24.569673.6722Udaipur, Rajasthan

LAKE

Lake Pichola

A man-made lake at the center of Udaipur, known for its island palaces like Jag Mandir and scenic boat rides with views of the City Palace.

Udaipur, Rajasthan1-2 hours9:00 AM – 6:00 PMFree EntryNo Photography

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Best Season:The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and cool, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 28°C. This period is ideal for boat rides and exploring the lakeside attractions comfortably. The summer months from April to June are very hot. The monsoon season (July to September) sees a full lake and lush green surroundings, which is beautiful, but boat services can be intermittently suspended due to heavy rain.

Duration:1-2 hours

Entry (Indian):Free

Photography:Not Allowed

Parking:Not Available

Why Visit Lake Pichola?

Discover what makes this destination truly special

Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake that forms the heart of Udaipur. Created in the 14th century, it is surrounded by historic palaces, temples, ghats (bathing steps), and hills, creating a stunning backdrop. The lake contains four main islands: Jag Niwas, home to the famous Taj Lake Palace hotel; Jag Mandir, a palace open to visitors; Mohan Mandir, from where the king would watch the Gangaur festival; and Arsi Vilas, a small palace that was once an ammunition depot and now serves as a bird sanctuary.

Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip around the ideal season for the best experience

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BestGoodModerateOff Season

Peak Season

October to January, especially during Diwali, Christmas, and New Year holidays. Weekends are always busier.

Moderate

February, March, August, and September, particularly on weekdays.

Low Season

April to July, due to the extreme summer heat and the onset of the monsoon.

Entry Fees & Timings

Plan ahead with accurate pricing and visiting hours

Indian Visitors

Free

No entry fee

Opening Hours

9:00 AM — 6:00 PM

The lake itself is always accessible. The timings mentioned are for the boat rides, which generally operate from morning until evening. The last boat ride usually departs around 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM. Timings can vary slightly by season and operator.

There is no entry fee to view the lake from the ghats. However, boat rides are chargeable. Prices vary: A shared boat ride from City Palace jetty costs around ₹400-₹800 per person. Private boat rides are more expensive. A sunset cruise can cost upwards of ₹700-₹1000. Prices can differ between government and private operators.

Location & Directions

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Address

Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Coordinates

24.5696, 73.6722

Nearest City

Udaipur

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How to Reach

Multiple ways to get to this destination conveniently

By Air

Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) is the nearest airport, located about 24 km from Lake Pichola. It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to reach the lake area by taxi...

By Train

Udaipur City Railway Station (UDZ) is about 3 km from Lake Pichola. It is well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. Auto-rickshaws a...

By Road

Udaipur is well-connected by National Highway 48 and other state highways. Regular government and private buses run from cities like Jaipur (400 km), Ahmedabad ...

Local Transport

Auto-rickshaws are the most common way to get around near the lake. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber also operate in the city. The narrow lanes...

History & Significance

Learn about the story and cultural importance of this destination

History

Lake Pichola was originally built in 1362 AD by Pichhu Banjara, a gypsy tribesman, to transport grain during the reign of Maharana Lakha. Impressed by its beauty, Maharana Udai Singh II, the founder of Udaipur, enlarged the lake in the 16th century when he established the city on its banks. He also ...

Significance

Lake Pichola is significant not just as a water source but as the defining geographical and cultural feature of Udaipur, earning the city its title 'Venice of the East'. Its creation transformed the landscape, enabling the construction of magnificent waterside and island palaces like the City Palace...

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