Are you getting bored with your daily hectic routine and want to escape from it? Or are you a history lover who wants to explore Indian heritage? Then Udaipur is the ideal destination for your trip. Udaipur's rich history, stunning architecture, and natural beauty make it a captivating destination for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the Indian heritage and culture.

Imagine how wonderful it would be to experience the mini Switzerland of India. You might be wondering, 'What does 'Mini Switzerland of India' mean?'. Interestingly, Udaipur has also been dubbed the "Mini Switzerland of India" due to its hilly terrain, lush gardens, and pristine lakes.

Exciting, isn't it? Let's explore the top places to visit near Udaipur.

Top 8 places to visit in Udaipur

We've listed the top 8 places to visit in Udaipur with family.

City Palace

The first place to visit upon reaching Udaipur is the City Palace. The palace is a unique blend of Mughal, Rajput, and European architecture, showing the rich lifestyle of these royal families. The palace is adorned with amazing mirrorwork, paintings, antique artifacts, and murals.

The palace comprises several beautiful buildings and villas, including Moti Mahal, Manak Mahal, Krishna Villas, and Amar Villas. Currently, this palace is home to two luxurious hotels, a popular City Palace museum, and a school. Apart from that, there are three gateways known as 'Badi Pol,' "Tripola" and "Toran Pol".

Grand Jagdish Temple

The grand Jagdish Temple in Udaipur is a major monument in the city. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled Udaipur from 1628-1653. This stunning temple is renowned for its intricately designed exterior walls and houses a remarkable statue of Lord Vishnu. This remarkable statue is carved out of a single piece of black stone.

Since its establishment in 1651, it has been a place of worship. Originally called "the Temple of Jagannath Rai," but now it is more commonly known as Jagdish-ji. This temple stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Udaipur and attracts visitors with its architectural beauty and spiritual significance.

Saheliyon ki Bari

Saheliyon ki bari is one of the most attractive tourist places. It is also known as the courtyard or gardens of the maiden. As its name suggests, it was specifically built for the maiden. This garden is situated on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake, providing a relaxing retreat for visitors.

It is said that this garden was built by the king himself, who gifted this garden to his queen. This marvelous garden served as a relaxing spot for royal ladies and maidens. The queen, along with her 48 maids and female friends, used to come here to spend their leisure time.

Fateh Sager Lake

Maharana Fateh Singh, the king of the Mewar family, constructed Fateh sager lake in the year of 1889. Initially, this lake was first built by Maharana Jai Singh 200 years earlier, but it was washed away during floods.

In the year 1889, Maharana Fateh Singh built a dam to protect the lake from flood and further developed it. Within this lake, there are three Islands, each with its own significance.

• The largest one hosts a popular tourist attraction known as Nehru Park.
• The second-largest one has a public park with a water fountain for enjoyment.
• The smallest one is not a tourist attraction but rather a site for solar power generation. The beauty of this lake is enhanced by its surroundings, framed by the Aravalli hills and the Maharana Pratap Memorial. With all these features, it has often been referred to as the "Second Kashmir."

Maharana Pratap Memorial

Maharana Pratap Memorial is a purely historical place. You should visit this place if you admire the bravery of Vir Maharana Pratrap. This memorial is just a 5-minute drive from the mesmerizing Haldigati. The Department of Tourism of India built the monument. There are two roads to access it, one from the museum side and the other from Chetak Samadhi.

You can start your visit at Chetak's Samadhi and then proceed to the grand Maharana statue. As you move towards the museum, you can enjoy a light and sound show with a backdrop based on key events in the life of the great Maharana. This picturesque place is adorned with flowering plants and marble floors throughout.

Vintage Car Museum

Everyone talks about grand forts, palaces, and lakes in Udaipur, but it also boasts a valuable asset for its visitors known as a vintage car museum. The vintage car museum is located a few kilometers away from the city palace. It has a unique collection of cars and vehicles, making it a fantastic place for car automobile lovers.

The museum consists of many old car models that used to belong to the royal family of Udaipur, known as the Mewar dynasty. The Mewar dynasty lived a luxurious life, and this museum offers a glimpse of their rich lifestyle.

At the Vintage Car Museum, you can see special cars like Mercedes and Rolls Royce, custom-made just for the royal members of the Mewar family. One notable exhibit is a 1934 Rolls-Royce phantom that was used in a famous James Bond movie known as Octopussy.

Additionally, there is a Cadillac convertible that drove Queen Elizabeth to the airport in 1961. Beyond these, the museum features about 20 more vintage and special cars for those who truly appreciate automotive history.

Overall, it's one of the top places to visit in Udaipur with friends who want to explore the grandeur of the Mewar family's era.

Lake Pichola

Udaipur is surrounded by a number of lakes, attracting visitors with a blue hue of water. Lake Pichola derives its name from the nearby village of Picholi. Lake Pichola offers many islands, temples, ghats, mansions, palaces and restaurants.

Your trip to Lake Pichola is incomplete without a boat ride. It's an amazing experience to watch the city palace standing majestically amidst water. It's advisable not to visit during the months of March to June due to the scorching summer heat. Instead, it's best to visit during the monsoon season when the weather is quite pleasant. Tickets for boat rides are easily available at the City Palace.

Ahar Cenotaphs

The Ahar cenotaphs are a monumental group of cenotaphs built in remembrance of the kings of Mewar. It's an interesting place for travelers but needs some clarification. There was a common misconception that the Maharanas of Mewar were buried there, but this is not true.

The Maharanas of Mewar are not buried at this place. Instead, there are almost 250 Hindu monuments. The rulers were cremated at the Ahar cenotaphs, and their ashes were buried elsewhere.

Conclusion

Udaipur is an amazing place to visit because it's packed with history. There are so many cool historical spots like the City Palace, the spiritual Grand Jagdish Temple, the lovely Saheliyon ki Bari, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the Maharana Pratap Memorial. Don't forget to check out the Age Car Museum, too; they've got a bunch of awesome cars and vehicles.

Don't wait! Just pack your bags and explore!