One day is enough for the heart of Udaipur if you start at 09:00: Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, a boat on Lake Pichola, then Saheliyon ki Bari, Moti Magri and Fateh Sagar, ending at Ambrai Ghat for the palace at sunset. It is a full day of about 26 km by cab.
Jagdish Temple before it closes, the City Palace at opening time, lunch, the boat from the palace jetty, then Saheliyon ki Bari, Moti Magri and Fateh Sagar, ending at Ambrai Ghat as the sun goes down over the palace.
A large temple to Vishnu as Jagannath, built in 1651, a short climb up from the street just north of the City Palace. Its walls are carved with dancers, elephants and musicians, and a black stone image of Vishnu sits inside.
Tip: It closes from about 12:30 to 17:00, so go in the morning. Shoes come off at the foot of the steps.
The largest palace complex in Rajasthan, built over four centuries by the rulers of Mewar on the east bank of Lake Pichola. Walk through courtyards and the Mor Chowk with its peacocks in coloured glass, then out onto the upper balconies for long views over the lake.
Tip: The Lake Pichola boat leaves from Rameshwar Ghat inside the palace and needs the palace entry ticket, so keep yours.
The boat from Rameshwar Ghat goes past the white Lake Palace hotel and stops at Jag Mandir, the island palace where the young Shah Jahan once stayed. It is the classic view of Udaipur, with the palace walls rising straight out of the water.
Tip: The sunset boat costs more and fills up. Book it at the counter when you reach the palace if you want that slot.
The Garden of the Maidens, laid out in the 18th century for the ladies of the royal court, with fountains, marble elephants, lotus pools and lawns.
Tip: If the fountains are off, ask at the gate. They are often turned on for visitors.
A hill above Fateh Sagar topped by a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his horse Chetak, with gardens and a small hall of Mewar history. The view over the lake is the reason to go up.
Tip: Your cab can drive most of the way up, so the walk is short.
A large lake north of Pichola, ringed by hills, with a long promenade along its east side, the Fateh Sagar Pal. Boats go out to Nehru Garden island, and in the evening the promenade fills with families and food stalls.
Tip: Try a kulhad coffee or roasted corn from the stalls on the Pal.
A ghat on the west shore of Lake Pichola with the best open view of the City Palace across the water. At sunset the palace walls glow and the lights come on along the lake.
Tip: It is a short drive over the Chandpole bridge from the old city. Stay for sunset at one of the rooftop cafes facing the palace.
Drive times come from road routing without traffic. The old city's lanes are narrow and slow, so allow extra around Jagdish Temple and the City Palace. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.
Call or message a local Udaipur operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagdish Temple | 05:00 to 12:30 and 17:00 to 20:00, every day? | Morning, before it closes for the afternoon. | 30 min |
| City Palace | 09:30 to 17:30, every day? | At opening time, before the tour groups arrive. | 2 h 30 min |
| Lake Pichola boat ride | Boats about every hour, roughly 10:00 to 18:00? | Late afternoon for the sunset boat, or straight after the palace. | 1 h |
| Saheliyon ki Bari | 09:00 to 19:00, every day | Morning or late afternoon, outside the midday heat. | 45 min |
| Moti Magri | About 09:00 to 18:00? | Late morning or afternoon, for the view over Fateh Sagar. | 45 min |
| Fateh Sagar Lake | Any time; boats in the daytime? | Late afternoon and evening, when the promenade is busy. | 45 min |
| Ambrai Ghat | Any time? | Sunset, when the palace turns gold. | 1 h |
The City Palace and Lake Pichola · Fateh Sagar and the Monsoon Palace
See the 2-day plan →The City Palace and Lake Pichola · Fateh Sagar and the Monsoon Palace · Eklingji, Nagda and the gardens
See the 3-day plan →Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.
See all places →Yes, the main sights around the lakes. You miss the Monsoon Palace at Sajjangarh, Shilpgram and the bazaars, which the 2-day plan fits in.
09:00. Jagdish Temple is open early and closes around 12:30, and the City Palace, which opens at 09:30, is a few minutes away.
Yes. It leaves from the jetty inside the City Palace, so it fits right after the palace and lunch, and the view of the palace from the water is the one people remember.