Udaipur, the City of Lakes, was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar. Cradled by the Aravalli Hills, it’s a tapestry of mirror-still lakes, ivory palaces, and intricate Jain and Hindu temples that speak to centuries of Rajput valor and artistry.

Beyond the postcard-perfect skyline, Udaipur hums with culture: miniature painters at their easels, folk musicians in old havelis, and cooks rolling bati for the quintessential Rajasthani dal-bati-churma. Sunsets here are theater—best watched from a rooftop or a slow boat on Lake Pichola.

Expect dry, sunny weather from October to March (peak season). Dress modestly for temples, carry small bills for rickshaws and markets (UPI is widely accepted), and book popular restaurants and sunset activities in advance. This itinerary balances icons, hidden lanes, and flavorful meals—paced for delight, not rush.

Udaipur

Udaipur’s core sights cluster around Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar: the sprawling City Palace, atmospheric ghats, and islets crowned by Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (Taj Lake Palace). In the hills, Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) frames the city in golden hour glow.

Save time for craft enclaves—Shilpgram for textiles and tribal art, Hathipole for miniature paintings and silver. Food swings from royal recipes (laal maas, safed maas) to soulful vegetarian thalis and contemporary cafes serving strong espresso and lakeside breakfasts.

• Top sights: City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli, Lake Pichola boat ride, Fateh Sagar Lake promenade, Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace), Ahar Cenotaphs, Shilpgram.
• Dining highlights: Ambrai for lakefront dinners; Upre for rooftop romance; Natraj Dining Hall for thalis; Millets of Mewar for wholesome plates; Jheel’s and Grasswood for coffee and bakes.
• Fun facts: Kumbhalgarh’s wall—visited on a day trip—runs over 36 km, often called India’s Great Wall. The Hill Forts of Rajasthan (including Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh) are a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble.

Getting there & around: Fly into Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR). Search domestic and international options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights. Typical nonstop times: Delhi–Udaipur ~1h20, Mumbai–Udaipur ~1h25, Jaipur–Udaipur ~55m (from ~$40–$120 one-way, season-dependent). Overnight trains connect major cities (e.g., Delhi–Udaipur ~10–12 hours); check Trip.com trains for schedules and AC classes.

Within the city, use auto-rickshaws (negotiate or request meter), app cabs, or hire a private car for temple and fort excursions. Boats on Pichola depart from City Palace/Bansi Ghat and Doodh Talai. For sunset at Sajjangarh, go by car; for Karni Mata Temple, ride the ropeway from Doodh Talai.

Where to stay:

• Palatial luxury: The Oberoi Udaivilas — landmark hospitality on the lake. Book: The Oberoi Udaivilas
• High-value luxury: Trident Udaipur — landscaped on the banks of Pichola, great service. Book: Trident Udaipur
• Boutique/hostel: Moustache Udaipur — social vibe with private rooms in the Old City. Book: Moustache Udaipur
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Udaipur | VRBO – Udaipur

Day 1 – Arrival, first lakeside sunset, and Rajasthani dinner

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Take a gentle orientation walk through the Old City lanes around Chand Pole, popping out at Ambrai Ghat for postcard views of City Palace and Jag Mandir.

Evening: Welcome the city from the water on a shared sunset cruise.

Book: Evening Elegance – Shared Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Pichola. Watch the palaces warm to gold as the Aravalli ridges silhouette in violet.

Night: Dine at one of these lakeside classics: Ambrai (Amet Haveli) for tandoori platters and laal maas with the City Palace lit up across the water; Upre by 1559 AD for a rooftop setting and Rajasthani kebabs; or Jagat Niwas Rooftop for a romantic, lanterned terrace. Reserve outdoor tables for the best angles.

Day 2 – City Palace, temples, lanes, and classic Udaipur tastes

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery overlooking the lake, or shakshuka and espresso at Udai Art Café. Then dive into the City Palace—its mirrored halls, Mewar paintings, and arcaded courtyards trace 450 years of royal life.

Afternoon: Make the most of a full-day guided overview with a private car and driver (with optional licensed guide).

Book: Full-Day Private Udaipur Sightseeing Tour with optional Guide. Typical stops include Jagdish Temple (Vaishnavite shrine with a riot of stone carvings), Saheliyon-ki-Bari (lotus ponds and antique fountains), and lake viewpoints. Break for a hearty vegetarian thali at Natraj Dining Hall—endless refills of kadhi, gatta, and churma.

Evening: Wander the ghats and artisan shops around Jagdish Chowk to see miniature painters at work. Dinner at Charcoal by Carlsson for smoky tikkas and tandoori broccoli, or Khamma Ghani for North Indian classics and a garden setting.

Day 3 – Gardens, museums, Shilpgram, and a hilltop sunset

Morning: Start at Gulab Bagh and the Vintage & Classic Car Collection—Mewar-era Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs that once ferried dignitaries. Grab a mid-morning cappuccino and pancakes at Grasswood Café.

Afternoon: Head to Fateh Sagar Lake for a lakeside stroll and coconut water, then to Shilpgram, the rural arts complex where artisans sell hand-loom textiles, leather mojaris, and tribal art. Lunch at Millets of Mewar—pearl millet rotis, lentil bowls, and seasonal salads.

Evening: Drive up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) for sweeping city-and-lake panoramas at sunset (arrive 60–75 minutes before to snag a good perch). Dinner at Tribute on Rang Sagar lake—Rajasthani mains and grilled fish with candlelit reflections.

Day 4 – Day trip: UNESCO Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Jain Temple

Make a full-day excursion into the Aravallis. It’s ~2.5 hours by road to Kumbhalgarh Fort, whose 36-km-long walls ripple over ridgelines, and another hour to marble-carved Ranakpur Jain Temple, famed for its forest of 1,444 uniquely carved pillars.

Book: Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur Day Trip from Udaipur (Guide + Lunch). Note modest attire for the temple; non-Jain visitors are usually welcomed in the afternoon window. For lunch, the tour often includes a set meal; if you go independently, try the simple temple canteen or a resort restaurant nearby.

Return to Udaipur for a late dinner at Raas Leela, a tented lakeside spot with excellent dal makhani and butter naan.

Day 5 – Markets, makers, and a home-style cooking class

Morning: Breakfast at Brewmen near Fateh Sagar—specialty coffee and eggs-on-toast. Shop Hathipole Market for block-printed quilts, Pichwai and miniature paintings, and silver jewelry; look for fair-trade collectives like Sadhna stores to support artisan livelihoods.

Afternoon: Visit the serene Ahar Cenotaphs, intricately carved memorials of Mewar rulers, and the small on-site museum. Lunch at Krishna Dal Bati Restro to sample smoky bati with ghee, dal, and sweet churma.

Evening: Learn to cook Rajasthani favorites in a friendly home kitchen.

Book: Durga Cooking Class. Expect masala-making, fluffy rotis, and from-scratch curries you can recreate at home. For dessert on the way back, pick up ghevar or mawa kachori from a trusted sweet shop in the Old City.

Day 6 – Temple trail, heritage, ropeway sunset, and lakeside fare

Morning: Drive ~45 minutes north to 8th–15th century temple sites: Eklingji (Shaivite complex where photography is often restricted; check entry times) and Nagda (Sahasra Bahu Temples with exquisite toranas). Carry a light scarf, and dress with shoulders and knees covered.

Afternoon: Back in town, stop by the City Palace Crystal Gallery if you’re a design buff, or the Vintage Car Museum if you missed it earlier. Lunch at 1559 AD for Rajasthani classics in a heritage setting.

Evening: Ride the Karni Mata Ropeway from Doodh Talai for a spectacular twilight panorama of Lake Pichola and the Old City. For dinner, choose Khamma Ghani (garden seating, North Indian and Rajasthani staples) or return to Ambrai if you want one last iconic view.

Day 7 – Slow morning by the water and departure

Morning: Ease into the day with sunrise at Ambrai Ghat as the city wakes. Enjoy a wholesome breakfast at Yummy Yoga (smoothie bowls, masala omelets) or a final coffee at Jheel’s. If time permits, take a short drive to Badi Lake (Jiyan Sagar) for a quiet shoreline walk away from the crowds.

Afternoon (departure): Head to the airport or station. For flights, compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com; for trains and onward buses within India, check Trip.com trains. Aim to leave the Old City with extra time for traffic on its narrow lanes.

Optional cultural extra one evening

If you have an open night, catch the Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore Ki Haveli—puppet theater and Rajasthani dances in a 18th-century mansion courtyard. Arrive early for tickets and good seats.

Another classic Lake Pichola experience (alternative to Day 1 or Day 6 dinner)

Prefer a full royal flourish? Swap an evening meal for a boat ride and dinner on Jag Mandir Island (book in advance during peak season). It’s a dazzling, candlelit way to cap your Udaipur stay.

Good to know: High season (Oct–Mar) sees cool nights; bring a light layer for rooftop dinners and boat rides. Some temples and galleries close mid-day or during prayers—check timings locally that morning. Alcohol service may pause on government-notified “dry days.” Taxis for day trips typically cost less when arranged via your hotel the night before.

At-a-glance dining map for the week: - Coffee/breakfast: Jheel’s, Grasswood Café, Brewmen, Udai Art Café, Yummy Yoga. - Lunch: Natraj Dining Hall (veg thali), Millets of Mewar (healthy), Krishna Dal Bati Restro (dal-bati). - Dinner: Ambrai, Upre by 1559 AD, Jagat Niwas Rooftop, Raas Leela, Tribute, Khamma Ghani, Charcoal by Carlsson.

Tours included in this itinerary (handpicked):

• 

  Evening Elegance – Shared Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Pichola

• 

  Full-Day Private Udaipur Sightseeing Tour with optional Guide

• 

  Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur Day Trip from Udaipur

• 

  Durga Cooking Class

For flights to/from Udaipur, compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com. For domestic trains, see Trip.com trains. Browse stays via Hotels.com and VRBO.

In seven days, Udaipur reveals its full spectrum: marble palaces, quiet lakes, village crafts, and heirloom recipes that linger on the palate. You’ll leave with a camera roll full of sunsets and a notebook of flavors to recreate at home—already plotting your return to the City of Lakes.