I Spent 48 Hours In Udaipur, My Itinerary Had A Lakeside Zostel Stay, Bagore Ki Haveli & More!

Some cities wow you the moment you arrive. Udaipur isn’t one of them. It grows on you slowly, one lakeside sunset, one old-city lane and one unplanned conversation at a time. I spent 48 hours in the City of Lakes earlier this month, and while I had a rough itinerary for Udaipur in mind, some of my favourite memories came from moments that weren’t planned at all. 

Here’s How I Explored Udaipur In 48 Hours While Staying In A Zostel Dorm By The Lake

What started as a train ride from Mumbai and a road trip from Vadodara with friends turned into two days filled with rooftop sunsets, folk performances, bustling bazaars and long stretches of doing absolutely nothing while staring at a lake.

Day 1: My First Glimpse Of Udaipur Came Just Before Sunset

The journey originally started from Mumbai by train to Vadodara. We were scheduled to meet a few friends before continuing to Udaipur by road. The drive took around six hours, and by the time we entered the city, the evening light had begun to soften.

Before heading to our stay, we stopped near Swaroop Sagar. From there, we caught our first glimpse of Lake Pichola.

No matter how many photographs you’ve seen online, the view feels different when you’re standing there in person. The lake shimmered under the fading sunlight while the surrounding buildings slowly turned golden. After spending an entire day travelling, it was exactly the welcome I needed. 

A Hostel Rooftop That Ended Up Being One Of My Favourite Places In The City

For the next two nights, we checked into Zostel Udaipur near Chandpole.

Like many properties tucked inside Udaipur’s old city, getting there involved navigating a maze of narrow lanes that seemed designed to confuse first-time visitors. The hostel almost felt hidden until we finally arrived.

We had booked a four-bed dorm, dropped our bags, freshened up and headed straight to the rooftop.

That rooftop would become our unofficial hangout spot for the rest of the trip.

AASRO, the hostel’s rooftop café, overlooks the lake and offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding city. We ordered a few snacks, settled into our seats and watched the colours around us change as daylight disappeared.

As darkness fell, lights began appearing across the water. Buildings that looked ordinary during the day suddenly seemed far more dramatic reflected on the lake’s surface. It was one of those views that keeps convincing you to stay another ten minutes.

We ended up staying much longer than that.

Later, we crossed Chandpole Bridge for dinner. Even the short walk felt scenic, with glimpses of both Swaroop Sagar and Lake Pichola accompanying us along the way.

Dinner was at a restaurant inside Udai Kothi, where candlelit corners, traditional architecture and a relaxed atmosphere made it easy to lose track of time. By the time we walked back to the hostel, the city had quietened down considerably.

The perfect end to our first evening.

Also Read: CT Itinerary: I Spent Just 24 Hours In Mumbai, Still Managed To Do Every Touristy Thing

Day 2: How Rajasthan’s Summer Heat Completely Changed Our Plans

The following morning began with work with a view and breakfast.

I opened my laptop at the hostel café, ordered coffee and spent a couple of hours catching up on pending tasks while looking out at the lake. If remote work must happen during a holiday, this is probably the best possible setting for it. 

Once that was done, we discussed our plans for the afternoon. And then June in Rajasthan reminded us whose really in charge. The heat outside was ruthless. Instead of forcing ourselves through sightseeing in peak afternoon temperatures, we made what turned out to be an excellent decision: we stayed back at Zostel.

What followed became one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable parts of the trip.

A casual game of Jenga led to conversations with fellow travellers. Someone suggested foosball while new people joined in. Travellers from different parts of the country exchanged their stories and made recommendations to visit nearby spots. Before long, hours had slipped away without anyone noticing.

Travel often comes with pressure to constantly be doing something. Udaipur taught me that sometimes the best experiences happen when you stop trying to optimise every minute.

An Evening Of Folk Music, Dance And Standing Ovations

As the weather became more forgiving, we finally stepped out and made our way to Bagore Ki Haveli for the Dharohar Folk Dance Show.

If you’re visiting Udaipur for the first time, this is one experience I’d genuinely recommend.

The performance brought together traditional Rajasthani dance, live music, storytelling and cultural traditions in a way that felt engaging rather than educational. The show keeps you hooked throughout; that’s usually followed by applause before individual acts.

One of the most impressive moments was when the performers balanced multiple pots while moving effortlessly across the stage on the melodious tunes. Another had the audience collectively holding its breath.

What stood out most was the energy. Nobody looked like they were merely performing. They looked like they were celebrating the culture and that feeling carried into the audience as well as we held back ourselves from rushing to dance along!

Also Read: 10 Incredible Things To Do In Udaipur That Aren’t Palaces But Are Just As Beautiful

Why Gangaur Ghat Became My Favourite Spot In Udaipur

After the show, we walked to Gangaur Ghat. Unlike some attractions that demand your attention, Gangaur Ghat asks for very little. You simply find a place to sit.

Families gathered near the water. Travellers searched for the perfect photograph. A few women floated diyas across the lake as part of their evening prayers. Others sat quietly, watching the reflections ripple across the surface.

We joined the last group. Across the water, City Palace glowed against the night sky. Its reflection stretched across the lake, broken only by the occasional movement of a passing boat.

Of all the places I visited during those two days, this was the one that stayed with me the longest.

Final Morning: Temple Bells, Market Bargains And A Grand Farewell

On our final morning, we headed to Jagdish Temple. The temple, with its intricate pillars and grand space, was beautiful, but I enjoyed equally watching the city come alive around it. Shopkeepers arranged their displays, scooters squeezed through impossibly narrow spaces, and locals navigated the crowded lanes with remarkable ease.

After darshan, we explored the nearby market. This turned out to be one of the better shopping experiences of the trip.

The lanes around Jagdish Temple were filled with oxidised jewellery, handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs and colourful trinkets. A little bargaining went a long way, and we managed to pick up a few things at surprisingly reasonable prices.

From there, we wandered through Hathipole Market before making our way to City Palace.

And what a finale it was. The palace seemed endless. Every corridor opened into another courtyard. Every balcony revealed a different perspective of the lakes below. Some rooms showcased royal artefacts, while others highlighted intricate architectural details that have endured for centuries.

We spent hours exploring the complex and still felt like we’d barely scratched the surface.

Also Read: CT Itinerary: I Spent 3 Days In Jaisalmer In A Fort, Chasing Sunsets In Dunes & Eating Laal Maas

48 Hours Were Enough To Fall In Love With Udaipur

There was one place we never made it to: Bahubali Hills.

It had been on our list from the beginning, but the summer heat convinced us otherwise. At the time, skipping it felt slightly disappointing but simply gave me a reason to return.

Because that’s the thing about Udaipur. You can spend two days here and cover the major attractions. You can watch the sunsets, visit the palaces, attend the cultural shows and shop in the markets. Yet somehow, when it’s time to leave, it still feels like you’ve only met a small part of the city.

Maybe that’s why so many travellers keep coming back. Either way, after 48 hours of lakeside sunsets, rooftop conversations, cultural evenings and old-city wanderings, I left with one certainty. The City of Lakes deserves far more than a weekend.

For now, here’s what my itinerary for 48 hrs looked like, and there’s a Udaipur food guide coming up shortly. So keep your eyes glued! Till then, Khamaghani! 

Cover Image Courtesy: Dhaval Gori, Deeplata Garde