Udaipur has numerous palaces, religious landmarks, gardens museums, lakes, and other natural scenic areas to keep anyone busy, and this city should definitely be on any Rajasthan itinerary
Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola to see the must-visit and historical places of the city or simply sit on the bank and enjoy the sunrise or sun features carvings set.
Get back to nature at the Udaipur Gardens for a stroll through lush greenery for a sense of peace and serenity from the otherwise dry brushlands of Rajasthan.
The City Palace, which took a span of 400 years to build, is the biggest royal complex in the state and is full of history and culture, featuring the crystal gallery, stained glass and carved windows, numerous courtyards and a museum containing sculptures and antiques. As with many tourist sites, note that there's an extra charge to bring in a camera.
Just a short walk from the City Palace is the largest temple in the city, Jagdish Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The three-story temple features intricate carvings and decorated ceilings and painted walls.
On the southern island of Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir Palace was originally built by Maharana Karan Singh as a hiding place for Prince Khurram, featuring the eight elephants carved out of white marble.
Turn up the romance at the white marble Lake Palace, initially meant to be a summer getaway for royalty, it has since been turned into a top-notch hotel. Take in the dreamy aura created by the vastness of the palace's beautiful architecture in the middle of the lake.
The Monsoon Palace, originally built to watch for incoming monsoons, overlooks Fateh Sagar Lake and is an ideal place to get a panorama of the lakes, palaces and countryside.
For a cultural experience at an affordable price, visit Bagore Ki Haveli, a townhouse on the bank of Lake Pichola and watch an hour-long Rajasthani folk dance performance and puppet show starting at 7 p.m.
After exploring so many palaces and temples, the adventurous traveler may be ready for an excursion to the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which protects many species of endangered wildlife.
Just 3 kilometers outside of Udaipur, Shilpgram, an arts and crafts village, is a wonderful place to visit to learn more about history, culture and rural handicrafts from all over the country. Camps and workshops are held here to spread awareness and share the art of embroidery, pottery, weaving, mirror works, and folk music.
Immerse into Indian music by learning to play the sitar, tabla, or flute with Prajapati Musical Instruments. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned musician, you will be sure to enjoy the teacher, Suresh's music instruction and concert.
Udaipur will keep shopaholics occupied at traditional markets such as Bapu Bazaar, Chetak Circle, Suraj Pole, Nehru Bazaar, Bada Bazaar and Chand Polethe, where they can find fabrics, jewelry, shoes, and handicrafts such as paintings, marble articles, silver arts and terracotta Modern shopping is also available at Durga Nursery Road, Shakti Nagar and Sudkhadia Circle, as Udaipur further develops a shopping mall culture.
There are some cultural shows that happen in the town of Udaipur. The Dharohar Dance Show, which includes a marionette puppet show, live music with traditional instruments, and folk dancing. This takes place at Bagore-ki-Haveli and costs 100 Rupee.
For a different kind of cultural experience, learn how to cook naan, masala chai and curries with a cooking class. Several options are available. Enjoy Cooking Class has great options for where you can choose which ingredients you like and dislike. There is also a meditation room and many different types of teas to taste during your class. Also, Shashi's Cooking Class is another place to try your hand at traditional Indian cooking. She offers group classes, which are run out of her own personal kitchen.
You can take a bicycle tour of Udaipur with Art of Bicycle Trips, which includes aspects of Indian art, heritage, and culture. Horseback riding around Tiger Lake is another great activity. Krishna Ranch offers half and full day options as well as multi-day safaris where you camp overnight.
A nice way to explore destinations in Udaipur is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Full Day Udaipur Sightseeing Tour with Optional Guide for $53 details
- Udaipur Sightseeing With Private Guide & Car for $55 details
- Private Udaipur Village Tour by Tuk-Tuk or by Car for $17 details
Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Udaipur, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.