Udaipur, or the ‘Venice of East’ and ‘City of Lakes’ is the most romantic city in India with picturesque lakes, beautiful colors of sunset skies and royal architecture. All together telling the story of its great history, bravery, and heritage. Most of the architecture was built in the time of Mewar Rulers. These Maharanas (kings) loved their motherland above all and decorated it with beautiful and grand temples, palaces and forts.
The Maharanas were famous for their bravery and numerous sites like Haldi Ghati still tell their tales. Udaipur is beautiful, grand, royal, and romantic all at the same time. So let’s dive in and explore this haven for love and royalty. Also, read our article on Yoga in Rishikesh and Varanasi the holy city of India.
Things to do in Udaipur?
| 1. | Boat Cruise on Lake Pichola | 2. | Dining |
| 3. | Cooking Classes | 4. | Dharohar Dance Show |
| 5. | Shopping | 6. | Karni Mata Ropeway |
Places to visit in Udaipur?
| 1. | City Palace | 2. | The Monsoon Palace |
| 3. | Lake Palace | 4. | Kumbhalgarh fort |
| 5. | Jag Mandir | 6. | Fateh Sagar Lake |
| 7. | Pichola Lake | 8. | Eklingji Temple |
| 9. | Vintage Car Museum | 10. | Saheliyon Ki Bari |
| 11. | Srinathji Temple | 12. | Jagdish Temple |
Table of Contents
Things to do in Udaipur?
Udaipur has many options for engaging tourists in its culture and traditions. These activities not only entertain you but they also give you a flavor of the local culture and traditions.
1. Boat Cruise on Lake Pichola:
Lake Pichola Boat Ride Timings– 9 am to 6 pm Tickets: Boat ride costs Rs.340 for adults and Rs.170 for children. A sunset boat ride costs about Rs.220 more.
Boat Cruise on Lake Pichola is a must to do on the list on your visit to the city. You get to see the beautiful Aravali Hills at a distance and the stunning Lake Palace along with the other beautiful buildings around the lake. Also, get to explore two beautiful islands- Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir.
The best time to take the boat ride is sunset. As you see the sun set before your eyes coloring the hues of the water of yellow and orange, it is a mesmerizing sight.
2. Dining:
‘Laal Maas’ or literally meaning Red Meat of Jagat Niwas is a famous local dish, and the restaurant is located on Lal Ghat, Chandpole. Some rooftop restaurants are Charcoal, Ambrai Amet Haveli, and Jaiwana Haveli. Tribute is another fine dining restaurant that is a tribute to Chetak, the legendary horse.
Kabab Mistri is a fine dining restaurant for assorted Kababs and curries, with a view of Lake Pichola and Aravali Ranges. Raas Leela is an economic fine dining restaurant with a panoramic view of the lake.
3. Cooking Classes:
There are a number of cooking classes going on in Udaipur. One should read the reviews thoroughly and join that fits you the best. Our suggestion is Shashi`s Cooking Class. You get to learn dishes of North Indian Cuisine which are super delicious and worth having again and again. Also, you can take back recipes and tips straight from the chef!
4. Dharohar Dance Show:
Opening Timings: 10 am to 6:30 (all days), cultural shows later in the evening.
Tickets: Rs.60 plus extra Rs.100 for the camera.
This is a cultural show put up in Bagore Ki Haveli. Here you can enjoy the colorful folk dances, magical traditional songs, and Rajasthani puppet shows. Bagore Ki Haveli is an 18th-century mansion(Haveli). You can visit the place any day but the cultural shows take place in the evening. It is a nice place to absorb the culture of Rajasthan.
5. Shopping:
Udaipur has superb markets for street shopping, and do not underestimate they offer good quality, easy on pocket products. From Jewelry, footwear, skirts to beautiful lamps and bags, the list is endless and you just can’t stop yourself from buying some of it. Most clothes have colorful traditional prints and look really beautiful.
6. Karni Mata Ropeway:
It is one of the most interesting things to do in the city. This cable car connects two mountains that lie on the bank of Lake Pichola. The view from this place is a sight to behold. Lake Pichola, Lake Fateh Sagar, Sajjangarh Fort, City Palace Complex and the majestic Aravali Ranges all can be viewed from the cable car. It is a breathtaking view.
Places to visit in Udaipur?
Udaipur has an exotic combination of serene lakes and majestic palaces. Kings of Mewar built many palaces, lakes, and temples in the city. Let’s look into the details:
City Palace:
City Palace Udaipur Timings: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
City Palace Udaipur Entry fee: Rs.50
City palace is a 16th– century structure and was built by Maharana Udai Mirza Singh. The palace is huge and has 11 palaces in its complex. All of these palaces were built at different times by different rulers, according to their needs. Palace flaunts amazing paintings and antiques. The palace is an example of Chinese, Medieval, and European architectural styles. It has been beautifully constructed.
2. The Monsoon Palace:
The palace is also called Sajjangarh Palace as it`s construction was started by Maharaja Sajjan Singh. His vision was to make this as an astronomical observatory but due to his premature death, this place was converted instead to a hunting house for royals.
This place is situated next to Fateh Sagar Lake and is really beautiful. The best time to visit the palace is at sunset as the beautiful sunset from the monsoon palace looks even more beautiful as sheets of clouds sail by from well below the roof of the palace.
3. Lake Palace:
Tickets: Entry to Museum is Rs.75, Crystal Gallery costs Rs.500 and boat ride costs Rs.450.
Opening Timings: Open all days.
Lake Palace is the most famous tourist spot and luxury hotel in Udaipur city. This is one of the best site famous internationally as a wedding destination as it is now a part of the chain of Taj Luxury Resorts.
The palace is situated on Jag Niwas island in the middle of Lake Pichola. This palace was built in 1746 by Maharaja Jagat Singh II. The picturesque location has been featured in many Bollywood movies like ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani’. Even if you find the place expensive, a walk through it exploring it is a must to do.
4. Kumbhalgarh fort:
Distance from Udaipur: 2 hr (86.0 km).
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Entry fee: Rs.5 per person for Indians. Rs.100 per person for foreigners
Kumbhalgarh Fort boasts of the largest wall in the world, only after the Great Wall Of China. The wall stretches for over 30km! Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and is considered the most important fort only after the Chittorgarh Fort.
The fort is magnificent in its size and history. Best time to visit it is during the evening as it is less warm and later in the evening one can also enjoy the light and sound show. The fort is a must to do on your list.
5. Jag Mandir:
Opening hours: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Jag Mandir is a 17th-century palace built on the island Jagmandir in the picturesque Lake Pichola. Jagmandir is a complex of various structures, with the central one being the most important. The central structure is marked by the number of marble elephants standing outside it.
These elephants give the structure a royal appeal and look majestic. Jagmandir has three stories and many other sections like Gul Mahal, Zenana Mahal, and many others. This can be visited during the boat ride in Lake Pichola.
6. Fateh Sagar Lake:
Fateh Sagar Lake Boating Tmings: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm
Entry fee: No fee
Fateh Sagar Lake is nature at its best. The best time to visit it is during monsoon. You can also take a boat ride in the lake. There are three islands in the lake. The perfect place to have a picnic is on the island with Nehru Park on it. It is a great place for kids as there is a zoo.
7. Pichola Lake:
Tickets: Boat ride costs Rs.340 for adults and Rs.170 for children. A sunset boat ride costs about Rs.220 more.
Opening Timings: Open all days till sunset.
This 4km long lake is indeed a man-made wonder. It was created in the year 1362 AD and Rana Udai Singh II further extended the lake in 16th Century. The serene lake is surrounded by majestic royalty like palaces and temples and mighty Aravali hills.
There are two islands in the lake Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir both are very beautiful and the picture of royalty. Boat ride at sunset is very popular as you see the sun set coloring the water with hues of yellow and orange.
8. Eklingji Temple:
Location: Delwada Marg, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313202 (22km from Udaipur)
Opening Hours: 4:30 am to 7:00 am, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm Entry Fee: No fee
Eklingiji Temple is a major tourist spot and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most famous temples in Rajasthan and was built in 734 A.D. by Bappa Rawal. Centre for devotion for the devotees of Lord Shiva, it houses a 50 feet Shivlinga with four faces.
A silver Nandi is seated in the pillared hall (mandap) in front of the Shivlinga. The temple can be visited during the daytime and precise opening hours are given above. Besides that, Monday is considered to be a holy day to visit Shiva temples. It has a beautiful architecture with two stories and an intricately carved tower.
9. Vintage Car Museum:
Tickets: Rs.250 for adults and Rs.150 for children.
Opening Timings: Open all days from 9 am to 9 pm.
Vintage Car Museum is a display of century-old working cars! These cars are the major attraction in the Vintage Car Rallies organized in Rajasthan.
The cars belong to the then rulers of Mewar. They are a symbol of sheer royalty and the rulers had a massive collection of these. From Rolls Royce to Ford to Vauxhalls, you will be amazed by the type of grandeur these kings showed off of.
10. Saheliyon Ki Bari:
Tickets: Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.50 for foreigners.
Opening Timings: Open all days (8 am to 8 pm).
Saheliyon Ki Bari is a beautiful garden with exotic fountains. This place was built by Sangram Singh II for his queen so that she could relax there and have a good time with her 48 maids.
What makes the garden special is that the king designed it himself and he has done a wonderful job at it. The garden is still well kept and the fountains still work. It can be visited anytime during the day.
11. Srinathji Temple:
Distance from Udaipur: 49 min (45.5 km).
Shrinathji temple also known as Nathdwara is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. The diety Shrinathji is considered to be a form of Lord Krishna, who manifested as a seven-year-old child to take the form of Srinathji.
Temple is famous for its legends about Srinathji and the worship here takes place in 8 parts of the day. The city of Nathdwara is famous for its unique style of paintings and Gujrati Cuisine. Gujarati cuisine is sweet and is deliciously mouthwatering. The city of Nathdwara is also known as ‘The Apollo Of Mewar’.
12. Jagdish Temple:
Opening Timings: Open all days (4:15 am to 1 pm & 5:15 pm to 8 pm). Tickets: No entry fee.
Jagdish Temple is devoted to the diety Jagganath, a form of Lord Vishnu. It is the biggest temple in the city, is three-storied and lies next to City Palace. A flight of steps takes you the main temple and is flanked by two elephants with trunks raised and welcoming you.
The Statue of Lord Jagganath inside the temple is magnificent and is made of black marble. The temple complex contains many other smaller temples of deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Shakti, Lord Ganesh, etc.
Final Word
So, this was all about Udaipur, ‘The Venice of East’. We consider the best time to visit Udaipur is in winters and monsoons. Also make sure to book a hotel, mostly facing the lake. Do read our article on Yoga in Rishikesh and Varanasi the holy city of India.
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