City Palace, Udaipur, Udaipur

Palace · Mewar · begun 1559 (Udai Singh II)

CITY PALACE, UDAIPUR

The Lake-Edge Palace of Mewar

The Brief

The City Palace of Udaipur, India, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, begun in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II and extended over nearly four centuries by successive Mewar rulers. Stretching almost a kilometre along the east bank of Lake Pichola, it is a stacked sequence of courtyards, balconies, and mirror rooms, parts of which remain the residence of the Mewar family. MyTripMyTravel arranges escorted access and a private Lake Pichola boat to see it from the water.

The City Palace is Udaipur's spine — almost a kilometre of interconnected palaces along Lake Pichola, built up over four centuries so that it reads as a single, slightly improbable, cliff of architecture above the water.

The route climbs through courtyards, the mirrored and tiled chambers, the Mor Chowk peacock mosaics, and balconies that frame the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir floating offshore. Part of it is still a working royal residence and part a museum.

MyTripMyTravel sequences the palace with a private sunset boat on Lake Pichola so it is experienced both from within and from the water — the two halves of the same view.

Quick Facts

City Palace, Udaipur at a glance

City
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Begun
1559 (Udai Singh II)
Scale
Largest palace complex in Rajasthan
On
East bank of Lake Pichola
Notable
Mor Chowk, Sheesh Mahal, museum
Pairs with
Private Pichola sunset boat
Ideal time on site
2–2.5 hours
Open
Daily, morning to evening

What to See

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Mor Chowk

The peacock courtyard with its glass-mosaic birds.

Sheesh Mahal

The mirrored chamber of the Mewar zenana.

Amar Vilas

The highest hanging-garden courtyard with lake views.

Lake Pichola panorama

Balconies framing the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir.

Crystal Gallery

The rare 19th-century royal crystal collection.

Visitor Protocol

OpeningDaily, morning to evening
EntryTicketed — we pre-purchase and escort
Pair withPrivate Lake Pichola sunset boat
NoteParts remain a private royal residence

How We Run It

See it from the water too — the lake boat is half the experience.

Time the boat for sunset over the Lake Palace.

An expert guide untangles four centuries of additions.

Intelligence

CITY PALACE, UDAIPUR FAQ

How long does the City Palace take?

About 2–2.5 hours for the courtyards, mirror rooms, and museum with a guide.

Can you see it from Lake Pichola?

Yes — we arrange a private sunset boat so you experience it from within and from the water.

Is it still a royal residence?

Partly — sections remain the private residence of the Mewar family; the rest is a museum.

Is it the largest palace in Rajasthan?

Yes — it is the largest palace complex in the state, built over nearly four centuries.

See City Palace, Udaipur properly