Things to Do in Udaipur: Lakes, Palaces and Day Trips

Quick answer

Udaipur's essentials are City Palace in the morning, a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, the folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli and sunset from Sajjangarh or Ambrai Ghat. With a third day, drive to Kumbhalgarh and the Ranakpur Jain temple, or east to Chittorgarh. The city rewards a slow pace more than a long list.

12 things worth your time in Udaipur

01
City Palace
Landmark
Rajasthan's largest palace complex, built over four centuries, with mirror-work rooms, courtyards and lake views from the Badi Mahal.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹300–400 per adult; camera extra
Arrive at opening time; by noon in season the corridors are packed.
02
Sunset boat on Lake Pichola
Experience
Boats from the City Palace jetty circle Jag Niwas, now the Taj Lake Palace, and stop at the island palace of Jag Mandir.
1 hourAbout ₹400–1,000 per person; sunset slots cost more
Sunset rides sell out in season, so buy at the jetty earlier in the day.
03
Bagore ki Haveli dance show
Experience
A nightly Rajasthani folk performance in an 18th-century haveli on Gangaur Ghat, ending with a dancer balancing a tower of pots.
1 hourAbout ₹150–300
Queue 30 minutes early for front-row seats; the show starts around 7 pm.
04
Jagdish Temple
Landmark
A 17th-century Vishnu temple at the top of the old city's main street, carved from base to spire.
30 minutesFree
Evening aarti is the liveliest time to visit.
05
Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) at sunset
Landmark
A hilltop palace about 5 km west of the city, with sunset views over the lakes and the Aravallis.
2 hoursSanctuary entry plus a vehicle charge
Go up an hour before sunset; the descent road gets congested afterwards.
06
Saheliyon ki Bari
Nature
An 18th-century garden built for the royal women, with fountains, lotus pools and marble elephants.
45 minutesSmall entry fee
Combine it with Fateh Sagar, a few minutes away.
07
Fateh Sagar and Ambrai Ghat in the evening
Experience
Fateh Sagar's promenade is where locals go for street food and the lake breeze; Ambrai Ghat on Pichola's west bank gives the classic view of City Palace at dusk.
1–2 hoursFree
Ambrai Ghat is busy with photographers at sunset; get there by 5 pm in winter.
08
Vintage and Classic Car Museum
Landmark
The Mewar royal collection of Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs and a Mercedes, housed in the old palace garage.
1 hourTicketed; a few hundred rupees
A good hour for car-loving children while others shop.
09
Cooking class
Experience
Home kitchens in the old city teach dal, gatte ki sabzi, chapati and masala chai, followed by the meal you cooked.
3 hoursAbout ₹1,500–3,000 per person
Ask whether it is a hands-on class or a demonstration before booking.
10
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Day trip
A UNESCO-listed hill fort about 85 km north, whose 36 km wall is among the longest in the world.
Full day (with Ranakpur)About ₹35–50 for Indians
Combine it with Ranakpur, or do both on the drive between Udaipur and Jodhpur.
11
Ranakpur Jain temple
Day trip
A 15th-century marble temple with 1,444 carved pillars, no two alike, in a forested valley.
2 hours on siteFree entry for Indians; camera and phone fee
Non-Jain visitors are admitted from about noon to 5 pm. Leather items, shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
12
Chittorgarh Fort
Day trip
One of the largest forts in India, about 115 km east, with the Vijay Stambha tower and the stories of Rani Padmini and Meera Bai.
Full dayAbout ₹35–50 for Indians
Hire a guide at the gate; the fort is too big to understand on your own in a day.

How many days do you need in Udaipur?

Two full days covers the city; three let you add a day trip to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur or Chittorgarh. Udaipur rewards slow travel more than any other city in Rajasthan, so don't pack it like Jaipur. A good day is City Palace in the morning, a long lunch, a sunset boat on Pichola and a rooftop dinner.

The lake shapes the plan

Most sights cluster on Lake Pichola's east bank: City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Bagore ki Haveli are all within a 10-minute walk of each other. Across the water, Hanuman Ghat and Ambrai Ghat give the postcard view back to the palace. Fateh Sagar, a little north, is where locals spend their evenings.

Day trips worth the drive

Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur: about 85–95 km each; best on the drive to or from Jodhpur.
Chittorgarh: about 115 km east, two hours each way; the most storied fort in Rajasthan.
Eklingji and Nagda: 22 km north; temples, an easy half-day.

A 'lake view' room can mean a sliver of water from one window. Ask for a photograph of the actual view, or book a room category named for it.

What to skip

Many 'art schools' selling miniature paintings around the old city are shops first. Buy if you like a piece, but don't trust claims of antique age.

Plan the rest

Check the best time to visit Udaipur for lake levels, then pick a base in where to stay in Udaipur. Udaipur usually closes a Rajasthan circuit after Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad, for Gujarat, is about five hours away.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the boat ride on Lake Pichola?

Rates depend on the jetty, the time of day and whether the boat stops at Jag Mandir. At the time of review, expect roughly ₹400–1,000 per adult for a one-hour ride, with sunset departures at the top of the range. Buy tickets at the jetty in the morning for the sunset slot, which sells out in season.

Is Udaipur good for families?

Yes. Distances are short, City Palace and the boat ride appeal to all ages, and the Bagore ki Haveli dance show is a hit with children. The old city lanes are narrow, steep and busy with two-wheelers, so with elders choose a hotel that has car access to the door.

Can you see Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur in one day from Udaipur?

Yes, in a long day of about 10 hours with a private car. Leave by 8 am, spend two hours on Kumbhalgarh's walls, then drive about 50 km to Ranakpur, which opens to non-Jain visitors from around noon. Many travellers instead fit both into the drive between Udaipur and Jodhpur.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.