Rising in honey-coloured granite and marble above the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola, the City Palace of Udaipur is the largest royal complex in Rajasthan and one of India's most romantic landmarks. Built over nearly four centuries by successive Maharanas of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, it began with Maharana Udai Singh II, who founded Udaipur in 1559 and laid the palace's foundations. What you see today is not a single building but an interconnected cluster of eleven palaces, courtyards, terraces, gardens and gateways, blending Rajput, Mughal, Chinese and European influences into one harmonious whole. Stand on its balconies and the city unfolds beneath you in a wash of white, with the island Lake Palace floating mid-water and the Aravalli hills folding into the horizon. Inside, a labyrinth of narrow corridors opens onto richly decorated chambers filled with mirror-work, coloured glass, hand-painted miniatures, silver, peacock mosaics and antique royal treasures. Part of the palace still serves as the residence of the present custodian of the Mewar dynasty, while wings house museums, heritage hotels and galleries. Whether you come for the history, the architecture or simply the famous golden-hour views over the lake, City Palace is the essential first stop in the City of Lakes.
Top Attractions
Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard)
One of the palace's most photographed spaces, Mor Chowk dazzles with three life-sized peacocks set into the wall, crafted from thousands of pieces of coloured glass and mosaic, each representing a different season. The intricate inlay shimmers as light shifts through the day. The courtyard was used for royal ceremonies and audiences, and its craftsmanship showcases the wealth and artistry the Mewar court could command at its peak.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace ticket
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Late morning
- Tip: Look closely at the peacock plumage to spot how natural light makes the glasswork change colour.
Sheesh Mahal & Mirror Work
The palace is famous for its glittering mirror and glass-inlaid chambers, where walls and ceilings are studded with tiny mirrors and coloured glass that catch and multiply candlelight. These rooms were designed to dazzle guests and create an almost magical interior glow. The delicate ornamentation, combined with painted floral motifs, is among the finest examples of decorative Rajput palace artistry you will see anywhere in the complex.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace ticket
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Mid-morning
- Tip: Photography lighting is tricky inside; steady your camera and avoid flash for the best results.
City Palace Museum
The museum wing leads visitors through a winding route of royal chambers displaying Mewar miniatures, weaponry, costumes, silver, royal portraits and personal artefacts of the Maharanas. Highlights include the Krishna Vilas with its devotional paintings and the Manak Mahal with its crystal and glass figures. The route is deliberately maze-like, climbing through narrow stairways and emerging onto terraces with sweeping views over the city and lake.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Adults around INR 300-400; cameras may cost extra
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Morning to beat crowds
- Tip: Hire an official guide or audio guide; the displays have limited signage and the history is rich.
Amar Vilas & Hanging Gardens
The highest point of the palace, Amar Vilas is a serene rooftop garden courtyard with fountains, hanging terraces and arched pavilions. Built in Mughal-influenced style, it served as a pleasure garden for the royal family. From here you get some of the best elevated panoramas of Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace and the surrounding Aravalli hills, making it a favourite spot for golden-hour photographs.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace ticket
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Late afternoon for the light
- Tip: Arrive before closing to catch the warm pre-sunset glow over the lake.
Bada Mahal & Tripolia Gate
Visitors enter the palace through the Tripolia, a triple-arched ceremonial gateway once used for royal processions and the famous tradition of weighing the Maharana against gold and silver. Beyond lies Bada Mahal, a garden palace built on a natural rocky hilltop, with shaded courtyards and tall trees growing at the same level as upper floors. Together they capture the layered, theatrical way the palace was designed to impress arriving guests.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace ticket
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Morning
- Tip: Pause at the Tripolia to appreciate the scale before the corridors narrow inside.
Lake Pichola & Jagdish Temple (nearby)
Just outside the palace lies Lake Pichola, whose ghats offer boat rides past the island palaces and reflective city views, especially magical at sunset. A short walk away stands the Jagdish Temple, a towering Indo-Aryan style Vishnu temple from 1651 with elaborately carved walls and a brass Garuda image. Pairing the palace with a lake boat ride and this temple makes for a perfect half to full day in old Udaipur.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Jagdish Temple free; boat rides around INR 400-700
- Hours: Temple roughly 5 AM - 2 PM, 4 PM - 10 PM; boats daytime to sunset
- Best Time: Sunset boat ride
- Tip: Book the sunset boat slot early as it sells out fast in peak season.
Food & Local Flavours
The old city around the palace and Lake Pichola is packed with rooftop cafes and Rajasthani eateries serving rich Mewari classics with a view.
Dal Baati Churma
Rajasthan's signature dish: baked wheat dough balls (baati) cracked open and drenched in ghee, served with spiced lentils (dal) and a sweet crumbled churma. Hearty and rustic, it is the definitive Mewari thali centrepiece and is found everywhere from humble dhabas to heritage restaurants around the palace.
Price: INR 150-350
Try: Local Rajasthani restaurants in the old city
Laal Maas
A fiery royal mutton curry cooked with Mathania red chillies, garlic and yoghurt, traditionally a hunters' and rulers' dish from Mewar. Smoky, intensely spiced and deep red, it is best paired with bajra roti or steamed rice. Non-vegetarians visiting Udaipur should not miss this regional speciality.
Price: INR 300-600
Try: Heritage and rooftop restaurants near the palace
Gatte ki Sabzi
Soft gram-flour dumplings simmered in a tangy, spiced yoghurt-based curry, a vegetarian staple born of Rajasthan's arid climate where fresh vegetables were scarce. Comforting and flavourful, it is served with rice or roti and appears on almost every traditional Mewari menu in the area.
Price: INR 120-300
Try: Vegetarian thali joints around Jagdish Temple
Mawa Kachori & Sweets
A rich Rajasthani treat of deep-fried pastry stuffed with sweetened khoya (reduced milk) and nuts, soaked in sugar syrup. Alongside it you will find ghewar and malpua at local sweet shops. These indulgent desserts make a perfect snack after a long morning exploring the palace courtyards.
Price: INR 30-100 per piece
Try: Sweet shops in the old city bazaars
Practical Information
Getting Around
- On foot: free - the old city around the palace, lake ghats and Jagdish Temple are best explored walking
- Auto-rickshaw: INR 50-200 per ride - handy for short hops; negotiate or insist on the meter
- App cabs / taxis: INR 150-500 - reliable for the airport (around 22 km) and longer trips
- Boat ride on Lake Pichola: INR 400-700 - the scenic way to see the palace from the water
Budget Guide (Per Day)
- Budget: INR 1500-2500 (~$18-30): dorm or budget guesthouse, local thalis, shared transport and palace entry
- Mid-range: INR 3500-7000 (~$42-85): comfortable lakeview hotel, restaurant meals, guided palace tour and a boat ride
- Luxury: INR 15000+ (~$180+): heritage palace hotel, fine dining, private guide and curated experiences
Best Time to Visit
- October to March: pleasant cool weather ideal for walking the palace and lake; peak season
- February to March: comfortable days and the lead-up to festivals like Holi and Mewar Festival
- Avoid April to June: extreme heat often crossing 40 degrees Celsius makes daytime sightseeing uncomfortable
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City Palace Udaipur — Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons