A Guide to Udaipur, India

9 Best Things to Do on Your First Visit to Udaipur, India

3/20/2023

During our month in India, we were lucky to be able to stop in Udaipur for a few days to explore. Before we get too far into it, we want to share that Udaipur instantly became one of our favorite places we visited in India, not only is it much more peaceful than other areas in Rajasthan, but the lake at the center of town was truly beautiful. So much so, that Udaipur is in fact known as a place where many people come to have their wedding celebrations, even Bollywood stars! In this guide we've gathered some tips on places to stay and eat, and of course, the best things to do while you're visiting Udaipur!

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and always use NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi connections.

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Where to Stay in Udaipur

Hotel Udaigarh

Boheda Palace

Jadmandir Island Palace Hotel

During our visit in Udaipur we stayed at the Boheda Palace - it was within walking distance of Pichola Lake and the city center, while having a beautiful upstairs dining area with a view of the Palace and being far enough away to seem peaceful and quiet.

Hotel Udaigarh - a boutique option at $134+ per night with an incredible rooftop pool overlooking the lake, right in the center of town - they also have a great restaurant on the roof as well!
Swaroop Vilas - a bit of a spend-ier lodging option at $183+ per night, but a great boutique & lake view option with a great pool
Radisson Udaipur - an option for those looking to stay a bit further away from the lake, but with onsite amenities like a gym and pool for $200+ per night
Jadmandir Island Palace Hotel - a unique option for those looking to stay on the island located in Pichola Lake this location is also known as the Lake Garden Palace, and is only $343+ per night ;)
The Leela Palace Udaipur - if you're looking for a truly unforgettable getaway, with incredible dining and beautiful onsite amenities (and you're ok splurging a bit for the $1500+ per night cost) then this lake view stay is perfect for you

Our Favorite Tours near Udaipur :
- Udaipur Tuk-Tuk Sightseeing Tour
- Half Day Tuk-Tuk Temple Sightseeing

Best Places to Eat in Udaipur

Rainbow Cafe

Hotel Udaigarh

Rainbow Cafe

Udaipur has many great places to eat, with a large percentage of them being rooftops overlooking the many lakes in the area. Our go to was the Rainbow Cafe - they had great food with beautiful views of Pichola Lake, and an awesome cold coffee. Some other options we would recommend are :

Hotel Udaigarh - along with their incredible rooftop pool they have an awesome rooftop dining option as well, with great local cuisine!
Jhumar Restaurant - we didn't try this spot ourselves, but heard there's a great view of the nearby Fateh Sagar Lake!
Jalsa Lake View Veg Restaurant & Cafe - a great upscale restaurant with incredible views of Pichola Lake and delicious local dishes
Sun n Moon Cafe & Restaurant - another great rooftop option offering Chinese and Indian food

Best Things to Do in Udaipur

Cooking Class

Dharohar Folk Dance Cultural Show

Sunset over Pichola Lake

Although we were only in Udaipur for a few short days, we were truly surprised at just how much there was to do in this town! Udaipur is truly the best place in Rajasthan to kick back, relax, and enjoy - and the activities in the area prove that as well. Read on for our list of the best things to do in Udaipur :

Boat Ride on Pichola Lake - a cheap, fun activity with pricing from 400-600 rupees per person ($4-$7 USD per person), we recommend going during sunset for a beautiful view across the lake!
City Palace Museum Tour - walk over towards the City Palace and explore the complex that took over 400 years to build that is located right on the banks of the Pichola Lake
Cooking Class - one of our favorite things we ever did in India, we went through Deepika @women_skill_cooking_class and had the best time making chai tea and our own thali (about 7 different dishes all together) - it was all delicious and we had no tummy issues afterwards!
Henna Art - a fun, cheap activity that can be found throughout the streets of Udaipur for typically less than $5
Nail Painting/Miniature Art - Udaipur is known for its' incredible "miniature" art creators - you'll see this type of artwork throughout the streets of Udaipur, each of which can take months to create, if you find a co-op they might even paint your nails with some miniature art!
Dharohar Folk Dance Cultural Show - a daily cultural dance show that takes place at 7 pm each night, and for only 200 rupees ($2.44 USD) we highly recommend checking it out, we promise you'll be amazed! (note it may be cancelled due to weather as it is outdoor seating)
Yoga Class - there are many places that offer morning or evening yoga classes near the lake, just walk around town and you'll see the many signs for a private or small group yoga class! (like this one on Viator)
Hotel Udaigarh Rooftop Pool - if you're looking to relax, or take some time to yourself, then the rooftop pool at Hotel Udaigarh is the perfect spot
Relax at Local Lakes - there are lots of lakes in the Udaipur area, and although our guide recommend not to swim in them they're definitely a great spot to hang out and meet some locals! (we recommend starting with Pichola Lake or Fateh Sagar Lake which are the closest to the city center of Udaipur)