Places to Visit In Udaipur In 2 Days, hemmed by the scenic Aravalli and sitting on the picturesque Lake Pichola, has an unrivaled setting and is THE most beautiful city in Rajasthan. It is also known as “The City of Lakes” and “Venice of the East” as it is surrounded by many serene artificial lakes, including Fateh Sagar Lake, Jaisamand Lake, and Rajsamand Lake. Every nook and cranny of the romantic city will captivate you with its intriguing past, cultural vibrancy, architectural marvels, local folklore, and stunning splendor. It exudes old-world charm and has the perfect laid-back vibes to help you escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Rana Udai Singh founded Udaipur as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom in the 16th century. The royal town remained the capital of Mewar until 1818 when it became a princely state of British India. As a result, it is not surprising that the entire region is liberally dotted with tranquil temples, historic Havelis, imposing forts, and floating palaces. The best places to visit in Udaipur are scattered throughout the town. However, because the city is small, you can see most of it in two days if you plan well. This guide has you covered, as it walks you through a curated itinerary that includes top attractions.
Udaipur Itinerary – Day 1
Start your day early if you want to make the most of your limited time here. The Jagdish Temple is located in the heart of the old city, and one must pass through it to get to the City Palace. So we’ll start with Jagdish Temple and then move on to City Palace, a must-see landmark in Udaipur. It will be lunchtime by the time you finish City Palace. Many lake-facing hotels, restaurants, and rooftop bars surround the lake, allowing you to enjoy the view while grabbing a bite. After lunch, you can take a boat ride with a stop at Jag Mandir Palace and then go shopping. If you’d rather watch the sunset over Lake Pichola, you can shop first and then return for a gorgeous sunset. After a long and exhausting day of sightseeing and shopping, it is best to have a leisurely dinner and retire early.
City Palace
Our itinerary of Udaipur for day 1 starts early morning at The City Palace, the huge landmark and the must-see sight of Udaipur. Built on a hill to overlook the city it’s one of the largest palaces in Rajasthan built in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II. Kings are called Maharajas in most of India, however in Udaipur they are called Maharanas which is a title for Rajput kings. The City Palace grew in size over another 400 years as 42 successive Maharanas made their mark by adding more palaces (called Mahals). There are 11 separate palaces inside, most are now a series of museums exhibiting paintings and furniture used by the Royal families. Apart from the Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace which are two luxury hotels.
The City Palace complex looks like a fort from the outside, the architecture is a mix of Rajput and Mughal-styles and built entirely in marble and granite. Inside there’s lots of courtyards, balconies, corridors and halls to explore. We spent 3 hours and had a registered guide to explain everything. We loved it here looking at the intricate glass-work, wall paintings, details and colours. The palace complex is very well maintained and everything shines as it did 400 years ago.
Garth was in his element photographing, the palace is ridiculously pretty and photogenic. Every window and doorway seems to make beautiful frames for composing photos. Although it’s pretty busy inside the City Palace, just wait a few minutes and you’ll get a clear shot. Lots of Indian tourists were also loving the coloured windows and walls, rocking their best poses, young men and women take it very seriously! Be sure to check out the panoramic views of the sprawling city from the palace windows.
Jagdish Temple
Within walking distance of The City Palace is another building over 400 years old – The Jagdish Temple built in 1651. It’s a famous Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu – Lord of the Universe.
Once you’ve climbed the 32 steep steps, it’s free to enter, but you’ll need to cover up bare skin and take off your shoes. The atmosphere is calm with people chanting and playing instruments. The marble exterior is highly decorative with beautifully carved pillars. The intricate carvings tell the story of the creation of the universe.
The temple sanctum has a striking four-armed statue of Lord Vishnu carved out of a single piece of black stone. You’re not allowed to take photos inside the temple. Outside the main shrine are 4 smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Surya, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva.
Gangaur Ghat
After you’re done at the Jagdish Temple walk down to the lake and visit the Gangaur Ghat, it’s the most photogenic. Ghats are the steps that lead down to the water. People use them for bathing in the mornings and some ghats are used for washing laundry. India’s most famous ghats are in Varanasi, however, Udaipur has its own fair share to explore.
Wander The Back Streets of Udaipur
Now it’s time to find a spot for a late lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the bazaars, shops and homes around the narrow back streets. We loved just leisurely walking around, getting to know Udaipur, avoiding the holy cows and just watching daily life go by. We especially loved discovering murals that decorate many walls of people’s homes. Garth got pooped on by a bird whilst taking a photo of a mural. A local guy smiled and said “that’s good luck!”
Sunset From A Rooftop Cafe In Udaipur
Day 1 ends relaxing whilst watching a stunning sunset from a rooftop cafe – one of the best places to visit in Udaipur at night. We enjoyed a few cocktails and dinner on the roof terrace of Hotel Udai Garh the views are great because it’s high up and the vegetarian dishes were delicious.
Udaipur Itinerary – Day 2
Today we would be stepping out of the main city. Begin your day with a visit to the Monsoon Palace, which is located 9 kilometers from the city center. After reaching the hilltop and admiring the panorama, proceed to Fateh Sagar Lake, which is the next stop. We spend some leisure time there before heading to Shilpgram. A few hours spent at the artisan village will add a cultural twist to your Udaipur vacation. Shilpgram’s restaurant serves mouth-watering traditional fare for lunch. Return to your hotel to freshen up before the Bagore ki Haveli cultural spectacle. After you’ve finished watching the show, eat your dinner and call it a day.
Monsoon Palace, Udaipur
Monsoon Palace, also known as Sajjan Garh Palace, is located on top of the Bansadara Hills, just outside of Udaipur. The 19th-century regal edifice built by Maharana Sajjan Singh was intended to be an observatory to track monsoon clouds, hence the name. The project was never finished because the king passed away, and the royal family started using it as a hunting and recreation lodge. You may ride a shared taxi/van to get to the fort. If you have a car, you can drive up to the palace. The hike takes about 1-2 hours as it is all uphill the entire way. The palace features a variety of pillars, domes, turrets, and jharokas in the true Rajasthani style, all made of marble with intricate inlay. The structure, however, is poorly maintained, and there is not much to see there. The primary purpose of our visit is to experience the sweeping panoramas of Udaipur, including all of its beautiful palaces and lakes.
Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur
Fateh Sagar Lake is another artificial body of water that was built during the reign of Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 AD. While visiting the lake, you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and verdant gardens. On the shimmering blue waters, you can ride a boat, speed boat, or jet ski. If you don’t feel like taking a spin on the water, you can sit on the benches facing. The lake and soak in the beauty of the area while watching the locals enjoy their day. The lake is also home to Udaipur’s solar observatory. Don’t pass up the opportunity to gorge yourself on the wide selection of local snacks offered by the countless street food vendors stationed there.
Shilpgram, Udaipur
Shilpgram is a 70-acre village-themed arts and crafts complex on the outskirts of Udaipur. The compound includes small huts made of mud and other natural building materials which highlight the ethnic diversity of India’s western states. Shilpgram has an ethnographic museum that showcases the lifestyles and cultures of the people and tribals who live in this region. Additionally, there are shopping opportunities, camel rides, live pottery demonstrations, cultural events, and authentic village vibes for visitors to enjoy here. An excellent spot to buy local treasures and support local artisans. It also has a large open-air amphitheater with seating for 8000 people.
Bagore ki Haveli, Udaipur
Dharohar Folk Dance is an evening cultural extravaganza held in the courtyard of Bagore ki Haveli, an old mansion turned museum. The glasswork and mural paintings on the Haveli make it very beautiful. However, the Haveli closes at 5:30 p.m., after which the entire area transforms into a cultural spectacle. The hour-long show is a captivating medley of Rajasthani music, dance & and puppetry presented. By local artists dressed in vibrant local attire. Tickets sell out quickly, so arrive early to ensure a spot or book your tickets ahead of time.
Alternate Tour Suggestions:
If one of the above attractions does not pique your interest, you can switch to one of the attractions listed below. Everything in Udaipur is close and easily accessible, so minor changes to the itinerary will not create any issues.
Saheliyon li Bari: The Garden of Maids, sitting along the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, offers lotus pools. Crystalloid fountains, chiseled kiosks, marble pavilions, and elephant-shaped structures. The elegant garden was creat by Maharana Sangram Singh and present to his queen and her 48 maids. The queen along with her female companions used to come here for recreation.
Ahar Cenotaphs: A cenotaph is an empty tomb or monument built to honor the deceased, in this case. The Maharajas of Udaipur. There are a total of 250 cenotaphs and 19 chhatris to commemorate the 19 maharajas who were cremat at the Ahar Cenotaphs. All of the cenotaphs in the Ahar Cemetery have exquisitely carved domes, charming statues, and columned pavilions.
Best Time To Visit?
Udaipur is best visit between October and March. The hotels would be quite pricey, though, as this is the busiest travel season for both locals and international travelers. In December and January, it may get a little chilly, but nothing a couple of layers can’t fix. The months of April and May are unbearably hot, and the monsoon season lasts from July to September. However, Udaipur is spectacular during the rainy season, with the city and its outskirts covered in lush greenery. If you go in September, you may be able to avoid the worst of the rain.
How to Reach Udaipur?
Since Udaipur is an internationally renown tourist attraction. You should have no trouble finding modes of transport that fit your needs and price range. Before planning your trip, make sure to check the most recent travel advisories, road conditions, and schedules. Make your transport arrangements ahead of time.
- By Air: The Maharana Pratap Airport, also known as Dabok Airport, serves Udaipur. Fly into this airport from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and others. The airport is approximately 22 kilometers from the main city, and you can take a taxi to the city center.
- By train: The two main railway stations in Udaipur are Udaipur City Railway Station and Rana Pratap Nagar Railway Station. Udaipur is conveniently link to most parts of India by train. With multiple alternatives from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, among others.
- By Road: Udaipur is accessible by road thanks to an extensive network of national and state highways. You can drive to Udaipur from nearby cities and states. Buses (state-run and private) leave from cities such as Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. You can also travel to Udaipur by car or taxi.
Also Read: Best Time To Visit Kedarnath
Conclusion
Udaipur stands as a jewel in the crown of Rajasthan, captivating visitors with its breathtaking landscapes. Rich history, and architectural splendors. From the majestic City Palace to the tranquil shores of Fateh Sagar Lake. Every corner of this city exudes charm and allure. Whether exploring the ornate temples, wandering through the bustling bazaars. Or witnessing a mesmerizing cultural performance at Bagore ki Haveli, Udaipur offers a truly immersive experience. With its convenient accessibility by air, train, or road, and the best time to visit being between October and March. Udaipur beckons travelers to embark on a journey filled with cultural delights and scenic wonders. Embrace the serenity of the City of Lakes and uncover the timeless beauty and enchantment that define Udaipur.
