🏛️ Culture in Udaipur

An 18th-century haveli on Gangaur Ghat built by a prime minister of Mewar, now a museum of restored rooms, costumes and puppets. Its nightly Dharohar folk-dance show, around 7pm in the courtyard, features Rajasthani dances including the pot-balancing bhavai. Arrive early for a good seat; tickets are sold at the door.

📍Gangaur Ghat Road, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India

A huge palace complex rising above the east bank of Lake Pichola, built over nearly 400 years by the Maharanas of Mewar. The City Palace Museum winds through courtyards, balconies, peacock mosaics and mirror-work rooms, with wonderful lake views from the upper floors. Allow at least two hours; part of the complex is still the royal family's home.

📍City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India

A large Vishnu temple in the old city, built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I. A steep flight of steps flanked by stone elephants leads up to the main shrine, and the walls are covered in carvings of dancers, musicians and animals. It's an active temple, busiest at the morning and evening aarti — dress modestly and remove your shoes.

📍Jagdish Chowk, City Palace Road, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India

A 17th-century palace on an island at the southern end of Lake Pichola, begun by Maharana Karan Singh II and completed by Jagat Singh I. Its courtyards, marble pavilions and gardens are reached by boat — boat trips from the City Palace jetty stop here — and its café is a lovely spot for a drink while looking back across the water at the city.

📍Jag Mandir Island, Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India

A hilltop palace built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned as an observatory to watch the monsoon clouds. It stands inside the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, about 5km west of the city, and has the best sunset view over Udaipur's lakes and hills. There are separate fees for the sanctuary and the palace, with a road up to the top.

📍Sajjangarh, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India

A rural arts and crafts village about 3km west of Fateh Sagar, set up to showcase the crafts, architecture and performing arts of western India, with traditional huts from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra. Artisans and folk performers are often on site, and it hosts the big Shilpgram Utsav craft fair every December.

📍Shilpgram, Hawala, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313011, India

The Maharanas of Mewar's collection of classic cars, displayed in the old royal garage at the Garden Hotel and including Rolls-Royces, a Cadillac and a Mercedes. It's small and can be seen in under an hour, but it's a fun contrast to the palaces and temples, and it sits right by Gulab Bagh, Udaipur's largest garden, for a walk afterwards.

📍Garden Hotel, Lake Palace Road, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India