Dubbed ‘Venice of the East, Udaipur is surrounded by mesmerising lakes and the beautiful Aravallis. Also called the ‘City of Lakes, Udaipur is home to numerous man-made and natural lakes. Founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II, the city stood as the capital of Mewar Kingdom. Udaipur is one of the culturally and historically significant cities in India.
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Udaipur is home to many alluring architectural marvels. The same makes Udaipur one of the top cities in Rajasthan. Udaipur is well connected with other major cities in and around Rajasthan. Thus, the city experiences a large number of tourists.
With an array of attractions and landmarks to choose from, planning a trip to Udaipur can be tiresome at times. In this article, find the places to visit in Udaipur.
10 Places to Visit in Udaipur
- City Palace
- Lake Pichola
- Fateh Sagar Lake
- Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
- Jagmandir
- Sajjangarh Biological Park
- Hathipole
- Ahar Museum
- Haldighati
- Wax Museum
City Palace
This imposing and arguably the most famous palace in Udaipur, the City Palace is located on the banks of Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built over the course of four centuries with contributions from various rulers of the Mewar dynasty. The construction began in 1553 during the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II. This massive palace is built in Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles and provides a panoramic view of the city.
From the balcony of the palace, one can enjoy the view of the shimmering Lake Pichola and several other attractions. The city palace is a combination of four major and numerous minor palaces. The main part of the palace now serves as a museum. City palace is a haven for history buffs and is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Major Attractions: Lake Pichola, Museum
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Witness ancient architectural marvel and artefacts, Enjoy the panoramic view of the city
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake at the heart of Udaipur City. This massive lake is named after the nearby Picholi village. The massive lake is home to four islands namely Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas. This picturesque lake is an ideal destination for boating and watching the sunset.
The pristine blue lake is certain to enchant the visitors. Apart from its beauty and fun activities, Pichola Lake is also renowned for its legends. There are many interesting stories revolving around the lake that could amaze anyone. Lake Pichola is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Udaipur.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Major Attractions: Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Photography, Boating
Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is another man-made wonder in the city of Udaipur. Constructed under the reign of Maharana in 1960, Fateh Sagar Lake is one of the famous places to visit in Udaipur. This blue lake is ideal for boating. Fateh Sagar Lake is a favourite photography destination for shutterbugs and Instagrammers. There is a beautiful garden at the centre of the lake for tourists to visit called Nehru Park.
The garden and the unique boat-shaped restaurant attracts plenty of visitors on a daily basis. Other than Nehru Park, the lake is home to two other islands. The evening is the best time to visit as the sunset view over here is unmatchable. The lake is also responsible for supplying water for agricultural, industrial and drinking purposes.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Major Attractions: Nehru
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Photography, Boating
Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
Perched atop Bansdara peak of the Aravalli hill, Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace radiates the beauty of architecture from the past. The palace is made of pure white marble that shines the brightest under the noon sun. The palace is a view in itself and is visited by tourists in large numbers. The massive structure was the brainchild of Maharana Sajjan Singh. This exemplary palace is a haven for history enthusiasts.
The monsoon palace was used as the hunting lodge by the royal family. It was also used to watch the monsoon clouds hovering over the palace. With high towers, turrets, beautiful balconies and pillars, Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace remains one of the renowned tourist spots in Udaipur. Taking a walk around this palace is certain to teleport you to the time of kings.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Major Attractions: High towers and turrets
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Witness the ancient architectural marvel
Jagmandir
Overlooking the shimmering blue waters of Lake Pichola lies the beautiful Jag Mandir. Also called the “Lake Garden Palace”, Jag Mandir was built over three generations of Mewar kings. The palace was the summer resort of the royal family and now stands as one of the most important things to see in Udaipur.
This majestic palace is a heritage hotel and provides luxury suites to its guests. Embellished with meticulous artworks, statues and paintings, one could live a royal life while here. You can spend your day walking around and exploring the palace or simply by boating around the lake. It is a well-known family destination.
Opening hours: 24 x 7
Major Attractions: Gol Mahal, Garden courtyard
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Boating, Explore the palace
Sajjangarh Biological Park
Sajjangarh Biological Park is located right beneath the Monsoon Palace. Sprawled over 36 hectares of land, Sajjangarh Biological Park is one of the top places to visit in Udaipur for families. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, Sajjangarh Biological Park is the place where India’s first Augmented Reality Application was launched. As of now, the zoo is home to over 60 animals and welcomes over 45,000 visitors per month.
The biggest attraction over here is the long-billed vulture. The zoo is the right place to spend a weekend with the family. The favourite activity of children visiting the zoo is clicking pictures with the mascot. Overall, it is a fun-filled experience for adults and kids alike.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Major Attractions: Long-billed vulture
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Wildlife spotting
Hathipole
Udaipur is the city that is home to magnificent palaces, deep blue lakes and culturally rich monuments. Amidst such architectural wonders, one would yearn to shop heartfully before returning home. If you are in Udaipur and shopping wind hits you then Hathipol is undoubtedly your go-to place. It is one of the largest and most popular places to visit in Udaipur for shopping.
Nestled at the heart of the city and close to various other markets, Hathipole is often crowded with locals and tourists. Hathipol could be literally translated to “Elephant Gate”. The busy market is famous for Mewar’s arts and crafts. Apart from that, the market is where you can find some of the best souvenirs. However, make sure your bargaining skills are sharpened.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Major Attractions: Mewar’s arts and crafts
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Shopping
Ahar Museum
Ahar is where you can find the memories of Mewar rulers. This famous archaeological site is now renowned for the cenotaphs of the Royal Marwar rulers and a museum that exists in its vicinity. The Ahar Archeological Museum or simply the Ahar Museum is where the excavated items of the ancient period are preserved. The museum is run by the government.
This small yet intriguing museum has a small but rare collection of 10th-century artefacts. Unusual earthen pottery over here is said to be from 1700 B.C. The metal figure of Lord Buddha is one of the key attractions at the Ahar Museum. Visit this museum even if you are not a history buff. Visiting Ahar Museum can be added to your list of things to do in Udaipur.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:45 AM to 5:15 PM
Major Attractions: Metal figure of Lord Buddha
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Explore centuries-old artefacts
Haldighati
The name ‘Haldighati’ is enough to fill our minds with the historic battle and the great Maharana Pratap. This famous mountain pass at Aravalli Range lies between Khamnore and Bagiche village. Haldighati received its name from the yellow-coloured soil that resembles turmeric (Haldi). Visit Haldighati to relive the historic era as even the breeze over here seems to be telling stories from the past.
Looking straight out of a postcard, this location offers a scenic route if you prefer driving with your close ones. The cenotaph of Maharana Pratap’s horse, Chetak, is one of the famous attractions of Haldighati. Nearby Haldighati, one can find the Maharana Pratap National Memorial and the Badshahi Bagh. Haldighati is one of the famous destinations in Udaipur.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Major Attractions: Cenotaph of Maharana Pratap’s horse, Maharana Pratap National Memorial and the Badshahi Bagh
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Driving, Evening Walk
Wax Museum
Wax Museums are always fascinating. We can never get enough of staring at life-like statues that are made out of wax. Madame Tussauds is the most renowned wax statue in the world. However, we need not travel all the way to London in order to find alluring wax statues. The Wax Museum in Udaipur is just the right place to come across some jaw-dropping statues. It is the first wax museum in Rajasthan and houses a 9D theatre, a mirror maze and a horror maze.
Wax Museum in Udaipur is home to stunning statues of Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan, Harry Potter, Hugh Jackman, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and many more. This museum is a favourite destination among foreigners who visit Udaipur. Wax Museum is one of the top attractions in Udaipur. Click a selfie with your favourite celebrities (their statues, precisely) and flaunt it on your social media.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Major Attractions: Statues of Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Sachin Tendulkar and many more
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Photography
Udaipur narrates countless tales of many acclaimed dynasties. You can find the rich history and culture of Rajasthan’s royalty brimming in every nook and corner of the city. Whether you are planning a family trip, a solo trip or a romantic getaway, Udaipur has enough to welcome all sorts of travellers.
The city is dotted with castles, lakes, temples and scenic locations. Visiting Udaipur can quench the thirst of the history buff within you. Additionally, it can also satisfy the nature-lover side of yours. Capture ample moments and landscapes on your camera while in this postcard-like city.
Rajasthan is covered with places of historic importance. The state exhibits rich royal history in every possible way. If Udaipur has enticed you then do not miss out on checking places to visit in Jaipur.
FAQ
Are 2 days enough in Udaipur?
Udaipur is a vast city that is full of palaces, lakes, gardens, temples, museums and many more attractions. While it would take a good amount of time to cover all or major attractions of the city, a planned itinerary would be helpful for you to wrap up the Udaipur visit in two days.
How can I spend 2 days in Udaipur?
Udaipur is a culturally and historically rich city in Rajasthan. It is home to countless architectural wonders and captivating landscapes. A careful selection of places according to your taste would help you in making the most of your trip. You can pay a visit to City Palace, Lake Pichola, Sajjangarh Biological Park etc. in two days.
Why is Udaipur so famous?
Udaipur is famous for carrying the heritage of Rajput and Mewar rulers. This royal city is home to numerous royal structures and shimmering lakes. Moreover, the natural beauty, scope for shopping and accessibility make Udaipur a famous tourist city.