Things to Do in Udaipur, Rajasthan
A short, practical guide to Udaipur in Rajasthan: what is worth your time, how long it takes, and when to go.
Why Udaipur is worth the stop
Udaipur is built around a chain of artificial lakes, which makes it the gentlest city in Rajasthan: slower, greener and easier on the nerves than the desert towns.
Things to do in Udaipur
- City Palace - the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, layered by eleven rulers.
- Lake Pichola boat ride - late afternoon light is the reason to go.
- Jagdish Temple - working Vishnu temple with constant evening aarti.
- Bagore ki Haveli - folk dance performance every evening.
- Monsoon Palace - sunset view over the lakes and the Aravalli range.
A sensible one-day plan
- Morning at City Palace before the heat.
- Lunch at a lake-facing rooftop in Lal Ghat.
- Afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola.
- Evening folk performance at Bagore ki Haveli.
Getting around
The old town is compact and walkable. Autos cover longer hops; rented scooters are common and useful for the Monsoon Palace road.
What to eat here
Gatte ki sabzi, mirchi vada near Chetak Circle, and kulhad coffee along the ghats.
When to come
The comfortable window is October to March. Avoid April to June unless you handle heat or heavy rain well. Nearest airport: Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR). A mid-range day in Udaipur, covering a room, food and local transport, runs about 3,000 to 7,000 rupees.
One thing most visitors miss
The lakes are man-made and dependent on monsoon inflow; in a weak monsoon year Lake Pichola can drop far enough to walk across parts of it.
Common questions
How many days for Udaipur?
Two days is comfortable. Add a third for Kumbhalgarh fort and the Ranakpur Jain temples.
Is Udaipur good for a first Rajasthan trip?
Yes, particularly if you want a slower pace than Jaipur or Jaisalmer.