Rajasthan & the Palaces6 min readPublished 10 July 2026
Hero photograph: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Udaipur is Rajasthan's city of lakes — a white marble capital wrapped around Lake Pichola, where palaces seem to float on the water and the surrounding hills soften the desert's edge. Widely considered the most romantic city in India, it is the gentlest and most beautiful of the state's royal cities, and rewards a slower, more indulgent kind of travel.
What should you see and do in Udaipur?
The City Palace rambles grandly along the eastern shore, a labyrinth of courtyards, mirror-work rooms and lake views built by the Mewar dynasty over centuries. On the water, the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir appear to float, magical at dusk. Beyond the lake lie the artisan quarters, the Jagdish Temple, and the Monsoon Palace on its ridge, best at sunset.
But Udaipur is also a city to simply be in — a private boat at golden hour, a rooftop dinner over the water, an unhurried morning among the havelis✦havelisA traditional mansion built around courtyards, its fortunes tied to merchant and noble families. The painted havelis of Shekhawati and the sandstone…Read in the glossary ↗.
Where to stay and when to visit
Udaipur has some of India's most celebrated hotels — the fabled Lake Palace on its island, grand heritage properties along the shore, and hilltop retreats with the finest views of all. Choosing well is half the experience, and each frames the lake differently.
The best time is October to March, cool and clear. Elevated India secures the lake-facing suites and composes Udaipur as the romantic heart of a Rajasthan journey — the soft, shining counterpoint to the desert forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
Questions, Answered
Why is Udaipur called the city of lakes?
Udaipur is built around a series of interconnected lakes — most famously Lake Pichola — created by the Mewar rulers. Its marble palaces sit on and beside the water, giving the city its romantic character and its name, the city of lakes.
What is the best time to visit Udaipur?
October to March, when the weather is cool and clear and the lakes are full and beautiful. The monsoon also has its admirers, with green hills and brimming water. Elevated India secures lake-facing suites and builds Udaipur into a wider Rajasthan circuit.
Journeys That Take You There
