Udaipur Travel Guide + Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days
Udaipur Travel Guide + Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days

Udaipur Travel Guide + Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days

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This Udaipur travel guide contains a list of the best places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days along with all the travel information to help you plan a trip to Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the East or the city of lakes, is aptly termed so. With many-a lakes set both within and outside the city limits as well as the delightful ghats set along the lake-side, Udaipur oozes a regal charm. In case you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I spent a good 10 days exploring the cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan in India. While I loved spending time in all of these cities, the white marble structures, shimmering lakes, surreal sunsets and the striking havelis of Udaipur stole my heart. Walking along the narrow lanes of the old town set next to lake Pichola, watching the local vendors lure tourists inside their shops with colourful garments, glittering jewels, and fascinating turbans while gorging on the kachori, a local street food, was an experience like none other.

Apart from this Udaipur travel guide, if you're want to see more pictures of my trip to Rajasthan, then head over to my Instagram profile (@thespicyjourney).

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Udaipur Travel Guide & Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days

This Udaipur travel guide and Udaipur itinerary listing all the places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days is an ode to this marvellous city of lakes, or shall I say Venice of the East. While I think 2 days is enough to cover all the major places to visit in Udaipur, spend at least 3 days to soak in the mesmerizing sunsets, eat your heart out in the many cafes overlooking Lake Pichola and to get a feel of the city. Nonetheless, this Udaipur travel guide contains all the travel info, sightseeing spots, food places and accommodation options to help you plan your Udaipur trip.

Best Time to Visit Udaipur Rajasthan

  • Summer (April - June): Summer in the dry arid state of Rajasthan can get overbearingly hot which is why it’s best to avoid visiting Udaipur during this time.
  • Monsoon (July - September): Even though the monsoon months bring a respite from the heat, the muddy streets and the humidity can hamper your sightseeing plans.
  • Winter (October - March): The winter months are the best time to visit Udaipur. While December and January can get quite cold, the months of October, November, March and April have pleasant weather and are the best months to visit Udaipur.

How to Reach Udaipur

Nearest Airport to Udaipur

Udaipur has an airport called the Maharana Pratap Airport, which is a domestic airport. The airport is only 22 km from the city center. You can book an Uber or Ola cab to get to the airport within half an hour from the city. Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi cab to drop you to the Udaipur airport as well.

Nearest Railway Station to Udaipur

Udaipur has a railway station called the Udaipur City Station (UDZ) which has trains running between all neighboring cities in Rajasthan as well as other villages and cities within India.

Delhi to Udaipur

The distance between Delhi and Udaipur is roughly 660 km which can be covered by air, rail or road. There are frequent flights from Delhi to Udaipur. Additionally, there are multiple trains and state-run as well as private buses between Delhi and Udaipur city.

Getting Around Udaipur

A majority of the sightseeing places in Udaipur are set in the old city, around Lake Pichola. Due to this, if you stay within the old city, you can simply walk or take a tuk-tuk to almost all the places to visit in Udaipur. However, you may need to hire a cab or tuk-tuk for half a day to visit some of the other sightseeing spots which lie farther away from the city center.

Where to Stay in Udaipur

Zostel Udaipur

Rooftop at Zostel Udaipur

View from the rooftop at Zostel Udaipur

Throughout my 3 days in Udaipur, I stayed at Zostel Udaipur which is next to the Swaroop Sagar Lake, right next to Lake Pichola near the old city. This backpacker hostel has both dorm rooms as well as private rooms. The best part about this hostel was the lavish rooftop cafe that had marble tabletops, metal chairs with elaborate designs on them along with plants and cheerful flowers. I cannot put into words how dreamy it was to watch the sunrise from here. Plus, the delicious dinners sitting at the rooftop, while watching the lights of the city reflect in the water of the lake ahead was nothing short of spectacular.

Hotels in Udaipur

Coming to finding other hotels in Udaipur, I strongly suggest booking a hotel near Lake Pichola, which will make it easy to access all the places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days. Additionally, there’s nothing like waking up to watch the sun glimmer in the waters of the lake, while staying at a hotel near the lake in Udaipur.

Best Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days

1. Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola in Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Lake Pichola is an artificial lake, built-in 1362 AD in order to fulfil the agricultural and drinking water needs of the city. In the present day, Lake Pichola is the most popular attraction in Udaipur, with many other sightseeing places situated around the lake. There are 4 islands on this lake and visitors can indulge in a boat ride to visit these islands. I suggest taking a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola to watch the sun go down behind the Aravali hills in the distance, with its orange hues reflecting in the water of the lake. Apart from that, there are numerous cafes and restaurants offering the most amazing views of the lake both from up-close and from rooftops. Moreover, there are numerous ghats to sit and enjoy watching the sun setting behind the lake, with Gangaur Ghat and Ambrai Ghat being the most visited ones.

2. Ganguar Ghat

Ganguar Ghat - Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Gangaur Ghat is the main ghat on Lake Pichola that is located near the Jagdish temple area in the old town. The ghat is identified and made popular due to the iconic Bagore ki Haveli, which lies on one end of Gangaur Ghat. There are steps leading down to the lake here. In the mornings you’ll see locals walking along the ghat and bathing here whereas, in the evenings, the place is crowded with tourists sitting on these steps, waiting to watch and capture the sunset across the ghat. While I loved the view and the setting of the ghat, the place was dirty. It could definitely use some maintenance as well as some more benches for people to sit.

3. Bagore ki Haveli

Ganguar ghat in Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Bagore ki Haveli is a haveli, or traditional mansion, set along Lake Pichola, on one end of Gangaur Ghat. While the expansive palace is quite impressive, with over hundred rooms, multiple courtyards and incritate mirror work used for decoration, it's the cultural show at Bagore ki Haveli which is the highlight of the place. For one hour in the evening, the haveli lights up and becomes home to a traditional folk dance show. The tickets to the dance show can be purchased online or in-person on the spot at the haveli. This cultural show is held every evening at the Neem courtyard of Bagore ki Haveli.

Open all days 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

4. City Palace

City Palace Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Similar to most of the other places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days, the City Palace of Udaipur is set along Lake Pichola. A sprawling palace built in the 16th century, it is one of the main attractions in Udaipur. The Palace has many-a sprawling courtyards and glorious rooms in decadent colours signifying the opulence of the Rajput royal families that once lived here. Many of the corridors and rooms in Udaipur’s city palace open up to splendid views of the city. Not just that, the lavish mirror work in some sections is worthy of being labelled as instagrammable. Spare at least 2 hours to walk around, revel in the glorious history and to soak in all the royal vibes at city palace.

Open all days 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

5. Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir in Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Jag Mandir, also known as the Lake Garden Palace is a palace built on a small island on Lake Pichola. The palace has been converted into a hotel owned by the HRH group. People wishing to stay at an island palace can book a stay at the rooms here. The hotel also has a restaurant with the most breathtaking view. For those who are not staying at the palace but who wish to visit it, can hire a boat ride from the Bansi Ghat jetty to visit the Jag Mandir Palace. Visitors can also dine at the restaurant here. Note that there is a minimum cover charge here and you need to reserve a table in advance so be prepared accordingly in case you wish you dine here. It’s best to visit the Jag Mandir around the time of sunset so that you can take a quick tour of the palace and then watch the sunset either from the restaurant or from the boat ride back. 

Open all days 10 am to 6 pm

6. Jagdish Temple

Jagdish temple in Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days

Jagdish temple is yet another one of the popular places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days. The architecture and the marble steps leading up to the temple are both very interesting. The temple is located just a short walk from both City Palace and Gangaur Ghat as well as Bagore ki Haveli. So if you’re going from the City Palace towards Bagore ki Haveli (and consequently Ganguar Ghat) or vice-versa, you can visit Jagdish temple on the way.

7. Doodh Talai

Doodh talai in Places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days & Udaipur travel guide

Doodh Talai, translated to ‘milk lake’ from Hindi, is a tiny but picturesque lake next to Lake Pichola. Situated at a walking distance from some of the important sightseeing places such as the City Palace and Jagdish temple, the lake is surrounded by small hillocks, has clear water and white ornate structures all around it. There are lots of street food ventors around the lake and activities such as boating and horse rides are also provided here. Additionally, while you’re here, do take the ropeway up to Karni Mata temple for the most breathtaking sunset view.

8. Royal Cenotaphs

Royal cenotaphs in places to visit in Udaipur in 2 days & Udaipur travel guide

One of the most underrated places to visit in Udaipur, Royal Cenotaphs or Ahar Cenotaphs are a group of 250 cenotaphs built as a memorial to Rajput maharajas. While there is no entry fee for the cenotaphs, the nearby Ahar Museum charges a nominal fee to enter. Since the Royal Cenotaphs are located inside the city, you will need to hire a tuk-tuk or a cab to get here, if you're staying near Lake Pichola. Also note that there is a sign here saying photography is not permitted but hardly anyone follows this rule. If you’re looking for offbeat places to visit in Udaipur, then the Ahar Cenotaphs are the place to go to!

Shopping in Udaipur

Shopping in Udaipur

Hathi pol bazaar, which lies within walking distance of Zostel Udaipur, is one of the best places to do shopping in Udaipur. There are innumerable shops selling clothing in local prints, handicraft items as well as traditional jewellery. Ahmedabadwala was one of the noteworthy jewellery shops that I discovered in this market. While it may look like a tiny, dismissive place, don’t judge it by its appearance. The sweet old man who runs the shop had the most amazing collection of jewellery in mirror work, Kundan work, Meena work, handpainted work and more. Not just that, the jewellery was available in multiple price ranges, going from a mere INR 100-150 up to thousands of rupees. I recommend this shop to anyone looking to shop for traditional jewellery in Udaipur. Furthermore, I picked up vintage handpainted postcards from Sakshi Art School, which is situated right next to Zostel Udaipur. Once again, the kind man who runs this art school was so sweet that I couldn't help including his store/ art school in this Udaipur travel guide.

Where to Eat in Udaipur - Best Restaurants and Cafes in Udaipur

No trip to Udaipur is complete without gorging on a scrumptious Rajasthani thali and sitting in a nice cafe or restaurant at Lake Pichola. While there are numerous places where you can do both of the aforementioned things in Udaipur, I’ve mentioned two of the top restaurants and cafes in Udaipur, based on my experience in the city.

Jheel Cafe

Places to eat in Udaipur - Jheel cafe

What is one of the most amazing cafes in Udaipur city, Jheel cafe lies near Gangaur Ghat, sitting pretty right next to Lake Pichola. The cafe has two levels - the top floor where you can get a nice view of the lake and the section which has a more extensive menu. On the other hand, the bottom floor of Jheel cafe has a limited menu and limited seating. However, this is where there's a catch. What most people miss observing is that there’s a small door at the bottom level which leads to a small open-air section where it almost feels as if you’re touching the lake. I loved sitting here, enjoying a hot cup of tea on a cool wintery morning, taking in the beauty of the lake in front of me.

Tribute Restaurant

Places to eat in Udaipur - Tribute restaurant

Tribute restaurant is an upscale restaurant located directly opposite to Zostel Udaipur, on the other side of the lake. The restaurant has the most amazing view of the lake in the evening, with lights of the restaurant and the city shimmering in the placid water. Even though the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, I would recommend sitting outside for the best views and a phenomenal ambience. The food tasted good but I did not enjoy the cocktails here. You may need to call ahead and reserve a table during the tourist season, in order to be assured a table.

Planning a Trip to Rajasthan?

In case you're planning a trip to Rajasthan, you may find these articles helpful:

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11 Comments

  1. Jen

    I didn’t have time for Udaipur on my last trip to India but I would definitely love to go next time I’m there. That cafe by the water looks amazing! I’ll definitely save this post for whenever I get the chance to go ? love your photos!

  2. Such a lovely post! I was in Udaipur 8 years ago and need to go back again once travel opens up again. India is a special country to me and I would love to go back to Rajastan. I will keep your travel guilde handy for my next trip so I don+t miss out of anything:)

  3. Anand Balaji

    Udaipur is always my favorite place to drop by, have visited Lake palace and city palace many times just for the sculptures and magnificent infrastructure. I suggest people visit these places atleast once, else they could miss perfect spots to witness for their lifetime.

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