Thanks to its five lakes, Udaipur has often been dubbed the Venice of the East or the City of Lakes, and it’s one of my favourite cities in Rajasthan. This Udaipur itinerary for 2 days is perfect for first-timers. It will bring you to floating palaces, beautiful temples and breathtaking viewpoints.
Surrounded by the Aravalli hills, Udaipur was founded in the 16th century as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom. It would remain like this until 1818 when it became a British princely state.
Today, Udaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan and it’s easy to understand why. With its serene lakes, colourful markets and peaceful gardens, it’s a city that does not disappoint.
2 days travel itinerary for Udaipur, India
Day 1: Lakes and temples
Let’s dive right into it! The first day of this itinerary will give you an idea of what Udaipur is all about. It will bring you to the city’s most romantic lake, its most famous temple and a spectacular viewpoint.
8:30 am: Lake Pichola
We’ll start the first day of this itinerary by exploring Lake Pichola and its surroundings. Lake Pichola is undoubtedly Udaipur’s most famous sight. It’s thanks to this artificial lake that Udaipur is considered the most romantic city in Rajasthan.
Some of the sights you cannot miss during a visit to Lake Pichola are Gangaur Ghat and Ambrai Ghat. You will have a beautiful view of the lake from both of these places. Note that you will have to pay a small fee (and an extra fee if you want to take photos) to visit Ambrai Ghat.
Tip: Lake Shore Restaurant is a nice place to have breakfast near Ambrai Ghat. You will have a stunning view of the lake here!
10:00 am: Monsoon Palace
The Monsoon Palace, also known as Sajjangarh Fort, is 10 km (6.2 mi) from Udaipur’s old town. You will need to take a rickshaw to get to the entrance of the palace, and then you can either take a jeep or walk to the top of the hill. The hike up takes approximately 1 hour.
This palace was built for Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884, and it offers a stunning view over Udaipur. It’s believed that the Maharana built it here to get a view of Chittorgarh, his ancestral home and the previous capital.
Fun fact: The Monsoon Palace is also famous for being featured in the James Bond movie Octopussy.
12:30 pm: Lunch
Head back to the old town for lunch. Some of the rooftop restaurants I liked that are close to the Jagdish Temple (which is next on this itinerary) are Café Boho and Savage Garden (which is on top of Edelweiss Café).
1:30 pm: Jagdish Temple
After lunch, it’s time to head to the Jagdish Temple, which is the largest one in Udaipur. This Hindu temple was completed in 1651 and its architecture is simply stunning. You will find numerous statues of elephants, horsemen, musicians and dancers on the structure’s facades.
This temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and according to the legend, the marble slab inside the temple has healing powers. It’s believed that if you rub your shoulders, knees or back against it, it will relieve pain.
>> Read next: What to Pack for India as a Woman
2:00 pm: Ahar Cenotaphs
A place that’s often overlooked on a Udaipur travel itinerary is the Ahar Cenotaphs, also known as the Royal Cremation Grounds. These are a 4 km (2.5 mi) drive from the Jagdish Temple, so the easiest way to get there is by taking a rickshaw.
Cenotaphs are small tomb-like structures that were built in honour of kings, queens and other important people. The Ahar Cenotaphs contain more than 250 of these structures. They were built by the Maharanas of Mewar approximately 350 years ago and they’re pretty impressive!
This is a nice place to enjoy some peace and quiet after strolling around the bustling streets of Udaipur’s old city.
It’s good to know that there is no entry fee to visit the Ahar Cenotaphs. There are guides at the entrance that will ask you for money if you want to take pictures, but this is not official. I gave them 40 INR but you don’t have to give them anything if you don’t want to.
4:00 pm: Saheliyon-ki-Bari
The last stop of the day is Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of Maids in English), a romantic garden that’s a 15-minute rickshaw ride from the Royal Cenotaphs.
These gardens were built by Rana Sanga of the Mewar dynasty to offer the queen and the maidens a peaceful getaway from palace life and political issues. You will find marble elephants, a lotus pool and multiple fountains here. It’s the perfect place to relax after a busy day of exploring Udaipur.
Tip: Rainbow Restaurant is another great place to have dinner with a gorgeous lake view. It’s located in the old town; a 40-minute walk or a 15-minute rickshaw drive from Saheliyon-ki-Bari.
Day 2: Palaces and views
On day 2 of this Udaipur itinerary, it’s time to enjoy some spectacular views and head to one of the city’s most famous sights; the City Palace.
9:30 am: City Palace
After breakfast, it’s time to head to the City Palace, a place that you cannot miss on a visit to Udaipur. Its mix of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles will take your breath away.
The City Palace was built in 1553 and it’s the largest royal complex in the state of Rajasthan. It was built at the demand of Maharana Udai Singh II when he moved the capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur.
Inside, you will find splendid halls, amazing palaces, beautiful mosaics and an interesting museum.
11:00 am: Boat ride on Lake Pichola & Jag Mandir
Next, it’s time to head to the Lake Pichola Municipal Boat Ride Point, which is located opposite the City Palace. From here, you can take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and make a stop at Jag Mandir, the palace, which has now been converted into a hotel, in the middle of the lake.
This boat trip will offer you spectacular views over the lake, the ghats and the City Palace, and it’s one of the top things to do in Udaipur!
12:30 am: Lunch
A great place to have lunch in Udaipur’s old town is Sun & Moon Cafe, which is a 15-minute walk from the City Palace. This place claims to have the highest rooftop in the city. I don’t know if this is true, but there’s no denying that the view from their rooftop is spectacular!
1:30 pm: Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway
The Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway is located 1,5 km (0.9 mi) from the old city, so you can either walk or take a rickshaw to get there.
This cable car ride will take you to Machhala Hill, where you will find the Sri Karni Mata Temple. Although the temple isn’t that spectacular, you will find an amazing view over Udaipur here, which is what makes it worth heading to this hilltop!
Note that you will still have to walk up some stairs to reach the temple and viewpoint once you get off of the cable car.
4:00 pm: Explore the old city, shop for souvenirs and look for street art
Head back to the old city, which is located around the Jagdish Temple and the Clock Tower (Ghantaghar), and explore its little alleys.
If you’d like to shop for some nice souvenirs from India, this is the perfect place to do so. You will find many shops selling colourful clothes, beautiful jewellery, traditional paintings and more. Do make sure to haggle before buying something, though.
Keep an eye open for the colourful street art and murals that are scattered all over Udaipur’s old city while you’re there. These are Rajputana paintings and their use dates back to the Mewar era.
6:30 pm: Dharohar Dance Show at Lok Dharohar Haveli
Head to the Dharohar Dance Show at Lok Dharohar Haveli for the last evening in Udaipur. Here, you will get a taste of traditional Rajasthani dances, and it’s quite impressive, to say the least!
From puppet dances to Rajasthani women balancing (a lot of!) pots on their heads while dancing, it’s a spectacular show that you will definitely remember.
Although there are cultural Rajasthani dance performances in other cities in Rajasthan too, the one in Udaipur is known to be the most spectacular one, so don’t miss it!
Tip: The show starts at 7 pm but make sure to come early to get a good seat. The doors open at 6:30 pm but you can buy your tickets in advance (or book them online via the Dharohar Folk Dance website).
Map and schedule for the Udaipur itinerary
Udaipur itinerary day 1: Lakes and temples
8:30 am: Stroll around Lake Pichola and the ghats (+ breakfast)
10:00 am: Visit the Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh Fort)
12:30 am: Lunch in the old city
1:30 pm: See the Jagdish Temple
2:00 pm: Visit the Royal Cenotaphs
4:00 pm: Take a stroll at Saheliyon-ki-Bari
6:30 pm: Dinner at Rainbow Restaurant
Udaipur itinerary day 2: Palaces and views
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: Visit the City Palace
11:00 am: Take a boat ride to Jag Mandir on Lake Pichola
12:30 am: Lunch at Sun & Moon Cafe
1:30 pm: Head to the Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway
4:00 pm: Explore the old town, shop for souvenirs and look for street art
6:30 pm: Go to the Dharohar Dance Show at Bagore Ki Haveli
8:00 pm: Dinner at Charcoal by Carlsson
How to get to Udaipur
Udaipur is a well-connected city that’s easily reachable by bus, train and plane, as the nearest airport (Maharana Pratap Airport) is located 20 km (12.4) from the city.
You can book bus and train tickets using 12GoAsia. This is the only website I could find that accepts payments with non-Indian credit cards. Note that when you’re travelling in the north of India, it’s essential to book transportation in advance.
How to get around in Udaipur
Many tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another, but not all of them. Besides walking, the easiest ways to get around in Udaipur are the following:
- Rickshaw: Although you will have to negotiate the price in advance, taking the rickshaw is a great way to get around in Udaipur. You will find rickshaws nearly everywhere in the city.
- Ola: When travelling in India, the Ola app is a true lifesaver. This app will allow you to book a car, rickshaw or bike to pick you up and bring you to your destination for a fair price. This way, you won’t have to haggle, as rickshaw drivers try to charge 10 times the local price for foreigners.
- Taxi: The most comfortable way to get around is by taking a taxi, but note that this is also the most expensive one.
- Rent a bike or car: If flexibility and freedom are things that you value, then renting a car or a bike to get around Udaipur is the best option.
Best time to visit Udaipur
Like many places in India, the best time to visit Udaipur is between October and March, when it’s not too hot.
In April and May, it will be very hot, as this is summer in India, and the monsoon season is between June and September. I visited Udaipur during the monsoon, in July, and although there were dry days, it did rain a lot.
Where to stay in Udaipur
There are plenty of hotels in Udaipur, it all depends on your taste and budget. You will find my top recommendations below.
Check out my guide featuring the best lake view hotels in Udaipur if you would like to have a beautiful view of Lake Pichola from your hotel.
- Little People House (⭐ 8.9/10): This is a place I cannot recommend enough. Little Peepal House offers clean rooms for an affordable price and Parvat (the host) and his family will treat you as if you’re part of their family. On top of that, the location is perfect, the wifi is excellent and the home-cooked food is absolutely delicious!
- Amet Haveli (⭐ 8.3/10): This beautiful heritage hotel was built in the 19th century and it offers a fantastic view of Lake Pichola. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the restaurant offers some of the best food in Udaipur.
- The Oberoi Udaivillas (⭐ 9.6/10): This is one of Udaipur’s most luxurious hotels. You will feel like royalty if you stay here! The Oberoi Udaivillas has beautiful courtyards, pavillions, gardens and private pools, and the rooms come with a butler.
Udaipur FAQ’s
How many days is enough for Udaipur?
It all depends on your interests and personal pace, but I would recommend staying in Udaipur for at least 2 days. This way, you will be able to see the city’s highlights. If you want to explore Udaipur’s surroundings too, 3 days is better.
Is Udaipur worth visiting?
Yes, Udaipur is definitely worth a visit. The city is full of beautiful sights, including Lake Pichola, the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple.
Is Udaipur safe?
As long as you use your common sense, Udaipur is safe to visit. I spent two weeks in Udaipur as a solo female traveller, and there hasn’t been a moment that I didn’t feel safe. You can read my guide on solo (female) travel in India here.
2 days in Udaipur trip itinerary – Final thoughts
I hope you enjoy this sightseeing itinerary for Udaipur for 2 days. If you have more time, there are other things to do in Udaipur too. You could take a day trip to the Ranakpur Jain Temple, for example, or head to Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is also called the Great Wall of India.
All in all, Udaipur is a city that has a lot to offer. I loved spending time on the city’s rooftops and I can’t wait to visit it again!
India travel planning guide
🛫 Find the cheapest flights to India on Skyscanner.
🏨 Find the best accommodation via Booking or Agoda.
🛺 Download the Ola app to order a rickshaw.
🚃 Use 12GoAsia to book trains and buses in India.
💰 Get travel insurance via Visitors Coverage, one of the best-reviewed travel insurance companies.
👘 Check out my complete India packing list for females.
📋 Don’t forget to check if you need a visa to visit India.
Read more about Udaipur:
- The Best Lake View Hotels in Udaipur for Every Budget
- Karni Mata Ropeway, Udaipur: A Useful Guide
- Ahar Cenotaphs, Udaipur: Complete Guide
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