Catch a Lake Sunset in Udaipur
A Balance of Nature and Urban Tourist Delight
Udaipur, known as India’s City of Lakes, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Mewar. As a smaller city in Rajasthan, Udaipur offers a blend of nature (from mountains to lakes), history (temples and palaces), as well as culture - as the city is full of small artist’s boutiques and tailor shops. A lot of the fun, to me, is just wandering around the city center near Jagdish Temple. While it’s a step away from the intense hustle of a Delhi or a Mumbai, this section still offers the sense of bustle and abundant options to shop and dine that you would expect in India. For me, though, it comes without the paired feeling of overwhelm and overstimulation.
Enjoy a Long Sunset
One thing I think is a can’t miss is to catch a sunset - which settles stunningly across the lakes. I caught mine at Karin Mata Temple because Monsoon Palace was closed. If Monsoon Palace is open for sunset though, it offers the most famous mountaintop view.
Enjoy Time at a Lake
The highlight of Udaipur is certainly the lakes - so I think you can’t miss taking a nature day when visiting. If you’re looking for a boat ride, the most common is Lake Pichola in the urban core. If you want a nearby lake you can walk around entirely during a day, you can head just slightly north to Fateh Sagar Lake. If you want to remove yourself a bit from the city and get more into nature, you can instead take a rickshaw to Badi Lake.
With each being good options, whatever choice you make won’t disappoint.
Explore City Palace
While Udaipur has many historical sites (such as Jagdesh Temple and Kesariyaji Temple), I think the only one that is a must-hit is City Palace. The most pristinely maintained and elaborately decorated palace I went into in Rajasthan, it is a real feast for the eyes. Most of the rooms look newly built - and you get a real sense for the colorful grandeur of Indian royal architecture. Absolutely stunning - and you also get beautiful views of Pichola Lake and Taj Lake Palace.
