Udaipur! The City of Lakes, also known as the Venice of the East, is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan, India around 650Km from the capital Delhi and 415 km  south of the state capital Jaipur. It was founded in 1559 by Udai Singh II of the Sisodia clan of Rajputs, when he shifted his capital from the city of Chittorgarh(110Kms away-2hrs) to Udaipur after Chittorgarh was besieged by Akbar. The city  is known for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking architecture, and picturesque lakes. It has seven lakes surrounding the city. Five of the major lakes are Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Ranasagar and Doodh Talai Lake. Besides lakes, Udaipur is also known for its historic forts and palaces, museums, galleries, natural locations and gardens, architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs, festivals and structures.

Udaipur city palace evening view

Top tourist places to visit in Udaipur

Lake Pichola: A serene lake with two islands, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas, offering boat rides and stunning views. Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake and is one of the several contiguous lakes in the city of Udaipur. The lake’s surroundings and the several islands within the lake have been developed over the centuries, with palaces, marble temples, family mansions, bathing ghats (Gangaur Ghat, Ambrai Ghat, Hanuman Ghat) and chabutaras (a raised platform, normally within a courtyard).

City Palace: It was built over a period of nearly 400 years by 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs, beginning with 1554. it is considered as the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan and requires 2 hrs. for its complete sightseeing.

It was built atop a hill  in a fusion of the Rajasthani Rajput architecture providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are all in the vicinity of the palace complex.

Erected in the complex, after entering through the main Tripolia (triple) gate, are the Suraj Gokhda (public address facade), the Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), the Dilkhush Mahal (heart’s delight), the Surya Chopar, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of glass and mirrors), the Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls), the Krishna Vilas (named after Lord Krishna), Shambu Niwas (royal residence now), the Bhim Vilas, the Amar Vilas (with a raised garden) that faces the Badi Mahal (the big palace), the Fateprakash Palace and the Shiv Niwas Palace; the last two have been converted into heritage hotels. The complex is set with facilities of a post office, bank, travel agency & numerous craft shops. The entire complex is the property of the Mewar royal family with various trusts maintaining the structures.

Lake Palace– Situated over an island in Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace was constructed to serve as a royal summer palace. Built of white marble, the palace is now a luxury 5 Star hotel, operating under the “Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces” banner.

Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. Also known as the “Lake Garden Palace”, it was constructed by three Maharanas of the Mewar kingdom. The construction started in 1551 and was completed by 1652. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace.

Karni mata temple Ropeway: Karni mata temple is located at Doodh Talai near Pichola. There is a rope-way which takes visitors to a hill at which this temple is located. There are views of Pichola Lake, Jag Mandir and Doodh Talai. From the top one can view the whole city.

Bagore Ki Haveli:

Jagdish Temple: The Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur, built by Maharana Jagat Singh I.

Gangaur Ghat

Karni mata temple Ropeway: Karni mata temple is located at Doodh Talai near Pichola. There is a rope-way which takes visitors to a hill at which this temple is located. There are views of Pichola Lake, Jag Mandir and Doodh Talai. From the top one can view the whole city.

Eastern Udaipur tourist places 

Fateh Sagar Lake: Lake Fatehsagar is an artificial lake situated in the north-west part of Udaipur. The lake was originally built by Maharana Jai Singh and later reconstructed and extended by Maharana Fateh Singh. It also houses an aquarium named ‘Under the Sun’ inaugurated in 2017.

Sajjangarh Palace: Also known as the Monsoon Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake. It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the Mewar dynasty, whom it was built for in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the city’s lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has recently been opened to the public. 

Sahelion Ki Bari: Sahelion ki Bari is a garden and tourist space in the northern part of the city. The garden with its fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants, was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.

Sun Acquarium:

Maharana Pratap Memorial:

Additionally you can also;

1. Take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola for breathtaking views.
2. Explore the narrow streets and alleys of the Old City for a glimpse into traditional Udaipur.
3. Attend a cultural festival or event, such as the Udaipur Music Festival or Shilpgram Crafts Mela.
4. Try local cuisine, including traditional Rajasthani dishes like dal bati churma and laal maas (red mutton).