{"id":2910,"date":"2026-08-18T12:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T12:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/?p=2910"},"modified":"2026-08-18T12:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T12:47:04","slug":"city-palace-udaipur-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/rajasthan\/city-palace-udaipur-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"City Palace Udaipur: timings, tickets and what to see"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>City Palace Udaipur<\/strong> is the most important historical site in the city, and one of the best places to understand Mewar&#8217;s royal history in a single visit. It stands above the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, and it&#8217;s actually a cluster of several palaces built over four centuries, not one single building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide covers the history, the courtyards worth your time, current timings and ticket prices, and how to fit it into a full day of sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Short History of City Palace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>City Palace was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II<\/strong>, who established Udaipur as the new capital of Mewar after repeated attacks made Chittorgarh difficult to defend. The palace was expanded by <strong>successive Maharanas over more than 400 years<\/strong>, with new courtyards, halls, temples, and royal residences added over time. This is why City Palace feels more like a <strong>royal city than a single palace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It served as a <strong>royal residence, administrative centre, and venue for important ceremonies and traditions<\/strong>. In <strong>1969<\/strong>, part of the complex was opened as a museum by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, allowing visitors to explore its architecture, royal collections, and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-a5651b10 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance gate of City Palace Udaipur, the historic seat of the Mewar dynasty\" class=\"uag-image-2911\" width=\"538\" height=\"609\" title=\"main gate of city palace\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Architecture Worth Slowing Down For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>City Palace is a beautiful blend of strength, elegance, and detailed craftsmanship.<\/strong> Built mainly from <strong>marble and granite<\/strong>, its exterior has a grand, fortress-like appearance. Inside, however, the atmosphere becomes much more decorative, with <strong>carved balconies, colourful glasswork, mirror decorations, paintings, arches, and intricate mosaics<\/strong> throughout the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The architecture reflects the palace\u2019s long history. Since different <strong>Maharanas added and renovated sections over several centuries<\/strong>, you can see layers of traditional <strong>Rajput architecture with Mughal influences<\/strong> across the complex. Its hilltop location makes the architecture even more impressive. From several <strong>terraces, balconies, and courtyards<\/strong>, you can enjoy beautiful views of <strong>Lake Pichola, Udaipur\u2019s old city, and the surrounding Aravalli hills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights Inside City Palace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard)<\/strong> \u2014 One of the most beautiful sections of City Palace, Mor Chowk is famous for its <strong>colourful peacock mosaics<\/strong>, created with detailed blue, green, and gold glasswork. The intricate designs reflect the exceptional craftsmanship of the Mewar period and make this one of the palace\u2019s most photographed spots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors)<\/strong> \u2014 This elegant room is decorated with <strong>thousands of small mirrors and reflective details<\/strong> that create a beautiful effect when light falls across the walls. It gives visitors a glimpse of the luxury and artistic decoration found in the royal living spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zenana Mahal (Palace of the Queens)<\/strong> \u2014 This section was traditionally associated with the <strong>royal women of the Mewar household<\/strong>. Today, several rooms form part of the museum, displaying <strong>textiles, paintings, furnishings, and other objects connected with royal life<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Badi Mahal (Garden Palace)<\/strong> \u2014 Located on a higher level of the palace, Badi Mahal is known for its <strong>open courtyards, marble features, greenery, and peaceful atmosphere<\/strong>. Its elevated position also provides pleasant views of the surrounding city and lake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kanch Ki Burj<\/strong> \u2014 Known for its beautiful <strong>red, yellow, and white glass decoration<\/strong>, this former royal bedroom also features mirrors and ivory doors. The detailed interiors show the attention given to even the private rooms of the palace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rai Angan<\/strong> \u2014 Considered one of the <strong>oldest sections of City Palace<\/strong>, Rai Angan is closely connected with the early history of Udaipur and the foundation of the palace under <strong>Maharana Udai Singh II<\/strong>. It provides an important link between the palace you see today and its beginnings in the 16th century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mor Chowk peacock mosaic<\/strong>, one of the highlights of City Palace Udaipur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The City Palace Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>City Palace Museum<\/strong> is an important part of the palace experience, as it brings the history of the Mewar royal family to life through its collection of original objects. Inside, you can see <strong>royal paintings, weapons and armour, traditional costumes, textiles, silverware, manuscripts, furniture, photographs, and other historic artefacts<\/strong>. The museum works especially well when explored alongside the palace courtyards. While the <strong>architecture shows how the Maharanas lived and conducted their royal life<\/strong>, the museum gives you a closer look at the <strong>objects they used, wore, and valued<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are interested in the history and culture of <strong>Mewar<\/strong>, don&#8217;t rush through the museum. The collections provide a deeper understanding of the people, traditions, and royal lifestyle behind the impressive palace walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">City Palace Udaipur timings and ticket prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s where you need to be a little careful. <strong>Different official sources currently list different visiting hours<\/strong>, so it&#8217;s worth checking the museum&#8217;s own website right before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most sources The City Palace Udaipur is open daily from <strong>9:30 AM to 5:30 PM<\/strong>,(ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM). Some newer listings on the museum&#8217;s own site mention later closing hours, so treat 9:30 AM\u20135:30 PM as the safe planning window unless the palace confirms otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Ticket Type<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Current Price<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Basic Complex Entry (Only)<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b930\u2013\u20b950<\/td><td>Access to the grounds and external architecture only.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Full Museum Entry (Adults)<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b9400<\/td><td>Includes access to the historic palace rooms and museum galleries.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Children (5\u201318 years)<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b9150<\/td><td>Valid age proof may be requested at entry.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students (With Valid ID)<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b9150<\/td><td>A physical or clear digital institutional ID is required.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Children Below 5 Years<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Free<\/strong><\/td><td>No entry pass is required.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Still Camera Fee<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b9200<\/td><td>Additional fee for carrying a dedicated still camera.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can get <strong>City Palace Museum, Udaipur<\/strong> tickets in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Online:<\/strong> Book through the official City Palace Museum website: <a href=\"https:\/\/eticket.citypalacemuseum.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/eticket.citypalacemuseum.org\/<\/a><br>The museum also has an online e-ticketing system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>At the palace:<\/strong> You can buy tickets directly from the <strong>ticket counters at Badi Pol and Shitla Mata Gate<\/strong>, the two main entry points mentioned by the museum<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guided Tour at City Palace Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to understand the <strong>history and stories behind City Palace<\/strong>, taking a guide is a good option. The museum has <strong>trained and certified guides<\/strong>, who can explain the history of the Mewar rulers, the architecture, royal traditions, and the important rooms and galleries as you walk through the palace. The museum&#8217;s official visitor information says that its guides can be identified by an <strong>orange-coloured lanyard and identity card<\/strong>. The guide charges are <strong>fixed by the museum and are mentioned on the guide&#8217;s identity card<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guide charges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hindi-Speaking Guide:<\/strong> <strong>\u20b9200 to \u20b9300<\/strong> for the standard complex and museum tour.<br><strong>English-Speaking Guide:<\/strong> <strong>\u20b9350 to \u20b9500<\/strong> depending on the standard group size.<br><strong>External Guide\/Escort Permission Fee:<\/strong> <strong>\u20b9600<\/strong>. If you bring your own licensed tour guide from outside the property, you must pay this temporary permission fee at the counter for them to enter and guide you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is also an <strong>audio guide service<\/strong>, available in <strong>English, French, German, and Spanish<\/strong>, if you prefer exploring at your own pace. cost is <strong>\u20b9200 to \u20b9250<\/strong> per device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prices have shifted more than once in recent years, so don&#8217;t rely on an old travel blog for the final number. <strong>Check the official ticket page before you visit<\/strong>, and buy at the counters near Badi Pol or Shitla Mata Gate if you&#8217;d rather not book online. For the most current details, the City Palace Museum&#8217;s official website <a href=\"https:\/\/citypalacemuseum.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/citypalacemuseum.org\/<\/a>is the most reliable source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-442782cc wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/udaipur-mirror-dome-768x901-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sheesh Mahal mirror work inside City Palace Udaipur\" class=\"uag-image-2912\" width=\"715\" height=\"839\" title=\"udaipur-mirror-dome-768x901\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much time to give it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Without the museum visit<\/strong>, you need <strong>45 minutes to 1 hour<\/strong>. <strong>With the museum visit<\/strong>, you need <strong>2.5 to 3 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time Breakdowns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Highly recommended as the vast majority of the palace history, weapons, paintings, and royal rooms are located inside this paid section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Without Museum (45 &#8211; 60 Minutes): <\/strong>Covers the outer courtyards (Badi Pol, Tripoli Pol), external architecture, and ticket areas. Best if you only want to take external photos and enjoy views of Lake Pichola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>With Museum (2.5 &#8211; 3 Hours): <\/strong>Covers the actual historic palace interiors (Zenana Mahal, Mardana Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Peacock Courtyard).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go early, ideally near opening time. The complex has narrow passages and courtyards that get uncomfortable once a few tour groups arrive at once, and mornings are noticeably quieter, according to the Rajasthan Tourism official website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in\/<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Time to Visit &amp; What to Pair It With<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>October to March is the best time to visit Udaipur<\/strong>, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for exploring the city on foot. Winter is especially suitable for spending several hours at City Palace and walking through the old city. <strong>April to June can be very hot<\/strong>, with temperatures often rising above 40\u00b0C, so outdoor sightseeing is less comfortable during the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">City Palace is best treated as the <strong>starting point for a full day of sightseeing<\/strong>, as several important attractions are close by. A natural route is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>City Palace \u2192 Jagdish Temple \u2192 Gangaur Ghat \u2192 Bagore Ki Haveli \u2192 Sunset Boat Ride on Lake Pichola<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route combines <strong>royal history, temple architecture, the old city, traditional culture, and a relaxing lake experience<\/strong>. After spending the day exploring the palace and nearby attractions, finishing with a <strong>sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola<\/strong> is an ideal way to end the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the full list of Udaipur attractions beyond the palace, see our complete places to visit in Udaipur guide <a href=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/rajasthan\/places-to-visit-in-udaipur-sightseeing-guide\">https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/rajasthan\/places-to-visit-in-udaipur-sightseeing-guide<\/a> and check our best time to visit Rajasthan guide<a href=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/rajasthan\/best-time-to-visit-rajasthan\/\">https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/rajasthan\/best-time-to-visit-rajasthan\/<\/a> before you lock in your dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-c568b426 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lake-pichola-sunset-vieew.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset view over Lake Pichola from City Palace Udaipur\" class=\"uag-image-2913\" width=\"779\" height=\"515\" title=\"lake pichola sunset vieew\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why City Palace is worth prioritising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">City Palace isn&#8217;t just a pretty building. It&#8217;s where you can trace the story of Mewar and Udaipur in one visit \u2014 the courtyards show the scale of the royal court, the museum preserves the objects, and the terraces hand you the best views in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re short on time in Udaipur, put this first. Give it two to three hours, then move on to the old city and Lake Pichola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;d rather have a local team handle the route, entry tickets, and guide, you can browse our Rajasthan tour itineraries <a href=\"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/tour-package-for-rajasthan\/8\">https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/tour-package-for-rajasthan\/8<\/a>, which include Udaipur and City Palace as standard stops.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning to visit City Palace Udaipur? Get timings, ticket prices, top courtyards to see, and tips before you book your visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2911,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,21,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rajasthan","category-tours","category-travel"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg",521,590,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace-265x300.jpg",265,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg",521,590,false],"large":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg",521,590,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg",521,590,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace.jpg",521,590,false],"sow-carousel-default":["https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/main-gate-of-city-palace-272x182.jpg",272,182,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Pragya","author_link":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/author\/pragya\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Planning to visit City Palace Udaipur? Get timings, ticket prices, top courtyards to see, and tips before you book your visit.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2910"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2914,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions\/2914"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lazyatra.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}