Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom. Marble palaces lean over mirrored waters, and the Aravalli hills ripple into the horizon like a green stone tapestry. The city’s old quarters hum with the tap-tap of miniature painters and the scent of cardamom chai.

Come for the City Palace and Lake Pichola, stay for evenings of folk dance at Bagore Ki Haveli, sunsets at Monsoon Palace, and street-side jalebi still warm from the pan. Within a couple of hours’ drive, Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur’s marvelously carved Jain temple expand the story of Rajasthan’s valor and devotion.

Practical notes: October–March is the most comfortable season; summers can be hot, so plan siestas and early starts. Dress modestly for temples and remove shoes where required. Carry small cash for markets, though UPI and cards are widely accepted. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app cabs make getting around easy.

Udaipur

Udaipur’s lakes—Pichola, Fateh Sagar, and Swaroop Sagar—give the city its dreamlike mood, especially at dusk when domes glow gold and ghats gather storytellers, vendors, and musicians. The City Palace complex is among India’s most photogenic royal residences, while nearby Jagdish Temple beats like a devotional heart in stone.

Beyond the classic sights, wander to Shilpgram (artisan village), the Ahar Cenotaphs, and the ropeway up to Karni Mata Temple for sweeping city views. Food is a highlight: from veg thalis piled high to refined lakeside dinners, you’ll taste ghee-rich Rajasthani comfort and delicate Mewari flavors.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Browse city stays on Hotels.com or whole homes on VRBO.
• Iconic splurge: The Oberoi Udaivilas (lakeside grandeur, landscaped courtyards).
• Mid-range resort: Trident Udaipur (gardens, tranquil setting on Lake Pichola).
• Stylish budget/hostel: Moustache Udaipur (rooftop views, social vibe).

How to get to Udaipur (UDR):

• Fly into Maharana Pratap Airport from Delhi/Mumbai/Jaipur. Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Typical nonstop times: Delhi 1h 20m, Mumbai 1h 30m (often $40–$120 one-way).
• By train (overnight from Delhi ~11–13h; Jaipur ~6–7h). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains. AC berths typically $8–$25.
• Airport to old city: 30–45 minutes by taxi or app cab.

Day 1: Arrival, Old-City Stroll, and Sunset Over Lake Pichola

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with coffee and lake views at Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery (old-city favorite for cappuccinos, brownies, and balcony seating over the water). Explore Jagdish Chowk’s lanes, peeking into miniature painting ateliers and silverwork shops along Hathipole Road.

Evening: For the city’s first golden hour, ride the ropeway to Karni Mata Temple for panoramic views, then wander down to Ambrai Ghat as lamps flicker on. Dinner at Ambrai (Amet Haveli) for tandoori platters and dal makhani with the City Palace lit across the lake; or Upre by 1559 AD for rooftop seating and Laal Maas (spiced mutton curry). Nightcap: ginger-lime soda at Raas Leela on the lakefront.

Day 2: Signature Udaipur Highlights + Boat Ride (Guided)

Make your first full day efficient with a guided, door-to-door overview that includes City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and a Lake Pichola boat ride. You’ll cover more with context, and you won’t have to haggle for rides in the heat.

Full-Day Private City Tour of Udaipur Including Boat Ride in Lake Pichola

Expect a deep dive into the City Palace Museum’s mirrored halls and courtyards, a close look at Jagdish Temple’s 17th-century carvings, and time on the water gliding past ghats and the Lake Palace. Ask your guide to include Saheliyon-ki-Bari and a stop at a miniature-painting studio to watch masters at work.

Meals today: Breakfast at Grasswood Café (espresso, smoothie bowls). Quick lunch inside the City Palace complex at Palki Khana (Rajasthani bites, shaded courtyard). Dinner at Jagat Niwas Palace rooftop—order the smoky paneer tikka and garlic naan with palace views.

Day 3: Countryside Cycling, Gardens, and Folk Dance

Morning: Head out for a gentle pedal through villages and lakeside backroads; it’s the best way to see everyday Mewar life—waterwheels, mustard fields, and chai stalls.

Udaipur Countryside Biking excursion

Afternoon: Recover at Saheliyon-ki-Bari (lotus pools, marble kiosks) and pop into the Vintage & Classic Car Museum (Mewar’s Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs) if you’re a gearhead. Snack stop: Chetak Circle for mithai—try mawa kachori or fresh jalebi.

Evening: Catch the Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore Ki Haveli (puppet theater, Rajasthani dance; arrive ~6:30 pm to buy tickets for the ~7 pm show). Dinner afterward at Tribute (near Rang Sagar)—order safed maas (creamy peppercorn curry) and bajra roti; ask for a lakeside table for the horseshoe-shaped view.

Breakfast/Lunch ideas: Breakfast at Café Edelweiss (German bakery classics, strong coffee). Lunch at Natraj Dining Hall & Restaurant—go for the unlimited veg thali with kadhi, gatte ki sabzi, and churma.

Day 4: Temples, Art, Markets, and Monsoon Palace Sunset

Morning: Begin at Jagdish Temple for morning aarti, then stroll the old city to Pacific Art or similar studios for a miniature painting demonstration—learn how squirrel-hair brushes make those whisper-thin lines. Coffee break at Udai Art Café (pancakes and craft coffee, artist-run vibe).

Afternoon: Shop for block-printed textiles, silver, and hand-painted pichwai at Hathipole and Bada Bazaar; drop by the Rajasthan Govt. Handicraft Emporium for quality-checked pieces. Pause at Bhagat Mishthan Bhandar for kachori and lassi.

Evening: Drive up to Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh) for one of Rajasthan’s great sunsets—Aravalli silhouettes, lakes glowing below. Dinner at Khamma Ghani (garden seating by the water; try the lal maas and ker sangri). If you fancy dessert, swing by Pannalal for rabri or kulfi.

Day 5: Day Trip—Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Jain Temple

Spend the day exploring a mighty hill fort and a marble masterpiece—two of Rajasthan’s most important landmarks, both doable as a loop from Udaipur.

Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur Day Trip from Udaipur with Guide and Lunch

Kumbhalgarh’s wall snakes for 36 km—among the longest in the world—and the fort’s ramparts command vast hill views. In Ranakpur, the main Chaumukha temple’s 1,444 uniquely carved pillars are a marvel of light and lace-like marble. Most tours include comfortable transport, guiding, and time for a local lunch en route.

Meals today: Early breakfast at Jheel’s (eggs, masala chai). Expect a dhaba-style lunch near Ranakpur (ask for ghee parathas and seasonal sabzi). Back in Udaipur, celebrate with dinner at Upre by 1559 AD—order the Rajasthani thali or smokey tandoor platters.

Day 6: Fateh Sagar, Museum Moments, and a Rajasthani Cooking Class

Morning: Walk or cycle the lakeside path at Fateh Sagar. Optional boat to Nehru Garden (island park) for photos of the fountain and city skyline. Breakfast at Jheel’s annex near the lake or grab sandwiches and cold coffee at Grasswood Café before you go.

Afternoon: Visit the Ahar Cenotaphs (a serene field of marble chhatris) and, if you love crafts, head to Shilpgram (artisan village) to meet weavers, potters, and leatherworkers. Snack on mirchi vada and kachori at Sukhadia Circle.

Evening: Learn the secrets of Rajasthani home cooking—from dal baati churma to spiced vegetables—in a hands-on class with a local instructor.

Durga Cooking Class

After class, take an unhurried stroll along Rani Road to digest and enjoy the lake breeze. If you prefer dining out, try Harigarh Restaurant (balanced curries, lake-view seating) or the refined 1559 AD (Ambamata) for lal maas and smoked aubergine.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Last-Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Ease into the day with breakfast at Café Edelweiss or a final coffee at Jheel’s balcony. Pick up last souvenirs: hand-block-printed quilts, silver anklets, or miniature paintings. If time allows, step back into the City Palace for a quick gallery revisit or sit quietly at Ambrai Ghat watching boats crease the water.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport or station. For flights, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights; for trains, see Trip.com Trains. Expect ~30–45 minutes to UDR by taxi.

Insider dining guide (use any day):

• Breakfast/coffee: Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery (balcony seats), Grasswood Café (smoothies, espresso), Café Edelweiss (croissants, cinnamon rolls).
• Lunch: Natraj Dining Hall (unlimited veg thali), Santosh Bhojanalaya (simple, tasty Gujarati/Rajasthani plates), Palki Khana (palace-side bites).
• Dinner with views: Ambrai (Amet Haveli), Upre by 1559 AD, Jagat Niwas rooftop, Tribute (quiet lakeside).
• Street snacks & sweets: Chetak Circle (jalebi, mawa kachori), Sukhadia Circle (chaat, kulfi), Pannalal for rabri.

Getting around: Use auto-rickshaws or app cabs for short hops; many old-city sites are walkable. For the Monsoon Palace and day trips, hire a car through your hotel or join an organized tour.

Optional upgrade: Private Sunset on the Lake—if you’d like a guided evening on the water and heritage walk, consider this curated experience:

Heritage Tour : Private Boat, Havelis, City Walk & High Tea

(If you add this, swap it in for Day 3 evening or Day 6 sunset.)

Udaipur rewards unhurried travelers: dawn on the ghats, midday museum wanderings, and evenings when domes glow over Lake Pichola. With this 7-day plan—balanced between palaces, countryside, cuisine, and day trips—you’ll leave with Rajasthan’s colors and cadence stitched into memory.