Hello there! If you want to discover all the top places in Udaipur, you have come to the right place. Udaipur is such an incredible city and one of my favourite places in India. Udaipur is also known as the „City of Lakes“ and boy, does it do the name justice! I went to stay in Udaipur during my 14-Day India Itinerary and stayed for three nights. I explored all of the places on the list below, and it is safe to say that Udaipur really left a mark on me.
When researching for my trip to India, Udaipur was one of the places that instantly charmed me. With its white-washed hues that almost glow during the golden hour, its lakes and ornate buildings, I was instantly charmed and knew that I just had to add it to our itinerary.
This post contains affiliate links. This means I will get a commission if you click on the products and book your tour or hotel via this link. By doing so, you are doing me a huge favour, making it easier for me to be financially able to keep providing travel content for you! Of course, this comes with no additional costs for you!
FAQ about travelling to Udaipur
How to Get to Udaipur?
If you want to get to Udaipur, you can either get there by car, train or plane. Its domestic operating airport (Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur or UDR) can be reached easily from places like New Delhi or other airports within India.
I got to Udaipur by car, as after leaving Jodhpur, Udaipur happened to be the next spot on our Itinerary. Getting around by car in India is easier than you would imagine. (In all honesty, I am really just kidding). For our time in India, we booked a personal driver, who not only drove us between the cities but also took us from one sight to another. This was a huge relief for us, and even as a seasoned traveller, I can’t recommend this enough. Getting a private driver in India will be a gift that keeps on giving. Especially as two female travellers, we didn’t have to worry about anything. Chagan, our driver did a great job of looking after us.
How Long to stay in Udaipur?
Udaipur has many things to offer for you to see and do, but I think all (or most) of it can easily be done in 2 days (and three nights). That’s how I did it, and I got to see all the top places in Udaipur.
Where to Stay in Udaipur?
Well, this might be the hardest part of the trip planning. Udaipur has such a variety of great hotels that it can actually be incredibly hard to choose the best one. Down below, you will find the hotel that I stayed in and why. However, I couldn’t stop myself from including more hotel recommendations of hotels.
The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur
This beautiful place comes with one of the best sunsets you will ever see. Honestly, getting out of the car after a 5-hour drive from Jodhpur, I felt incredibly drained. I just wanted to get back into a climatized room and straight to the shower and then bed. But stepping out to be greeted by that spectacular view from the hotel entrance? It is very hard not to fall in love with Udaipur in the very same moment.
Apart from the magnificent view, the LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace will also greet you with spacious and clean rooms and a lovely breakfast buffet. Compared to the hotels on this list, it is in a mid-price range and is worth the price!
Amet Haveli, A Heritage Hotel, Udaipur
Located directly in the most vibrant part of Udaipur, the Amet Haveli is another great pick. While we didn’t stay here, we went for lunch at the restaurant next door and had to cross their courtyard to get there. And what I saw from that short sneak peek really took my breath away. Their private gardens, ornate decorations and swimming pool really make for a great backdrop for your Udaipur adventures! Especially if you enjoy lake views!
And compared to the LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace, the Haveli is on the cheaper end of the price range.
Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel
Almost the very same thing can be said for the Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, which is basically the same, just located on the other side of the lake. Incredible Indian decorations combined with breathtaking lake views of Udaipur.
This one is also on the cheaper end of the price range.
Taj Lake Palace
Ok, so how about you also splurge a little on your hotel in Udaipur? If that is the case, the one and only hotel you need to book for your time in Udaipur. Located in the very middle of Lake Pichola, you can only reach the Taj Lake Place by ferry. No having an aperitif in the hotel bar only!). This place is truly luxurious, well-kept, and a place to remember. If I return to Udaipur one day, this is the place I’ll save my money for!
Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
The first spot on this list of the top places of Udaipur might already be my personal favourite. I fell in love with ornate Indian temples and took my time admiring all the details that the carved marble has to offer. At Jagdish Temple, you will find many such carvings with motifs of gods, horses and my personal favourites: elephants. You can find them in the carvings in all possible shapes. For me, marvelling at them made the noise from the streets of Udaipur fall away, giving the scenery an unexpected tranquillity.
Helpful Information:
- The entry to Jagdish Temple is free.
- Before entering the temple, you will have to take your shoes off.
- When I was at Jagdish Temple, there were quite a lot of ants walking around. So when marvelling at the carvings, make sure to move your feet every now and then to avoid getting bitten.
Udaipur City Palace
Like cities like Jaipur or Jodhpur, Udaipur has its city palace too! The Udaipur City Palace is only a very short drive with a rickshaw away from Jagdish Temple, so it is very easy to just visit both places on the same morning. This huge palace is located directly within the city, and yet it still seems to stand out due to its size. To get inside, you first have to climb quite a few sets of stairs. But it gets you a nice workout in the already simmering morning heat of Udaipur.
Inside Udaipur City Palace, you will find a great exhibition of all things Rajput. From weapons to sculptures, textiles and drawings, you will have a lot to marvel at when visiting Udaipur City Palace. My personal highlight was the collection of old maps featured in the museum, documenting Udaipur and Rajasthan from the 18th century to today.
Despite the collection, the amazing thing about Udaipur City Palace is its almost labyrinth-like layout. You will have steep stairs and narrow corridors, making it hard at times to navigate yourself within the building. But all you have to do is follow the signs around. And while you master the zigzag, you will be rewarded by walking through the most beautiful courtyards and beautifully decorated rooms. All while seeing all the different parts of the exhibit.
Your walk through the Palace ends at one of its main courtyards, which also happens to be my favourite and in my opinion most picturesque of Udaipur City Palace.
Sunrise at Baahubali Hills Udaipur
Did you know they also call Udaipur „Venice of the East“ due to its five artificial lakes? In fact, it is those lakes that make the city so romantic. And it doesn’t get any more romantic than watching the sunrise at Baahubali Hills Udaipur. Sitting there and watching the sun appear over the mountains and lighting up the lake in the most diverse colours is simply incredible.
However, in order to be rewarded with this wonderful view, you will have to sacrifice your sleep for that. To get to the viewpoint in time, you will have to get up at 3:30 AM, drive to the viewpoint and then hike up the hill for the best view. This hike or walk is not on a paved road, but it also isn’t too difficult to handle even if you are not the sportiest person. Yet I would recommend you wear solid shoes for it instead of sandals, and be aware of slippery gravel roads.
Saheliyon ki bari
The next highlight of Udaipur is the Saheliyon ki bari. This garden is a green oasis in the midst of Udaipur with a great fountain system, and I loved spending time there not only to cool down physically but also mentally. Don’t get me wrong, being able to travel India and explore Udaipur is an incredible privilege and wonderful, but it can also at times be exhausting for Europeans. I personally suffered a lot from the Indian heat and the constant noise that surrounds you when exploring India. In the Saheliyon ki bari, you are stepping into a place within the city, where you feel significantly less of both the heat and the noise. I loved that I could have that walk in the green, looking at the fountains this garden is famous for.
As you already know, I love elephants, and it got me really excited that some of said fountains are actually in the shape of an elephant. An interesting fact about the fountains in the garden is that they are working without any electric pump and only with the pressure of the nearby lake.
Monsoon Palace
This next site on this list of the top places of Udaipur is another wonderful palace. Once owned by the local royal family, Monsoon Palace is now opened for public visitors. Inside, it hosts a small collection of taxidermy animals highlighting local flora and fauna.
And if I am being honest here, the interior and exterior of the Monsoon Palace are quite underwhelming if you just spent the last week marvelling at the architectural wonders from New Delhi to Jodhpur. I might be a bit mean to say this. However, there is another reason why I think you should visit Monsoon Palace, and it is because of its wonderful and breathtaking view of Udaipur and its surrounding areas.
The palace grounds offer you the most fantastic views around. With its garden surrounding it, it makes for a serene place and I loved to take a walk around to take in every angle of Udaipur from above. Just be aware, you are not the only visitor to the Monsoon Palace. A family of monkeys also live there, and as per usual with wild animals: stay clear and don’t disturb them!
Badi ki Pal
I just love Indian architecture! The decorations, the carvings, the arches and gazebos. I would even say that many of the most incredible buildings I have ever seen are in India. And while it might be the grandest sight you will see when visiting India, the Badi ki Pal has just everything I love about Indian sights combined with a beautiful restaurant.
Basically, it is just a row of gazebos overlooking Badi Lake, but I for sure wouldn’t have wanted to miss these views!
And that’s it! Here’s to the top places of Udaipur. Make sure to pin it for later!
