Geographically located in the southern most part of Rajasthan, the magical city of Udaipur, shares proximity with Gujarat. The city is surrounded by the Aravali Mountain range and it is this mountain range that separates this it from the Thar Desert. According to records of history, this city of Lakes, is believed to having been founded in the year 1559 by Udai Singh II who belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajput dynasty. A trip to North India is incomplete without visiting Udaipur. Here’s taking a closer look at the places to visit in Udaipur. The next time you visit the city of Lakes, make sure you visit the following places.
1. City Palace
Also known as the lake palace, the city palace is constructed on the Pichola Lake and is spread on land measuring, 1.5-hectares. A Rajasthan tour itinerary is incomplete without visiting this place that is located on the Jag Niwas Island. This is counted as one of the best places to visit in Udaipur. Home to the Mewar family, the city palace has many buildings and towers and it is better known as the Palace Complex in the modern day. Every evening, a light and sound show is hosted here. While in this place do make sure that you stay back for the spectacular show. Visiting hours are between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.
2. Lake Pichola
It is manmade but naturally. This is the best way to introduce the Lake Pichola. It is spread at about 4-kilometers.This lake is regarded as one of the top sightseeing travel destinations in Udaipur. While in Lake Pichola with your friends or with family, do make sure that you hop on to a boat and enjoy the boat ride. Rameshwar Ghat in the City Palace is the start point of the boat ride. Jag Niwas and Jagmandir are the two islands that are a part of the famous lake. If Lake Pichola is in your list of Places to Visit in Udaipur, you can also visit the Taj Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir. If you like nature, you are sure to fall in love with this place. Lake Pichola is open to visitors between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
3. Lake Palace
Constructed on the famous Lake Pichola the Lake Palace it is one of the top sightseeing places in Udaipur. Geographically located on the Jagniwas Island, the property is now owned, managed and operated by the famous Taj Group. It is also called as Taj Lake Palace. With the Aravalli Hills in the background, Lake Palace also doubles up as the must visit places in Udaipur, for those on a romantic holiday. According to natives, the Palace is one of the most romantic places to stay in while on a tour to Rajasthan. According to history experts, the palace was originally constructed by Maharaja Jagat Singh II. In the modern era, it stands as a symbol of exquisite architecture. As a visitor, if you do not wish to book accommodation at the Lake Palace, you can catch a glimpse of the iconic property from one the end of Lag Pichola.
4. Jag Mandir
A visit to this place is sure to take you back to the 17th century. Standing amidst Lake Pichola, this 17th century structure, is one of the best Places to Visit in Udaipur. Of the series of building complexes, what we call as buildings in the modern day, the central structure or building is christened as Jag Mandir. When you look at all the buildings together, you are sure not to miss the one that has elephants crafted from marbles that are positioned outside. While you are on your Udaipur sightseeing mission, make sure to see this place, while on a boat ride to Lake Pichola. Best time to visit this place is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
5. Jagdish Temple
Located right at the entrance of the City Palace and in close proximity to the Badi Pol, the Jagdish Temple has over the years, become one of the places to go in Udaipur. The elephant-flanked steps are worth the climb up to the temple. While at this place of worship, make sure that you offer your prayers to the deity of Lord Vishnu which is carved in black stone. Also at the temple is a vehicle believed to be Vishnu’s vehicle which is placed in the main shrine area and it faces the statue of Lord Vishnu head-on. Also in the temple one can worship other Hindu God’s. The best time to visit the temple is during sunrise or sunset. If you are a spiritual person, this temple is one of the places to visit in Udaipur.
6. Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake is located in the north of Lake Pichola and it is connected through a canal. The natural beauty of the lake makes it one of the go-to places and a must include places in a Rajasthan tour itinerary. While in this lap of beauty, make sure that you enjoy a boat ride. Of the three islands located here, Nehru Park is more than popular. It has a zoo and this makes it an ideal place to be in while on a family holiday. The Udaipur Solar Observatory which was constructed in 1975 by Dr. Arvind Bhatanagar is regarded as one of the Asia’s best solar site. If you are on Udaipur sightseeing tour for a day or two, you must visit this place. The best time to visit this place is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
7. Saheliyon Ki Bari
When translated Saheliyon Ki Bari means ‘The Garden of the Maidens’. The place of historic importance is reportedly constructed by Maharana Bhopal Singh. Located in the northern part of the city, Saheliyon Ki Bari, was constructed for the house helps who accompanied the Princess to Udaipur. This place was a home away from home for the maids, as they enjoyed all the freedom while at the Saheliyon Ki Bari. They danced, sang and made merry. While here, do visit the delightful lotus pool. Between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm is the best time to visit the place. Make sure that Saheliyon Ki Bari is part of Rajasthan tour itinerary and one of the best places to visit in Udaipur.
8. Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum
If you like the signs and signs of tradition and culture, the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum is the places to go in Udaipur. Visitors to the museum can get a peek into the lifestyle of kings and queens of the royal era in Udaipur. Comes in the folk-art museum, this place is home to a classic collection of apparels, accessories and paintings. This automatically makes the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum one of the places to visit in Udaipur. While here, don’t miss the puppet show and the folk dance performance. Open to visitors between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm make sure that you make a pit stop at this place while in Udaipur.
9. Bagore Ki Haveli
No trip to Rajasthan is complete without a visit to this place and this is what makes the Bagore Ki Haveli one of the top attractions in Udaipur. The Maharajas and the Maharanis lived a lavish life. The Bagore Ki Haveli gives visitors a glimpse of this. The huge splendid mansion has a total of 100 rooms. Each room is distinctively built and the interiors of this haveli are sure to leave the visitors awestruck. An architectural splendour in the truest sense, this place gives visitors a different view of the Lake Pichola. Things and accessories that were used by the kings and queens like copper vessels, nut crackers, hand fans, jewellery boxes among others are housed here. The evening comes alive with the dance and music show and it makes it one of the places to visit in Udaipur.
10. Ahar
From the colourful peppy places, Ahar is one of the top sightseeing places in Udaipur to go to if you wish to experience solitude. Located about three kilometres away from the city of Udaipur, Ahar was the royal cremation ground where members of the royal clan were laid to rest. Of all the gravestones, Rana Sanga’s is the most visited by visitors. One can take a look at as many as hundreds of gravestones that belong to the kings of queens of the by-gone era of Mewar. While in Ahar, the archaeology museum is a must see attraction. This makes it one of the must places to visit in Udaipur. Do check the best time to visit the museum online.
11. Ambrai Ghat
Ambrai Ghat is a must visit places to visit in Udaipur. Located on the bank of Lake Pichola, this place can also double up as a romantic holiday getaway. If you get a chance to visit the Ambrai Ghat with your partner, sunset time is the best time to visit the place. If you like clicking photographs, this place will not disappoint you as Ambrai Ghat offers natural backgrounds that look like paintings. On your next visit to the city with your partner, make sure that you have Ambrai Ghat included in your Rajasthan tour itinerary.
12. Monsoon Palace
Like its name suggests, the Monsoon Palace was at one era, the go-to place for the royals during the monsoon season. This place will leave its visitors transported into a different world. This makes the monsoon palace as one of the places to visit in Udaipur. Located on a hill, from a distance, the monsoon palace can be easily mistaken for one of the castles straight from a fairy-tale story. While at this palace, do make sure that you visit the Fateh Sagar Lake and City Palace which are popular Udaipur tourist places. If you visit monsoon season with the children in your home, you can visit the Sajjangarh Wildlife sanctuary. From 8:00 am to 6:00 pm is the best time to visit the place.
13. Shilpgram
Shilpgram is the place you need to be in if learning about how life in the rural pockets is on your mind. Also known as the Craftsmen’s Village, you need to travel about three-kilometres away from the main city area of Udaipur. A majority of visitors to the state, have Shilpgram included in their Rajasthan tour itinerary as this place gives visitors a slice of a different cultures and traditions of India. Apart from catching a glimpse of rural India of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, Shilpgram, allows its visitors purchase exclusive traditional products and accessories from here. This place also treats its visitors with traditional song and dance. Thus, Shilpgram is one of the places to visit in Udaipur.
14. Moti Magri
Popularly known as the Pearl Hill among tourists, the Moti Magri, comfortably sits on top of a hill and it is home to the famous Maharana Pratap Memorial. Moti Magri is one of the places to explore in Udaipur as this place has something for everyone. This place will make the young and old feel like they are indeed on top of the world. Beautifully overlooking the Lake Fatehsagar, the Moti Mahal, was once where Maharana Udai Singh lived. This historic place is one of the earliest places in Mewar and this makes Moti Mahal one of the places to visit in Udaipur. The best time to visit the place of historic importance is between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
15. Vintage and Classic Car Museum
You will be left surprised to learn that the Maharajas of Udaipur also drive cars. Yes, you read it right. A selection of cars that were once owned and driven by the Maharajas of Udaipur, are housed in the Vintage and Classic Car Museum. This is one of the places to visit in Udaipur at a time when take advantage of modern gadgets and equipment. Visitors can see as many as 22 vehicles at the Vintage and Classic Car Museum. If you visit the City Palace while in Udaipur, you must take the effort to make a pit stop at the museum as it is just a-kilometre away. a storehouse of history, vintage cars this is a lovely place to take photographs too. Visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Need we say more about why this place is counted as one of the Udaipur famous places to visit?
16. Kumbhalgarh Fort
Records of history bring to light that the Kumbhalgarh Fort was originally constructed by Rana Kumbha as early as in the 15th century. If you do a research about Udaipur beautiful places, this one is sure to show up in your search. A little reading will educate you that the Kumbhalgarh Fort was regarded as the most important fort for the rulers of the Mewar kingdom next to Chittorgarh. Declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kumbhalgarh in the modern era is regarded as the biggest fort complexes in the world, besides also being rated as the second-largest fort in India after the Chittorgarh Fort. A section of historians also reveals that Maharana Pratap was born here. Thus, this fort is one of the places to visit in Udaipur.
17. Eklingji Temple
If you have enough time in hand, you can visit the Eklingji Temple which is located a good 22-kilometeres away from the city of Udaipur. For the elderly, no trip to Udaipur is complete without a visit to this temple. If you have older people travelling with you, make sure the Eklingji Temple, features in the Rajasthan tour itinerary. Rated as one of the most famous temples in the state of Rajasthan, Lord Shiva, is the primary God of the temple. Bappa Rawal constructed the Eklingji Temple in Udaipur way back in 734 AD. The roof of the temple is pyramid style and it deserves a mention as it is more than just uncommon to find a temple of this style of architecture. The temple is open to visitors from 4:30 am to 7:00 am, 10:30 am to 1:30 noon and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On your next trip to Udaipur, make sure you spare some time for this temple as it is one of the best places to visit in Udaipur.
18. Mansapurna Karni Ropeway
The cable car is sure to bring a smile on tourists face. The Mansapurna Karni Ropeway connects mountains on the bank of Lake Pichola. Get breathtaking view of Mother nature while you are transported from one point to another. There is no better way to get a bird’s eye view of Udaipur. Beyond any doubt, it is one of the top attractions in Udaipur. This service is open to visitors between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
19. Jaisamand Lake
Spread across an area of nearly 50-kilometers, the Jaisamand Lake takes the credit of being the largest artificial lakes in India and this makes it must visit places in Udaipur. Popularly known as the Dhebar Lake, Maharana Jai Singh this lake was constructed under the leadership of Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1685. The Jaisamand Lake spreads over an area of 36 sq km. Right at the bottom of this water body sits a dam which measures 120,2 feet in length, is 116 feet high and is 70 feet wide. While at the lake, do pray at the temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Jaisamand Lake is one of the places to visit in Udaipur. You could be a solo visitor or with family or friends, the Jaisamand Lake will not disappoint you as once you are here, little you will realize how time flies.
20. Udaipur Solar Observatory
For tourists seeking for dun, adventure and a little bit of learning, their Rajasthan tour itinerary is incomplete without a visit to this place. Ask a science expert which is the best Solar Observatory’s in Asia, and in a jiffy will come the answer that it is the Udaipur Solar Observatory. Why not? As this place is designed on par with the Solar Observatory which is located at the Big Bear Lake in Southern California, USA. Dr. Arvind Bhatnagar takes the credit of establishing the Solar Observatory in Udaipur. The boat ride which is the only way to reach this place will leave its visitors more than just thrilled. Famous for solar observations, this place has something for learners and adventure seekers. Thus, it easily becomes one of the places to visit in Udaipur.
The next time you plan a trip to Udaipur, Rajasthan, make sure that you spare some time to visit the top attractions in Udaipur that we have featured in our list.
