Best Routes for Sightseeing in Udaipur is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, magnificent palaces, serene lakes, and vibrant culture. The plethora of places to visit in Udaipur makes it a perfect getaway for tourists.
One of the top tourist places to visit in Udaipur is the majestic City Palace, which is a splendid blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. It houses a museum showcasing a vast collection of royal artifacts, including weapons, paintings, and antiques. The palace also offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Pichola and the surrounding Aravalli hills.
Another must-visit place is Lake Pichola, one of the most famous lakes in Udaipur. It is surrounded by palaces, temples, and ghats, and offers boat rides to explore its serene waters. Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (also known as Lake Palace) are two islands in Lake Pichola that are worth visiting.
Udaipur is also home to the famous Saheliyon-ki-Bari, a beautiful garden with fountains, lotus ponds, and marble pavilions, built for the royal ladies of the court to relax. The garden is a visual treat for nature lovers and photographers alike.
The iconic Jagdish Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is another significant attraction in Udaipur. Its stunning architecture and intricate carvings make it a must-visit for tourists seeking spiritual solace.
Other notable places to visit in Udaipur include the Fateh Sagar Lake, Monsoon Palace, Bagore Ki Haveli, Shilpgram, and Vintage Car Museum.
Top 11 Famous Tourist Places in Udaipur You Must Visit for a Royal Experience
Udaipur, often called the “City of Lakes” or the “Venice of the East,” is a stunning city in Rajasthan known for its rich history, grand palaces, and serene lakes. Here are the best sightseeing options to experience the city’s unique charm:
Lake Pichola
This lake is a key highlight among the Udaipur sightseeing points. It started off as a small pond built by a banjara, who dammed up the waters of a mountain stream by building a dyke. Maharana Udai Singh extended this pond, creating the exquisite Lake Pichola. The lake lies to the immediate west of the ridge on which the City Palace of Udaipur stands. Maharana Udai Singh built a masonry dam, known as Badi Pol, and the lake is now 4 km long and 3 km wide. Amusingly, the water of the lake belongs to the Government of India whilst the land under water belongs to the royal family.
City Palace
The gigantic City Palace, towering over the Pichola Lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. It extends a considerable distance along the east bank of the lake. South of the palace, a pleasant garden runs down to the shore. The original structure was built in the sixteenth century. Thereafter, each successive generation of rulers in Udaipur made its architectural mark on the City Palace complex. By the end of the nineteenth century, the Maharana’s Palace was a city in itself, with storehouses, stables, wells and farms within its walls. In spite of being a conglomeration of buildings added by various rulers, the palace complex manages to retain a surprising integrity of design. The palace has numerous balconies, towers and cupolas and there are stunning views over the lake and the city from the upper terraces.
Saheliyon ki Bari
Maharana Sangram Singh built this Garden in the mid-18th century. The ‘Garden of the Maidens’ brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. These delightful gardens reflect their discreet and impeccable tastes. There are four pools with dainty kiosks. All around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and fountains protected by a series of walls and trees offering plenty of shade. The fountains of the Saheliyon ki Bari function solely by water pressure and no pumps are used. The garden has a lotus pool and a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics. The whole ambience is flavoured by the reminiscence of those beautiful belles enjoying themselves in lavish environs.
Sajjangarh
Sajjangarh Biological Park is a zoological garden located in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. This biological park is situated just beneath the Monsoon Palace (also known as Sajjangarh Palace), around 12 km from the city centre. The zoo has different varieties of animals and birds which have been brought from different parts of the world. At present, it houses 60 animals of 21 species including tigers, panthers, lions, ostriches, alligators, rhesus monkeys etc.
Badi Lake
Jiyan Sagar is another striking lake, located in the village of Badi. Built by Maharana Raj Singh, Jiyan Sagar was built to deal with the problem of famine in the area. The lake was named after Jana Devi, the mother of Raj Singh. Jiyan Sagar is also known as Badi Ka Talab. It sprawls in an area of 155 sq. km. and the embankment of the lake extends to a length of 180 meters and width of 18 meters. Jiyan Sagar also adores three artistic kiosks (chattris).
Ekling Ji
Eklingji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Rajasthan. Located in the town of Eklingji (Kailashpuri), the place got its popular name from the temple. Eklingji Temple is positioned at a distance of 22 km north of Udaipur, on the national highway no. 8. Eklingnath Temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva of the Hindu religion. Initially, the temple was built in 734 A.D. by Bappa Rawal. Since that time, Eklingji has been the ruling deity of Mewar rulers.
Bagore ki Haveli
This is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangaur Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over a hundred rooms and some very interesting displays of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of the Haveli are delicate work and well preserved too. It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Painting on the walls of the Queen’s Chamber. The two peacocks made from small pieces of coloured glass are fine examples of glasswork.
Fatehsagar Lake
North of Pichola Lake, this water body is overlooked by a number of hills and parks. It was originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh but reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after heavy rains destroyed the dam. A pleasant drive winds along the east bank and in the middle is Nehru Park, a popular garden island with a cafe shaped like a boat. You can get there by boat from near the bottom of Moti Magri. Paddle boats are available. You can also enjoy a speed boat ride or water scooter ride in Fateh Sagar.
Gulab Bagh
Laid by Maharana Sajjan Singh Jji in the 18th century, Gulab Bagh, also known as Sajjan Niwas Garden, creates soothing vistas with exotic rose beds, fruit trees, orchids and attractive-looking plants. The Saraswati Bhawan Library at Gulab Bagh is a storehouse of volumes that deal with topics such as history, archaeology, Indology and quite a few old manuscripts that can trace their origin to the early medieval period. There are several handwritten manuscripts from the ancient past on display at the Gulab Bagh Museum.
Doodh Talai
Dudh Talai is a dainty lake in Udaipur studded with enhancements of human pleasures. The lake beautifies the southeast part of Lake Pichola and has an affable view from twinkling places like City Palace, Jag Mandir, etc. The small inlet of this lake contributes its water to the larger lake Pichola. This place is unique with the presence of a conspicuous view of Shiv Niwas Palace on its southern side and is adorned by two parks which add grace to its shore. Manikya Lal Verma Garden and Pandit Deen Dayal Musical Fountain Par showcase modern architecture and allow one to stroll along its beauty.
Karni Mata Ropeway
Karni Mata is a revered Hindu temple located in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to the goddess Karni Mata, who is believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga. The temple is known for its unique population of rats, which are considered sacred and worshipped by the devotees. The Karni Mata Temple attracts visitors who seek blessings and witness this intriguing aspect of the temple’s culture.
How to Reach Udaipur
Udaipur is well connected by air, railways and roadways. Here is some essential information for you to plan your trip to this city:
Flights: Udaipur’s Dabok Airport services domestic flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthani cities like Jodhpur and Jaipur. Since the airport is 25 km from the city centre, you will have to hire a car or rickshaw to reach your hotel.
Trains: Udaipur City Railway Station connects this city to various parts of the country. There are over 50 trains that halt at this station, making it possible to take a train from here to most of the other cities.
Buses: Long distance buses can get you to Udaipur from Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and a few other cities. The City of Lakes is on the National Highway 8 and 48, hence well connected.
Car: If you are arriving from other Rajasthani cities, you can also drive here. State Highways are present throughout Rajasthan, making it convenient to get to Udaipur from Chittorgarh, Jodhpur and nearby places.
Udaipur is 400 km from Jaipur, 250 km from Jodhpur, 500 km from Jaisalmer, 750 km from Mumbai and 660 km from Delhi.
