What to see and do in Udaipur in two days

This city of state of Rajasthan, known for its lakes and palaces, it's quite manageable to explore in a short time if you plan well. In two days, you can visit the most representative sites without being overwhelmed: a huge palace overlooking the lake, lively streets, hidden temples, and the occasional boat ride. However, it's hot, so it's best to get up early. Here's what we tell you What to see in Udaipur in two days without complicating your life.

How to get to Udaipur

Arrive in Udaipur by domestic flight (from Mumbai or Delhi)

The most convenient way to reach Udaipur is by domestic flight. From both Mumbai as from Delhi There are several daily options, with airlines such as Indigo, SpiceJet, and Air India. Flights are usually short (just under an hour) and fairly cheap if booked in advance.

We flew from Mumbai and we arrived in the early afternoon. Udaipur Airport is small, but functional. Important: there is no public transportation from the airport to the city center, so it's best to book a flight in advance. private transfer or taxi with a closed agreement.

Transfer from the airport to the center

We booked transportation in advance by speaking with the hotel: 1000 rupees throughout the journey. The driver was waiting for us at the airport exit and dropped us off in a downtown area where cars were no longer allowed, only tuktuks. This is important: Udaipur's historic center has many narrow streets where cars cannot enter, so they will drop you off at a nearby point and then you will move on foot or by tuktuk.

Our transfer already included a tuktuk which took us to the door of the accommodation, which is appreciated if you are carrying a backpack or suitcase.

Day 1: Historic Center and Lake Pichola

We started the day with breakfast on the terrace of our accommodation. Although we couldn't directly see the lake from our hotel, The views of the old town were very cool, with uneven roofs, looming temples, and that old-school Indian movie vibe. If you haven't chosen your place to stay yet, look for one with rooftop: In Udaipur almost everyone has it and it completely changes the experience.

Visit to the City Palace (Udaipur Palace)

Our first stop was the City Palace, one of the most important and visited places in the city. It's right in the center, next to Lake Pichola, and is a must-see. We hired a guide right there. He had an official identification card (although this does not guarantee anything in India) and charged us 500 rupees for a guided tour for two people.

The visit lasted a little over an hour and the truth is that It is worth doing it with a guide to understand what you're seeing. The palace is a labyrinth of rooms, courtyards, and balconies overlooking the lake. At the end, as happens in many tourist sites in India, they "invite" you to stop by a souvenir shop. We didn't buy anything and left without any problems.

Jagdish Temple

From the palace we walked to the Jagdish Temple, the largest in Udaipur. It's an active Hindu temple, so you'll see people praying, making offerings, or simply sitting on the steps. When we visited, there were several Indians playing traditional instruments, dancing and generally making noise. We also saw people communing with rice, which we found super interesting. A very lively and authentic atmosphere.

Walk through the Ghats

Our next stop was the Gangaur Ghat, where a man gave us the license to enter his miniature painting shop (don't pay any attention to him). And from there we crossed one of the pedestrian bridges that span Lake Pichola to reach a quieter area, with some temples and ghats where people bathe or simply sit at sunset. One of the most beautiful spots was the Ambrai Ghat, where local people were bathing and a few couples were sitting and watching the water. It has something special about it.

Markets and alleys of the center

After the walk we returned to the hotel to rest a little from the intense heat that occurs in April in India and then we went out for a walk around the center and see the markets in the old town.

The experience was average: The streets are very narrow, full of motorcycles, and it's not very comfortable to walk around. There are small shops, some selling souvenirs, others more "pirate," where you can find clothes, souvenirs, or pashminas at good prices if you know how to haggle.

Doodh Talai Lake

In the late afternoon we went to the Doodh Talai Lake, a smaller one next to Pichola. It's less touristy, but we thought it had its charm at sunset. There you can see kiosks and gazebos Traditional cafes where people sit to watch the sunset and take photos. It's a more relaxed area, and we liked it to escape the noise of the city center.

Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola

From there we took a tuktuk back to the City Palace, which you will have to go through to get to the pier for tourist boats There are several options, but we chose the boat at sunset that take a walk around Lake Pichola and for in the Jagmandir Palace Island, a luxury hotel with gardens, bars/restaurants and great views.

• Price: 800 INR per person

It was probably the most expensive beer of the trip, but the site is worth it at sunset. From the island you can see the city lit up at dusk and breathe in the calm. There is also another cheaper boat, which is mostly used by locals and doesn't stop on the island. But if you have the budget and time, the island tour is more enjoyable.

👀 ¡Bats!
When we returned by boat it was already night and we saw a bunch of huge bats flying over the water, something impressive and a little surreal.

Day 2: Excursion around Udaipur

After seeing the center of Udaipur, we decided to explore the surrounding area a bit. We didn't have anything planned, but as is the case in many Indian cities, we ended up making a plan as we went along.

We ordered a Uber, but since some places are a bit piratey, the typical thing is that when you arrive they tell you that where they're going to drop you off there's no coverage, that the Ubers don't arrive and you won't be able to order one back. Then they suggest something outside the app. In this case, the driver offered us a route through all the points in Udaipur that we wanted to visit and after negotiating for a while, we accepted 1100 rupees per day The truth is, it's quite convenient to have a driver who takes you to one place and waits for you to go to the next when you're done.

Bahubali Hills

The first stop was Bahubali Hills, a hill from where you have views of two lakes at once. You have to make a walk of about 15 to 20 minutes, with some incline, but nothing difficult. The path is dirt, without much shade, and the surroundings are dry, at least when we went (April).

Above there is a kind of kiosk next to the viewing platform, but we didn't buy anything because it looked pretty bad. The best view is a little further down from the viewing platform, in a rocky area. You can see the lake in the background, along with some green hills and the nearby villages.

To access the trail, we were charged 10 rupees each, although we're not sure if it was official. There was a man sitting at a booth, who gave us a pretty cheap ticket... but hey, it's not a huge loss.

Monsoon Palace

Then we headed towards the famous Monsoon Palace, which is located on a hilltop outside Udaipur. We had read that the palace itself is not very well preserved, so our intention was to just go up to admire the views, but in the end we decided not to visit it.

The Entrance to the palace is 568 INR per person, and you have to pay 320 INR additional just by getting in the car. Also, They don't let you access the viewpoint You can visit the building without paying the full entrance fee, as the barrier where they check your ticket is at the bottom of the hill. If you have time and want to visit the building itself, it might be worth it, but if you're only interested in the views, we don't think it's worth the extra money.

Neemach Mata Mandir Temple

Alternatively, the driver took us to the Neemach Mata Mandir temple, which is on a hill near Fateh Sagar Lake. There is an option to go up cable car (ropeway) or walking, and we, like good fools, decided to do it on foot.

The trail itself is quite easy, but the sun and heat make it difficult to bear. We don't recommend doing it in summer if you're not in good physical shape. They are 20-25 minutes climb, with a steep slope and very little space to rest in the shade.

There are a couple of places at the top where you can sit and rest and take photos, but it's not a tourist spot as such, which makes it interesting. It's a small temple, but it's worth a visit if you're looking for some fresh air and clear views: you can see the entire lake and part of the city.

Walk around Fateh Sagar Lake and its gazebos

After coming down from the temple, we went for a walk along the edge of the Fateh Sagar Lake This area has several gazebos or kiosks Hindu-style, with arches, columns, and plenty of shade. They're scattered along the promenade and are perfect for resting, taking photos, or simply people-watching.

There isn't much tourist activity there, but it's a very pleasant place to stroll or sit and observe local life, especially at the end of the day.

❤️ Rooftops!
The best dinner plan in Udaipur is to go to a rooftop; they're not expensive at all, and the views of the lake at night are spectacular.

Practical tips for visiting Udaipur

How to get around Udaipur and its surroundings

In the Udaipur's historic center is closed to cars because they literally do not fit, so the most normal thing is to move on foot or in tuktuk The streets are narrow, filled with motorcycles, dogs, cows, and shops, so arming yourself with patience is part of the plan.

The tuktuks They work well, but you always have to haggle. Some have taxi meters, but few actually use them. Even so, if you see that the journey shouldn't cost more than 100 or 150 rupees, offer half of what they ask for at the beginning and close the deal before going up.

To go to the surrounding areas (such as Bahubali Hills or the Monsoon Palace), the most practical way is hire a driver directly Many are offered outside of apps like Uber or Ola. We paid 1,100 rupees for several stops, and the driver waited for us at each location without any problems.

When to take the boat trip on the lake

The key hour is right before sunset The light is soft, the water reflects the buildings, and the atmosphere is more tranquil. The boats depart from an interior area of the City Palace, and there are two types:

• A more touristy one that stops at the Jagmandir Island where there is a cafeteria and garden with views (more expensive but more complete).
• Another more basic one than just go around without stopping (cheaper).

If you want to relax and have a drink with a view, it's worth paying for the most touristy one. The beer isn't cheap, but the moment is worth enjoying.

Approximate prices for transfers and tickets

• Airport–center transfer With taxi and tuktuk included: 1000 rupees
• Private guide at the City Palace: 500 rupees (for 2 people)
• City Palace Entrance: around 300-400 rupees
• Boat on the lake with a stop at the island: 800 rupees
• Half-day taxi tour Around: 1000–1200 rupees
• Climb to the Neemach Mata temple on foot: free
• Cable car (if you use it): about 100-150 rupees

Whenever possible, ask your accommodation provider for reference prices and avoid paying double.

Recommendations for rooftops and quiet places to eat

In Udaipur the thing about the rooftops with lake views It's not just decoration: it's the plan. There are many, and most have terraces that look directly onto the lake or the rooftops of the city center.

We had dinner twice at Charcoal by Carlson, which has great views and delicious food. You can also try:

• Ambrai Restaurant: spectacular views, somewhat more expensive.
• Upre by 1559 AD: ideal for a more special dinner.
• Sunset View Café: simpler but with good panoramic views.

What to avoid or keep in mind when walking downtown

• The streets of the center are full of motorcycles: You have to be very careful, especially in alleys where there is no sidewalk or separation.
• Markets are not as nice as they sound Lots of dust, noise, motorcycles in the way, and pushy vendors. If you're looking for souvenirs, it's best to take your time and compare prices.
• The "I know someone in Bilbao" stories They're very typical: it's just an excuse to take you to a miniature paint store. No need to be rude, but don't feel bad about ignoring them either.
• Wear comfortable but closed shoes: You are going to walk a lot and the ground is uneven, with puddles or potholes.

Udaipur has a different rhythm than other Indian cities. It's not as monumental as Jaipur or as intense as Varanasi, but that's part of its charm. The charm here is in look, observe and let yourself be carried away by the environment If you do it this way, you'll love it as much as we do.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see and do in Udaipur in two days you can visit our posts about India.