Top Places to Visit in Udaipur & Mount Abu

Udaipur and Mount Abu together offer one of the most rewarding weekend getaways from Delhi, Jaipur, or Ahmedabad. Udaipur — the City of Lakes — is a city of extraordinary beauty: shimmering lakes, white marble palaces, ancient temples, colourful bazaars, and the timeless romance of Rajasthani royal heritage. A short drive away, Mount Abu — Rajasthan's only hill station — offers cool breezes, green forests, serene lakes, and some of the most exquisite marble architecture in the world.

Whether you are planning a romantic trip, a family holiday, or a solo escape, this guide covers all the essential places to visit across both destinations — from the iconic to the hidden — so you can make the most of every hour.

Top Places to Visit in Udaipur

1. City Palace

The City Palace is the crown jewel of Udaipur — a vast complex of 11 palaces built by successive Maharanas of the Mewar dynasty over nearly 400 years. Perched on a ridge above Lake Pichola, the palace is a masterpiece of Rajput and Mughal architecture, with intricately decorated courtyards, marble balconies, crystal galleries, and stunning panoramic views of the lake and city below. Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore the museum, galleries, and rooftop terraces properly.

• Royal museum — thousands of artefacts, weapons, costumes, and royal memorabilia
• Crystal Gallery — one of the finest collections of Osler crystal in the world
• Palace balconies — sweeping views of Lake Pichola and the white city of Udaipur
• Sunset views — the palace glows golden in the late afternoon light

2. Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is the soul of Udaipur — a shimmering artificial lake created in 1362, framed by palaces, temples, ghats, and the Aravalli Hills. The lake is home to two island palaces: Jag Niwas (now the Taj Lake Palace hotel) and Jag Mandir. A sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola is one of the most romantic and visually stunning experiences in all of Rajasthan.

• Sunset boat ride — the must-do Udaipur experience; book in advance
• Lakeside cafés — several rooftop cafés along the ghats offer perfect lake views
• Photography — the reflection of the City Palace walls in the water at golden hour
• Evening views from Ambrai Ghat — one of the best free viewpoints in the city

3. Jag Mandir

Built on an island in Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir is a 17th-century palace made of yellow sandstone and white marble, with beautiful gardens, cenotaphs, and a spectacular setting surrounded by water. It served as a sanctuary for the Mughal prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) during his rebellion against his father. Today it is accessible by boat and offers a peaceful escape from the city, with stunning views back towards the City Palace and the ghats.

4. Bagore Ki Haveli

Built in the 18th century by Amir Chand Badwa, Bagore Ki Haveli is a 138-room mansion on the banks of Lake Pichola at Gangaur Ghat. Today it functions as a living museum, with beautifully preserved rooms, royal costumes, antiques, and folk artefacts spread across its many galleries. Every evening, a cultural performance featuring Rajasthani folk dances, puppet shows, and live music is held in the open-air courtyard — a wonderful way to experience traditional Rajasthani culture.

Best time to visit: Arrive by 6:30 PM for the evening cultural show (tickets required). The haveli museum is open from 10 AM to 7 PM.

5. Saheliyon Ki Bari

Saheliyon Ki Bari — the Garden of the Maids of Honour — is a royal garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in the early 18th century as a retreat for his queen and her handmaidens. The garden is a serene oasis of marble pavilions, lotus ponds, ornamental fountains, and carefully tended flower beds. It is one of the most peaceful spots in Udaipur, best visited in the morning when the light is gentle and the fountains are active.

6. Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake, just north of Lake Pichola, is a beautiful reservoir with three small islands and a long, scenic promenade lined with food stalls and viewpoints. The lake was originally built in 1678 and rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh after a flood in 1888. Nehru Garden on the central island is accessible by motorboat and is a lovely spot to relax. The promenade is the perfect place for an evening walk.

• Speed boating and motorboating to Nehru Garden island
• Sunset views — the lake catches the last light beautifully
• Street food — local snacks along the promenade
• Scenic promenade — ideal for an evening stroll with views of the surrounding hills

7. Karni Mata Temple

The Karni Mata Temple sits on the Machla Magra Hills above Udaipur, accessible via a scenic ropeway ride from the base station near Doodh Talai. The temple itself is a popular Rajasthani pilgrimage site, but the real draw is the panoramic 360-degree view from the hilltop — Udaipur, its lakes, palaces, and the flat plains of Rajasthan spread out below in every direction. The ropeway ride is short (about 5 minutes) but the view from the top is magnificent, especially near sunset.

8. Sajjangarh Palace (Monsoon Palace)

Perched on the highest peak of the Aravalli Hills at 944 metres, Sajjangarh Palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh as a monsoon retreat and astronomical observatory. The palace was designed to be tall enough to see the monsoon clouds arriving from the Bay of Bengal. Today it offers the most spectacular panoramic view in Udaipur — the entire city, its lakes, and the surrounding countryside visible from the terrace. The 20-minute drive up the hill through the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is itself a pleasure.

Top Places to Visit in Mount Abu

9. Nakki Lake

Nakki Lake is the heart of Mount Abu — a serene natural lake surrounded by hills, rock formations, and forest, with a pleasant promenade, paddle boating, and a number of restaurants and cafés along its banks. According to legend, the lake was dug by a god using his nails (naksh), giving it its name. The lake and its surroundings are at their most beautiful in the evenings, when the hills glow in the fading light and families and couples gather along the promenade.

10. Dilwara Temples

The Dilwara Jain Temples are widely considered among the finest examples of marble craftsmanship in the world — and once you see them, you will understand why. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the complex consists of five temples with interior carvings so intricate, detailed, and fine that artisans were reportedly paid by the weight of marble dust they produced. The Vimal Vasahi temple (1031 CE) and the Luna Vasahi temple (1230 CE) are the most celebrated. Entry is free; cameras and non-vegetarian food are not permitted inside.

11. Guru Shikhar

At 1,722 metres, Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range and the highest point in Rajasthan. The summit is home to the Atri Rishi Temple — a sacred site associated with Sage Atri from Hindu mythology — and a telescope installed by the Physical Research Laboratory. On clear days, the views from the top stretch for many kilometres across the plains of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The drive up is a highlight in itself.

12. Sunset Point

Mount Abu's Sunset Point is one of the most popular viewpoints in the hill station — and for good reason. From here, you can watch the sun descend over the Aravalli Hills as the sky turns shades of orange, pink, and violet. The viewpoint is well-maintained with a promenade and small food stalls. Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before sunset to secure a good viewing spot, especially on weekends when it gets crowded.

13. Toad Rock

One of the most distinctive landmarks near Nakki Lake, Toad Rock is a large natural boulder on a hillside that bears a remarkable resemblance to a toad about to leap into the lake. The short hike up to Toad Rock offers excellent views of Nakki Lake and the surrounding hills, and the rock itself is a popular spot for photographs. It is an easy, enjoyable 20–30 minute walk from the lake.

14. Peace Park

Peace Park is a large, well-maintained garden on the outskirts of Mount Abu, popular with families and couples looking for a quiet place to relax amidst greenery. The park features manicured lawns, flower gardens, walking paths, and shaded seating areas with views of the surrounding hills. It is especially popular in the morning and evening when the weather is pleasant and the light is beautiful.

15. Achalgarh Fort

Achalgarh Fort, built by the Paramara dynasty and later renovated by Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century, sits dramatically on a ridgeline about 11 km from Mount Abu town. The fort complex includes the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple — home to a natural Shiva lingam said to hold up the mountain — and a cluster of Jain temples with excellent carvings. The views from the fort walls over the surrounding valleys are breathtaking, and the site receives relatively few tourists compared to the town's main attractions.

Best Time to Visit

• October to March — pleasant sightseeing weather; cool, dry days and clear skies; peak season for tourism
• July to September — lush greenery and monsoon beauty; occasional rain adds to the atmosphere of both destinations

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary

• Day 1 (Udaipur) — Arrive and check in → City Palace and museum → Jagdish Temple → Bagore Ki Haveli evening cultural show → Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola → Dinner at a lakeside rooftop restaurant
• Day 2 (Udaipur) — Saheliyon Ki Bari in the morning → Fateh Sagar Lake promenade → Karni Mata Ropeway → Local markets (Hathi Pol Bazaar, Bada Bazaar) → Sajjangarh Palace for sunset → Gangaur Ghat stroll
• Day 3 (Mount Abu) — Early morning drive to Mount Abu (~2.5 hrs) → Dilwara Jain Temples → Nakki Lake and Toad Rock → Guru Shikhar → Achalgarh Fort → Sunset Point → Return drive to Udaipur or depart

Final Thoughts

Udaipur and Mount Abu together deliver everything a great weekend trip promises: history, beauty, culture, relaxation, and enough variety to keep every kind of traveller happy. The combination of royal Rajasthani grandeur and peaceful hill-station coolness in a single, compact itinerary is hard to beat.

Whether you are coming for the romance of Lake Pichola at sunset, the extraordinary marble artistry of the Dilwara Temples, or simply the pleasure of exploring a beautiful city without a fixed schedule — Udaipur and Mount Abu will deliver.