13 Unique Things to Do in Udaipur for an Off-Beat Trip (2024)
Looking for some off-beat things to do in Udaipur? This list is full of unique ideas that will make your trip to the City of Lakes one you’ll always remember!
Udaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan, India. There’s no doubt why! It’s known as the “City of Lakes” and also called the “Venice of the East.” It’s an absolutely beautiful city with a vibrant culture and rich history.
Udaipur is full of majestic palaces, gardens, lakes and bustling markets. There’s so many places to see in the city, but if you’re looking for some more unique things to do in Udaipur then you’ve come to the right place!
This list features off-beat activities that involve all kinds of experiences. Whether you’re more interested in history, nature, culture or adventure, I hope you’ll find at least a few things that peak your interest.
My husband first traveled to Udaipur in 2014 and I joined in 2018. It’s a city we absolutely fell in love with! After seeing all of the touristy sights, we had an amazing time trying out some more unique activities in the hopes of learning more about life there and meeting some locals. These are some of my most memorable experiences while visiting Udaipur!
This post is all about unique things to do in Udaipur.
Unique Things to Do in Udaipur
#1 Go Bird Watching at Badi Lake & Visit Bahuballi Hills Viewpoint
Of course, Udaipur is the city of lakes so there are a lot of lakes around! Badi Lake is just outside the city, about a 30 minute car ride from the city center. It’s much more relaxed and less crowded than the other lakes in the city.
Badi lake is the perfect place to hang out, go for a stroll or have a picnic. It’s surrounded by hills and is absolutely stunning. It’s also a great place for photography.
Bahuballi Hills is on the end of Badi Lake and is a famous viewpoint that’s really incredible! You can go to the top and then have a view of the whole lake. I went in the day but I imagine it’s even better if you go at sunrise or sunset.
#2 Attend a Traditional Puppet Show and Witness the Art of Rajasthani Puppetry, Kathputli
#2 Attend a Traditional Puppet Show and Witness the Art of Rajasthani Puppetry, Kathputli
Udaipur is full of opportunities to dive deeper into the rich culture of Rajasthan. Kathputli is a traditional puppetry art that tells stories about local legends and folklore. The shows are incredible with colorful, detailed and handcrafted puppets.
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum in Udaipur has a lot of neat exhibits to learn about puppetry and other art forms in Rajasthan. I had actually gone here to attend a puppet and folk dance show and I’d highly recommend it! They have three shows per day.
You can spend some time exploring the museum and then watch the show. It’s very impressive!
#3 Explore the First Library in Rajasthan at Gulab Bagh Garden
Gulab Bagh is actually the largest garden in Udaipur. It’s spacious and lush green, so it’s the perfect place to hang out, have a picnic, or enjoy some people watching. It’s named after all of the rose flowers that grow at the park. I never saw them there, but apparently it depends what time of year you go!
Anyway, they have a toy train there which kids and adults can ride. There’s also a small zoo. While it’s a nice place for adults to hang out, it can also be a good option for if you have kids.
Inside Gulab Bagh is the Saraswathi Library which is the oldest library in Rajasthan. It’s a really beautiful building that almost looks like a small castle from the outside. As a tourist of course you won’t rent books, but it’s still a nice building to explore. They have some rare books and also some artwork to enjoy. Most famous is an old statue of an old English queen.
#4 Take a Boat Ride Across Lake Pichola and Visit Jagmandir
Lake Pichola is the biggest lake in Udaipur and is definitely a popular spot for tourists. But, you can still experience the lake in a more off-beat way! While you will see many options for boat rides around the lake, look for one to Jagmandir Palace.
It’s not a luxurious hotel, but it used to be a palace from the 17th century. It’s absolutely beautiful to explore! Even if you don’t stay there, there are restaurants, a spa and a museum. You can make reservations at the restaurant ahead of time. The boat ride and views from the island are really worth it.
#5 Participate in an Aarti at Jagdish Temple
Jagdish Temple is one of the most popular places to visit in Udaipur. But you can make your experience more unique by visiting when there is an Aarti. An Aarti is a religious ritual like a prayer.
There are several Aartis that happen daily. I’d highly recommend joining for this over just visiting the temple during another random time of day! The atmosphere is completely different and it’s a unique experience that gives you a glimpse into the religion and practices as well.
During the Aarti, people chant and sing songs. They give offerings like fruits, flowers, and incense. They also light diyas (like candles but made from oil) which they move in circles while chanting and ringing bells. You can really sit and watch, or clap along or pray.
#6 Support Local Artisans and Learn About Their Crafts in Shilpgram Tribal Village
Shilpgram is a village meant to showcase and promote the traditional arts and crafts of Rajasthan. It’s really a cultural hub of Udaipur! They have traditional styled architecture that reflects village life and it’s really a completely different vibe than the rest of Udaipur.
Since its purpose is really about celebrating art and culture, there are a lot of artisans you’ll find working and selling their crafts. It’s incredible to watch them and also a great place for souvenir shopping! You can find paintings, textiles, embroideries, pottery and a lot of other stuff.
They also have an outdoor theater where they put on different cultural performances and workshops. I never attended one while I was there, but it could be worth it if you’re interested! Walking around Shilpgram is still fun in itself, and it seems like one of the hidden gems of things to do in Udaipur.
#7 Enjoy an Outdoor Yoga Class at the Hanuman Ghat Temple that Overlooks Lake Pichola
Of course, India is known all over the world as the home of yoga. While Rajasthan or Udaipur isn’t particularly known for their spirituality or yoga centers, joining for a yoga session is a fun and unique thing to do in the City of Lakes!We did one session with Seethu who runs Ente Yoga.
She offers sessions each morning at Hanuman Ghat Temple. She is an incredible teacher, even for people with no experience in yoga. Aside from the yoga though, the views of Lake Pichola were absolutely stunning!
#8 Join a Guided Night Walk of the Old City
I’m not usually one for walking tours, but this guided night tour was one of my favorite things to do in Udaipur! Udaipur is so full of history, which I honestly didn’t know much about beforehand. The heritage walk was a really unique way to learn about the city and explore.
They brought us through some of the most famous landmarks like City Palace and Jagdish Temple, as well as to some lesser known temples and places. The walk we did was a two hour walk and they told a lot of interesting stories and legends. You’ll learn a lot of history about the royal past and culture of the city.
It was a fun way to explore the city and learn about it as well!
#9 See the City of Lakes from a Hot Air Balloon
This is one of the best things to do in Udaipur! Go on a hot air balloon safari for seriously breathtaking views of the city. It’s beautiful, especially to see all the lakes scattered around. Plus, it’s a lot of fun and a unique way to see the city.
There are several companies which offer hot air balloon rides. We went with Udaipur Adventures and I’d highly recommend them. They offer different packages depending on how high and how long you want to go for. We just did the basic/cheapest one for 2500 INR ($30 USD) per person and the whole experience from start to end took around an hour.
This is one of my most recommended things to do in Udaipur! It was the highlight of my trip for sure.
#10 Explore Ancient Temples in the Aravalli Range, One of the World’s Oldest Mountain Ranges
The Aravalli Hills are absolutely beautiful and hold a LOT of history. There are several temples worth visiting. One is Eklingji Temple which was built in 734 AD. It’s a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s an important pilgrimage site for many religious seekers, but even as a tourist it’s very impressive. I really just can’t get over how old it is!
Right near to Eklingji Temple is the ancient village of Nagda. There are many ancient temples around the old village and it’s a beautiful place to explore. The temples have intricate carvings and elaborate designs, and are just architecturally nice to see. Sas-Bahu Temple is one of the most famous in Nagda.
#11 Participate in a Miniature Painting Workshop, a Famous Style in Udaipur
Rajasthani culture celebrates many various forms of art. Miniature painting in Udaipur is a prime reflection of that! They are known for their rich colors, precision and details. It’s a really impressive art form that originated in the royal courts and has continued today.
Pacific Art Udaipur is an amazing studio that I fell in love with! It’s run by two brothers who are artists. They sell their work and work from other local artists. They also offer miniature painting workshops that are short, sweet and fun with no experience needed! Believe me, I’m no artist haha. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Udaipur and a fun time!
#12 Stay the Night in One of Udaipur’s Traditional Havelis
There are many old havelis in Udaipur which have been restored and turned into hotels for travelers. A haveli is an old traditional mansion. They are really quite stunning! The architecture and designs are super detailed and it gives you an interesting view on what life was like in the past.
There are a lot of well-known havelis that are now luxury resorts like Bagore-ki-Haveli, Jagat Niwas Palace and Shiv Niwas Palace. I’m usually more of a budget traveler and luxury resorts have never been my go-to place, so we stayed at a cheaper but still cool haveli called Madri Haveli. The inside was really nicely done and it was a beautiful place to stay!
Staying at an old haveli is a great option if you’re looking for accommodation in Udaipur or if you’re just looking for something more unique to do on your trip!
#13 Go Ziplining over Udaipur’s Flower Valley, Chirwa Ghat
Chirwa Ghat is on the outskirts of Udaipur and is famous for its lush greenery. Hence, it got the nickname of Flower Valley. There is a popular zipline spot here which is perfect for adventure seekers!
The whole experience felt very safe and professional. The views are amazing and it’s fun to essentially fly over all of nature! It’s beautiful and something unique for travelers to enjoy. It’s also a fun activity to do for couples or for families with slightly older children.
This post was all about unique things to do in Udaipur.
