खम्मा घणी, welcome to Udaipur
The City of Lakes, by locals.
Where to go, what it costs, when to be there and where to eat. Everything we'd tell a friend visiting Udaipur.
Try “sunset boat”, “dal baati” or “Gangaur”Plan my trip
City Palace from Lake Pichola after dark
Five places you shouldn't miss
With entry fees, timings and how long to give each one.
The city guide
Everything about Udaipur, in eight sections.
Udaipur, hour by hour
The city runs on light. Here's where to be at each time of day, with the stop for right now marked.
Fateh Sagar at first light
Walk the pal while the city is still quiet. Chai and poha from the carts.
See detailsRight nowCity Palace & Jagdish
Reach the palace at opening, then the temple's morning aarti next door.
See details
Thali, then shade
A long Rajasthani thali, then gardens and museums while it's hot.
See details
Sunset boat on Pichola
The last boat of the day, with a stop at Jag Mandir.
See details
Ambrai Ghat or Sajjangarh
The palace lights up across the water. Pick a step and stay.
See details
Dharohar & rooftop dinner
Folk dance at Bagore Ki Haveli, then dinner over the lit lake.
See detailsHow long do you have?
Day-by-day plans with timings, written by people who live here.
Know before you go
Seasons, getting here, getting around, money, etiquette and who to call.
October – MarchBest time
Cool and clear
Pleasant days for walking and boats. Peak season: book early.
April – June
Hot summer
Start at 8 am, rest from noon to 4 pm, then boats and Sajjangarh in the late afternoon.
July – September
Monsoon
Lakes fill and the Aravallis turn green. Rain can pause boat rides.
Getting here
- By air: Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok), about 20 km from the city. A cab takes 40–45 minutes.
- By train: Udaipur City station, close to the Old City, with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
- By road: Jodhpur about 250 km, Ahmedabad about 260 km, Jaipur about 400 km.
Getting around
- The Old City is best on foot; lanes are narrow for cars.
- Agree the auto fare before you sit, or use a cab app.
- For a full day of sights, hire one car or auto for the day.
- Scooters are easy to rent if you hold a valid licence.
Money
- UPI is accepted almost everywhere, from cafés to boat counters.
- Carry cash for some monument tickets, autos and small shops.
- Bargain politely in markets; fixed-price shops say so.
What to wear
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples; remove shoes at the entrance.
- Winter evenings (Dec–Jan) get cold; pack a light jacket.
- A cap, sunglasses and a cotton scarf from April to June.
Local etiquette
- Greet with खम्मा घणी (Khamma Ghani), Mewar's hello.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at temples.
- Eklingji and Ranakpur don't allow leather or phones in some areas.
Safety & help
- 112 — national emergency number
- 100 police · 108 ambulance
- 1800-11-1363 — India Tourism helpline (toll free)
- Use licensed boats with life jackets on the lakes.
Opening hours
- Most palaces and museums open 9–9:30 am and close by 5–6 pm.
- The City Palace stays open till 9 pm; tickets till 8 pm.
- Temples close in the afternoon: Jagdish Temple from 1 to 5 pm.
- Ranakpur admits non-Jain visitors from noon.
Parking & traffic
- Park at the edge of the Old City and walk in; lanes are narrow and partly one-way.
- Fateh Sagar road is busiest from 6 to 9 pm.
- Avoid driving through Bapu Bazaar and Bada Bazaar in the evening.
Accessibility
- Palaces and forts mean steep stairs and uneven floors.
- Flat and easy: the Fateh Sagar pal, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Gulab Bagh.
- The Karni Mata Ropeway gives a hilltop view without the climb.
- Ask boat staff for a hand at the jetty steps.
Eat like Mewar
Six dishes to try, and where locals go for them.
Dal Baati Churmaदाल बाटी चूरमा
Thali hallsBaked wheat balls broken into spiced dal, with sweet churma on the side. The Mewar meal.
Laal Maasलाल मास
Old City restaurantsFiery mutton curry red with Mathania chillies. Ask for it medium if you're new to it.
Gatte ki Sabziगट्टे की सब्ज़ी
Any thaliGram-flour dumplings in a tangy yogurt curry.
Kachori & Mirchi Badaकचौरी, मिर्ची बड़ा
Around Ghanta GharThe breakfast of the city. Best eaten hot, standing at the counter.
Ker Sangriकेर सांगरी
Thali hallsDesert berries and beans cooked with spices. Rajasthan on a plate.
Kesar Lassi & Ghevarकेसर लस्सी, घेवर
Sweet shopsSaffron lassi year round; honeycomb ghevar during Teej and the monsoon.
New in 2026
All new openingsModern IndianNew
Nyoto
Chef Shadab Husain's interpretive Indian menu on a lake-view rooftop.
- Area
- Hanuman Ghat
- For two
- ₹1,600
- Hours
- Daily, 12:30 – 11 pm
- Order
- Fusion chaats, Nyoto butter chicken with parotta, malpua suzette
Closed nowCallDirections
Farm-to-table tasting menuNew
Syah
A set tasting menu of modern Rajasthani food, cooked with produce from its own farm.
- Area
- Bujra, outside the city
- Hours
- Daily, 4:30 – 8:30 pm
- Order
- The seasonal tasting menu (10–11 courses)
Closed nowDirections
Rooftop, IndianNew
Ayana
A rooftop at the Marriott looking over the lakes and the Aravallis.
- Area
- Udaipur Marriott Hotel
- Order
- Shikampuri kebabs, haleem, laal maas, gatte ki sabzi
Checked October 2026Directions
Festivals in the next 12 months
Dates for 2026–27. Plan around one and you'll see the city at its brightest.
8Nov 2026
Diwali
Palaces, ghats and havelis lit with lamps that double in the lakes.
Across the city21Dec 2026
Shilpgram Utsav (Dec 21–30)
Ten days of crafts, folk music and food from across western India.
Shilpgram, Havala6Mar 2027
Maha Shivratri
Night-long worship and fairs at temples around Udaipur.
Shiva temples21Mar 2027
Holika Dahan & Holi (Mar 21–22)
The royal Holika Dahan at the City Palace, colours the next morning.
City Palace & the Old City9Apr 2027
Gangaur & Mewar Festival
Women carry decorated Gauri idols to the lake; boats, music and fireworks follow.
Gangaur Ghat5Jul 2027
Jagannath Rath Yatra
The chariot is pulled through the Old City from Jagdish Temple.
Jagdish Temple18 things to do
Boats, folk shows, sunrise hikes, workshops and day trips. Ask and we'll set it up.
On the waterSunset boat on Lake Pichola
An hour on the lake as the palace turns gold, with a stop at Jag Mandir.
CultureDharohar folk dance show
Folk dance and puppetry at Bagore Ki Haveli, 7–8 pm daily.
ViewpointsKarni Mata Ropeway at sunset
A short cable car up Machhla Magra for the city's best sunset frame.
WalksOld City heritage walk
Havelis, step-wells and artisans in the lanes behind Jagdish Temple.
FoodStreet food trail
Kachori, rabri, chaat and a thali, in the order locals eat them.
FoodRajasthani cooking class
Cook dal baati and gatte in a family kitchen, then eat what you made.
WorkshopsMiniature painting workshop
Learn the Mewar miniature style from a Hathi Pol painter, squirrel-hair brush and all.
OutdoorsSunrise hike at Bahubali Hills
A twenty-minute climb over Badi Lake for first light over the Aravallis.
Stories from Udaipur
Things to DoUdaipur After Dark: Nightlife, Culture & Experiences You Didn't Know Existed
While Udaipur is known for its royal palaces and tranquil lakes by day, the city changes character once the sun goes down.
Udaipur History, 2 min readMaharana Pratap Jayanti: Honoring the Lion of Mewar
Culture & Heritage, 3 min readThe Royal Tapestry of Udaipur: Unfolding the City's Glorious History
Travel Guides, 2 min readSurviving Summer in Udaipur: Cool Escapes and Hidden Havens
Festivals & Events, 1 min readHariyali Teej
Loved by a family of 75K+
What readers tell us after their trip.
Exploring Udaipur was magical, but your 'Things to Do' guide made it unforgettable! I would've missed places like Sajjangarh Fort at sunset if not for your tips.
Your food recommendations in Udaipur were spot on! I tried the laal maas at a tiny restaurant you suggested — hands down, the best meal of my trip.
I planned my Udaipur itinerary around your events and cultural posts. Caught the Shilpgram Festival purely because of your heads-up!
I thought Udaipur was just about lakes and palaces. Your blog opened up heritage walks, art cafés and quiet sunrise spots by Fateh Sagar.
Udaipur: quick answers
What is Udaipur famous for?
Udaipur, the City of Lakes in Rajasthan, is known for Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar, the City Palace, the Lake Palace and the history of Mewar. Maharana Udai Singh II founded it in 1559 as Mewar's new capital after the fall of Chittorgarh.
What is the best time to visit Udaipur?
October to March, when days are cool and clear for walking and boat rides. It is peak season, so book early. April to June is hot (sightsee before noon and after 4 pm), and July to September is the monsoon, when the lakes fill and the Aravalli hills turn green.
How many days do you need in Udaipur?
Two to three days covers the palaces, lakes, gardens and sunset viewpoints at an easy pace. One day is enough for the highlights: City Palace, a Lake Pichola boat ride, Saheliyon Ki Bari and a sunset ghat. Add a day for Kumbhalgarh, or Eklingji and Haldighati. See our 1 to 4 day itineraries.
What food is Udaipur known for?
Dal baati churma is the classic Mewar meal. Also try laal maas, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, kachori and mirchi bada for breakfast, and kesar lassi. Our food guide lists where to eat each one.
How do you get around Udaipur?
Walk the Old City, where lanes are too narrow for cars. Agree auto-rickshaw fares before you sit or use a cab app, and hire one car or auto for a full day of sightseeing. UPI payments are accepted almost everywhere.
Plan it with a local.
Tell us your dates and what you love. Our Udaipur team will suggest a plan, and can book stays, cars, guides and tables.
75K+people in our community
500+creators across Rajasthan
2016sharing Udaipur since
28places with fees and timings