopped at Chittorgarh was a couple of years later, and we stayed at Rang Mahal, which is in the fort itself. The views and location are unmatched.
ii) Kumbhalgarh Fort
Secure on top of the Aravalli Hills, Kumbhalgarh Fort is located in the Rajasmand district of Udaipur. It is one of the unconquerable forts of the Mewar Kingdom and illustrates glory.
Address: Qila Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan 313325
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Time Required: 2 Hours
Entry Fee: Approximately 0.20 USD
Traveler's tips
The fort is up a hill and you need to walk for quite a bit, so make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes. Also, since you are in Rajhasthan it is quite hot, so make sure you are wearing light breathable clothes. I would not recommend visiting if you are traveling with small kids. My husband had to carry our then 4 year old for most of the time we were there.
The fort also has a nightly light and music show.
3) Shop at Shilpgram Village
Shilpgram Village is the rural arts and crafts complex near Lake Fateh Sagar. It is spread over 70 acres (28.32 hectares) surrounded by the Aravallis. Shilpgram Village is now envisaged as a living museum to depict the lifestyles of the different ethnic groups of the West Zone.
Address: Shilpgram, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Opening Hours: 11 am to 7 pm
Time Required: 2 Hours
Entry Fee: Approximately 0.50 USD
4) Spend a day at City Palace
Soaring over Lake Pichola, the balconies, cupolas, and towers of City Palace give a splendid view of the city and the lake. Consisting of four major and several minor palaces, the main part of the palace is preserved as a museum to display ancient arts and crafts.
5) Boat ride in Lake Pichola
A boat ride around sunset at Lake Pichola is a sight worth seeing for anybody visiting Udaipur. Visitors can simply cruise the lake or head to Jagmandir Palace located on a small island in the lake for a sunset drink before heading back to the city.
Address: Pichola | Rameshwar Ghat - City Palace Complex, Udaipur 313001, India
Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Time Required: 50 Minutes
Fee: 4 USD per person
6) Enjoy a cultural evening at Bagore ki Haveli
Bagore ki Haveli, another important sight in Udaipur, is also located near Lake Pichola, at Gangaur Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa built Bangore ki Haveli in the 18th century. It is a massive palace, with glass and mirror interiors, built in a classical haveli style. It has over a hundred rooms displaying costumes and modern art. The cultural event in the evening at Bagore ki Havelli is a sight to behold.
Address: Gangori Ghat, on the banks of Lake Pichola, Pichola, Udaipur
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6.30 pm
Time Required: 1 to 2 Hours
Fee: 1 USD per person
7) Visit Udaipur Solar Observatory
Resembling the Solar Observatory at Big Bear Lake in southern California, the Udaipur Solar Observatory is built on an island in Fateh Sagar Lake. It is one of the best solar observatories in Asia.
Address: Near Fatehpur Lake Fatehpur to Badi Talai, Rani Rd, Shilpgram, Udaipur
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Time Required: 1 Hour
Fee: 3 USD per person
8) Roam around Fateh Sagar Lake
North of Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake is bordered by hills and woodlands. It is an artificial lake connected to Lake Pichola by a canal. Nehru Island and the islet holding the Udaipur Observatory are located in the Fateh Sagar Lake. It was initially known as Connaught Bundh as it was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught.
Address: Lake Fatehsagar Udaipur, Udaipur
Opening Hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Time Required: 2 Hours
Fee: 4 USD per person (by speed boat)
9) Temples of Udaipur
i) Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651, Jagdish Temple is an example of Indo-Aryan architecture and is one of the most famous temples of Udaipur. This three-storey temple has beautifully carved pillars, graceful ceilings, and painted walls and was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. This temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu.
Address: RJ SH 50, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Built in: 1651 A.D
Built By: Maharana Jagat Singh
Dedicated to: God Vishu and Goddess Lakshmi
Highlights: Pillars feature intricate carvings.
ii) Bohra Ganesh Temple
Situated near Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Bohra Ganesh Temple is a very old and famous temple in Udaipur. As the name already suggests, this temple is devoted to Lord Ganesha and thousands of devotees visit this temple every year.
Address: Bohra Ganesh Rd, Ganapati Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Built in: Approximately 350 years ago
Dedicated to: God Ganesh
iii) Other famous temples
Other temples of Udaipur include the Karni Mata Temple, Ekling Ji Temple, and Neemach Mata Temple to name a few.
10) Sukhadia Circle
Lying to the north of Udaipur, Sukhadia Circle has 21 foot (6.4 m) tall, three-tiered marble fountain in a small pond. This fountain is artistically carved with motifs and is a treat to see when the fountain lights up at night. Surrounded by lush green gardens, Sukhadia Circle seems like an oasis for visiting tourists.
Address: Sukhadia Circle, Panchwati, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Time Required: 2 Hours
Entry Fee: Free
11) Rajasthani Thali Set (from 17 USD)
Thali is a vegetarian cuisine where a set of never-ending array of delicious dishes rich in aromatic spices such as vegetables, curries, chutneys, rice and many more are served. The dishes come on small bowls on a round plate. The ghee accompanying the speciality gives a distinctive taste on the dishes. On the average, there can be between 10 to 15 different types of food in a typical Rajasthani thali. If you are a lover of thali and do not have time to go all around, this cooking session is the best way to truly experience it, on a lighter version! This session will show you the essence of the cuisine that combines sweets, ghee and spices. Treat yourself to a delicate melt in your mouth halwa. Practice your chopping techniques in preparing the vegetables for other dishes such as pulau, bhindi curry, chapati and matar paneer. Enjoy sumptuous food, great company and authentic ambiance.
Rajasthani Thali Set
Price: from 17 USD
Duration: around 4 hours required.
12) Rajasthani Puppet Making (from 30 USD)
Rajasthani’s puppetry is one of the most common form of spectacle in Indian culture. Several wooden dolls are dressed up in vibrant colours, moved around by the puppeteer using the strings attached to them. Ever wondered how these puppets are made? If you’re travelling with your family, take your kids along and spend a half day in this unique and delightful workshop. Mukesh Bhatt, our puppeteer will teach you the three phases in making puppets from carving the faces of the puppet out of a block of wood, painting its face and arms and cutting the colourful fabrics for its costumes. The workshop covers all the materials and includes transport from your hotel to the site. The best part is coming away with a sense of accomplishment as you finish your puppet souvenirs.
Rajasthani Puppet Making
Price: from 30 USD
Duration: around 4 hours required.
13) Sitar Music Lesson with a Maestro (from 25 USD)
Here’s a treat to musical enthusiasts! No matter what your age or music experience, come along and join the fun playing sitar. A sitar is a string instrument (18, 19 or 20 strings), like a guitar. It is mostly used for Hindu classical music. In this session, let our sitarist serenade you and bring welcome and warmth to your heart. Learn about the basics of holding a sitar, improve your music skills and understanding, practice your way with a simple music piece and engage in good conversations. Don’t forget to bring your own fingertip protectors so you can have non-stop sitar jamming session with the maestro.
Sitar Music Lesson with a Maestro
Price: from 25 USD
Duration: around 2 hours required.
Are you ready for an Udaipur retreat?
The marvellous city of Udaipur is a treat for visiting tourists due to its rich cultural diversity. This beautiful city of lakes has a great grandeur of breathtaking buildings, temples, and gardens. One must pay a visit to the “Venice of the East” because it illustrates marvels created by humans. Of course, when looking for the magnificent views, there will be no need to look further as the city’s rooftop restaurant will provide. Udaipur also offers the best business hotels in the city for business travelers, so whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, Udaipur has the place for you!
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