Udaipur
Lakeside palaces, wild hills, and jungle-style hideouts in Udaipur
Highlights
Gaze across Lake Pichola at island palaces glowing at golden hour.
Trek quiet hill trails around Tiger Lake and Badi for misty, green vistas.
Lose yourself in blue lanes, temple bells, and rooftop lookouts around Jagdish Chowk.
Ride up to Sajjangarh for sweeping sunset panoramas over lakes and hills.
Unwind in leafy, stone-walled cafés serving clearly labeled vegetarian and halal-friendly dishes.
Watch Rajasthani dance, puppetry, and folk music in intimate, heritage settings by the lake.
Where to Stay
3 picks
Amantra Shilpi Resort & Spa
Resort-style stay near Shilpgram with low-rise buildings amidst trees, gardens, and a pool, giving a semi-jungle feel while still being a short rickshaw ride from Fateh Sagar and central Udaipur.
Udai Haveli Guest House
Budget-to-midrange heritage guesthouse with traditional décor, plants in the courtyard, and a rooftop with city and lake glimpses.
The Tiger Inn (Lake Side Guest House)
Simple but atmospheric guesthouse with plenty of greenery on the rooftop and some rooms facing the lake or narrow, historic lanes.
Where to Eat
16 picks
Millets of Mewar
Cozy, health-focused café with greenery and a view over Lake Pichola. Fully vegetarian, using millets and local grains; order the millet pancakes, veg masala omelet (no egg if you prefer), or poha, and fresh juices.
Namaste Café & Restaurant (Vegetarian)
Simple rooftop-style spot with plants and city views. 100% vegetarian: choose paneer tikka masala, dal fry, and tandoori roti; confirm no alcohol or meat is used in the kitchen.
Cafe Edelweiss (Vegetarian-friendly, ask for no alcohol dishes)
European-style café with leafy corners and cozy seating. Focus on vegetarian pizzas, pastas, and baked goods; choose veg pizza/pasta and confirm no cooking wine or alcohol-based sauces are used in your dish.
Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery (Vegetarian options)
Waterfront café with greenery and large windows over the lake. Go for vegetarian sandwiches, pasta, and baked goods; request veg items and confirm no alcohol or meat-based broths in your order.
Grasswood Café (Vegetarian-focused, check menu)
Laid-back café with brick and plant décor. Choose vegetarian burgers, pastas, salads, and smoothies; confirm your choices are meat-free and have no alcohol-based sauces.
Yummy Yoga (Vegetarian)
Rooftop vegetarian restaurant with low seating, plants, and views of Lake Pichola. Try veg thali, palak paneer, or vegetable sizzlers; everything is meat-free, making it simpler to remain halal.
Chaifeteria & Street Snacks (Vegetarian stalls cluster)
Cluster of vegetarian snack stalls and chai points along the lake. Look for clearly vegetarian vendors and order items like masala dosa, pav bhaji (veg), kachori, and chai; confirm no eggs or meat stock are used.
1559 AD (Vegetarian selection available)
Heritage-style restaurant with stone walls, abundant plants, and a semi-open courtyard. Choose from the clearly marked vegetarian Rajasthani dishes (veg curry, dal, breads) and avoid non-vegetarian items to stay halal.
Local Village Dhaba (Vegetarian-only roadside eatery)
Ask your driver to stop at a clean, strictly vegetarian dhaba on the way back from Tiger Lake. Order veg thali, dal, sabzi, roti; confirm the kitchen is fully vegetarian and uses no meat stock.
Aangan Rooftop Restaurant (Vegetarian section)
Rooftop with some greenery and city views. Stick to the vegetarian section of the menu—veg curries, dal, and tandoori breads—and confirm your choices are cooked separately from any meat dishes.
On The Way Restaurant (Vegetarian-focused highway-style)
Casual spot often used by locals on the Sajjangarh route. Choose only vegetarian dishes like paneer curry, dal, and roti; confirm separation from any non-veg prep areas.
Tribute Restaurant (Lakeside, strong vegetarian options)
Lakeside restaurant with horse-themed décor, trees, and water views. Choose from the extensive vegetarian menu (veg kebabs, curries, dals) and avoid non-veg items to keep halal; confirm no alcohol is used in your chosen dishes.
Zaiqa Restaurant (Halal)
Local halal restaurant known for North Indian and Mughlai dishes. Order chicken curry, biryani, or kebabs from their explicitly halal meat menu; you can also opt for vegetarian curries if you prefer.
Krishna Dal Baati Restro (Vegetarian)
Popular vegetarian spot for traditional Rajasthani dal baati churma and thalis. Everything is veg; specify less ghee if you prefer and enjoy the classic combination of dal, baked wheat baati, and sweet churma.
Green Chilly Restaurant (Vegetarian section)
Busy, value-focused restaurant popular with locals. Order only from the vegetarian side of the menu—simple veg curries, dal, and breads—and confirm separate cookware from meat dishes.
Udai Kothi Rooftop (Vegetarian-focused choices)
Leafy, lantern-lit rooftop of a heritage hotel with pool views and lake glimpses. Choose from vegetarian Indian dishes on the menu, confirm no alcohol-based sauces, and avoid non-veg items to maintain halal compliance.
What to Do
17 picks
City Palace Udaipur
Explore the sprawling palace overlooking Lake Pichola: courtyards, mirrored halls, peacock mosaics, and high terraces with lake and hill views. Allow time to wander slowly and photograph from upper balconies.
Jagdish Temple & Old City Lanes
Visit Jagdish Temple’s intricate stone carvings and then stroll the tangle of nearby streets with handicrafts, miniature-painting studios, and rooftop viewpoints.
Gangaur Ghat Sunset & Lakeside Stroll
Sit on the wide stone steps of Gangaur Ghat as the sun sets over Lake Pichola, with city lights and the Lake Palace reflecting in the water. Wander along the waterfront lanes afterward.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride (City Palace Jetty)
Take a shared boat ride from the City Palace jetty across Lake Pichola, circling around the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir with great photo angles of the city and surrounding hills.
Bagore Ki Haveli Museum
Explore the restored 18th-century haveli with courtyards, old rooms, costumes, and artifacts; climb up to the terrace for elevated views over Lake Pichola.
Bagore Ki Haveli Evening Cultural Show (Dharohar)
Return in the evening for the popular folk show with traditional Rajasthani dance, puppetry, and live music in an intimate courtyard setting. Buy your ticket earlier in the day to avoid last-minute queues.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari Gardens
Stroll formal Mughal-style gardens with fountains, lotus pools, and marble pavilions surrounded by greenery.
Fateh Sagar Lake Promenade Walk
Walk the lakeside road, sit by the water, or take a short boat ride. There are plenty of benches, shade trees, and mountain views.
Maharana Pratap Memorial (Moti Magri Hill)
Climb or drive up the small hill to the statue of Maharana Pratap on horseback, with small gardens, viewpoints, and history exhibits.
Tiger Lake (Badi Lake) Hike
Take an early taxi to Tiger Lake and walk the lakeside trails and low hills, passing scrub forest, rocks, and village paths. Carry water and snacks and wear proper footwear.
Free Explore Time: Badi Village & Fields
Wander short distances around Badi village (with your driver nearby), observing farmland, small temples, and local life. Keep to main paths and be respectful of private property.
Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
Head up by taxi to the white hilltop palace above the city, surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary. Walk the terraces and outer paths for sweeping views over lakes, city, and Aravalli hills.
Nature Walk Around Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary Gate
At the base area near the sanctuary gate, stroll short, permitted paths and roadside viewpoints with forested slopes and rocky outcrops. Stick to open, allowed areas and return before dusk.
Shilpgram Rural Arts & Crafts Complex
Open-air craft village showcasing traditional hut architecture, artisans, and occasional performances, surrounded by low, green hills.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal
Small folk-art museum with traditional puppets, masks, costumes, and musical instruments; sometimes holds short puppet shows.
Gulab Bagh & Zoo (Garden focus)
Large, tree-shaded garden with walking paths, old library building, and small zoo (you can focus on the gardens if you prefer).
Free Explore & Shopping: Hathi Pol & Old City Back Lanes
Browse for miniature paintings, textiles, leather notebooks, and handicrafts in the Hathi Pol market and nearby lanes. Bargain politely and compare quality between shops.
Good to Know
8 picks
How to Keep Food Strictly Halal
Udaipur has limited explicitly halal-certified restaurants. To stay strictly halal, rely mostly on clearly vegetarian restaurants and street stalls, and when eating at mixed menus, stick to the vegetarian section and confirm: no meat stock in gravies, no lard or animal fat, no alcohol in sauces or as a cooking ingredient. For halal meat, ask specifically for halal-certified places like local Muslim-run restaurants (e.g., Zaiqa) and still verbally confirm their meat source.
Moving Around Without Mobile Data
Download offline maps of Udaipur before arrival and save key locations (hotel, major sights, a few eateries). In the city center, most destinations can be reached by walking or by flagging an auto-rickshaw and showing a saved map screenshot or written address. Agree the fare before the ride; for longer trips (Monsoon Palace, Badi, Shilpgram), arrange a round-trip taxi through your hotel so you don’t need to use apps.
Clothing for Temples, Palaces, and Hills
Pack light, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples and cultural sites, plus one slightly nicer outfit for rooftop dinners. For hill areas like Tiger Lake and Sajjangarh, wear closed shoes with grip; carry a sun hat, sunglasses, and a compact rain layer in monsoon. A thin scarf is useful to cover up quickly when needed.
Cash, Tipping, and Small Purchases
While bigger hotels and some restaurants accept cards, many small eateries, autos, and market stalls are cash-only. Withdraw enough INR at ATMs in central areas and keep notes separated (small bills accessible, larger ones tucked away). For short auto rides, rounding up is appreciated; at sit-down restaurants, a 5–10% tip in cash is polite if service is good.
Dealing With Heat, Sun, and Monsoon Showers
From late spring through monsoon, plan outdoor-heavy activities early morning or late afternoon, using midday for indoor museums and long lunches. Carry a reusable water bottle and top it up at your hotel; buy sealed bottled water outside. Sudden showers can be heavy but short—duck into a café or shop rather than trying to push through flooded streets.
Photography Etiquette and Best Light
Sunrise and the hour before sunset give the best light on palaces and lakes. Always ask before photographing people, especially in markets, and avoid shooting inside temples where signs forbid it. For night shots, a small phone tripod or using walls/railings as support helps in low light around ghats and rooftops.
How to Avoid Common Tourist Hassles
Around popular sights you may meet touts offering guides, boat rides, or shops; a simple, firm 'no, thank you' and walking on is enough. Use official ticket counters at palaces and ghats, and avoid overly pushy shops—if you feel pressured, step out and try another. For purchases, compare prices at 2–3 places before committing.
Staying Connected Without Constant Internet
Before leaving Wi‑Fi, screenshot your day’s plans (maps, restaurant names, addresses in Hindi if possible). Share your daily outline and your hotel’s contact with someone at home. Many cafés and hotels offer Wi‑Fi, so you can quickly check messages in the morning and evening and spend the day offline and present.
Map
Best For
Start planning your trip with this itinerary in Takeoff.
Don't have the app? Download it free on the App Store.