15 Best Places to Visit in Udaipur for First-Timers
Looking to travel to India’s “City of Lakes”? Discover the top places to visit in Udaipur for an incredible trip! Explore majestic palaces, serene lakes, and bustling markets in this enchanting Rajasthani city.
Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most popular tourist destinations! It’s often called the “City of Lakes” or the “Venice of the East.” It’s known for it’s stunning beauty, vibrant culture and rich history. There are so many incredible places to visit in Udaipur that you won’t want to miss!
The city is full of majestic palaces, lush gardens, and of course, lakes. For first-timers, there are several must-see attractions that are iconic and show the essence of Udaipur. This post is meant to highlight these top spots and give you the best experience of what this city has to offer!
While my husband had traveled to Udaipur before we met, I went for the first time in 2018 and fell in love with it. It’s a perfect blend of history, nature and culture. I have so many fond memories and I’m sure other travelers can experience the same as you explore these top places to visit in Udaipur.
Whether you’re interested in the history of royal palaces, the natural beauty of the lakes, or the lively atmosphere of local markets, Udaipur has something for everyone. Here are some of the top places to visit in Udaipur for first-timers, guaranteed to make your trip memorable!
This post is all about places to visit in Udaipur.
Best Places to Visit in Udaipur
#1 Udaipur City Palace
City Palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Udaipur and a must-visit spot in the city! It’s near Lake Pichola and stands out for its architecture which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.
The palace complex was built over nearly 400 years by various rulers of the Mewar dynasty. It’s famous for its intricate peacock mosaics, beautiful balconies, and expansive courtyards.
As a visitor, you can explore the maze of courtyards, terraces, corridors, and lush gardens. The museum inside has royal artifacts, like clothes, weapons, and portraits. The Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) and Zenana Mahal (Queen’s Palace) are particularly neat to check out.
Walking through the City Palace offers stunning views of Lake Pichola and the city. It’s an unforgettable experience, blending history, culture, and beauty in one place. Don’t miss relaxing in one of the serene courtyards and imagining life as royalty!
#2 Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola is a beautiful lake in Udaipur, and it’s one of the city’s top attractions. It’s an artificial lake that was created in 1362 AD and nowadays is a popular spot for locals and travelers to hang out. It’s surrounded by hills, historic buildings, and ghats.
You can (and I’d highly recommend) going on a boat ride! It offers stunning views of the City Palace, Jag Mandir, and the Lake Palace, which looks like it floats on the water. The boat ride is especially beautiful at sunset.
The lake has four islands. Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (now the Lake Palace hotel) are the most famous ones. You can explore these islands and enjoy their beautiful architecture and gardens. If budget isn’t a factor, you can even stay the night in the 5-star hotel!)
Lake Pichola is perfect for a peaceful stroll or a nice place to sit and relax. It’s one of the best places to visit in Udaipur to get views of the most iconic landmarks!
#3 Bagore Ki Haveli
Bagore Ki Haveli is a historic mansion-turned-museum near Lake Pichola by Gangaur Ghat. It was built in the 18th century and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
The haveli features over 100 rooms with displays of traditional outfits, royal artifacts, and intricate glass and mirror work. One of the highlights is the beautiful puppet gallery, which Rajasthan is known for.
They have many cultural performances like music and dance shows in the evenings. The Dharohar Dance Show, held in the courtyard, is particularly popular and worth watching!
#4 Ambari Ghat and Gangaur Ghat
Ambrai Ghat and Gangaur Ghat are two popular spots along Lake Pichola. They are great places to enjoy the lake and relax or hangout. Ambrai Ghat offers serene views of the City Palace and Jag Mandir. It also looks out onto Taj Lake Palace.
Gangaur Ghat offers similar views but is near Jagdish Temple. Being by the major temple, there are more religious ceremonies that happen here, especially during festivals like Gangaur and Teej.
#5 Jagdish Temple
Jagdish Temple is just outside the City Palace and near Lake Pichola. It’s a beautiful temple from 1651 that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the major deities in Hinduism.
The temple is famous for its stunning architecture and detailed carvings. There’s stone steps leading up to the entrance, with two stone elephants that are impressive.
Inside, the main shrine has a black stone idol of Lord Vishnu. The walls and ceilings are covered with detailed carvings and vibrant paintings, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Jagdish Temple is a peaceful place to visit and offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Udaipur. It’s the most famous temple in Udaipur and is worth stopping by!
#6 Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens)
Saheliyon ki Bari, also known as the Garden of the Maidens, is a beautiful garden in Udaipur near Fateh Sagar Lake. It was built in the 18th century for the royal ladies to relax and enjoy.
The garden is famous for its lush greenery, fountains, and marble pavilions. As you walk through, you’ll also see lotus pools and it’s a peaceful place to spend time.
One of the highlights is the marble elephant statues that spout water into the pools. The garden also has a small museum showcasing royal artifacts and paintings. It’s the perfect place to take a walk, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the gardens.
#7 Fateh Sagar Lake
As they say, Udaipur is the city of lakes! Fateh Sagar Lake is another one of the most popular places to visit in Udaipur. It’s an artificial lake that was constructed in the late 17th century.
It’s similar to Lake Pichola in that you can take a walk around the lake or sit and relax. They also offer boat rides here. Between the two, Lake Pichola is probably more famous but it’s still nice to see Fateh Sagar too.
There are also small islands on this lake. The largest island houses Nehru Park, which has a boat-shaped café and a small zoo. The second island has a public park with water-jet fountains, and the third is home to the Udaipur Solar Observatory. Unfortunately I was most excited about the solar observatory, but you aren’t allowed to go to it as a tourist. It still looks nice from the outside though and is all white.
#8 Shilpgram
Shilpgram is probably one of the most unique places to visit in Udaipur! It’s a rural arts and crafts village located along the edge of Fateh Sagar Lake. It was designed to promote the traditional crafts and lifestyles of the tribal communities of Rajasthan. If you’re interested in learning about the local culture, you’ll definitely want to check it out!
The village showcases traditional huts from different states, showing the architectural styles and cultural heritage. Walking through Shilpgram, you can see artisans at work, creating beautiful handicrafts, pottery, textiles, and more.
If you’re traveling in December, you are lucky! One of the highlights of Shilpgram is the annual Shilpgram Festival. It brings together craftsmen and performers from all over India and features cultural performances, workshops, and vibrant markets.
Shilpgram is a wonderful place to experience the rich cultural diversity of Rajasthan. It’s perfect for a day trip to enjoy traditional arts, crafts, and performances, and to support local artisans. If you’re looking for souvenirs, this is the best place to shop around for a unique experience.
#9 Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural center that is one of the best places to learn about traditional Rajasthani folk arts. There’s a museum that displays a variety of artifacts, including colorful puppets, masks, dolls, and traditional costumes. They also have tribal jewelry, musical instruments and miniature painting, which is a famous style for the area.
One of the highlights is the traditional puppet show, which offers a glimpse into the folk traditions of the region. Rajasthan is famous for its puppetry and they offer daily shows that are fun to check out!
#10 Ahar Museum
Ahar Museum is lesser-known but I loved it and would highly recommend it! It’s a historical site and museum that dates back over 3000 years. It’s next to the Ahar Cenotaphs which are royal memorials with stunning architecture and carvings. It was unlike any other place I visited in Udaipur.
The museum also has a nice collection of artifacts, including pottery, sculptures, and inscriptions from the ancient Ahar civilization. One of the highlights is the display of terracotta toys and iron objects which gives you a peek into everyday life of people from that era.
#11 Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh Palace)
Monsoon Palace is a stunning hilltop palace in Udaipur. It was originally intended as an astronomical center built in the late 1800s. Later used as a monsoon retreat to get away from the city during the rainy season.
It’s on top of a hill and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Udaipur. You can see lakes like Fateh Sagar Lake, and the surrounding countryside. The sunsets from Monsoon Palace are especially beautiful so it’s a really popular spot for people to go to in the evening.
The architecture of the palace is also impressive! It’s made of white marble facade and intricate detailing. It’s now kind of run down, so it’s not really worth going inside. But the views are definitely worth it!
#12 Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary & Sajjangarh Biological Park
Sajjangarh Biological Park and Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary are two different spots near the famous Monsoon Palace (or Sajjangarh Palace if you notice a connection in the names!)
The wildlife sanctuary, a lush forest area that’s ideal for nature lovers that’s between the palace and the zoo. It’s home to a variety of animals like deer, boars, and many bird species. There are several trekking trails if you are interested in exploring more.
Sajjangarh Biological Park is more popular and is a modern zoo that has animals, including tigers, lions, and leopards. The park is well-maintained and offers a great opportunity to see these animals up close in a naturalistic setting. It’s perfect for families especially and shares some educational insights into wildlife conservation.
Both are quite different experiences so it’s really up to what you would find more interesting! It’s easy to combine it with a trip to the palace though, whichever you decide to see.
#13 Maharana Pratap Smarak (Memorial)
The Maharana Pratap Smarak is on Moti Magri (Pearl Hill) and is a tribute to the legendary Rajput hero Maharana Pratap. The memorial overlooks Fateh Sagar Lake and has a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his loyal horse, Chetak. He’s celebrated as a brave warrior king who fiercely resisted the Mughals.
Surrounding the statue are simple gardens and several smaller statues depicting key figures from Maharana Pratap’s life. The memorial also features a small museum displaying artifacts, weapons, and information about Maharana Pratap and his battles.
The best part about visiting this is that there is a light and sound show in the evening. It narrates the life of Maharana Pratap and talks about his battles, especially the Battle of Haldighati outside Udaipur. It’s something different and interesting to experience, especially if you enjoy learning a bit of history!
#14 Vintage Car Museum
When I first heard about the Vintage Car Museum, I thought it sounded kind of random. But, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Udaipur! It does have an impressive collection of old cars, so if you are interested in that kind of thing, it’s definitely worth checking out!
The museum has vintage buggies and an old Shell gas pump. It’s well-kept and there are little signs by everything so you can learn about them. They also have classic cars like Rolls Royces, Cadillacs, and Mercedes Benz models. The cars are beautifully maintained and offer a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the royals. One of the highlights is the 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom, which was used in the James Bond film “Octopussy.”
#15 Manshapurna Karni Mata Ropeway
The Manshapurna Karni Mata Ropeway was one of my favorite places to visit in Udaipur. It’s a unique way to see the city from above and you can visit the temple on top too. The ropeway connects the Deendayal Park at Doodh Talai to the Karni Mata Temple on Machla Magra hill.
You can see panoramic views from the ride and spot iconic sites like Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the City Palace.
At the top, you can visit the Karni Mata Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Karni Mata. The temple is peaceful and offers more breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.
The Manshapurna Karni Mata Ropeway is a perfect activity for people looking to combine a spiritual experience with some sightseeing without too much walking!
This post was all about places to visit in Udaipur.
