The City Palace museum costs about ₹300–400 for adults (the Crystal Gallery is about ₹500 extra), opens around 9 am and needs 2–3 hours. Go at opening time to avoid tour groups, and don't miss Mor Chowk's peacock mosaics, the Sheesh Mahal, Badi Mahal's rooftop garden and the views over Lake Pichola.
Key facts
- Construction began in 1559 under Maharana Udai Singh II
- Built and extended by successive Maharanas over about 400 years
- Part of the palace is still the residence of the Mewar royal family
- Photography isn't allowed inside the Crystal Gallery
The City Palace isn’t one building. It’s a hilltop of palaces, courtyards and terraces that eleven generations of Maharanas kept adding to, starting in 1559 when Maharana Udai Singh II moved the capital of Mewar here from Chittorgarh. Today part of it is a museum, part is hotels, and part is still home to the royal family.
Tickets and timings
- Museum: about ₹300–400 for adults, less for children.
- Crystal Gallery: about ₹500 extra. Photography isn’t allowed inside.
- Hours: opens around 9 am, closes around 5 to 6 pm. Check the day’s hours at the gate.
- Sound and light show: in the evening at Manek Chowk, separate ticket.
- Audio guides and licensed guides are available at the entrance. Our tours page can arrange one in advance.
Fees were last checked in October 2026. See all Udaipur entry fees.
When to go
At opening time. Tour groups arrive from about 10:30 am and the narrow staircases get crowded by noon. Early light on the lake from the upper terraces is also the best of the day.
What not to miss
- Badi Pol and Tripolia. The great gates. Tripolia’s three arches are where Maharanas were once weighed against gold and silver given to the poor.
- Manek Chowk. The big courtyard where the evening show happens.
- Mor Chowk. The Peacock Courtyard: three glass-mosaic peacocks in blue and green, made from thousands of tiny pieces.
- Sheesh Mahal. The palace of mirrors.
- Badi Mahal. A garden courtyard built on top of a natural hill, so it feels like ground level at the top of the palace.
- Zenana Mahal. The women’s quarters, with paintings and jharokhas.
- The terraces. Look out over Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace.
- The Crystal Gallery in the Fateh Prakash Palace, if you’ve paid for it: crystal furniture ordered in the 1870s, including a crystal bed.
The route
Enter from Badi Pol, walk through Tripolia to the ticket office and follow the museum route upward. The numbered signs keep you on track; the busiest bottleneck is the staircase near Mor Chowk, another reason to come early.
After the palace
Walk five minutes down to Jagdish Temple, then have kachori near its steps. In the afternoon, the boat jetty inside the palace grounds is one of two starting points for the Pichola boat ride.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes; there are lots of steep, narrow steps.
- Carry water. There’s a café on the terrace.
- Leave big bags at your hotel.
- If you only have one morning in Udaipur, spend it here.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see the City Palace Udaipur?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the museum. Add an hour if you want the Crystal Gallery and a coffee on the terrace.
Is the City Palace worth it?
Yes. It's the best introduction to Mewar's history and has some of the finest views of Lake Pichola and Jag Mandir.
Is there a light and sound show at the City Palace?
Yes, an evening sound and light show at Manek Chowk tells the story of Mewar in Hindi and English. Check the day's timing and language at the gate.
Can I take photos inside the City Palace?
Photography is allowed in most of the museum. It isn't allowed inside the Crystal Gallery.
