Vibrant cultural vibes on one part, and the charm of serene lakes on the other. Hustle and bustle of a medieval city on one side, and a sleepy rustic life on the other. An eclectic mix of old and new worlds. Udaipur is what I can never explain in words. I’m not sure whether the old is still reluctant to accept the new, or the new is not letting go off the old. As a result, you get a beautiful city with old world charm nonchalantly sitting beside ethos of a modern world. This makes Udaipur one of the prettiest cities in India and counts among the top tourist destinations. Having lived there for some time, I have a fair idea of all the best places and experiences in Udaipur one should not miss. So, here’s my take on the best places to visit in Udaipur.
What makes Udaipur so special
For the seven lakes in and around Udaipur, they call it the Lake City of India. If Lake Pichola is surrounded by magnificent buildings of the middle ages, Fateh Sagar Lake has a picturesque setting with the hills forming the backdrop. Since it was the capital city of the Mewar Kings of Rajasthan, the palaces and architectural brilliance is among the best in India. Heritage gardens, happening market places, restaurants offering authentic Rajasthani cuisine and the cultural panorama make Udaipur a wonderful place to visit.
To a large extent, it resembles the city of Nainital in Uttarakhand with the main town surrounding the lake. Many people compare it to Srinagar- Kashmir as well. Similarly, I have often felt Florence vibes in Udaipur (though many call Udaipur as “Venice of the east”). Even though Florence is not about lakes, it has similar cultural vibes. However, in all fairness, Udaipur is quite unique in its essence, and not like any other city.
{If you love lakes, here are some further reading suggestions: Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia) ||| Nal Sarovar (Gujarat)}
Udaipur: Then and Now
Established in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh-II, the city was meant to be the capital city of the erstwhile Mewar kingdom. Though it’s more than 450 years past, the city still looks very much a kingdom with Rajput architecture sprinkled all over the city.
However, today it’s mainly a tourist city and a destination of high-profile weddings. It got global reputation after the shooting of a James Bond movie- Octopussy in 1983. Scores of Indian and international movies have been shot here since then.
In 2009, lake city Udaipur was voted the best city in the world in the Travel + Leisure magazine. It boasts of some of the best and luxurious hotels in the world. The Oberoi Udaivilas was ranked no.1 hotel in the world in 2015. And it’s not alone; Taj Lake Palace and Leela Palace are also among the best of best. But interestingly, Udaipur also has no dearth of budget hotels and hostels.
My times in the lake city
Some places are just destined to be with you for far longer than you could imagine. There are some places, which never left me, though I left them. Either for work or for leisure, it has kept inviting me time and again. Kutch in Gujarat comes to my mind instantly, and Udaipur is another such place.
When I first visited Udaipur in 2007, little did I know that the city of lakes will keep calling me back! It was love at first sight. Its natural beauty, historic significance, cultural richness and the peaceful vibes instantly appealed to all my senses. Subsequently, I returned to the city as a tourist a few times.
In 2015, Parina got a job in Udaipur and shifted. In those days, I used to live in Mumbai, and then shifted to Delhi. But I spent my weekends there exploring Udaipur beyond the best places. Those times were interesting for me. Because I was neither a resident, nor a tourist! Non-the-less, I enjoyed my weekends immensely exploring the many shades of Udaipur thoroughly. Even after Parina shifted to Delhi in 2018, we kept coming back. {To read about my earlier experiences, do check out: Cherished memories of Udaipur}
As luck would have it, we just signed a long-term project with Hindustan Zinc recently, which is and will keep taking me to the beautiful city. So, though I have left Udaipur, Udaipur has never not left me. And of course, thinking of this brings a smile to my face.
Best places in Udaipur city
Within a core area of about 5-10 kilometers, most of the best places in Udaipur stand close to each other. So, one can really walk around the places. Lake Pichola is at the center of all attractions. From gorgeous palaces and hotels to the busy markets, quintessential ghats and temples, this area feels quite amazing. Outside of this core area, there are some more lakes, gardens and temples. Here are all the best places one must visit in Udaipur.
1. Lake Pichola:
The construction of Lake Pichola predates the establishment of the city of Udaipur itself! As per legends, in 1362, a tribesman (named Pichhu) constructed this lake. However, it was king Udai Singh- II who was responsible for its development when he was building Udaipur as his capital city. He built the embankment of the lake and the his royal Palace (City Palace) on its bank. Slowly and gradually, the whole city built up around the lake. Gorgeous buildings lining the lakefront makes it among the best places to visit in Udaipur.
Inside the lake, there are three small islands- Jag Niwas island, Jag Mandir island and Mohan Mandir island. Located on the Jag Niwas island, the Taj Lake Palace is among the best hotels in the world. On Jag Mandir island, Jag Mandir Palace/ Lake Garden Palace is another gem. One can take a boat ride from either City Palace or nearby Bansi Ghat to visit Jag Mandir. In fact, this boat ride in the evening is an absolute must. Witnessing the sunset from inside the lake when it makes the buildings glow golden is such a stunning sight!
The charming Ghats of Lake Pichola:
In order to experience Lake Pichola best, one should head to its iconic ghats- Ambrai Ghat and Gangaur Ghat. Gangaur Ghat is just a few minutes walk from the famous Jagdish Temple in the old city. A small foot-over bridge connects Gangaur Ghat to Ambrai Ghat side. Many an evening, we have walked across this bridge to take a stroll around both the ghats. At the Gangaur Ghat, we loved listening to the local musicians performing. Near Gangaur Ghat, another charming place is the Laal Ghat area.
2. Bagore Ki Haveli & Museum:
While enjoying the view of Lake Pichola from the Gangaur Ghat, one should visit the Bagore Ki Haveli, now a museum. Once a royal palace, now a museum, Bagore Ki Haveli looks majestic standing by the lake. First built by a Prime Minister of the Mewar kings- Amar Chand Badwa in the 18th century, it was further developed by Maharaj Shakti Singh of Bagore in 1878. It was then, it got its current name- Bagore Ki Haveli.
Apart from the museum that exhibits hundreds of artefacts, one can enjoy a light-and-sound show in the evening. Moreover, its strategic location near Gangaur Ghat with a triple-arch gateway lends it a vibrant atmosphere at sunset. When Parina used to live in Udaipur, this area used to be one of our favorite hang out places.
3. City Palace:
In 1559, when Maharana Udai Singh- II moved his capital from Chittor to Udaipur, he built this magnificent palace on the banks of lake Pichola. Over the years, subsequent kings of the dynasty added on to it. Today, it’s the largest palace in Rajasthan and one of the best places to visit in Udaipur.
While in one part of the palace, the royal family still resides, the other part is open for tourists. Within the palace complex, a section has been made into a museum with original artefacts from the 16th century in display. Climbing to the top of the palace, one would view the majestic lake Pichola with the pristine white Lake Palace sitting within. From the other side, the view of Udaipur city is equally impressive.
Inside the palace, do take your time to explore the rich architectural details. Stopover at the main peacock-courtyard, and the blue room to appreciate their beauty. Among other things, do look for the colourful mirror room, the silver room, Diwan-i-Aam (Assembly Hall) and the garden area.
4. Jagdish Temple:
Coming out of the City Palace, walking about 100 meters, one reaches Jagdish Temple, perhaps the most popular temple in Udaipur. Built in 1651, the temple sits on a raised platform. So, to reach the temple, one has to climb about 32 marble steps. If one finds it difficult to climb steps, there’s a easier path coming from the backside of the temple as well.
The architecture follows the local Indo-Aryan/ Rajput/ Jain style with ornate details. The presiding deity in the temple is Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Besides, in the temple premises, there are four other temples- Ganesh, Surya, Shakti and Shiva. If you plan your visit during the evening, you can witness the aarti.
5. Old City Udaipur:
From Jagdish Temple to Hathi-Pole, the Old City of Udaipur is a vibrant market place with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels lining up on both the sides. The area includes landmarks like the Jagdish Temple, Lal Ghat area, Gangaur Ghat, Chand-Pole and Hathi-Pole. Basically, poles are gates (as you see in all Rajasthani cities). For example, Hathi-Pole meaning ‘Elephant Gate’. In Udaipur, there are about seven main gates (poles): Surajpole, Chandpole, Udiapole, Hathipole, Ambapole, Brahmpole. All these poles add a little charm to the old streets of the city.
A walk around the streets of the old city, especially in the evening is a wonderful experience. Whether you love shopping or street food, this is surely one of the best places in Udaipur to head to.
6. Karni Mata Temple:
About two kilometers away from the old city, Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple is a great place to visit in the evening. Located on a small hill (Machla Magra), it offers an amazing panoramic view of the Lake Pichola and the city. One can either take a cable car ride or choose to hike up to the temple. I fondly remember witnessing a lovely sunset from up there. That evening, I took to the ropeway to reach the temple, but while coming back, took to the stairs. It took me about 20 minutes to come down.
7. Fateh Sagar Lake:
Of the seven big and small lakes in and around Udaipur, Fateh Sagar is the second most important after Lake Pichola. First built in 1687 by Maharana Jai Singh, the lake underwent major renovation in 1889 under Maharana Fateh Singh. Since then, the lake came to be known as Fateh Sagar Lake.
Unlike Lake Pichola, it has a natural panorama with hills as a backdrop. When the sun sets behind the hills on the far side of the lake, the sight is nothing short of spectacular. This is what makes Fateh Sagar Lake one of the best places in Udaipur. We have spent innumerable evenings walking at the popular Fateh Sagar Paal, an embankment of the lake.
Inside the lake, there are three small islands, one of which has a lovely garden- Nehru Park. One can take a boat ride to reach the park and spend some time, especially in the evening. Besides, the market by the lakeside is popular for its street food vendors. Visitors enjoy a little walk around the lake with some street snack in hand.
8. Maharana Pratap Memorial/ Moti Magri:
A great way to have a panoramic view of the Fateh Sagar Lake is to hike up to Moti Magri, a small hill near the lake. At the top of the hill, there’s this impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap, one of the heroes of Mewar, riding his horse Chetak. Apart from the memorial site, it’s popular among visitors as a view point.
9. Neemach Mata Temple:
Much like the Karni Mata Temple, Neemach Mata Temple sits atop a hill on the bank of Fateh Sagar Lake. Similarly, one can either hike up or take a cable car ride to reach the temple. From the hill-top, one can have a wonderful view of Fateh Sagar Lake.
Udaipur has quite a few spots for witnessing sunsets. And this temple is definitely among the best places in Udaipur to watch the sun go down behind the hills on the far side of Fateh Sagar Lake. Though the temple itself is small, it seems to be popular among the locals, maybe as a view point!
10. Sahelion Ki Bari:
During the reign of Maharana Sangram Singh between 1710- 1734 AD, Sahelion Ki Bari came up as a secluded garden for the queens and her maidens. The royal ladies were generally not allowed to venture out into the open streets. So, it was among the best places in Udaipur for the queens to come out and relax with their friends.
With ornate architecture and lovely fountains, the garden looks pristine. Interestingly, the fountains in the garden run on the principle of gravity and doesn’t need artificial power! The water from Fateh Sagar Lake flows into the fountains following the architectural design! It shows the engineering prowess of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar.
Beyond the best places in Udaipur (Offbeat places)
Apart from the best places mentioned above, there are some offbeat places in Udaipur one should visit, if one has time. They are so good in their own right that if they were in any other place than Udaipur, I would consider them among the best places there! Here is the list.
- Ahar Cenotaphs: Started in 1710 with Maharana Amar Singh- II’s memorial, over the years more than 250 cenotaphs (chhatris) have been built here to honour the royals. Among the cenotaphs, 19 that belong to the Mewar Kings, stand out.
- Shilpgram: Literally, ‘village of crafts’, Shilpgram showcases arts and crafts of Rajasthan and the western region. Set in a natural environment and built in the ethos of rural India, its among the best places in Udaipur to visit for craft/ culture lovers. Among the things of interest are, craft shops, traditional food, camel rides, and cultural performances.
3. Gulab Bagh and zoo: Spread over 100 acres of land, this is the largest garden in Rajasthan. Built in 1887 by Maharana Fateh Singh, it’s now among the most beautiful heritage gardens in Rajasthan. Among the things of interest are, a toy train, a heritage library building and a small museum.
4. Vintage Cars Museum: With great passion, Maharana Bhagwat Singh has preserved the vintage cars of the royal family. From Rolls Royce to the Cadillacs, the museum showcases the opulent lifestyle of the erstwhile Kings of Mewar.
Best places near Udaipur
If you are done with all the best places in Udaipur, and have some more days in hand, it’s a good idea to explore beyond the city. For one’s convenience, I have divided the best places of interest near Udaipur into two parts. While some of them are close to the city (~50 kms), others are a bit far (50- 150 kms). One may plan as per their preferences or time on hand.
Best places within 50 kilometers:
- Sajjangarh Palace/ Monsoon Palace (~11 kms): Built in 1884 for Maharana Sajjan Singh, the Monsoon Palace served the king’s leisure purpose. Overlooking the city of Udaipur, and the Fateh Sagar Lake, it’s a great view point and is among the best places in Udaipur to hang out. If you are there in the evening, you can witness a mesmerizing sunset behind the palace with layers of mountains converging in the backdrop.
- Badi Lake/ Bahubali Hills (~12 kms): The third most important lake in Udaipur, Badi Lake is arguably the most scenic and photogenic. Though just 12 kms away from the city, one has to hike about 15 minutes to reach the top of Bahubali Hills to appreciate the true beauty of the lake.
3. Ekling ji Temple (~20 kms): This important Lord Shiva Temple predates (734 AD) the establishment of Udaipur itself.
4. Sahasra Baahu (Saas-Bahu) Temple (~ 22 kms): A little ahead of Ekling ji Temple, this beautiful temple is an architectural gem. Built in the 10th century, the temple is in its ruins only. However, it still exudes magnificence.
Best places within 50- 150 kilometers (for day-trips):
- Kumbhalgarh: A fort with the famous Great Wall of India; 85 kms from Udaipur (north)
- Ranakpur: A magnificent Jain Temple dedicated to the Lord Rishabhanath; 95 kms north of Udaipur
- Shrinathji Temple (Nathdwara): A legendary Hindu temple; ~ 50 kms (north) from Udaipur. Though we have done Kumbhalgarh- Ranakpur- Shrinathji in a day, it’s a bit hectic.
- Chittorgarh; a UNESCO World Heritage site, 120 kms away (north) from Udaipur
- Jaisamand Lake: A lovely lake, 60 kms south of Udaipur. If you are a nature lover, you may actually plan to stay one night near the lake.
- Besides, Mount Abu is not far either (160 kms). Some tourists do visit Mount Abu from here, but difficult in a day.
Udaipur: Travel Tips
Best time to visit:
- Pleasant weather: Autumn beginning in October through the winter and spring till March, Udaipur remains pleasant. In winter, day time temperatures hover around 25 degree C, and night time low remains around 8 degree C. So, it’s not too cold during the winters. We really enjoyed our time in the winters.
- During the summer months (Apr-Aug), it gets really hot with temperatures ranging 40-45 degree C.
- However, within the summer months, when it rains during the monsoon (July- Aug), Udaipur becomes a lovely place.
- Udaipur World Music Festival is organized in February. So, it’s perhaps the best time to visit the lake city.
How to reach:
- Flight: Udaipur has a domestic airport; 30 kms away from the main city
- Train: There are daily overnight trains from New Delhi and some other major cities
- Bus: From most cities of Rajasthan and some cities of Gujarat, one can get luxury buses to Udaipur.
Getting around:
- Auto-rickshaws are good options for budget conscious travellers to get around the city
- One can rent motorbikes at reasonable rent
- Moreover, one can walk around the old city part- Gangaur ghat and Ambrai ghat area.
Experiences not to miss:
- Witness sunset at Sajjangarh Palace
- Boat ride in Lake Pichola at Bansi Ghat
- Take a stroll at Fateh Sagar Paal, especially at sunset
- Wander around Gangaur Ghat in the evening
- Hike up the Bahubali Hill to have a view of Badi Lake
- Take a cable car ride at either Karni Mata Temple/ Neemach Mata Temple.
Where to stay:
- Some good budget hotel options (between Rs. 1500- Rs. 3000): Mangal View Residency ||| Shalimar Palace ||| Hotel Udai Median ||| Hibiscus.
- Havelis (turned into hotels): If you love staying in heritage hotels, here are a few by the lake: Jagat Niwas Palace ||| Jaiwana Haveli ||| Kotra Haveli ||| Mewar Haveli ||| Hotel Pichola Haveli ||| Aaj Haveli.
- Some good Hostels: For budget travellers, Udaipur has some really good hostels: goSTOPS ||| The Hosteller ||| Mantra ||| Zostel ||| Keekoo ||| Moustache ||| Young Monk ||| Dreamyard Udaipur.
Where/ What to eat:
I. Street food places: Fateh Sagar lakeside “Bombay Market- Udaipur” ||| Sukhadia circle ||| Chetak circle.
II. Popular Cafes: Cafe Boho by lake Pichola ||| Cafe Edelweiss (German Cafe, Gangaur Ghat) ||| Jheel Ginger Coffee Bar (Gangaur Ghat) ||| Udai Art Cafe ||| Backyard Cafe.
III. Fine dine: Jagat Niwas ||| Natraj (authentic Rajasthani thali) ||| Ambrai (lake side) ||| Upre by 1559 AD (lake side) ||| The Tribute (lake side) ||| Khamma Ghani ||| Charcoal ||| Verandah by the Lake ||| Harigarh (lake side).
Must try dishes: Dal-Baati-Churma ||| Rajasthani Thali ||| Laal Maas (Mutton) ||| Malai-Ghewar ||| Mawa-Kachori.
Concluding Thoughts
In my book, Udaipur is among the best places to visit in India. For its unmatched charm, natural beauty and architectural heritage, Udaipur is really close to my heart. Parina and I spent a lot of time here wandering around and hanging out at the lakeside. Memories of those innumerable sunsets, those bike rides along the Fateh Sagar Lake and the strolls around the ghats of Lake Pichola are still fresh in the mind.
Honestly, Udaipur is not really about its best places. For us, it’s the charm of Udaipur as a city that appealed to our heart the most. Beyond the best places, just walk around the narrow streets and soak in its old-world vibes. Enjoy the sunset by the lake. And feel the royalty. It’s a great place to stay for a long time and explore the not-so-best places at slow pace.
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anonymous person
well documented
stampedmoments
Thank you, Abhi.
Jayvanti Einjen
Very nice.
stampedmoments
Thank you 🙂