10 Things to Do in Udaipur Beyond the Usual Sightseeing

But when a city is this popular, the experience can easily become about checking off the famous spots. Choosing the right things to do in Udaipur can change that entirely. A boat ride with the palaces reflected in the water, a walk through the old city, an evening folk performance or even finding a quiet viewpoint can make your trip much more special. There are plenty of activities in Udaipur that let you experience more than its postcard famous sights.

Here are some of the experiences worth making space for, including the ones that may end up being your favourite memory of the city.

10 Things to Do in Udaipur to Make Your Trip Special 

Udaipur has plenty to see, but the experiences you pick will shape how you remember the city. Some are iconic, some are wonderfully simple and a few give you a chance to see a side of Udaipur that many just miss. Here is a quick look at the must do activities in Udaipur:

Experience	Time to Keep	Approx. Cost
Explore City Palace	2–3 hours	₹400–₹1,000
Boat Ride on lake Pichola	45–60 mins	₹500–₹1,000
Walk Through the Old City	1–2 hours	Free
Watch a Folk Show	1–2 hours	₹100–₹250
Try Local Rajasthani Food	1–2 hours	₹300–₹1,000
Shop for Local Crafts	1–2 hours	Depends on shopping
Cycle Around Udaipur	2–4 hours	₹500–₹1,500
Enjoy a Rooftop Meal	1–2 hours	₹500–₹1,500
Visit Sajjangarh Palace	2–3 hours	₹100–₹300
Watch the Sunset by the Lake	30–60 mins	Free

*Prices are indicative and might vary by season, operator and type of experience.

1. Explore the City Palace Beyond the Main Halls

The City Palace is one of the first places many travellers think of when planning what to see in Udaipur, but there is more to it than grand courtyards and palace rooms you see in photographs. You can take your time to see the intricate mirror work, colorful glass mosaics at Mor Chowk, carved balconies and quiet corners overlooking Lake Pichola.

From the palace terraces, you can also spot several of the city’s landmarks, making this a nice starting point for understanding how Udaipur is all laid out around its water and hills. 

Keep around 2-3 hours for the palace if you want to explore without any rush. Morning is generally more comfortable for walking through the complex, while the later hours can be busier. If you are staying at one of the hotels in Udaipur around the old city, the palace is also easy to include in a walking heavy day.

• Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM | Night Visit: 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Tip: When exploring, consider pausing at different windows, balconies and terraces, the surrounding views are some of the best parts.

2. Take a Boat Ride on Lake Pichola

Few activities to do in Udaipur give you the city’s postcard view as effortless as a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Once you are out on the water, the perspective changes entirely, you see the City Palace stretching along the shore, the Aravalli hills in the distance and the old buildings rising around the lake. It is also a lovely way to experience one of the most beautiful lakes in India without turning the visit into another sightseeing stop.

Boat rides depart from Rameshwar Ghat near the City Palace and are available during the day. If you have the flexibility, choose a late-afternoon ride when the light becomes softer and the palace facades begin to glow. A standard ride usually lasts around 45–60 minutes, while private or premium options can cost more.

• Timings: Usually 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (timings can vary by season and boat operator)
• Tip: Ask about the boat route before booking, as inclusions and duration can vary.

3. Wander Through Udaipur’s Old City

The old city is where Udaipur feels less like a sightseeing destination and more like a place people actually live in. Leave the main roads for a while and wander through the narrow lanes around Jagdish temple, Gangaur Ghat and Hathipole Bazaar. You will find tiny shops selling miniature paintings, colorful clothes, jewellery and handicrafts, along with old havelis, cafes and aesthetic doorways.

This is among the simple activities in Udaipur, but it can easily turn into one of the most enjoyable. Go in the morning for a quieter walk, or head out later in the afternoon when the shops are open and the lanes start buzzing with people. Keep some extra time if you like taking pictures or shopping, you will find yourself stopping much more than planned.

• Best Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM or 4:00 PM onwards
• Tip: wear comfortable footwear and carry some cash. The lanes are narrow, hence walking is much easier than trying to explore by car.

4. Watch a Rajasthani Folk Show at Bagore ki Haveli

Once the sun goes down, Bagore ki Haveli turns entirely different. The evening Dharohar folk dance show brings together traditional music, colorful costumes, puppetry and folk performances in the haveli’s historic courtyard. It is an easy way to experience Rajasthan’s performing arts without needing to travel outside the city.

The haveli itself is worth exploring before the show, with its rooms, courtyards and collection of traditional artefacts giving you a closer look at the lifestyle of the Mewar era. The evening performance is especially popular, so if you are looking for must-do activities in Udaipur, this is one to book into your itinerary.

• Timings: Museum - 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Dharohar folk show - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Tip: Try to reach at least 30 mins before the show to get tickets and a comfortable seat.

5. Try Local Rajasthani Food

Udaipur is not a city you should be exploring empty stomachs. Take some time away from sightseeing and try the flavours that are a part of Rajasthan’s food culture. A traditional Rajasthani thali is an obvious place to begin. It has dishes like dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi and ker sangri with some local snacks and sweets.

If you are looking for a more casual experience, head towards the old city and look for local eateries serving kachori, mirchi vada, jalebi and kulhad chai. By evening you can find yourself a nice rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake, combining dinner with views of Udaipur illuminated palaces and ghats.

If you like exploring a place through its food, this is one of the activities in Udaipur that can easily become a highlight.

• Best Time: 8:00 AM–11:00 AM for breakfast and snacks | 7:00 PM onwards for dinner
• Tip: Try a few smaller portions instead of ordering a large meal at your first stop. This gives you a chance to sample more items.

6. Browse Udaipur’s Craft Markets

A little shopping can turn into one of the more enjoyable activities to do in Udaipur, especially if you like taking home something that actually reminds you of the city. Head to Hathi Pol Bazaar for traditional miniature paintings, handicrafts, textiles, wooden items and colourful home décor. Bada Bazaar is another good stop for jewellery, clothing, juttis and everyday Rajasthani finds.

If you are interested in Udaipur’s famous miniature paintings, you must take some time to look at the work rather than just buying the first piece you see. You can ask the painters about the style, colours and whether the artwork is painted. You can also browse the smaller shops around the old city, where the experience is more relaxed and personal.

• Best Time: 10:30 AM–1:00 PM or 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
• Tip: Bargaining is common, but keep it reasonable.

7. Cycle Around Udaipur’s Lakes and Villages

If you want to add a little movement to your list of adventure activities in Udaipur, leave the usual sightseeing route behind and explore the city on two wheels. Cycling around the quiet lanes close to Fateh Sagar Lake, through the countryside surrounding Udaipur or towards nearby villages lets you see a side of the region that is ebay to miss when you are travelling by car.

For the best experience, early morning is the best, the roads are quieter and the weather is comfortable. Several local operators offer guided cycling tours, ranging from short city routes to longer countryside rides. A guided option can be useful if you want to explore rural paths without worrying about navigation.

• Best time: 6:00 AM–10:00 AM, particularly from October to March
• Tip: Start early, carry enough water and wear comfortable clothes.

8. Enjoy a rooftop meal with a Lake View

Sometimes, all you need is a good table and a beautiful view. Udaipur has plenty of rooftop restaurants around Lake Pichola, Lal Ghat and the old city, where you can sit down for a leisurely meal while the City Palace and surrounding buildings stretch out across the water.

This is specifically lovely around sunset and into the evening, when the lights begin appearing around the lake. Couples may also want to add this to their list of romantic places in India, especially if they are looking for a relaxed evening rather than another packed sightseeing experience. If you are planning one of the popular Udaipur tour packages, keeping an evening free for a rooftop dinner can be a nice change of pace.

• Best Time: 6:00 PM onwards 
• Tip: Choose a restaurant with an unobstructed lake facing terrace and reserve your table in advance if you want a sunset slot. 

9. Head to Sajjangarh for the City Views

Set high on the Bansdara Peak of the Aravalli Hills, Sajjangarh Palace, better known as the Monsoon Palace gives you a completely different perspective of Udaipur. Instead of looking at the palaces and lakes from street level,you get to see the city spread out below, with Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake and the surrounding hills forming the backdrop.

The drive up to the palace is part of the experience, particularly when the landscape is greener during the monsoon. Once there, walk around the palace terraces and spend some time taking in the wide views rather than rushing through the visit. It is also a good addition if you are looking beyond the usual places to visit in Udaipur and wanting a little more height and open space.

• Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 
• Tip: Keep this visit for late afternoon when possible, but check the entry timings before leaving. 

10. Sit by the Lake and Watch Udaipur Turn Golden

When you are done with most of the sightseeing and need to pause a bit, consider finding a comfortable spot around Ambrai Ghat, Gangaur Ghat or the quieter edges of Fateh Sagar Lake, and simply stay there as the evening light changes. The palaces and havelis across the water slowly catch the golden glow, boats pass by and the city begins to light up one building at a time.

This simple moment is easy to overlook when you are busy covering all the places to visit in Udaipur, but it is perhaps one of the nicest ways to understand why the city has such a strong pull. You can get yourself a cup of chai, sit by the water and give yourself half an hour without any plans.

If you are travelling as a couple, it is also a lovely addition to a list of honeymoon places in India or romantic places in India.

• Best time: Around sunset, with the exact time varying by season
• Tip: Reach your chosen ghat around 20–30 minutes before sunset so you can find a comfortable spot. 

How to Reach Udaipur

Udaipur is connected by air, rail and road, so getting here is fairly straightforward from most major cities in India. The best option depends on where you are travelling from, your budget and how much time you have. 

From	By Air	By Train	By Road
Delhi	Around 1 hr 20 mins	Around 12–14 hrs	Around 11–13 hrs
Mumbai	Around 1 hr 20 mins	Around 16–18 hrs	Around 12–14 hrs
Jaipur	Around 1 hr	Around 6–8 hrs	Around 7 hrs
Ahmedabad	Around 1 hr	Around 5–7 hrs	Around 5 hrs
Bengaluru	Around 2 hrs 15 mins	30+ hrs	25+ hrs

• By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), also known as Udaipur Airport is around 22 km from the city centre. Direct flights operate from major Indian cities, while connecting options make Udaipur accessible from other parts of the country.
• By train: Udaipur City Railway Station is connected with cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Train travel can be a convenient option if you prefer overnight journeys.
• By Road: Udaipur is connected by highways to Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and other major cities of Rajasthan. Buses, private taxis and self-drive options are available, making it easy to include Udaipur in a longer Rajasthan itinerary.

Tips for Planning Your Udaipur Trip

Some small choices can make it easy to enjoy Udaipur, especially if you want to experience both its famous sights and its quiet corners.

• Begin your day early, visit popular attractions in the morning to avoid the heavy crowds and midday heat.
• Wear comfortable shoes, old city lanes, ghats and palace complexes involve a lot of walking.
• You must carry cash, smaller shops, local eateries and market stalls may not always accept cards.
• Before visiting, crosscheck the timings, palace, museums and show timings can change.
• October to March is generally comfortable for sightseeing, while the monsoon destination appeal of Udaipur also lies in the green hills and refreshed lakes.
• If you are visiting between April and June, keep outdoor activities in Udaipur for early mornings or evenings and take a break during the afternoon.
• If you have time, you can consider exploring more places to visit in India beyond Udaipur.

Conclusion

Udaipur has plenty of grand sights to fill in your camera roll, but the experiences that stay with you may be the ones that were never part of the original plan. A slow walk through an old city lane, a boat drifting across Lake Pichola, an evening folk performance of that last bit of sunlight settling over the water can give you a nice connection with the city.

So, while planning your things to do in Udaipur, leave a little room for curiosity. Explore the famous landmarks, try something you have never done before and let yourself wander when a street, market or lakeside view catches your attention. That is often where Udaipur feels most memorable.

FAQ

What are the best things to do in Udaipur?

Some of the most popular things to do in Udaipur include exploring City Palace, taking a boat ride on Lake Pichola, visiting Bagore Ki Haveli, exploring the old city, shopping at local markets, cycling around the city and watching the sunset by the lake.

What are some unique activities to do in Udaipur?

You can try cycling through the countryside, attending a traditional folk performance, exploring the old city lanes and spending an evening at the lakeside rooftop are a few experiences beyond the usual sightseeing.

What are the best things to see in Udaipur?

City Palace, Lake Pichola, Sajjangarh Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli and Fateh Sagar Lake are among the popular things to see in Udaipur.

Which are the best adventure activities in Udaipur?

Cycling trails, trekking around the Aravalli Hills, horse riding and boating are some adventure activities in Udaipur that can add more variety to your trip.

How many days are enough for Udaipur?

Around 2-3 days can give you enough time to cover the major attractions and enjoy several must-do activities in Udaipur without making the trip feel rushed.

Is Udaipur good for couples?

Yes, lakeside walks, boat rides, rooftop dinners and sunset views make Udaipur a popular choice for couples and a natural addition to romantic places in India.

What is the best time to visit Udaipur?

October - March is considered as a comfortable period for sightseeing with perfect weather for staying outdoors. The monsoon months can also be appealing if you like green landscapes with fuller lakes and summers can be very hot.