Lal Ghat
First-timersBy the City Palace.
Udaipur city guide
Things To Do In Udaipur
The city of lakes: white palaces on the water, a hilltop monsoon palace at sunset, and rooftop restaurants over Lake Pichola. The prettiest city in Rajasthan, and the one people stay in longest.
53
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 5,580 reviews
1559
Udaipur founded
Octopussy
Filmed here
Largest
Palace in Rajasthan
The city of lakes
Udaipur was founded in the sixteenth century as the capital of the Mewar kingdom, and it grew around a string of artificial lakes. The City Palace, the largest in Rajasthan, rises from the shore of Lake Pichola, and the Lake Palace floats in the middle of it.
It is relaxed, romantic and very photogenic. The James Bond film Octopussy was shot here, and some rooftop cafés still screen it every night.
Three days is right, with the great fort of Kumbhalgarh nearby.
Where to stay
Stay near Lal Ghat and the City Palace, or across the lake at Hanuman Ghat.
Hanuman Ghat
ViewsAcross the lake.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Udaipur
Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes', built around Lake Pichola by the Mewar dynasty, is Rajasthan's most romantic city, with white palaces on the water and the Aravalli hills behind.
The City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, rises above the lake, with courtyards, mirrored halls and views over the water. Take a boat on Lake Pichola to Jag Mandir, an island palace, and see the Lake Palace, now a hotel, floating in the middle.
In the evening, Bagore ki Haveli, an eighteenth-century mansion on Gangaur Ghat, puts on a show of Rajasthani folk dance and puppetry. Watch the sunset from the Monsoon Palace, on a hilltop outside town, or from Ambrai Ghat.
The Jagdish Temple, an Indo-Aryan temple in the old city, is busy with worshippers. Saheliyon ki Bari, the Garden of the Maidens, has fountains and lotus pools. Several rooftop restaurants still screen Octopussy, the James Bond film shot here in 1983, every night.
Kumbhalgarh, with one of the world's longest walls, and the marble Jain temple at Ranakpur, are day trips.
Free things
Free things to do in Udaipur
Walking the old city's lanes and ghats, Ambrai Ghat at sunset and the Jagdish Temple are free.
The lakeside promenades along Fateh Sagar Lake are free, and so are the views of the City Palace from across the water.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Udaipur
Udaipur's rooftop restaurants serve Rajasthani dishes, such as dal baati churma and gatte ki sabzi, gram-flour dumplings in curry, with lake views. Street food in the old city includes kachori and mirchi vada.
A meal is €2 to €8.
Nightlife
Going out in Udaipur
Udaipur's nightlife is quiet and romantic: rooftop restaurants and bars overlooking the lake, and the Bagore ki Haveli dance show.
A beer is €3 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around Udaipur
Udaipur Airport is about 40 minutes away. Trains and buses reach Jaipur, Jodhpur and Delhi; the drive to Jodhpur via Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh is a classic.
The old city is walkable; autos and Uber cover the rest.
Costs
What Udaipur costs
Udaipur is cheap to mid-priced. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €20 to €35.
The City Palace is about €4, a boat on Lake Pichola €5 to €10, and the Bagore ki Haveli show a few euros.
The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.
Safety
Staying safe in Udaipur
Udaipur is safe and relaxed.
Agree auto fares first, and take care on steep lanes. Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and be wary of raw salads and ice; stomach upsets are common.
Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Udaipur
Forts and temples.
Kumbhalgarh
A fort with a huge wall.
Ranakpur
A marble Jain temple.
Chittorgarh
India's largest fort.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Holi and the Mewar Festival colour the city in spring.
Staff pick
2–5 October
Swadeshi Mela
Swadeshi Mela in Udaipur is a large-scale industrial expo that brings together over 800 exhibitors from across India, including local manufacturers, startups, and artisans.…
Staff pick
21–30 December
Shilpgram Utsav Festival
Shilpgram Utsav in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is a lively celebration of India’s rural arts and crafts, drawing artisans, musicians, and dancers from across the country.…
Staff pick
15 November
Udaipur Marathon
The Udaipur Marathon invites runners of all backgrounds to experience the city’s unique blend of tradition and ambition while racing through its scenic streets.…
11–20 October
Vrindavan Raas Dandiya
Navratri comes alive at RK Circle with ten nights of traditional Dandiya dancing, music, and celebration. The atmosphere draws families and friends looking to…
2 Oct – 25 Dec
IYKYK Friday
DJ Duke takes over the decks at Abaar every Friday for nights that run on loud music and packed energy. The vibe here is…
3 Oct – 26 Dec
Brewtopia Saturdays
Saturday nights at Malibu The Brew House bring together craft beer, signature cocktails, and DJ JAGX spinning high-energy tracks. The vibe is built for…
3 Oct – 27 Dec
Unplugged: An Evening of Soulful Melodies
Live acoustic performances take center stage at this rooftop gathering overlooking Udaipur's lake-dotted skyline. The setting strips away the polish for something more raw…
9 Oct – 22 Nov
Inder Sahani
Inder Sahani brings his comedy to Udaipur with a show built around the absurdity of being the sober friend in a drinking group. He's…
Hostels
Where to stay in Udaipur
The top-rated places to stay in Udaipur right now, live from Hostelworld.
Moustache Udaipur
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Madpackers Udaipur
Dorms from €3 a night
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Hostel Mantra
Dorms from €8 a night
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Dreamyard Udaipur
Dorms from €2 a night
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Zostel Udaipur
Dorms from €7 a night
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The Hosteller Udaipur
Dorms from €4 a night
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Bunkyard Udaipur
Dorms from €4 a night
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Tamasha Udaipur
Dorms from €3 a night
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Whereabout Hostel
Dorms from €3 a night
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Banjara Heritage
See dates and bookWhen to go
October to March. The lakes are fullest after the monsoon.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Good
Mar
Holi
Apr
Hot
May
Very hot
Jun
Monsoon
Jul
Monsoon
Aug
Green
Sep
Lakes full
Oct
Diwali
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Udaipur travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is the Lake Palace?
A palace on an island in Lake Pichola, now a hotel; see it from a boat.
Where is the best sunset?
The Monsoon Palace or Ambrai Ghat.
Is it really an Octopussy town?
Yes, it was filmed here in 1983 and is still screened nightly.
How do I get to Jodhpur?
By car via Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh, or by bus.
How many days do you need?
Two or three.
When is the best time to visit?
September to March, when the lakes are full.
What is the dance show?
Rajasthani folk dance and puppetry at Bagore ki Haveli each evening.
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