Is One Day Enough to Explore Udaipur?
Well, the answer is both YES and NO.
NO, because you cannot do justice, exploring the royal city of Udaipur in just one day. And, YES, as you can make out its most pivotal tourist attractions in a day. So, it depends on your motive as a solo traveller in Udaipur. If you plan to explore Udaipur at a beginner’s level visiting the famous palaces, museums, and lakes, then one day seems fine.
Even so, you have to plan things perfectly to make that one day memorable, productive, and time-saving. So, I suggest you either hire a bike or an autorickshaw which I consider the best mode of transport in Udaipur.
Because your every moment matters in making the fullest of your one precious day in Udaipur, you shouldn’t waste your time trying to find your way as a solo traveller. With our own bike or a hired auto, shifting to places is made quicker and easier.
What are the best places to visit in one day in Udaipur?
Since we are all geared up now, let’s jump into our one-day plan. My one-day itinerary to Udaipur includes,
- Ambrai Ghat
- Jagdish Temple
- City Palace
- Bagore Ki Haveli
- Lake Pichola
- Lake Fateh Sagar
- Monsoon Palace
Ambrai Ghat
Begin your trip with Ambrai Ghat. Ambrai Ghat is one of the best locations for sunrise/sunset in Udaipur. I recommend you to have breakfast by 8:30 AM and reach Ambrai Ghat by 8:45 AM. For breakfast, go to the local restaurants of Udaipur. That way you don’t miss the local cuisine. Neelam restaurant and Sun and Moon restaurant are the best options as they open from 8:00 AM. Choose only Rajasthani foods whenever you eat. For example, you can have Chapati with Dal Mati Churma or Gatte Ki Sabji for breakfast and end it with hot beverages like kulhad coffee or masala tea.
Reach Ambrai Ghat by 8:45. There you will find the natives roaming around casually. Although you are past the sunrise timing, you can still see the residue of sun rays glimmering through Lake Pichola. Have some quiet time witnessing the scenery.
City Palace
After that, head to the City Palace in Udaipur. You have to be at the entrance of City Palace right at its opening time, i.e., 9:30 AM. Why? Did you ask WHY? Didn’t you read my blog post on “Is City Palace Crowded”? The earlier you go, the happier you are. Make sure you see the City Palace museum, located on the ground floor of the Queen Palace. Let’s assume you successfully make it at 9:30 AM inside the palace. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore it.
Jagdish Temple
So, after seeing the City Palace, go straight to Jagdish Temple, which is at a distance of 5 to 10 minutes. You have to make it fast as the temple closes by 1:00 PM. Jagdish Temple is one of the monumental locations of Udaipur and an exemplary example of perfect engineering. After exploring it, you can have your lunch.
Don’t worry too much about what you will have for lunch. There is only one thing you can think about for lunch in Udaipur – Rajasthani Thali. Krishna Dal Bati Restro restaurant and Santosh Bhojnalaya restaurant are my recommendations, but you can choose any restaurant near you.
Bagore Ki Haveli
Then, your afternoon plan starts with Bagore Ki Haveli. Bagore Ki Haveli is an old palace portraying the rich architecture of the Mewar dynasty. It hosts Dharohar Dance, an unmissable culture show in Udaipur. So save it for your evening plan. Gangaur Ghat comes attached with the palace. It is yet another place to distance yourself from the crowd and enjoy the scenic view of Udaipur.
Vintage and Classic Car Museum
After venturing into the archaic beauty of Bagore Ki Haveli, go to the Vintage and Classic car museum. It is one of the favourite locations of travellers in Udaipur and my favourite too! Classic cars exhibit their royalty there, as the name suggests. Also on display are the car used in the James Bond film “Octopussy” and the ones used to accompany Queen Elizabeth when she visited India. Now you know why it is popular among travellers in Udaipur.
Monsoon Palace
The next destination is the Monsoon Palace, magnificently sitting on the highest point of Udaipur. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to get there. But, the journey uphill is not boring at all. The strong wind and sturdy roads will keep you excited. You can see the 360-degree view of Udaipur from the palace. If you plan to see the sunset from this highest location, you can stay there for the evening.
Fateh Sagar Lake
But, if you enjoy boat rides like me and also don’t want to miss the sunset view. Consider coming down to Fateh Sagar Lake by 4:30 PM. There you can take a boat ride under the mesmerising view of the sunset.
Dharohar Dance in Bagore Ki Haveli
As promised, the next destination is the Dharohar dance in Bagore Ki Haveli. Experiencing the native culture is an essential part of any trip. Dharohar is the ethnic dance of Rajasthan accompanied by their traditional music. This live event takes place every day for one hour from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. The ticket for this event opens at 6:15 PM.
So, after enjoying the boat ride in Fateh Lake, you have to go back to the Bagore Ki Haveli to reserve tickets and take part in the Dharohar Dance performance. That said, if you have time in between, grab a quick evening tea with local snacks like Kachori, Samosa, or Bhurji.
I doubt you have any more energy left to explore Udaipur. Since it is already 8:00 in the evening, head straight to a rooftop restaurant and end your one-day solo travel in Udaipur with a romantic dinner. Uprè by 1559 AD and Madri Haveli restaurant are good rooftop restaurants to consider.
That’s our one-day solo trip plan to Udaipur. If you go by this plan, you are half glass full of all the experiences a traveller wishes to have in Udaipur- from local foods and historic locations to cultural experiences. I hope you liked it. If you have anything to add to the list, please feel free to comment below. Our fellow female travellers planning a solo trip to Udaipur would find it very helpful.