The City Palace on Lake Pichola, Udaipur

Royal palace · Udaipur

City Palace, Udaipur

A vast palace of balconies, towers and courtyards rising above Lake Pichola, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.

LocationEast bank of Lake Pichola

BuiltFrom 1559, Maharana Udai Singh II

Famous forLake views, Mor Chowk

Time needed2–3 hours

The story

A little history.

Maharana Udai Singh II began the palace in 1559 when he founded Udaipur as the new capital of Mewar. Over the next 400 years, 22 generations of rulers added palaces, courtyards and gardens, yet the whole complex feels remarkably unified.

Much of the palace is now a museum run by the Mewar royal family's trust, while other wings house heritage hotels. Its balconies give the classic views over the lake and Jag Mandir.

What to see

Don't miss.

Tripolia GateThe triple-arched gateway where the rulers were once weighed against gold and silver for charity.
Mor ChowkThe Peacock Courtyard, with three peacocks made from coloured glass mosaic.
Zenana MahalThe former royal women's quarters, now a gallery of paintings and royal artefacts.
Sheesh MahalThe Palace of Mirrors, decorated with mirror and glass work.
Crystal GalleryA collection of crystal furniture ordered from England in the 19th century, in the Fateh Prakash Palace.