Every travel blog has a "Top Things to Do in Udaipur" list. Most of them are written by someone who visited once, or worse, never visited at all. This one's different — it's written by a family that actually lives a short drive from Lake Pichola and has watched this city change (and stay the same) for years. These are the ten spots we genuinely send our guests to, not just the ones that rank well on Google.
1. Sunset Boat Ride on Lake Pichola
Non-negotiable, start here. A boat ride at sunset — not midday — is when the lake actually earns its reputation. The light hits the City Palace facade and the Lake Palace floating in the middle of the water, and the whole city goes gold for about twenty minutes. Book the sunset slot specifically; the difference between a 3 PM ride and a 6 PM ride is night and day, literally.
2. City Palace Complex
Yes, it's the obvious one — but it's obvious for a reason. This isn't a single building, it's a sprawling complex of courtyards, museums, and palaces built up over nearly 400 years by successive Mewar rulers. Give yourself a proper two to three hours here, not a rushed hour. The Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) and the views over the lake from the upper terraces are worth the time alone.
3. Jagdish Temple
A five-minute walk from the City Palace, this 17th-century temple is still an active place of worship, not a roped-off monument. The carved stone exterior alone is worth the detour, and it's a good, quiet contrast to the bustle right outside its gates.
4. Bagore ki Haveli — Evening Puppet Show
This restored haveli on the lake's edge runs a nightly Rajasthani folk dance and puppet show that's genuinely well done, not a tourist-trap version of one. Go for the 7 PM show, and try to arrive early enough to walk through the haveli itself beforehand — the architecture and old photographs inside are worth seeing in daylight before the show starts.
5. Ambrai Ghat at Sunset
If you want the classic postcard view of the City Palace and Lake Palace across the water — the one every photo of Udaipur seems to use — this is where it's taken from. Less crowded than the palace side of the lake, and a good spot to just sit for twenty minutes with a chai and let the city do its thing.
6. Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens)
A quieter, greener stop — this 18th-century garden was built for the royal ladies of the court and their attendants, with fountains, marble elephants, and a lotus pool. It's a good half-day-slowdown spot if you've been temple- and palace-hopping and need a breather.
7. Fateh Sagar Lake
Udaipur's other lake, a short drive north of Pichola, and noticeably less crowded. The boat ride out to Nehru Garden island is a nice change of pace, and the promenade around the lake is a genuinely pleasant place for an evening walk if you want something less touristy than the Pichola waterfront.
8. Local Bazaars — Hathi Pol and Bada Bazaar
Skip the fixed-price tourist emporiums near the palace gates and walk into Hathi Pol or Bada Bazaar instead. This is where you'll find miniature paintings, block-print textiles, silver jewelry, and leather juttis at prices actual locals pay — but bargaining is expected, so don't take the first quote.
9. Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the city, this palace was built as a monsoon retreat and offers what might be the single best panoramic view of Udaipur and its lakes, especially near sunset. It's a bit of a drive up, but the view is the payoff.
10. Street Food — Kachori, Dal Baati Churma, and Chaat
Not a single location, but a category worth building an evening around. Look for a proper dal baati churma thali at a local eatery (not a hotel restaurant version), and try kachori from a street stall near the old city rather than a packaged one. This is where Udaipur actually tastes like Udaipur.
A Local Tip Before You Go
Most of these — the boat ride, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli, and Ambrai Ghat — are all within easy walking or short auto-rickshaw distance of each other around the lake. It's entirely possible to do numbers 1 through 5 on this list in a single well-planned day if you start early.
Staying Close to All of This
At Meeraavi Home Stay, we're just a short drive from Lake Pichola and City Palace — close enough that most of this list is easily reachable, far enough to be a quiet, comfortable base away from the tourist crowd. Our guests get comfortable air-conditioned rooms, a fully equipped kitchen if you'd rather cook than eat out every meal, and genuine local hospitality from a family who can point you toward whichever of these ten fits your day best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to see Lake Pichola and City Palace properly?
A minimum of two full days — one for the City Palace complex and nearby sites (Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli), and one for the lake itself (boat ride, Ambrai Ghat, Fateh Sagar).
Is Lake Pichola walkable from the City Palace?
Yes — the City Palace sits directly on the lake's edge, and most of the attractions on this list (Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli, Ambrai Ghat) are within a 10-15 minute walk of each other.
What is the best time of day for the Lake Pichola boat ride?
Sunset, typically the 5:30-6:30 PM slot depending on the season — the light on the City Palace and Lake Palace is dramatically better than a midday ride.