Mumbai may have been where I entered the country, but Udaipur was where I really started my 2 months in India adventure. We arrived to the setting sun and a sky of bright oranges, reds and yellows. I knew instantly that I was going to love spending the next 2 days in Udaipur.
Located in the state in Rajasthan, Udaipur is known as the city of lakes and is home to numerous lavish royal palaces. Founded in 1559, this city has no shortage of amazing historical sights and attractions to check out.
You could easily stay longer than two days in Udaipur if your schedule allows for it, but we had a lot we wanted to see in India and a short amount of time. Here’s my ultimate two-day itinerary for Udaipur for some India travel inspiration.
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Where to Stay in Udaipur
There is no shortage of amazing places to stay in Udaipur that are both friendly on your wallet and offer a nice place to rest your head at night. Check out some of my top recommendations below.
Zostel is a popular chain of hostels in most major cities in India that’s best known for the beautiful and trendy interior. As far as hostels in India goes, Zostel is a good bet for a clean and comfy stay.
Moustache Hostel is another popular chain throughout India that tends to be about half the price or slightly cheaper than Zostel but equally social and nice.
Gypsy Child Lake Hostel is a charming hostel located right across from the famous Udaipur attraction Jagdish Temple. Guests love how friendly the hosts are and the free breakfast that’s included.
Banjara Hostel is not only a pretty little hostel, but it also has some really cool amenities too. Guests can enjoy the indoor chill room with A/C during special times as well as the extensive epic rooftop. Check it out for yourself!
Places to Visit in Udaipur in 2 Days
Day 1 in Udaipur
Stop 1: Breakfast at Jagdish Shree Restaurant.
Per the recommendation of our hostel, we started our morning with breakfast from Jagdish Shree Restaurant. This tiny little restaurant is right across the street from Jagdish Temple and opens early.
They serve up the local fare of kachoris, poha, samosas and lassis for an affordable price. Most dishes are about 25 rupees / $0.36 USD and their lassi is 40 rupees / $0.58 USD. Best place to try local Udaipur dishes and start off your morning!
Stop 2: Jagdish Temple.
After your filling breakfast, hop across the street and check out Jagdish Temple! Climb up the steep staircase and enjoy the views of the bustling city below. Don’t forget your temple etiquette – shoes off, shoulders and knees covered, etc.
Stop 3: The City Palace.
Head to the City Palace next and prepare to spend hours in awe of the pure opulence and design of this ancient royal building. If you’re keen to beat the crowds, try to arrive early or right when the temple opens. Many tour groups visit the palace every day. Even an hour after the palace opened, the place was swarmed with crowds of people, so prepare for that possibility. The palace opens at 9 am and the entrance fee for tourists is 330 rupees / $4.75 USD to get in.
Stop 4: Lunch at Any Street Stall.
The local street food is really the best way to enjoy Indian culture and save some money. I recommend stopping at any street stall that catches your eye for a filling, tasty and affordable lunch. Honestly that’s the main way I fed myself during my Indian adventures and I didn’t regret it…just maybe the two times I got food poisoning, but that’s India for you!
Stop 5: Wander the City Center + Go Shopping.
The narrow and winding streets of Udaipur were so fun to explore. With so many cute and artsy shops, endless souvenirs and interesting viewpoints, you could spend most of your visit strolling the streets, and still feel satisfied with your visit. Rajasthan also has some of the best shopping in India that I highly recommend checking out!
Stop 6: Sun and Moon Café for a Sunset Dinner.
This café is a little expensive and the food wasn’t necessarily amazing, but the rooftop seating was worth it all. Overlooking the lakes and right in the heart of the city, seeing the sunset in that location was beautiful. I recommend it for one of your nights in Udaipur!
Day 2 in Udaipur
Stop 1: Breakfast at Udai Art Café.
This café was very cute and served up a delicious cup of coffee. We didn’t actually eat breakfast here because we went to Jagdish again (we really loved that little hole in the wall!), but if you’re interested in trying something new, they serve up some healthy and tasty looking dishes! The vibe is also very nice and the staff very friendly. It’s pricey by Indian standards but worth it for a real cup of joe.
Stop 2: Sri Mata Karni Temple Hike.
The mini hike up to the Sri Mata Karni Temple was a highlight of our backpacking trip in Udaipur and offered 360° views of the city below. The trail takes you through a lush park and up a hill to the temple. Along the way there is a decrepit tower we couldn’t resist popping into.
Climb to the top for a mini rest and to enjoy the breeze above. The walk itself shouldn’t take you much longer than 30 minutes one way. There’s a water filter at the temple for you to refill your water bottle if necessary.
Stop 3: Ahar Cenotaphs.
The Ahar Cenotaphs have got to be Udaipur’s best-kept secret – not a lot of tourists visit this stunning area of the city. For those who don’t know, cenotaphs are empty tombs or monuments built to honor the dead, and in this case, the deceased maharajahs of Mewar.
You’re technically not allowed to take photos, but the security guards gave us the go-ahead. If you visit, this might just depend on the mood of the security guard that day. In any case, wandering around these majestic monuments was one of my favorite parts of Udaipur.
Stop 4: Monsoon Palace.
Also known as Sajjan Garh Palace, this hilltop royal building offers visitors another great viewpoint from above. Located about a 15-20 minute drive from the city center, this old building isn’t anything crazy special, but a wonder of Udaipur if you have the time and energy to check it out!
Walk Around the Lakes.
Udaipur is known as the city of lakes, so a visit wouldn’t be complete without a walk around them! Check out the Taj Lake Palace and if it suits your budget, even consider staying there. This beautiful old building now turned hotel is stunning to see from afar and up close.
There you have it! You perfect Udaipur two day itinerary Two days truly wasn’t enough time, but I greatly enjoyed seeing these sights in the little time we did have.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
What do you recommend for 2 days in Udaipur? Share below!
