The Floating Palace
The Taj Lake Palace appears to have no foundation — just white marble sitting on still water, reflecting the sky. Even the James Bond film crew struggled to make it look more beautiful than it actually is.
What Are the Top Things to Do in Udaipur?
Udaipur is the most romantic city I’ve visited in India — and I don’t use that word lightly. The first time I saw Lake Pichola from the rooftop of my guesthouse in the old city, with the white Taj Lake Palace appearing to float on the water and the Aravalli Hills framing the whole scene, I understood why every travel writer who’s been here reaches for words like “magical” and “dreamlike.” The thing is, they’re right. Udaipur genuinely earns those adjectives.
City Palace
City Palace (INR 300/$4) is Rajasthan’s largest palace complex and the centrepiece of Udaipur. Built over 400 years by successive Maharanas of Mewar, it stretches along the eastern shore of Lake Pichola in a seemingly endless series of courtyards, towers, balconies, and gardens. Each ruler added their own section, so walking through the palace in chronological order is like walking through four centuries of Rajput power and artistry.
The museum sections house extraordinary collections of miniature paintings, royal armour, and court costumes. The Sheesh Mahal (mirror room) is smaller than Amber Fort’s but beautiful in its own right. The views from the upper terraces — looking out over Lake Pichola toward the Taj Lake Palace — are among the best in Rajasthan. I spent three hours here on my first visit and felt like I could have stayed all day. The late afternoon light inside the palace is particularly beautiful as the sandstone walls catch the warm glow.
Lake Pichola Sunset Boat Ride
The sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola (INR 400-700/$5-8 per person for a shared boat, INR 2,000-3,000 for a private boat) is the must-do experience in Udaipur. Boats depart from Lal Ghat every evening and circle the lake, passing the floating Taj Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir island palace (which you can disembark at for an extra fee).
In the golden hour, the white marble of the Lake Palace glows amber, the City Palace catches the last light, and the entire lake turns a burnished gold. I’ve watched sunsets in forty countries, and Udaipur’s is in the top five. Buy your tickets by 4 PM because the evening departures sell out, especially in peak season (November-February).
Monsoon Palace
Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh, INR 100/$1.20 entry plus INR 200 for the mandatory government taxi up the hill) was built in the 1880s as an astronomical observatory and monsoon-watching tower. The hilltop location, 6km from the city centre, gives a 360-degree panorama over Udaipur’s entire lake district, the surrounding Aravalli Hills, and on clear days, the full spread of the white city below. The sunset from here is actually even more spectacular than the lake boat, because you see the whole of Udaipur light up at once — palace, lake, hills, and the city’s white buildings catching the last rays. I preferred the Monsoon Palace sunset to the boat sunset, though ideally you’d do both on consecutive evenings.
Jagdish Temple and Old City
Jagdish Temple is a beautifully carved 17th-century Vishnu temple right in the heart of the old city — the main spire rises dramatically above the surrounding lanes and the stone carvings on the exterior are remarkably detailed. Free entry, and the temple is a working place of worship, so you’ll see genuine devotional activity alongside the tourist flow.
The old city around Jagdish Temple is Udaipur’s most walkable quarter — narrow lanes of whitewashed houses, miniature painting studios, tiny shops selling Rajasthani textiles and silver jewellery, and rooftop cafes at every turn. I got happily lost here for an entire morning, ducking into art studios where painters were working on intricate Mughal and Rajput scenes using single-hair brushes and natural pigments. Several studios offer painting demonstrations and classes (INR 500-1,500/$6-18 for a half-day workshop).
Golden Hour on Pichola
The lake turns amber at sunset, the palaces glow, and the boat slows — Udaipur reveals why it's called Venice of the East, though it's far more beautiful than Venice.
Beyond the Lake: Udaipur’s Hidden Side
Fateh Sagar Lake north of Pichola is less touristed and more local — families picnic on the waterfront promenade, and the Nehru Garden island in the middle of the lake is accessible by a short boat ride (INR 30/$0.35). Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens, INR 30/$0.35) is a small but exquisite Mughal garden built for 48 royal ladies-in-waiting, with fountains, lotus pools, and marble elephants.
For something completely different, the Shilpgram Craft Village (INR 100/$1.20, 3km west of the city) recreates traditional homes from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa. Artisans demonstrate pottery, weaving, and woodcarving, and the annual Shilpgram Festival in December brings performers from across India. It’s touristy but genuinely interesting, especially for understanding Rajasthan’s craft traditions.
Where Should I Stay in Udaipur?
- Taj Lake Palace — The floating white marble palace on Lake Pichola. The water taxi arrival at dusk is pure cinema, and waking up surrounded by lake water with the City Palace glowing across the water is an experience that stays with you forever. Worth saving for one night. From INR 41,000/night ($500)
- Amet Haveli — A 300-year-old lakeside haveli with genuine Lake Pichola views from the rooftop Ambrai restaurant. The rooms are heritage-atmospheric with modern comforts, and the location between the lake and Jagdish Temple is perfect. From INR 5,000/night ($60)
- Jagat Niwas Palace — Another lakeside heritage property with rooftop dining and palace views. Slightly more affordable than Amet Haveli with equally good views. From INR 4,000/night ($48)
- Bunkyard Hostel — Budget hostel with a rooftop terrace that has genuine lake views. Social atmosphere and helpful staff who know the city well. From INR 500/night ($6)
What Should I Eat in Udaipur?
Udaipur’s food scene is overwhelmingly vegetarian — Rajasthani thalis, Gujarati-influenced dishes, and the omnipresent dal baati churma. The rooftop restaurant culture here is the best in Rajasthan.
- Ambrai — The most celebrated lakeside restaurant in Udaipur, set right on the water with the City Palace lit up across the lake. The Rajasthani thali is excellent, and the paneer dishes are outstanding. Book for sunset — the table by the water is the most romantic seat in the city. INR 800/person ($10)
- Savage Garden — Rooftop setting near Lal Ghat with fairy lights, cushioned seating, and a fusion menu that mixes Indian spices with international techniques. The cocktails are creative (this is one area of the old city where alcohol is served). INR 600/person ($7)
- Natraj Dining Hall — No-frills local thali joint near the clock tower. Unlimited refills of dal, sabzi, chapati, rice, and raita for INR 200 ($2.50). This is where Udaipur’s working class eats lunch, and the food is honest, fresh, and deeply satisfying
- Millets of Mewar — Health-focused restaurant specializing in traditional Rajasthani millet dishes. The bajra roti (pearl millet flatbread) with gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumplings in yogurt curry) is a local classic. INR 300/person ($4)
- Jasmin Cafe — Tiny rooftop near Gangaur Ghat with lake views and excellent masala chai. The banana pancakes and muesli bowls fuel the backpacker crowd every morning. INR 200/person ($2.50)
Four Centuries of Maharanas
City Palace was built over 400 years — each Maharana adding a layer, a courtyard, a view. Walk through it in chronological order and you walk through the entire history of Rajput power.
How to Get to Udaipur
Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) has daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur (1-1.5 hours, INR 3,000-7,000). The airport is 22km from the city; pre-paid taxis cost INR 400-600 ($5-7).
By train, the most scenic route is from Jaipur (6-7 hours on the Chetak Express, INR 300-1,200 depending on class). The journey passes through the Aravalli Hills and arrives at Udaipur City station, a short auto-rickshaw ride from the lake. From Jodhpur, trains take 5-6 hours.
By road from Jaipur is about 6 hours through the Aravalli range — the landscape is beautiful, especially in the post-monsoon months when the hills turn green. Many travellers combine Udaipur with Jodhpur and Jaipur on a Rajasthan circuit.
- Best time to visit: October to March. September-October post-monsoon is magical — the lakes are full, the hills are green, and the crowds haven't arrived yet. November and February are the peak sweet spots.
- Getting there: Fly into UDR for speed, or take the train from Jaipur for scenery. The Chetak Express passes through the Aravalli Hills and is one of Rajasthan's most scenic train journeys.
- Budget tip: Udaipur's old city is compact and walkable — you don't need transport. A full day of sightseeing (City Palace, boat ride, meals) costs INR 2,000-2,500 ($24-30) for a budget traveller.
- Insider tip: Book dinner at the Taj Lake Palace even if you can't afford to stay. The water taxi over at dusk, dining in the courtyard, and returning across the moonlit lake is one of India's most memorable evenings. Main courses from INR 2,000 ($24).
- Boat timing: Evening boats sell out — buy tickets at the Lal Ghat counter by 4 PM. The private boat option is worth the premium for couples who want the lake to themselves.
- Miniature painting: Udaipur's art studios are genuine — many artists are continuing a family tradition spanning five or six generations. Buy directly from the studio for fair prices and watch the artist work while you're there.
- Holi: March Holi celebrations in Udaipur are among India's most photogenic, with coloured powder filling the old city's white lanes. Book accommodation two months ahead and carry a waterproof phone case.
The Reflection That Stays
Udaipur is the India of postcards — and still, somehow, better than the postcard. The lake, the palaces, the rooftop tables with candles. You'll spend your last morning trying to photograph something you already know can't be photographed.