Udaipur in 3 days: what to see, in what order

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.

An 18th-century mansion on Gangaur Ghat, restored as a museum of Mewar life with painted rooms, costumes, puppets and a famous giant turban. Step out onto Gangaur Ghat beside it for the lake.

Tip: The Dharohar folk dance show runs in the courtyard every evening at 19:00 for about an hour. Buy tickets a little before.

The market street around Hathi Pol, the old Elephant Gate on the north side of the walled city, known for miniature paintings, leather, bandhani fabric and silver. The lanes from here down to the Clock Tower and Bada Bazaar are the city's main shopping area.

Tip: Miniature painting shops will show you artists at work. Prices start high, so bargain.

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.

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 folk art museum founded in 1952, with puppets, masks, folk costumes and instruments from across Rajasthan. Its short puppet shows are a favourite with children.

Tip: Ask at the counter when the next puppet show starts.

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 crafts village at the foot of the hills west of the city, with traditional houses from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra, craftspeople at work and folk performances. It is busiest during its crafts fair in late December.

Tip: Camel and horse rides at the gate are optional and paid separately.

A white hilltop palace built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh to watch the monsoon clouds. It stands inside a wildlife sanctuary, and its terraces have the widest view in Udaipur, over the lakes and the whole city.

Tip: Private cars often stop at the sanctuary gate, where park vehicles take you up the last stretch. Allow time for that.

Two 10th-century Vishnu temples at Nagda, a short drive from Eklingji, covered in some of the finest stone carving in Rajasthan. The name comes from Sahastra Bahu, the thousand-armed form of Vishnu.

Tip: It is quiet and has little shade. Carry water.

A walled complex of temples around a 15th-century shrine to Shiva as Eklingji, the guardian god of the rulers of Mewar. The four-faced black stone image is still worshipped every day.

Tip: Phones, cameras and leather are not allowed inside, and there are lockers by the gate. Dress modestly.

Rows of white domed cenotaphs of the rulers of Mewar at Ahar, east of the city, beside a small museum of finds from the ancient Ahar settlement.

Tip: Few visitors come here, so it is a calm stop after the busy old city.

The royal family's collection of classic cars in an old palace garage, with Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs and Mercedes from the 1930s onwards, many still kept in running order.

Tip: It is next to Gulab Bagh, so see the two together.

Udaipur's largest garden, also called Sajjan Niwas Garden, laid out in the 1880s with rose beds, old trees, a small zoo and the Saraswati Bhawan library. A quiet, shaded walk close to the old city.

Tip: The toy train inside is popular with children.

A short cable car from Deendayal Upadhyay Park up the hill to the Karni Mata temple. From the top you see Lake Pichola, the City Palace and the Aravalli hills around the city.

Tip: Queues build before sunset, so arrive about an hour early.