The best things to do in Udaipur capture the essence of India’s most romantic city: gliding across a shimmering lake at sunset, wandering the mazelike passageways of the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, watching folk dancers whirl in a candlelit haveli, and gazing over the City of Lakes from a hilltop palace as the sun sets over the Aravalli hills. Udaipur is a city best experienced slowly, mixing grand monuments with lazy lakeside time. This guide covers the full range of what to do, from the essential experiences to the quieter pleasures that reward those who let the city set the pace.
For destination planning, see our Udaipur travel guide and places to visit in Udaipur.
Things to do in Udaipur: on the water
Take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola
The single most important thing to do in Udaipur is a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. Gliding across the calm water past the floating Lake Palace and the island of Jag Mandir, as the City Palace lights up and the sky fades from gold to blue, is one of the most romantic and memorable experiences in all of India. Boats depart from Rameshwar Ghat near the City Palace, and the outer lake loop offers the best views. Book in advance during peak season.
Visit Jag Mandir island
Take a boat to Jag Mandir, the 17th-century island palace on Lake Pichola, said to have inspired elements of the Taj Mahal. Its marble elephants, ornate courtyards, and lakeside gardens offer a peaceful, floating perspective on the city, and a meal or drink at the island’s restaurant is a memorable experience.
Relax at Fateh Sagar Lake
Spend a relaxed morning at Fateh Sagar Lake, with its breezy promenade, islands, and lakeside cafes. Renting a bicycle or taking a slow walk along the lakeside, with a coffee or fresh juice at one of the promenade cafes, is one of the most pleasant and low-key things to do in Udaipur.
Things to do in Udaipur: palaces and heritage
Explore the City Palace
Spend three to four hours exploring the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its eleven interconnected palaces, mirror work, marble courtyards, the Crystal Gallery, and unforgettable views over Lake Pichola. Start early for the best light and fewest crowds. Our places to visit in Udaipur guide covers the palace in detail.
Visit the Monsoon Palace at sunset
Drive up to the Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh), on a hilltop about 10 kilometres from the city, for breathtaking panoramic views over Udaipur, its lakes, and the Aravalli hills. Sunset is the most spectacular time, and the surrounding wildlife sanctuary adds to the experience.
Wander the Jagdish Temple
Visit the magnificent Jagdish Temple in the old city, an Indo-Aryan temple built in 1651 with intricately carved columns and a bell roof, where regular devotional singing adds to the atmosphere.
Stroll Saheliyon Ki Bari
Take a peaceful walk through Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens), with its fountains, lotus pools, marble pavilions, and gravity-powered hydraulic fountains, a green oasis ideal for a relaxed break.
Things to do in Udaipur: culture and craft
Watch the Dharohar folk show at Bagore Ki Haveli
Attend the nightly Dharohar cultural show at Bagore Ki Haveli at Gangaur Ghat, featuring folk dances, puppetry, and musical performances, one of the best cultural experiences in Udaipur. The 18th-century haveli itself, with its royal rooms and costumes, is worth exploring before the show.
Explore Shilpgram crafts village
Visit Shilpgram, a rural arts and crafts complex on the city’s western edge, spread over 70 acres and conceived as a living museum showcasing the traditional architecture, crafts, and lifestyles of the folk and tribal communities of western India. Craft demonstrations and shopping make it a rewarding cultural stop. Our cultural experiences in Rajasthan guide covers these traditions.
Learn miniature painting
Udaipur is the home of Rajasthani miniature painting, and workshops offer the chance to learn about this exquisite traditional art form of finely detailed paintings depicting royal courts, hunts, and religious scenes.
Shop the old city bazaars
Explore Udaipur’s old city markets for miniature paintings, textiles, silver jewellery, and handicrafts. Our shopping in Rajasthan guide covers the options.
Things to do in Udaipur: dining and relaxation
Dine at a lakeside rooftop restaurant
Enjoy dinner at a lakeside rooftop restaurant such as Ambrai, with its unobstructed view of the Lake Palace, or Upre by 1559, watching the illuminated palaces reflected in the water. It is one of the most atmospheric dining experiences in India. Our places to eat in Udaipur guide covers the options.
Watch the sunset from Ambrai Ghat
Spend an evening at Ambrai Ghat (Manjhi Ghat), one of the best public viewpoints for Lake Pichola, watching the sun set over the City Palace, the Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir. It is a peaceful, romantic spot loved by couples and photographers.
Things to do near Udaipur: day trips
Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur
Take a day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort, with its 36-kilometre wall (the second longest in the world), and the Ranakpur Jain Temple, a marble masterpiece of 1,444 uniquely carved pillars. Both can be combined in a single memorable day and are among the most spectacular sights in Rajasthan.
Plan your Udaipur experience with us
At Immersive Trips, we design Udaipur itineraries that capture the city’s romance and beauty, balancing the essential experiences with the relaxed lakeside pleasures that make the City of Lakes so special. Get in touch with our team to plan your Udaipur visit.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Udaipur
What is the number one thing to do in Udaipur?
A sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola is the essential Udaipur experience, gliding past the floating Lake Palace and Jag Mandir as the City Palace lights up against the darkening sky. It is one of the most romantic and memorable experiences in all of India.
What can I do in Udaipur in two days?
In two days, you can explore the City Palace, take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, visit Jag Mandir, see the Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon Ki Bari, drive up to the Monsoon Palace for sunset, watch the Dharohar folk show at Bagore Ki Haveli, and enjoy lakeside dining. This covers the essential experiences at a comfortable pace.
Is the sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola worth it?
Absolutely. It is the defining Udaipur experience and one of the most romantic things to do in India. Gliding past the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir as the palaces light up and the sky changes colour is unforgettable. Book in advance during peak season, and choose the outer lake loop for the best views.
What are the best things to do in Udaipur for couples?
Udaipur is India’s most romantic city. Couples particularly enjoy the sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, a private dinner on Jag Mandir island, lakeside rooftop dining at Ambrai, sunset at Ambrai Ghat, and a stay in a lakeside heritage hotel. Our honeymoon tour packages in Rajasthan guide covers romantic Udaipur.
What cultural experiences are there in Udaipur?
The nightly Dharohar folk show at Bagore Ki Haveli (folk dances and puppetry), the Shilpgram crafts village, and miniature painting workshops are the best cultural experiences in Udaipur. The city is the home of Rajasthani miniature painting, one of India’s most exquisite traditional art forms.
Should I visit the Monsoon Palace?
Yes, particularly at sunset. The Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh), on a hilltop about 10 kilometres from the city, offers breathtaking panoramic views over Udaipur, its lakes, and the Aravalli hills. It is one of the best viewpoints in the city and appeared in the James Bond film Octopussy.
What day trips can I take from Udaipur?
The best day trip combines Kumbhalgarh Fort (with its 36-kilometre wall, the second longest in the world) and the Ranakpur Jain Temple (a marble masterpiece of 1,444 carved pillars). Both can be seen in a single day. Chittorgarh Fort is another rewarding excursion for those interested in Rajput history.
Is Udaipur good for a relaxed holiday?
Yes. Udaipur is one of the most relaxed cities in Rajasthan, best experienced at a slow pace. Mixing monument visits with lazy lakeside time, cafe stops at Fateh Sagar Lake, and sunset watching at the ghats makes it ideal for travellers who want beauty and romance without a hectic sightseeing schedule.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Udaipur?
Ambrai Ghat (Manjhi Ghat) is the best public viewpoint for the sunset over Lake Pichola, the City Palace, and the Lake Palace. The Monsoon Palace offers the best elevated sunset view over the whole city. A sunset boat ride on the lake itself is the most romantic option of all.
Can I take a cooking class or craft workshop in Udaipur?
Yes. Cooking classes and miniature painting workshops are widely available in Udaipur and offer engaging, hands-on cultural experiences. Miniature painting in particular is a signature Udaipur craft, and learning about this exquisite art form is a memorable way to connect with the city’s cultural heritage.