3 Days in Udaipur: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one stays on Lake Pichola: Jagdish Temple, the City Palace, a boat out to Jag Mandir and sunset at Ambrai Ghat. Day two moves north to Saheliyon ki Bari, the Maharana Pratap memorial at Moti Magri and Fateh Sagar Lake, then up to the Monsoon Palace for sunset. Day three drives out to the Eklingji temple, stops at the Shilpgram crafts village and ends with the ropeway to Karni Mata and an evening at Gangaur Ghat.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹5,000 to ₹9,100, excluding flights, hotel and some gate fees
Weather: Summers are hot, the monsoon from July to September fills the lakes, and winter days are mild with cool nights.
Pack:
Sunscreen and a hat
Comfortable shoes for palace stairs and ghats
A light shawl for winter evenings by the lake
Clothes covering shoulders and knees for temples
Local tips:
The old city lanes around Jagdish Temple are narrow; walk or take an auto rather than a car.
Agree auto-rickshaw fares before you set off, or use an app cab.
Lake levels drop in a dry year, so boat rides and the lake views are best after the monsoon.
Booking tips:
Buy City Palace and boat tickets at the official counters inside the palace, not from touts outside.
Sunset boat rides on Lake Pichola fill up in winter; book in the morning for the same evening.
Getting there (from other Indian cities):
flight: Direct flights to Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities - About 1.5 hours from Delhi or Mumbai
train: Overnight trains from Delhi such as the Mewar Express, and day trains from Jaipur - About 12 hours from Delhi
car: Jaipur to Udaipur, about 400 km; Ahmedabad to Udaipur, about 260 km - About 6 to 7 hours from Jaipur, 4 to 5 hours from Ahmedabad
The airport is about 22 km east of the old city; Udaipur City railway station is about 3 km from it.
Book trains early for October to February, the busiest season, and for Diwali and New Year.
Day 1: The City Palace and Lake Pichola
The old city on Lake Pichola: Jagdish Temple, the City Palace, a boat out to the island palace of Jag Mandir and sunset across the water from Ambrai Ghat.
Jagdish Temple (morning): Start at Jagdish Temple, a few minutes' walk uphill from the City Palace gate. Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I, this Vishnu temple stands on a high platform reached by a steep flight of steps, and its walls are covered in carved dancers, elephants and musicians. Free Why visit: The old city's main temple, steps from the City Palace; Detailed stone carving on every wall Know before you go: Leave shoes at the foot of the steps; Mornings are calmer than evenings, when the aarti draws crowds
City Palace (late morning): Walk down to the City Palace, begun by Maharana Udai Singh II when he founded Udaipur in 1559 and added to by later rulers for centuries. The museum winds through courtyards, mirror rooms and peacock mosaics in the Mor Chowk, and its balconies look straight down over Lake Pichola. ₹400, museum ticket, adult, as reported for 2026; check the current tariff at the counter Why visit: Udaipur's royal palace, overlooking Lake Pichola; The peacock mosaics of the Mor Chowk Know before you go: Allow at least two and a half hours for the museum; Many stairs and narrow passages inside
Lake Pichola boat ride to Jag Mandir (late afternoon): Take a boat from the City Palace jetty out on Lake Pichola. The ride passes the Taj Lake Palace and stops at Jag Mandir, a 17th-century island palace of the Mewar rulers, where you can walk the gardens and pavilions before the boat brings you back. Boat tickets at the City Palace jetty, reported at about ₹400 to ₹1,000 per adult depending on the boat; sunset rides cost more Why visit: The classic view of the City Palace from the water; A stop on the island palace of Jag Mandir Know before you go: The Taj Lake Palace is open only to hotel guests; you see it from the boat; Buy tickets at the official jetty counter
Ambrai Ghat (sunset): Cross to Ambrai Ghat on the west bank, about 10 minutes by auto. The steps face the City Palace across the lake, and as the sun sets the palace turns gold and then lights up. Free Why visit: The best sunset view of the City Palace; A quiet place to sit by the water Know before you go: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for a spot on the steps
Eat: Ambrai Restaurant - A lakeside restaurant on Ambrai Ghat facing the City Palace; book a table by the water for dinner.
Evening: Stay on at Ambrai Ghat after sunset to see the City Palace lit up across the lake.
Budget for the day: ₹1,800 to ₹3,400 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Day 2: Fateh Sagar, gardens and the Monsoon Palace
North of the old city: the fountains of Saheliyon ki Bari, the Maharana Pratap memorial on Moti Magri, a walk along Fateh Sagar Lake and sunset from the Monsoon Palace on its hilltop.
Saheliyon ki Bari (morning): Start at Saheliyon ki Bari, the 'garden of the maidens', laid out in the 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh II for the royal ladies. Fountains play among marble elephants, lotus pools and shaded lawns. ₹20, Indian visitor, as reported Why visit: Fountains, lotus pools and marble pavilions; A calm, green start to the day Know before you go: The fountains run best in the morning
Moti Magri (Maharana Pratap Memorial) (late morning): Take an auto to Moti Magri, about 5 minutes. The hilltop memorial has a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his horse Chetak, gardens and a small museum on the history of Mewar, with views over Fateh Sagar Lake. Entry ticket at the gate; check the current fee on arrival Why visit: The statue of Maharana Pratap on Chetak; Views down over Fateh Sagar Lake Know before you go: The path up the hill is a gentle climb; there is little shade
Fateh Sagar Lake (afternoon): Walk down to Fateh Sagar Lake, first built in 1678 and rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh in the late 1800s. Walk the embankment, and take a boat out to Nehru Garden, the park on the island in the middle of the lake. Free to walk the promenade; boat rides are paid at the jetty Why visit: Udaipur's favourite lakeside promenade; Boat rides to the island garden Know before you go: Weekends and evenings get crowded with locals
Monsoon Palace (sunset): Take a cab up to the Monsoon Palace, about 5 km west, through the Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary. Built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in the 1880s on a hilltop in the Aravallis, it looks out over the lakes and the city, and is the best sunset point in Udaipur. A sanctuary entry fee plus a separate fee for the vehicle or the shuttle up the hill; check current rates at the gate Why visit: The best sunset view over Udaipur and its lakes; A drive through the Sajjangarh sanctuary Know before you go: Leave about an hour before sunset; the gate closes soon after; The palace itself is mostly empty rooms; you come for the view
Eat: 1559 AD - A garden restaurant near Fateh Sagar, good for a relaxed lunch before the afternoon by the lake.
Evening: Come back down for an evening stroll on the Fateh Sagar promenade, lined with snack stalls.
Budget for the day: ₹1,400 to ₹2,700 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Day 3: Eklingji, Shilpgram and the Karni Mata ropeway
A morning drive to the Eklingji temple north of the city, the Shilpgram crafts village on the way back, then the ropeway up to Karni Mata for sunset and an evening at Gangaur Ghat.
Eklingji Temple (morning): Drive about 22 km north to Eklingji, around 40 minutes by cab. This walled temple complex is dedicated to Shiva as Eklingji, the guardian deity of the Mewar rulers, and its main shrine is surrounded by more than a hundred smaller temples. Free Why visit: The family temple of the Mewar royal house; A walled courtyard full of carved shrines Know before you go: Phones and cameras are not allowed inside; leave them in the car or the lockers; The temple closes in the middle of the day, so arrive in the morning session
Shilpgram (afternoon): Head back toward the city to Shilpgram, a crafts village west of Fateh Sagar. Traditional mud houses from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra are set around open ground, with artisans and folk performers at work. Entry ticket at the gate; check the current fee on arrival Why visit: Village houses from four western states in one place; Crafts you can buy from the makers Know before you go: It is busiest during the Shilpgram crafts fair in late December
Karni Mata Ropeway (sunset): Ride the ropeway from Deen Dayal Park up the hill to the Karni Mata temple. The ride takes a few minutes, and the top looks out over Lake Pichola, the City Palace and the Aravalli hills as the sun goes down. Ropeway tickets are reported at about ₹120 to ₹350 per adult, depending on the ticket; the temple is free Why visit: Views over Lake Pichola and the City Palace; A short cable car ride above the old city Know before you go: Queues get long just before sunset; arrive early
Gangaur Ghat (evening): Finish at Gangaur Ghat in the old city, next to Bagore Ki Haveli. The ghat and its stone archway open onto Lake Pichola, and in the evening it is a lively place to sit by the lit-up water. Free Why visit: The old city's busiest ghat, by Bagore Ki Haveli; Night views over Lake Pichola Know before you go: The lanes nearby are narrow; walk from Jagdish Temple
Eat: Krishna Dal Bati Restro - A simple vegetarian place in the old city known for dal baati churma, Rajasthan's signature dish.
Evening: Catch the Dharohar folk dance and puppet show, staged every evening at 7 pm in the old city; check the current venue when you book.
Budget for the day: ₹1,800 to ₹3,000 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Want a Different Pace?
Swap Eklingji for Kumbhalgarh: A full day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort, about 85 km north: A hill fort with walls that run for kilometres over the Aravalli hills. (Trade-off: About 2.5 hours each way by road, so it takes the whole day. - Costs more)
Add the folk art museum: Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, near Chetak Circle: Rajasthani puppets, masks and folk costumes, with short puppet shows. (Trade-off: Adds about 1.5 hours; fits on the morning of day two. - Similar cost)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Udaipur?
A 3-day Udaipur itinerary like this one works well for Couples, First-time visitors, History and architecture lovers. It's not the best fit if You are visiting in May or June, when the afternoons are very hot or You want nightlife or adventure sports.
How much does a 3-day Udaipur trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹5,000 to ₹9,100 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Udaipur itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Udaipur?
The best time to visit Udaipur is September to March.
How do I reach Udaipur from other Indian cities?
Common options are flight (About 1.5 hours from Delhi or Mumbai), train (About 12 hours from Delhi), car (About 6 to 7 hours from Jaipur, 4 to 5 hours from Ahmedabad). The airport is about 22 km east of the old city; Udaipur City railway station is about 3 km from it.
What are the must-see places in Udaipur in 3 days?
Day 1: Jagdish Temple, City Palace, Lake Pichola boat ride to Jag Mandir and Ambrai Ghat. Day 2: Saheliyon ki Bari, Moti Magri (Maharana Pratap Memorial), Fateh Sagar Lake and Monsoon Palace. Day 3: Eklingji Temple, Shilpgram, Karni Mata Ropeway and Gangaur Ghat.
Which Udaipur attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Jagdish Temple, Ambrai Ghat, Fateh Sagar Lake, Eklingji Temple and Gangaur Ghat are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Udaipur?
City Palace: ₹400; Saheliyon ki Bari: ₹20. Prices are for Indian adult visitors; check the official site before you go.
Can you go inside the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur?
Only if you stay there or book a meal through the hotel. Most visitors see it from a Lake Pichola boat ride or from the City Palace balconies.
How do you get around Udaipur?
The old city around Jagdish Temple and the City Palace is best on foot. Auto-rickshaws and app cabs cover Fateh Sagar and Saheliyon ki Bari, and a cab is easiest for the Monsoon Palace and Eklingji.
Where to Eat in Udaipur
Bawarchi Restaurant - ★4.6-6, Delhi Gate Cir, Old City, Nayapura, Bapu Bazar, Nada Khada, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India
Sun N Moon Cafe & Restaurant - ★4.4-84, Level, 5, Gangaur Ghat Marg, above Hotel Udai Niwas, Near Jagdish Temple, Silawatwari, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313004, India
Sai Sagar Coffee & More - ★4.2 - Shop No 31, Bombaya Bazar, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313004, India
Traditional Khana Restaurant (Rajasthani Cuisine) - ★4.2-48D, Panchwati Circle, adjoining R KAY Mall, Panchwati, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India
Unplan - by the lake - ★4.5-42, Jada GaneshJi Ka Chowk, Outside, Chand Pol Rd, Outside Chandpole, Ambamata, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313004, India
Soul Bistro & Lounge - ★4.3-9, Haridas Ji Ki Magri, Eklavya Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313004, India
Poppy by Royal Repast | Heritage Kitchen & Bar - ★4.5 - Bedla house, chetak marg, opp Sbi bank, near chetak circle, opposite sandal jwellers, Chamanpura, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313004, India