Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Sleepless
Udaipur travel guide: Discover Lake Pichola, the City Palace, old-city lanes, local food and the best ways to explore Rajasthan’s “City of Lakes.” This guide combines our visit with practical pointers on boat rides, where to stay, getting around and planning your time.
Updated September 2026: Scroll to the end for current hotel and restaurant prices, sightseeing tickets, boat ride costs, how to get to Udaipur and the best time to visit.
Udaipur Venice of the East is a city of lakes, palaces and winding old-city lanes. On my visit, I explored the Lake Palace and sights around Lake Pichola; this guide pairs that photo story with practical planning notes.
Often called the Venice of the East, Udaipur is one of those rare cities where history, romance, and natural beauty blend so effortlessly that every corner feels like a postcard. Set around shimmering lakes and framed by the Aravalli hills, Udaipur is a gentle escape into Rajasthan’s royal past. Its grand palaces, marble havelis, and narrow winding lanes still echo stories of the Mewar dynasty, while the calm waters of Lake Pichola reflect the city’s timeless charm.
What makes Udaipur unforgettable is its atmosphere — serene yet vibrant, regal yet welcoming. Whether you’re drifting past the Lake Palace on a boat ride, watching the sunset from a rooftop café, or simply wandering through the old city’s colourful streets, the city has a way of slowing time and inviting you to soak in its beauty.
Udaipur Travel Guide: Planning Lake Pichola and City Palace
If you are extending your Rajasthan trip, explore our Jodhpur Heritage Trail for another palace-and-fort itinerary.
Staying at the Taj Lake Palace
I was fortunate enough to stay at the Taj Lake Palace and it is one of the most beautiful properties I have stayed at.
First you arrive at the shore of the lake Pichola where they have their own private Jetty.
From the jetty, you are taken to the main Palace where you are greeted like royalty . Needless to stay, the lobby and the entrance is as impressive as any place you are likely to see in your life..
Rajasthan is known for its magnificent palaces with their amazing Inlay works and decoration harking back to an era when labour was cheap and precious stones and gems were plentiful ( at least for the well-off Kings ) and the Lake palace is no exception.
The most famous attraction of the palace is the Lily pond and as in the afternoon as I was walking in the passage along with pond, there was a loud sound somewhere in the distance and all the birds just took off from there perches….see below
The palace grounds are of course, extremely well tended and it really make for a more beautiful view than any picture could ever show.
In the evening there is generally a culturual program in the palace courtyard. When I was there, the incredibly talented and beautiful Ms Papiya presented a traditional Rajasthani dance.
See her dancing beautifully to a Rajsthani folk song…then dancing on a steel plate with sharp walls and then finally throwing a couple of rings on the grounds and lifting them with her eyes !!!!!
There are 3 restaurants and all of them have excellent cuisine and service as one would expect
and of course, at night the property looks ever more majestic….
Between April to September is considered off season there and you could book a base category room for around INR25000 per night if you are lucky.. in rest of the months it could be anything from around 45k to a lakh.. I of course went in off season because …
I think this is one property you must stay at..the city itself is beautiful with lots of things to see and is certainly worth a visit
Accessibility is not a problem there are direct trains and flights from many cities in India.
Below are some of the pictures I took there, do let me know in comments which ones did you like
5 Places to Stay in Udaipur: Mid-Range to Luxury
Choose your base by location and travel style: the old city and Lake Pichola suit palace views and walkable sightseeing, while Fateh Sagar and New Fatehpura offer easier road access. Prices below are published starting or seasonal rates for double occupancy; availability, room category, festive dates and taxes can change the total, so confirm your exact dates directly.
- Anand Bhawan RSHCL — budget heritage stay: A former Mewar guesthouse on Fateh Sagar Road, with lake views and breakfast included in the CP plan. A double Deluxe room is listed at ₹3,300 per night for 1 October 2026–31 March 2027; GST extra.
- Aura Boutique Hotel — mid-range: A small modern hotel at Haridas Ji Ki Magri, handy for Lake Pichola and the old city. Comfort rooms are advertised from ₹3,000 per room per night; check dates and inclusions when booking.
- Amantra Comfort Hotel — mid-range: A full-service option opposite Saheliyon Ki Bari. The Comfort double room is ₹4,250 per night, room-only, for 1 April 2026–31 March 2027, except festive dates; taxes extra.
- Grandrossé — boutique, upper mid-range: A heritage-inspired property near the old-city ghats. Rooms are advertised from ₹8,000 per night; confirm the room type, meals and taxes for your dates.
- The Leela Palace Udaipur — luxury: A lakeside palace hotel with gardens, suites and expansive Pichola views. The official Palace Trail offer lists ₹65,000 per room per night for double occupancy in winter (1 October 2026–31 March 2027), with a five-night minimum and taxes extra; availability and offer terms apply.
Room prices are indicative of the published rates noted above and can change; check availability, taxes, inclusions and cancellation terms with each property before booking.
5 Places to Eat in Udaipur
Udaipur’s food scene ranges from Rajasthani thalis to candlelit lake-view dining. Menus and prices change, and some restaurants require reservations, especially for sunset tables.
- Natraj Dining Hall: Try the Rajasthani or Gujarati unlimited thali at the Bapu Bazaar branch; the restaurant lists it at about ₹230 per person. A popular, filling introduction to local dishes.
- Shamiana: A rooftop restaurant with lake-and-city outlooks. Its menu includes Matar Paneer at ₹525 per dish; it also serves Indian, Asian and continental plates.
- Level 5: A rooftop choice near Sukhadia Circle. Paneer tikka is ₹375 per portion and the menu has Rajasthani, North Indian and international options.
- Ambrai, Amet Haveli: Dine beside Lake Pichola with views of the City Palace and Lake Palace. A current dining listing estimates about ₹1,900 for two; reserve ahead for a lake-facing table.
- Sheesh Mahal at The Leela Palace: An open-air fine-dining restaurant overlooking Pichola. The published menu lists its signature Dal-e-Sheesh at ₹450 per single portion; confirm the current menu price and dinner reservation details with the hotel.
Restaurant prices are menu or listing examples, not a fixed meal budget; taxes, service charges and menu revisions may apply. Check current hours and book where needed.
5 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Udaipur City
Allow time between the main sights: the old-city landmarks cluster around Lake Pichola, while Saheliyon Ki Bari is an easy trip toward Fateh Sagar.
- City Palace: Explore courtyards, balconies and museum rooms in the historic palace complex, then look out across Lake Pichola.
- Lake Pichola: Take a boat ride for views of the City Palace, ghats and island palaces; sail times and routes vary with conditions.
- Jag Mandir Palace: Visit the island palace on Pichola, known for its marble architecture and garden setting. Access is typically by boat.
- Bagore Ki Haveli: See the historic waterfront mansion’s rooms and collections; its evening folk dance programme offers a lively glimpse of regional performance traditions.
- Saheliyon Ki Bari: Wander the royal garden’s fountains, marble pavilions and shaded paths, a calm break from the old-city lanes.
Opening hours, boat operations and entry charges can change seasonally; confirm details with the official attraction or local ticket office before you go.
Udaipur Prices and Practical Guide – September 2026
Here are current approximate prices (September 2026) for the hotels, restaurants and sights in this post, plus how to get there and when to go. Prices change by season, so check before booking.
Where to Stay (Approx. Per Night)
- Taj Lake Palace (the floating palace where I stayed): About ₹27,000–58,000 for a room, and higher in peak winter weeks.
- The Oberoi Udaivilas: From about ₹44,000, often ₹60,000+ in peak season.
- The Leela Palace Udaipur: About ₹45,000–58,000.
- Mid-range lakeside havelis: About ₹7,000–20,000.
- Budget lake-view havelis near Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat: About ₹2,500–7,000.
Where to Eat (Approx. Prices)
- Ambrai (Amet Haveli): Lakeside with the best view of the City Palace lit up at night. About ₹800–1,500 per person. Book a sunset table.
- Upre (Lake Pichola Hotel rooftop): About ₹600–1,500 per person.
- Natraj Dining Hall (Bapu Bazaar): The famous unlimited Rajasthani/Gujarati thali for about ₹230–300. It’s pure vegetarian.
- Street food: Kachori, mirchi vada and poha near Jagdish Temple and Bapu Bazaar. About ₹30–100.
Sightseeing Tickets and Timings (Approx.)
- City Palace: Daily, about 9:30 am – 5:30 pm. There are separate Indian and foreigner tickets, with extra fees for the museum and cameras. Budget a few hundred rupees per person.
- Lake Pichola boat ride: About ₹400–700 per person. The sunset cruise costs more, and the Jag Mandir island (open 10 am – 6 pm) is included on the round-trip ride.
- Saheliyon ki Bari, Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli: Small entry fees. The evening Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli costs about ₹150–300.
Getting There and Best Time
- By air: Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) is about 22 km from the city, and a taxi costs about ₹600–900. There are direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- By train: Overnight trains from Delhi take about 12 hours. Udaipur is also an easy 4–5 hour drive from Jodhpur, and you can stop at Ranakpur’s Jain temples on the way.
- Best time: September to March. Right after the monsoon, in September and October, the lakes are full and the hills are green.
