A short history
Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559 as the new capital of Mewar. The Mewar rulers were famed for resisting Mughal power. They built the City Palace and lake palaces. The royal family still lives in part of the palace.
Lake palaces in Rajasthan's romantic city
Udaipur is Rajasthan's City of Lakes, with palaces rising from the water. The City Palace and Lake Pichola make it romantic. It is calmer than Jaipur and great for sunsets.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A sprawling palace complex on Lake Pichola. Courtyards, mosaics and museums.
Ticket tiers vary; foreigner prices, 2026 range.
Boat trips past palaces and ghats. Sunset rides are popular.
Ticket price, 2026 range.
A 17th century Vishnu temple with carvings. It is active.
Free; offerings optional.
Ghat with classic views of the City Palace. Locals gather.
Free.
Hilltop palace with sweeping views. Sunset is famous.
Entry fee.
Haveli museum with an evening dance show. Fun cultural night.
Entry plus show, 2026 range.
Lake with islands and promenade. Locals' hangout.
Walking is free; boating costs extra.
Garden of fountains built for royal ladies. Shady and pretty.
Small entry fee, 2026 range.
Mountain fortress with very long walls. A UNESCO site.
Foreigner ticket, 2026 range.
Marble temple with 1,444 carved pillars. Stunning.
Small fee for foreigners and camera charges, 2026 range.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Palace day, lakes and gardens day, then Kumbhalgarh.
India's largest fort.
71 mi · Car, about 2 hours
Hill station and Dilwara temples.
103 mi · Car, about 3 hours
Temple complex and ruins on a calm lake.
14 mi · Car, about 40 minutes each way
Battlefield and museum linked to Maharana Pratap.
25 mi · Car, about 1 hour each way
Best: October to March. Pleasant days and cool nights.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
March or April
Spring festival with processions.
October or November
Lakes lit with lamps.
July to August
Monsoon celebrations with music and swings.
December (dates vary)
Handicrafts and folk music at Shilpgram village.
India is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) for crime and terrorism; Udaipur is relatively calm, with touts and traffic the main issues.
Old city lanes are walkable but hilly and busy.
Auto rickshaws and app cabs.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers
Lakeside guesthouses.
Best for: budget
Views across the lake.
Best for: luxury
Palace hotels.
Best for: families, relaxed stays
Calmer lake views and cafes.
Best for: luxury, honeymooners
Palace stays on the lakes with views and fine dining.
| Main airport | Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) (UDR), 14 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or app cab takes about 40 minutes. |
| Around town | Walk the old city, autos beyond. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Ola |
Rajasthani lentils with baked bread.
Spicy mutton curry.
Honeycomb sweet.
Gram flour dumplings in spicy yogurt curry.
Sweet, flaky pastry filled with sweet mawa.
A set meal with local dishes and views.
| Plugs | Type C, D and M, 230 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | Tip about 10 percent in restaurants if no service charge, and small amounts for guides and drivers. |
| Payments | UPI and cards work in many places, but carry cash for small vendors. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly, remove shoes at temples, and ask before photographing people, especially at religious sites. |
Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559 as the new capital of Mewar. The Mewar rulers were famed for resisting Mughal power. They built the City Palace and lake palaces. The royal family still lives in part of the palace.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.