Rajasthan · India · City Guide
Udaipur, the City of Lakes
India's most romantic city - of palaces rising from silver water, marble pavilions and island gardens, the proud heart of Mewar set against the Aravalli hills.
The City
Palaces on silver water
Founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar - the proudest and most defiant of all the Rajput kingdoms - Udaipur was built around a chain of man-made lakes, with palaces that seem to rise straight from the water. It is, by wide agreement, the most romantic city in India.
At its heart the vast cream-and-gold City Palace runs along the shore of Lake Pichola, on which float the marble island palaces of Jag Mandir and the famous Lake Palace, now a hotel of legend. Around them lie a fine living temple, hill-top palaces, gardens of fountains, and a tangle of old lanes full of miniature painters and silver shops - all framed by the green Aravalli hills.
This guide covers everything for a romantic, unhurried Udaipur - the palaces and lakes, where to stay (some of the loveliest hotels on earth), what to eat, where to shop, and the great forts of Mewar within reach.
Udaipur at a Glance
The essentials
State
Rajasthan, North India
Best time
September to March
Ideal stay
2–3 nights
Getting there
Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), 22 km; good rail & road
Known for
Lakes, palaces & romance
Also called
City of Lakes · the Venice of the East
Don't miss
A Lake Pichola boat at sunset
Pairs with
Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, the Golden Triangle
What to See
Temples near Udaipur: Ranakpur — 1,444 marble pillars, no two alike — is about two hours away, and Dilwara at Mount Abu another two beyond it. Both are covered in the Jain tirths guide.
The romance of Mewar
Lake palaces and a great city palace, a living temple and gardens of fountains, all mirrored in silver water - the wonders of Udaipur.
City Palace · half dayThe City Palace & Lake Pichola
The largest palace complex in Rajasthan, built over four centuries by the maharanas of Mewar, rises in cream and gold along the lake - a labyrinth of courtyards, mirror-work rooms, painted balconies and museums, with sweeping views over the water. Below it, a boat glides across Lake Pichola at sunset to the marble island pavilion of Jag Mandir, past the gleaming Lake Palace, as the whole city turns golden.
Time the boat for the last light - it is the defining experience of Udaipur, and one of the loveliest hours in India.
Jagdish Temple
A soaring 1651 Indo-Aryan temple to Vishnu in the heart of the old city, alive with bells and worship - climb the elephant-flanked steps into the daily devotion of Udaipur.
Jag Mandir & the Lake Palace
The 17th-century marble island palace of Jag Mandir, where Shah Jahan once took refuge, and the dreamlike Lake Palace (now the Taj) floating on Pichola - the images that made Udaipur famous.
Saheliyon ki Bari
A serene 18th-century garden of fountains, lotus pools and marble elephants, built for the queen's ladies-in-waiting - cool, green and charming.
Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh)
The honey-coloured palace crowning a hill above the city, built to watch the monsoon clouds - the grandest sunset view over the lakes and the Aravallis.
Bagore ki Haveli
A restored noble's haveli on the Gangaur Ghat, a fine museum of Mewari life, with a nightly Dharohar folk-dance show - a lovely early evening.
Vintage & Crystal galleries
The City Palace's vintage-car collection and the dazzling crystal gallery of Fateh Prakash - the maharanas' more recent treasures.
The old city & ghats
The lanes around Jagdish Temple and the lakeside ghats - miniature painters, silver and textile shops, rooftop cafes and the daily life of the lake.
Getting Your Bearings
The lie of the lakes
- The old city & Lake Pichola — the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, the ghats and the lanes; the romantic heart, with lake-view hotels and rooftop cafes.
- The islands — Jag Niwas (the Lake Palace) and Jag Mandir, reached by boat.
- Fateh Sagar Lake — the larger northern lake with its garden island, a lovely drive and the Monsoon Palace above.
- The hills & outskirts — Sajjangarh, Shilpgram crafts village and the road to the Mewar forts.
Where to Stay
Some of the world's loveliest hotels
Udaipur has palace hotels of pure legend and exquisite lake-view boutiques. A selection across the tiers.
Taj Lake Palace
The 18th-century marble palace floating on Lake Pichola, reached only by boat - perhaps the most romantic hotel on earth, all white marble, lily pools and lake on every side.
The Oberoi Udaivilas
A modern palace on the lake's western shore, with domes, courtyards and reflecting pools - regularly rated among the finest hotels in the world.
Taj Fateh Prakash & Shiv Niwas
Live inside the working City Palace, in the maharana's own wings overlooking the lake - heritage suites of crystal, portraits and history.
The Leela Palace Udaipur
A grand lakeside palace-hotel with infinity pools facing the City Palace - faultless and serene.
RAAS Devigarh
A breathtaking 18th-century fort-palace turned minimalist design hotel in the Aravalli hills, 40 minutes out - dramatic and contemporary.
Old-city havelis
Characterful heritage havelis and rooftop hotels by the ghats for romance closer to the lanes and the water.
Where to Eat
Mewari tables & lake views
Udaipur pairs hearty Mewari and Rajasthani cooking with the most romantic dinner settings in India. What to seek out.
- Dal baati churma — the Rajasthani classic of baked wheat balls, lentils and sweet crumble.
- Laal maas & gatte ki sabzi — the fiery red mutton curry and the gram-flour dumplings in yoghurt gravy.
- Mewari thali — a generous platter of the region's vegetarian specialities.
- Rooftop & lakeside dining — the city's true signature: dinner with the floodlit palaces on the water.
Sheesh Mahal & Neel Kamal
Royal Mewari dining at the Lake Palace's Neel Kamal and the Fateh Prakash, with lake and palace views - the grand evening out.
Ambrai & Upre
The two most romantic tables in town, facing the floodlit City Palace across the water - book ahead for sunset.
Jagat Niwas & Jaiwana
Lovely lake-view rooftop restaurants in old-city havelis for Mewari and Indian classics.
Natraj & the thali houses
The famous all-you-can-eat Rajasthani thali - homely, generous and authentic.
The old-city cafes
Rooftop coffee, lassi and global plates among the painters' lanes - a relaxed Udaipur afternoon.
A home cookery class
Learn Mewari home cooking with a local family, and the city's milk sweets and kachoris.
Shopping
Miniatures, silver & textiles
Miniature painting
Udaipur is a great centre of Rajput miniature painting - on paper, silk and old marble - from the painters' studios around Jagdish Temple. Buy with an eye for quality.
Hathi Pol & Bada Bazaar
Tribal and Rajasthani silver, enamel and beadwork in the old-city bazaars - lively bargaining included.
Bandhani & block-print
Tie-dye bandhani, block-printed cottons, appliqué and embroidery from the markets and the Shilpgram crafts village.
Old-city galleries
Pichwai cloth paintings, puppets, brass and curios in the lanes - browsing as much fun as buying.
A note on touts and commissions: as in much of Rajasthan, drivers and guides may steer you to commission-paying shops. We introduce only honest studios and dealers.
Beyond the City
Day trips from Udaipur
Kumbhalgarh Fort
A mountain fortress with the second-longest wall on earth (after the Great Wall), wrapped over the Aravalli ridges - vast, dramatic and a UNESCO site. Pair with Ranakpur.
Ranakpur Jain Temple
One of India's most beautiful temples - 1,444 uniquely carved marble pillars in a forested valley. Sublime, often combined with Kumbhalgarh.
Chittorgarh Fort
The largest fort in India and the soul of Mewar's defiance - towers of victory, palaces and the tragic legend of Rani Padmini. A grand day or en route north.
Eklingji & Nagda
The exquisite living temple complex of the Mewar dynasty's guardian deity, and the ancient ruins of Nagda - a lovely half-day.
Jaisamand Lake
Once Asia's largest artificial lake, with island palaces and a wildlife sanctuary - a quiet escape.
The crafts village
A living rural-arts complex on the edge of the city - tribal houses, craftspeople and folk performance.
When to Visit
The Udaipur year
The season - warm days and cool nights, perfect for the lakes and palaces. The post-monsoon lakes are full, and Diwali and the spring Gangaur and Mewar festivals are magical.
Best timeHot and dry, often 38–42°C - the lakes can shrink, though the hotels are cool and rates lower.
Romantic and green - the hills come alive and the lakes fill, with atmospheric rain and the Monsoon Palace in its element.
The Mewar Festival and Gangaur (spring), the World Music Festival, a beautiful Diwali, and the lake-lit Kartik Purnima.
Festivals: the Mewar Festival and Gangaur in spring, the Udaipur World Music Festival, a glittering Diwali, and the lamp-lit Kartik Purnima on the lakes.
How to Plan It
Suggested itineraries
Two Nights
The romantic essentials
- Day 1: the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the old city; a Lake Pichola boat to Jag Mandir at sunset.
- Day 2: Saheliyon ki Bari, the Monsoon Palace and Bagore ki Haveli's folk show.
- Dinners on the rooftops facing the floodlit palace.
Three Nights
Lakes & forts
- The two-day essentials, slower.
- A full day to Kumbhalgarh fort and the Ranakpur temple.
- Time for shopping, a cookery class, or Eklingji.
Mewar Circuit
The grand arc
- Two days in Udaipur.
- Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur and Chittorgarh.
- Continue to Jodhpur and the desert, or north to the Golden Triangle.
Good to Know
Practical Udaipur
Getting there
Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) is about 22 km from the centre, with flights from Delhi, Mumbai and beyond; Udaipur is also on the rail network and an easy drive from Jodhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. We arrange private transfers.
Getting around
The old city is walkable (and partly pedestrian); a private car and driver handle the lakes, hills and forts. Boats cross Lake Pichola; we arrange a private sunset cruise.
Money
ATMs and cards in hotels and bigger shops; carry cash for the bazaars, miniatures and tips. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR).
Etiquette
Dress modestly at Jagdish Temple and Eklingji and remove shoes; respectful, covered dress is appreciated across the old city.
Safety
Udaipur is relaxed, welcoming and very safe, including for women, with normal precautions. Eat freshly cooked food and drink bottled or filtered water.
Visa
Most nationalities need only an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel - we send a step-by-step guide with every booking.
Udaipur is the most romantic spot on the continent of India - a city of palaces, mirrored in a lake that holds the whole evening sky.
Travel With Us
Journeys through Mewar
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar and a highlight of any Rajasthan journey. Every trip is private and fully tailored, with a palace hotel where you wish, a car and driver throughout.
HeritageMewar Heritage Circuit
Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur and Chittorgarh.
LuxuryRajasthan Royale
Jaipur · Jodhpur · Udaipur — three royal cities, three palace hotels.
LuxuryMarwar Luxury Circuit
On to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and the Thar desert.
Common Questions
Udaipur, answered
Plan your Udaipur
Tell us your dates and your style, and we will craft a private Udaipur of lakes and palaces - a legendary hotel, a sunset boat, an expert guide and the forts of Mewar beyond. A thoughtful proposal follows within 24 hours.
Planning a trip to Udaipur?
Tell us roughly what you have in mind and we will send a considered reply — not a brochure. Usually within 24 hours, Kolkata office hours.