Known as the City of Lakes and the Venice of the East, Udaipur is renowned for its grand Rajputana palaces, tranquil lakes, and rolling Aravali hilltops. While the historic inner city is best traversed on foot, Udaipur’s most breathtaking viewpoints, royal fortresses, and scenic lakeside drives are spread out across hills and valleys.
Renting a self-drive car gives you the freedom to cruise these scenic ghats without worrying about auto-rickshaw bargaining or cab availability. Here is our curated guide to the Top 10 Places to Visit in Udaipur by Rental Car.
1. City Palace & Lake Pichola
Rising majestically above Lake Pichola, the City Palace is Rajasthan's largest palace complex.
- Drive tip: Park at the designated municipal parking lot near Dudh Talai or the palace entrance.
- Highlight: Witness the fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, followed by a serene boat ride to Jagmandir Island.
2. Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
Perched 3,100 feet above sea level atop Bansdara Mountain, Sajjangarh offers a jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama of Udaipur city and surrounding lakes.
- The Drive: The steep, winding 5 km uphill ghat road is an absolute delight to drive in an SUV or automatic car.
- Best time: Arrive by 5:00 PM to catch one of India's most dramatic sunsets sinking behind the Aravali ranges.
3. Fateh Sagar Lake & Rani Road Drive
Fateh Sagar Lake is the beating heart of Udaipur's local culture.
- The Drive: Rani Road wraps around the lake's western perimeter for 6 kilometers of uninterrupted waterfront driving.
- Local experience: Pull over near the Mumbai Market circle in the evening for steaming kulhad coffee and spicy local snacks.
4. Bahubali Hills & Badi Lake
Located 12 km northwest of central Udaipur, Badi Lake is a quiet, non-commercial alternative to Fateh Sagar.
- The Trek: A 15-minute gentle climb up Bahubali Hills rewards you with a panoramic view reminiscent of European alpine lakes.
- Drive tip: The country roads leading to Badi Lake pass through rustic villages and lush green agricultural fields.
5. Kumbhalgarh Fort (The Great Wall of India)
Located 84 km from Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fort boasts the second-longest continuous wall in the world (36 km), second only to the Great Wall of China.
- The Road Trip: The 2-hour drive via NH58 and SH32 features smooth tarmac flanked by Aravali mountain passes.
- Must-see: The evening light and sound show illuminating the colossal fortifications.
6. Ranakpur Jain Temple
Set amidst dense teak forests 90 km from Udaipur, the 15th-century Ranakpur Temple is celebrated for its 1,444 uniquely carved marble pillars.
- The Route: Pair this with your Kumbhalgarh visit. The winding descent down the mountain pass offers lush valley views.
7. Haldighati Historical Battlefield
The historic battleground where Maharana Pratap and his loyal steed Chetak fought in 1576 lies just 40 km from Udaipur.
- Highlights: Visit the Chetak Smarak memorial, the Haldighati Museum, and pick up genuine rose water and gulkand produced by local farms.
8. Rayta Hills Scenic Ghat Drive
A favorite weekend secret among Udaipur locals, Rayta Hills features terraced green valleys and rolling switchback roads.
- The Vibe: Often compared to the Scottish Highlands during the monsoon season (July–October), the drive itself is the destination.
9. Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids)
Located along the northern edge of the city, this serene 18th-century royal garden features marble elephants, lotus pools, and lush fountains powered purely by water pressure from Fateh Sagar Lake.
- Parking: Dedicated front parking makes it an effortless stop on your city itinerary.
10. Karni Mata Ropeway & Dudh Talai Lake
Situated just behind the City Palace, Dudh Talai offers tranquil musical fountain gardens and a cable car ropeway up to Machhla Magra hill for sweeping night vistas over illuminated heritage palaces.
Recommended Vehicle for Udaipur Sightseeing
For navigating narrow city approaches while effortlessly conquering steep ghats like Sajjangarh and Kumbhalgarh, we recommend:
- Compact SUVs: Hyundai Venue, Maruti Fronx, or Kia Seltos
- Rugged Adventurers: Mahindra Thar 4x4 or Scorpio N
- Family Cruisers: Toyota Innova Crysta or Maruti Ertiga
Book your self-drive car with SRM Car Rentals today with doorstep handover at Udaipur Railway Station or Maharana Pratap Airport.