Things to do in Udaipur | 21 Awesome Reasons to visit Udaipur

Udaipur is a beautiful and captivating city, loved by the people of India and the entire world. There are plenty of things to do in Udaipur. It holds an ancient historical background which dates back many centuries. During the Rajputana rule, Udaipur was the historical capital of the Mewar Kingdom. This wonderful and picturesque city was founded by Maharana Udai Singh who belonged to the Sisodia fraternity of Rajputs in the year 1553. He shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to the “White City” of Udaipur. This city is also known as “Lake City” or “Venice of the East”. It would be right to say that Udaipur holds an important rank in the list of romantic places of the world. Be it culinary, historical or just visiting a site to behold a lovely view, you will not have enough time to indulge in all the things to do in Udaipur.

Udaipur reflects a perfect amalgamation of history, culture, traditions, amazing archaeology and natural beauty. In fact, all credit goes to the Mewar rulers who have built this wonderful city in the middle of a far-stretched desert. It is not only a favorite tourist destination for the honeymooners, but also for those who love to explore the cultural heritage of colorful Rajasthan with their friends and family. This city offers several things to do which attracts tourists from every corner of the world. To reach Udaipur, you can book direct flight tickets from many Indian cities.

Have a look at the things to do in Udaipur below. I hope you like my recommendations.

1. Visit the City Palace Of Udaipur and enjoy the Mewar Sound and Light Show

This grand palace stands on the banks of the famous Lake Pichola. The architectural excellence and beauty of this palace reflect the opulence of Rajasthan and its history. This palace depicts a perfect blend of medieval, Chinese, and European architecture. The construction of this palace was started under the guidance of Maharana Udai Singh, and was later completed by his successors. It consists of 11 palaces in total, which were constructed by various rulers. Another feature that attracts tourists towards this beautiful palace is the awesome Sound and Light show which is conducted during the evenings. If you like historical artifacts with a flavor of the fine architect, you should definitely include visiting here in your things to do in Udaipur.

Image Source: Viator

2. Boat Cruise During Sunset in Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is amongst those places which instantly attract your attention when you enter this marvelous city. This extends up to 6.96 Km² and envelops four islands, namely Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Arsi Vilas, and Mohan Mandir. One thing you should never miss in Udaipur is enjoying the wonderful boat cruise in this lake, which starts from the Rameshwar Ghat near the Udaipur City Palace. During evenings when sun’s rays bid their goodbye, its reflection on the beautiful waters of the Lake Pichola makes it look ethereal. As the evening progresses, the light shining brightly in the surrounding palaces enhances its overall magnificence. Boating here during sunset can be a good inclusion in things to do in Udaipur

3. Revel in the Mesmerizing Beauty of The Lake Palace

Surrounded by Lake Pichola from all sides, the Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island. It was originally constructed by the Maharanas as a retreat during summers. The architecture and ventilation of this beautiful palace were built focused on the scorching summer of Rajasthan. Now, it is being managed by the Taj Group of Hotels and is known as the famous Taj Lake Palace, which holds an important place in the list of luxurious hotels of the world.

With a background adorned by the beautiful Aravalli hills, this palace redefines love and romance. A stay at this hotel might be higher than your budget, but it will be worth every penny. Even if you can’t afford a room, try visiting the palace. It now includes modern facilities like café, bar, lounge, restaurants, swimming pool, 12 different banquet halls, and conference rooms. Due to its epic beauty, it has also become a favorite wedding destination for couples who want to make their wedding grand and memorable. Admiring this beautiful artifact goes straight to the top of things to do in Udaipur.

Image Source: Kiwicollection.com

4. Enjoy the Various Cycle Tours in The City of Udaipur

If you are a nature lover and want to explore the rural and natural beauty of the lovely city of Udaipur, then one of the most fun things to do is to take a cycle tour of the stunning city. There are various cycling tours conducted from different places of the city which cover various popular destinations. It allows you to take a closer look at the outer rural area and outskirts of the city. Depending on your strength and time, you can select from the various biking tours as per your convenience. Cycling through the beautiful lanes of this city can be one of the most rewarding things to do in Udaipur.

5. Beautiful Visit of The Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir is being surrounded by Lake Pichola and stands on one of its island known as Jag Mandir Island. It was built during the 17^th century and constitutes of a collection of marvelous structures. The primary building is known as the Jag Mandir. Its entrance is adorned with beautiful elephant statues made of marble and thus can be easily recognized. Its construction is three-storied and comprises of many spectacular sections like a Darikhana, courtyard in the garden, and the Gul Mahal in the northern direction. Other than these, there is the Zenana Mahal, which is the southern extension of Gul Mahal, the 12 Stones Palace or Barah Patharon ka Mahal, and the Kunwar Pada Mahal on this island. You can visit this place during your boat trip and spend some time here. Do include visiting here on your list of things to do in Udaipur.

6. Get Involved In Nature Photography at The Famous Saheliyo Ki Bari

If you love nature photography, you should visit Saheliyo ki Bari. It was constructed under the leadership of Maharana Bhopal Singh. This is situated in the northern region of Udaipur City and was constructed for the maids who came with the Princess as a part of her dowry. Here, the maids would dance, sing, play games, and get involved in recreational activities. This beautiful garden is decorated with different plants and flowering trees, kiosks, fountains, elephants made of marble, and a lovely lotus pool. Some nature photography will make your list of things to do in Udaipur enjoyable.

7. Discover Lifestyle of Maharanas At Bagore Ki Haveli

Bagore ki Haveli is situated at the Gangaur Ghat of the picturesque Lake Pichola. This haveli offers a grand view of the beautiful lake and was built by Mewar rulers during the 18^th century. It has around 138 rooms, and now, this mansion has been converted into a beautiful museum which offers its visitors a glimpse of the royal and historical lifestyle of the rulers of Mewar. The tourists can admire the longest turban, various copper vessels, dice games, jewelry boxes, hookahs, paintings, nutcrackers, pan boxes and various other daily items that were commonly used by the royal family living here. Also, the evenings are dedicated to a music and dance show conducted here describing the history and culture of Rajasthan and Udaipur to the visitors. Getting to know the facets of royal lifestyle is a highly recommended inclusion in things to do in Udaipur.

8. Offer Your Prayers at The Jagdish Temple

Apart from the beautiful palaces, Udaipur is also famous for its wonderful temples. The Jagdish Temple is situated close to the Badi Pol of the City Palace. It can be easily spotted due to its elephant-skirted staircase and was constructed under the guidance of Maharana Jagat Singh. In this beautiful temple, a black stone idol of the Hindu God Vishnu is placed. Opposite to it stands a brass sculpture of the mythological Garuda, which faces the main idol and is believed to be the transport of Vishnu. Apart from the primary temple, various small shrines devoted to Lord Siva, Goddess Shakti, Lord Ganesha and the Sun God Surya are also situated. The prayers conducted every morning and evening are a must watch for the pious. Offering prayers here can be a good inclusion in things to do in Udaipur.

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9. Get the Flavor of Rajasthani Cuisine with The Famous “Laal Maans”

While enjoying your wonderful trip at Udaipur, try the mouth-watering Rajasthani cuisine which is spicy and brings together the traditional flavors of Rajasthan. The Laal Maans is a typical Rajasthani dish made by cooking mutton with a paste of red chili and select herbs which grant the enchanting flavor to the meat. There are many restaurants and diners in Udaipur which serve Laal Maans, but the Ambrai restaurant and the Jagat Niwas of Lal Ghat are the most well-known for their Laal Maans. Indulging in the fine cuisine of Rajasthan can be a delicious inclusion in things to do in Udaipur.

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10. Explore The Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum

If you want to take a break and gain some knowledge about the Rajasthani culture and art, then the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum is a wonderful place for you. Located at the Chetak Circle of the city, it is a popular place amongst history lovers. The museum showcases a large and elite collection of tribal jewelry, dresses, turbans, puppets, paintings, dolls, musical instruments, and many more things which take you to the time of ancient Mewar. If possible, set apart some hours from youtravelingng schedule and visit this place; it will surely bring a smile to your face. Include this exploration in things to do in Udaipur and you will leave with a reverence for art.

11. Seek Blessings from Devi Karni Mata

Out of various activities to do in city of Udaipur, your Udaipur trip remains incomplete without a visit to the temple of Karni Mata. The temple of Hindu Goddess Shri Mansha Purna Karni Mata is situated in the hills of Machla Magra in the city. It is believed that the Goddess Shri Karni Mata listens to every prayer and fulfills every need of the devotees who visit her temple. Visitors from all around the world come to seek blessings from her and to get their wishes fulfilled. Apart from the religious beliefs, this temple is also worth a watch because of its colorful tiles, mirror work done on walls, and marvelous architecture. Another peculiar thing about this temple are the rats. There are thousands of rats residing in the temple and are fed daily by the devotees visiting the temple. Therefore, the Karni Mata temple is also known as the Temple of Rats. Again, visiting this temple is one of the unique things to do in Udaipur due to the thousands of rats.

12. Ropeway Ride for Bewitching Views

Out of the many ways to reach the famous temple of Karni Mata, one is the ropeway ride. If you love to do crazy things, then ropeway riding will be a fun sport for you. Apart from this, if you want to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes of Udaipur, this ride is a must. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the hills and this is indeed a quick way to reach the temple. Take in the bountiful views while enjoying the ropeway ride which is a highly recommended inclusion in things to do in Udaipur.

13. Relish The Joyride of Udaipur Via A Helicopter

If you want to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of Udaipur city from the sky, you can choose a helicopter ride for covering the city. Depending on your budget and time, there are different options of helicopter rides available for you. From the sky, you will get a panoramic and elaborated view of the palaces, lakes, and various monuments. Thus, if you are looking for some crazy things to do, get your tickets booked for a helicopter ride. This helicopter ride makes a great entry in the recommended list of things to do in Udaipur.

14. Get Lost in The Wilderness of Wildlife Sanctuary of Kumbhalgarh

A heaven for wildlife photography and nature lovers, a tour of the wildlife sanctuary of Kumbhalgarh is amongst the essential things to do in Udaipur. It is around 65 km far from Udaipur. This sanctuary stretches around 578 square feet area and encloses the fort of Kumbhalgarh. It serves as a home for endangered species like the jungle cat, sloth bear, jackal, hyena, wolf, chausingha, chital, chinkara, blue bull, leopard and many more. In Rajasthan, this sanctuary is the only one where you can easily find wolves. You can also find a large diversity of birds here which includes the white breast kingfisher, parakeets, doves, peacock, golden oriole, red owls, gray colored jungle fowl etc. If you are including this visit in your things to do in Udaipur, don’t miss to visit the Kumbhalgarh fort. It has the 2nd largest wall built after the Great Wall of China. if not for the wildlife, you can include Kumbhalgarh in things to do in Udaipur due to the majestic fort.

Image Source: HolidayIQ

15. Lip Smacking Boharwadi Falafels

No trip is complete without tasting the delicious local cuisine. While the deserts of Rajasthan might remind you about the Arab countries, you can also get wonderful Arabian food in this city. Fakhri Sandwich is the only place where you can get tasty and authentic Arabian food. You might not find a vast menu, but all the items mentioned are worth trying at least once. The menu available includes mutton samosa, egg sandwich, mutton kebab, keema sandwich, mutton patties and awesome falafels. If you are a foodie, you shouldn’t miss this awesome place. For gastronomic indulgence, this is a highly recommended suggestion for things to do in Udaipur.

16. Lake Fateh Sagar Boat Ride

Every tourist definitely visits Lake Pichola, but if you are in search of something fun, then a boat trip to the lake Fateh Sagar is a must. This lake is in the northern direction of Lake Pichola, and both lakes are connected via a canal. In this lake, there are three islands out of which the Nehru Park holds the highest popularity. If your trip includes your friends or family, then this park will be a perfect location as it also has a zoo which is a major attraction for kids. If you are traveling with younger ones, you should definitely include this in your list of things to do in Udaipur.

17. Traditional Shopping at The Bazaar of Hathi Pol

The traditional craft and art of Rajasthan allures tourists from all around the world. While you are enjoying your stay at Udaipur, get indulged in shopping for the traditional Rajasthani handicrafts. If you want to buy souvenirs, artisanal products, paintings, and other handicrafts, then the bazaar of Hathi Pol is the best place to buy them. Not only does this bazaar offer a variety of handwork products but you can also negotiate their prices and achieve a good bargain. Pichwai paintings, tie-dye print, batik prints, puppets, and bandhani print clothes are well-known handicrafts of Rajasthan. Enjoying shopping here is a good inclusion in things to do in Udaipur if you are looking to buy some souvenirs.

Image Source: Mygola.com

18. Admire the Vintage Beauties of The Road

If you love the classical things of the past era and have a special place for cars in your heart, then one of the most interesting places to visit is the Museum of Vintage and Classic Cars. Earlier, this building was the state garage but now it serves as a museum to these old classic cars. It houses nearly 22 vehicles including a 1938 seven-seater Cadillac, the convertible Cadillac on which Queen Elizabeth II rode to the airport in 1961, and the 1934 Phantom Rolls-Royce which was seen in the popular James Bond movie “Octopussy”. If you have an inclination towards cars and vintage collections, this can be one of the best things to do in Udaipur for you.

Image Source: Remote traveller

19. Explore the Lake City on Foot

There are various trekking tours conducted in Udaipur covering several destinations with time durations. These trekking tours start early in the morning and take you on an amazing journey where you will enjoy the natural beauty of scenic landscapes and the diversified fauna and flora. During this journey, you will be surprised with the tranquility and scenic beauty of the entire region. To admire the Udaipur city at a relaxed pace, do opt for these heritage walks.

20. Pay A Visit to Shilpgram

If you are an art-lover, one of the most exciting things to do in Udaipur is to visit Shilpgram, which is crafts fair that is organized every year. The main motive of this beautiful fair is to encourage the crafts, handiworks, and textile of the state. Rajasthan has always held an important place in the field of arts and handcrafts. The sculptures made of terracotta and marble, tie-dye, mirror work, work on camel leather, hand-woven clothes, embroideries, and bandhani are some of the specialties of this state that are available for sale at this fair. They also have scheduled festivals here and you can know more details about them at their official website.

21. Admire the Beauty of The Temple of Eklingji

The temple of Eklingji is amongst the most well-known temples of the state of Rajasthan and is situated 22 km away from Udaipur. It is devoted to the Hindu God Shiva and was constructed under the guidance of Bappa Rawal in 734 AD. It is adorned with a beautiful architecture and structure. The temple holds a 50-feet high four-faced sculpture of Lord Shiva, made from black marble. The Shiv Linga is bejeweled with a snake made of silver and remains as a major center of attraction for visitors. For religious things to do in Udaipur, this temple is a perfect recommendation.

Image Source: Native Planet

I hope you liked my suggestions. If you have already visited Udaipur, do share your experience with me. I would love to add suggestions in this post based on your exploration.

Also read: Udaipur Itinerary – Recommended 4 Days in Udaipur and 8-day Rajasthan itinerary.