Ultimate Udaipur Itinerary: Must-Visit Places
Exploring the Soul of Mewar: A 2-Day Sojourn in Udaipur
Hello friends, my name is Basu. So, in December, I travelled to Mewar(Rajasthan) the Land that taught India about courage and sacrifice. On my first Leg, I visited the Chittorgarh Fort, the world’s largest living fort with a rich history and architectural heritage. Chittorgarh was the site of three infamous jauhaurs. After that, I went to Udaipur, often known as the “Venice of the East.” It took us 2 hours to get from Chittorgarh bus stand to Udaipur bus stand, where we got onto an auto and got down near Pichola Lake, which is the most happening spot to stay in Udaipur.
Chittorgarh to Udaipur- We arrived at 6 p.m. and began looking for cheap hotels or hostels, but because we came to Udaipur during peak season, when Christmas and New Year’s are approaching, the hotel and hostel rates have doubled. There are hotels close to Lake Pichola with amazing lake views, and when we asked about the rates, they were approximately 3k to 4k minimum. My travel buddy and I were seeking for something cheaper, so we kept researching till we decided on hostels.. If you’re seeking for cheap trips to Udaipur, there are plenty of accommodation alternatives around Pichhola lake. We stayed at The Hostel Crown in Bada Ram Dwara Chowk, which cost us 1500 per night. The hostel offers both private rooms and bunk bed alternatives. There are a few hostel options such as Madpackers Udaipur, Hostel Funky Bunky, Zostel, the Hostellers, and many more, but I would recommend staying near Chand Pole Bridge if you want a view of Lake City Palace as well as wonderful eateries. The site is exciting, and the view of the city palace and lake city palace is something I would term appealing.It is 7 p.m., we freshened up, and then went out to see the market place and the night view of Udaipur. We crossed the Chand Pole Bridge and continued walking towards the Jagdish Temple. Here you can find better food and shopping options; my friend purchased a leather bag and a belt, and I must say that if you want to buy some leather items, you should visit the Udaipur market. After that, we proceeded to Ram Ghat and sat there enjoying and appreciating the weather and the lake vista; however, it was Crowded
It is 9 p.m. now, and we are looking for home-made food, and we end up tasting Dal roti sabji at cool cafe. Just one word, wow, please try here once, you will love it. Here’s Cafe 28, Panduwari, Gadiya Devra Marg, Udaipur. We were already tired by 10 p.m., so we returned to our hostel and fell into our beds…
Day 1….Jagdish temple & City Palace
Next day morning we started our udaipur trip by first visiting the famous Jagdish temple,located in the heart of the old city. Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indo-Aryan masterpiece represents devotion and delicate craftsmanship. As I proceeded up the high flight of stone steps, I was immediately drawn to the intricate sculptures of elephants, dancers, and celestial creatures that decorated the temple walls.
The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, known here as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Inside, the main sanctum is a magnificent black stone idol of Lord Jagannath, which is encircled by shrines to Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Surya, and Goddess Shakti. The tranquil atmosphere and continual flow of people offering their prayers provided for a spiritual and grounding start to my day.
1..Jagdish Temple
After a short stroll from the Jagdish Temple, I arrived at the beautiful City Palace, Udaipur’s crown treasure.My City Palace visit was more than just sightseeing — it was a deep dive into the legacy of one of India’s oldest surviving royal lineages ,As I approached the entrace gate that is Badi Pol,we had to take entry ticket for City Palace Museum Entry (Full Access)
Rs400 for adult
Rs150 for children (Age 5 to 18yrs)
Rs 100 for student(With Valid Id’s)
Rs250 for Military,Paramilitary&Police
Rs 250 for Senior citizens
As I passed through the Badi Pol (Big Gate), the main entry to the City Palace complex, I felt as if I was entering centuries of royal tradition.
Right ahead stood the Tripolia Gate, a triple-arched gate erected in 1725 to serve as the Maharanas’ ceremonial entrance. Passing through it seemed ritualistic. Immediately, I found myself in a vast open space with exquisite marble fountains, old cannons, and two elephants wrestling that hint at the bygone past.
Timings:
Open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Best time to visit: Morning hours, to avoid the crowd and harsh afternoon light for photography.
Highlights of My Visit:
Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard): This was my favourite. The three mosaic peacocks depicting the seasons of summer, monsoon, and winter are made of over 5,000 pieces of coloured glass and tile, making them truly mesmerising.
Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors): The walls and ceilings were adorned with mirror craftsmanship. Every reflection revealed a narrative, particularly in natural light.
Badi Mahal (Garden Palace): Perched atop a 27-meter-high natural rock formation, this palace-within-a-palace included a central courtyard with a gorgeous garden and was surprisingly airy.
Zenana Mahal and Fateh Prakash Palace: These regions provide an insight into the royals’ private lives through exhibits of vintage pictures, clothes and weapons.
Views from the Palace: Several balconies and jharokhas provide breathtaking views of Lake Pichola, the Jag Mandir, the Lake Palace, and the Aravalli Hills beyond. It’s like seeing Udaipur through the eyes of a Maharana.
2. City Palace
We were exhausted after spending two hours at the Jagdish temple and three hours in the city palace, so we decided to take a few minutes to sit beside the Pichhola lake. As we sat on the side of Lake Pichola, staring over its serene, glistening waters, two floating wonders grabbed my interest: the Taj Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir.
The Taj Lake Palace, formerly known as the Jag Niwas, is a white marble treasure in the heart of the lake. Built as a summer home by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the 18th century, it is now a luxury hotel managed by the Taj Group, and it may be one of India’s most attractive destinations.
To the south, Jag Mandir rises from the lake with greater architectural splendour. This island palace was formerly a royal summer retreat and even a refuge for Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan).
Watching both of these lake palaces from different perspectives — whether from the City Palace balcony, Ambrai Ghat, or on a sunset boat ride — provided moments of amazement and tranquilly. As the evening sun set behind the hills, the golden hour light cast warm hues on the palaces, making them sparkle against the silvery lake.
And so concludes our first day in Udaipur. By the way, taking an evening boat ride on Lake Pichola is one of the most enchanting experiences you can have in Udaipur. As the sun sets behind the Aravalli Hills, the entire lake and its surrounds glow in golden hues, creating a wonderfully stunning ambiance. This calm trip allows you to see Udaipur’s royal beauty up close, particularly with breathtaking views of the Taj Lake Palace and Jag Mandir….
Sunset excursion to Jagmandir Island Palace for adults costs- Rs800.
Regular adult excursion to Jagmandir Island Palace costs- Rs600.
To get more better experience,Do watch my vlog on Udaipur
Day 2….Fateh sagar lake, Maharana Pratap Smarak (Moti Magri),Monsoon Palace & Bahubali Hill
Next Day we Planned for Fateh Sagar Lake & Maharana Pratap Smarak & Museum ,so we rented a scooty ,there are many bike/scooty rental shops near Lake Pichola, Chandpole, and Jagdish Chowk…
Scooty (Activa): ₹300–₹500 per day..
What You Need:
1.Valid driving license
2.ID proof (usually Aadhar card or Passport)
3.Security deposit (₹500–₹1000)
While Lake Pichola is the most iconic attraction in the city, two other nearby gems you shouldn’t miss are Fateh Sagar Lake and the Maharana Pratap Smarak (Museum). Both are located close to each other and can easily be visited from Pichola Lake—especially if you rent a bike or scooty, which is a fun and flexible way to explore Udaipur
From Lake pichola it is around 5kms which took us 25min to reach Fateh Sagar Lake..
3. Fateh Sagar Lake
Maharana Jai Singh originally built the lake in 1687, but after strong rains ruined the old dam, Maharana Fateh Singh rebuilt and expanded it in 1889. The lake was renamed in his honour. Today, it is a beautiful example of Mewar’s architectural forethought and respect for environment.
Fateh Sagar Lake has three islands, each serving a unique purpose:
Nehru Park – A lush green island garden with a boat-shaped café and a small zoo.
Public Park with Solar Observatory – Houses the Udaipur Solar Observatory, one of Asia’s best solar observation sites.
Water Treatment Plant – Used for maintaining the lake’s water quality.
4.Maharana Pratap Smarak (Moti Magri)
The Maharana Pratap Smarak, located on a tiny hill named Moti Magri overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake, pays tribute to one of Rajasthan’s greatest warriors, Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. This tribute is more than just a statue; it represents courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
Key highlights:
Grand horseback statue of Maharana Pratap riding his loyal horse Chetak, who is supposed to have saved his master’s life during the Battle of Haldighati.
A museum complex that displays Mewar’s history, portraits, battle scenes, traditional weapons, and artworks.
Audio-visual shows recount the epic acts of Rajput monarchs.
Provides breathtaking views of Fateh Sagar Lake and Udaipur City.
Visiting Fateh Sagar Lake followed by a hike to Maharana Pratap Smarak provides the ideal combination of scenic beauty and historical reflection. Whether you’re having coffee by the lake or standing before a statue of a brave Rajput king, the experience is both humbling and rewarding.
If you’re visiting Udaipur, this combo is a must-see, not merely for sightseeing, but also to comprehend the soul of Rajasthan — its natural grace and warrior spirit.
5.Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
The scooty was the greatest choice for our next destination, Sajjangarh Monsoon Place, which is around 7 km from Fateh Sagar Lake. We had a great trip. The drive is made more picturesque by the road’s winding ascent through the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee:
Indian Nationals: ₹174 per person
Foreign Nationals: ₹569 per person
Vehicle Charges: ₹72 / ₹338 (for 2-wheeler / 4-wheeler)
Best Time to Visit: During the monsoon or winter months for clear views and pleasant weather…..
-Maharana Sajjan Singh commissioned the Monsoon Palace in 1884 under the name Sajjangarh Fort. He envisioned it as a nine-story astronomical centre for weather research and monsoon cloud tracking. But because of his early death, work was stopped and the palace was never finished.
Because the palace was situated inside the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the royal family later utilised it as a hunting lodge and a monsoon getaway.
6. Bahubali Hills
Our next stop was Bahubali Hills, a serene hilltop viewpoint near Badi Lake that is quickly becoming one of Udaipur’s most popular alternative attractions. It was around 8-9 kilometres from Monsoon Palace, and 13 kilometres from Pichola Lake. The area is known as “Bahubali Hills” because of a local comparison to the spectacular and rocky environment depicted in the film Bahubali, although the name is unofficial and only popular among locals and tourists.
Thank you for joining me as we explored the City of Lakes!
As I conclude this unforgettable tour through Udaipur, I hope you loved discovering its timeless beauty, regal legacy, picturesque lakes, and hidden gems as much as I liked experiencing and documenting them for you.From the majestic City Palace to the placid Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lakes, from the sunset-soaked Monsoon Palace to the peculiar stillness of Bahubali Hills, each spot has a tale to tell—a reflection of Udaipur’s spectacular history and heartfelt present.
If my blog brought you even a quarter of the excitement and wonder I experienced while exploring these sites, then I consider my efforts truly worthwhile.
Please feel free to leave a comment, share your ideas, or ask questions—I truly appreciate engaging with you all and learning from your perspectives.
