Known as Venice of the East and CIty of Lakes, the historical capital of the Mewar region in Rajastan has plenty of attractions to keep its visitors mesmerized all through the visit. Nestled among the Aravalli mountain ranges, Udaipur is home to five beautiful lakes and extraordinary landscapes. With its cool, mild weather the city is a welcome change to the desert profile of the region. Where the cultural value is concerned, Udaipur comprises a lot of museums, palaces, parks and art studios. My visit to the City of Lakes was absolutely stunning and it’s definitely one of my brightest travel impressions in 2017. If you’re planning your visit and looking for things to do in Udaipur, here is my top pick.
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Things to do in Udaipur on a short visit
Explore the City Palace
Located on the bank of the picturesque Pichola Lake, this huge palace complex is an intricate maze of chambers, terraces, courtyards and staircases. Built over a time span of 400 years by several generations of the Mewar dynasty, the palace is still home to the royal family. Countless art objects, weaponry and extravagant interiors are the witnesses of the grandeur and wealth of the ancient kingdom. You’ll need at least three hours to explore the place, and that will be only scratching the surface.
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The city Palace is a great example of the Rajasthani architectural style with its distinctive jharokhas ( balconies)

The view from the palace over the city

Peacock themed mural

Captivating blue. This was my favorite chamber in the City Palace.

Stained glass windows. There are quite a few rooms in the complex with elaborate glass and mirror work.
Visit the exquisite Jagdish temple
Within walking distance from the City Palace there is an imposing Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It’s a lovely example of the Hindu temple architecture, known for its excellent stonework and countless figurines of deities, warriors, wild animals, dancers and music performers. Raised on a tall terrace, the monument with its 24 meter steeple is one of the most recognized landmarks of Udaipur.
Also read: The stone carvings of Jagdish Temple, Udaipur – unexpected effect

Jagdish Temple

The number of sculptures is beyond comprehension

Animalistic motifs of the stone carvings
Go for a boat ride on Lake Pichola
Enveloped by mighty hills and splendid palaces, the Pichola Lake adds to the romantic profile of the city. Take a boat ride, enjoy the beautiful views and indulge in photography. Jag Mandir, situated in on a tiny island, is a desired stop in the middle of the lake. I didn’t have a privilege of seeing the lake caressed by rays of the setting sun, but I would imagine it being a truly magical experience. Anyway, even in the daylight the lake was pleasant and the surrounding palaces looked gorgeous against the backdrop of the cloudy sky.

Udaipur City Palace – the view from lake Pichola

The Marble elephants of Jag Mandir
Walk down the history lane in Bagore Ki Haveli
Bagore Ki Havali is yet another royal residence, situated right on the waterfront of the Pichola Lake. Turned into a lovely museum, the structure comprises over a hundred rooms with stained glass windows, mosaic murals, ancient frescoes and beautiful screens. But wasn’t there enough of this in the City Palace? And my answer is no, there wasn’t 🙂 I would really recommend including a visit to this place into your list of things to do in Udaipur. Bagore Ki Haveli strikes me as being on more intimate terms with its visitors – it allows one to have a closer look at the royal family’s lifestyle in the era bygone. There is also a weaponry section, a traditional Indian wedding setup, a collection of turbans from all the regions of India, and a puppet museum in the haveli.

The courtyard of Bagore Ki Haveli

The intricate doorway

Stained glass window
You may also like: Bagore Ki Haveli in Udaipur – two hours of aesthetic pleasure
Stroll around Saheliyon-ki-Bari – the Garden of Maidens
Built in the beginning of 18th century, this opulent garden was a royal gift of Maharana Sangram Singh to his queen. Here she used to spend time in the company of her 48 maidens, thus the name of the place. Apart from a vast variety of trees and flowering plants, the garden boasts exquisite fountains with marble statues and elegant kiosks. It’s a pretty and peaceful retreat you’re bound to like – walking along the tidy pathways of this garden is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Udaipur.
Recommended read: The greens and fountains of Saheliyon-ki-Bari – the Garden of Maidens in Udaipur

Saheliyon-ki-Bari garden

Marble throne for the royal couple

The beautiful Lotus Pond
Pay a visit to the Moti Magri (Pearl Hill)
The Moti Magri is a place of both the historical importance and natural beauty. Atop the “pearl hill” there is a monument of the Rajput fearless warrior Maharana Pratap. Overlooking the placid waters of the Fateh Sagar Lake, the hillock was covered with lush greenery and occasional flowers. The spectacular view took my breath away, and I just kept gazing in order to make a deliberate effort to preserve every single detail in my memory.

Maharana Pratap

Fateh Sagar lake
And to check out even more awesome things to do in Udaipur, click the image below:
Where to stay in Udaipur
From luxurious residences to budget hotels and hostels, there are all sorts of accommodations in Udaipur to suit every pocket. Check out here to select one of almost 400 properties in Udaipur to have a comfortable stay. Some of the hotels with great reviews on booking.com include Jainsingh Gargh, The Little Prince Heritage Home, and Madri Haveli.
To get good deals and book your accommodation in Udaipur, enter your details into one of the search boxes below:
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Wonderful architecture! Amazing place! Thank you for tips!
Welcome, Alyssa! Thanks for stopping by.
amazing place fabulous picture capture
Glad you like the post, Pushpendra! Udaipur is a real jewel of a city!
Beautiful captures,enjoyed reading this post.
I keep coming back to Udaipur in my thoughts – the place was truly magical! Thanks for reading, Jyotirmoy!
Awesome pics. Very useful post.
Thanks, Rupam!
That palace is just outstanding, and what a fabulous view you get of it from the lake.
Yes! The boat ride was a bit costly, and I was about to drop the idea, but I’m glad I didn’t – the experience was totally worth it! Not to mention the view.
I’m blown away by all the amazing places I’ve seen around Udaipur recently. It’s definitely on my list for when I get across the pond again.
Yes, Udaipur offers such a concentration of architectural wonders. I’m sure your visit will be a memorable one, Kevin.
Udaipur has been on my travel bucketlist for a very long time. Such a fascinating and beautiful place. Thanks for your great guide. Pinned it straight away 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Birgit! Udaipur inspires me to see much more of Rajasthan, hope to make it happen in 2018.
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