Knowing where to stay in Udaipur can make a real difference when you are planning a trip to the City of Lakes.
Well, honestly, there is no single area that is perfect for every traveller.
The thing is, Udaipur may be compact, but the experience changes noticeably as you move around the city.
The historic lanes around Lake Pichola feel completely different from the wider, more modern surroundings of New Fatehpura, while Fateh Sagar offers a more open lakeside setting and the western side of Lake Pichola is home to some of the city’s most luxurious hotels and resorts.
We spent 14 days exploring Udaipur, and one thing became clear to us: choosing where to stay is less about finding the best area and more about deciding what kind of Udaipur you want to experience.
Do you want to step outside your hotel into historic streets and bustling markets, return to a quieter neighbourhood after sightseeing, wake up near a lake, or make your luxury hotel part of the holiday itself?
Which Area Should You Stay in Udaipur
| If You Want | Consider Staying In |
| Historic Udaipur, heritage buildings and the Old City’s energy | Old City & Lake Pichola |
| A quieter, modern base with easy access around the city | New Fatehpura |
| Lakeside surroundings and relaxed evenings | Fateh Sagar Lake |
| A luxury hotel or resort experience | Haridasji Ki Magri & Ambamata |
Old City & Lake Pichola — For the Historic Udaipur Experience
If you want to experience Udaipur in its most historic and atmospheric form, the Old City around Lake Pichola is the place to stay.
This is where you’ll find some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, including the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Gangaur Ghat. As you explore the area, you’ll encounter old havelis, bustling markets, rooftop cafés and narrow streets that give this part of Udaipur its unmistakable character.
Staying here puts you right in the middle of the action, but that comes with a trade-off. The same narrow lanes and busy streets that create the Old City’s charm can also make getting around less convenient, particularly if you’re arriving by car or relying on taxis and ride-hailing services.
What Is It Like to Stay in the Old City?
The biggest advantage of staying in the Old City is being surrounded by Udaipur’s historic character from the moment you step outside your hotel.
You can walk to places such as Jagdish Temple, City Palace and Gangaur Ghat, explore the markets around Bada Bazaar and Hathipole, or settle into one of the many rooftop cafés overlooking the old neighbourhoods and Lake Pichola.
The streets themselves are part of the experience, with old buildings, traditional shops and narrow lanes revealing something new as you walk through them.
The trade-off is convenience.
Some roads in the Old City are extremely narrow, and cars cannot always reach the entrance of your hotel. An Uber or taxi may have to drop you at the nearest accessible road, leaving you to walk the remaining distance through the lanes.
This is worth considering if you have heavy luggage, mobility concerns or simply prefer easy door-to-door access. For travellers who enjoy walking and want to feel immersed in historic Udaipur, however, these same streets may be part of the attraction rather than a problem.
Who Should Stay in the Old City?
The Old City is a good choice if your idea of Udaipur involves stepping out of your hotel and immediately being surrounded by heritage buildings, temples, markets, rooftop restaurants and the energy of the historic centre.
It particularly suits travellers who enjoy walking, exploring on foot and don’t mind a little chaos in exchange for atmosphere.
If you have only a short time in Udaipur and want to spend most of it around the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat and the lanes around Lake Pichola, staying here can also save you time getting to and from the sights.
If you decide that the Old City is the right fit for your trip, our guide to the best hotels near City Palace in Udaipur can help you choose a property close to the city’s historic sights.
Who May Prefer Another Area?
You may be happier elsewhere if you value wide roads, easy vehicle access, quieter surroundings or a more modern neighbourhood.
The Old City can feel crowded and chaotic, and navigating its narrow lanes isn’t for everyone. Even staying at a luxury property doesn’t completely change that experience once you step outside—the streets, traffic and crowds are still the same.
If you prefer exploring the historic centre during the day and returning to a calmer base afterwards, an area such as New Fatehpura may suit you better.
New Fatehpura — For a Peaceful, Modern Base
If the idea of staying amid the narrow lanes and constant bustle of the Old City doesn’t appeal to you, New Fatehpura offers a very different experience.
Located around the Saheliyon Ki Bari and Sukhadia Circle side of Udaipur, this is a more modern and relatively peaceful part of the city, with wider roads, restaurants, cafés and plenty of everyday conveniences. The lush greenery around the roads adds to the overall experience especially when you stroll the area during evening hours.
It also makes a convenient base for exploring the city, with Fateh Sagar Lake and Saheliyon Ki Bari nearby and roads connecting you towards Chetak Circle, Hathipole and the Old City.
What Is It Like to Stay in New Fatehpura?
Staying in New Fatehpura gives you a quieter base without putting you far from the main sights.
You won’t necessarily be able to walk to every major attraction, but Udaipur is compact enough that a short Uber or auto-rickshaw ride can take you from this neighbourhood into the heart of the historic centre.
One of the things that makes this area convenient is how easily you can move between different parts of the city. You can head towards Fateh Sagar Lake or Saheliyon Ki Bari, continue towards Chetak Circle and Hathipole, or take the road towards the Old City without spending a large part of the day travelling. Street food lovers can walk to Sukhadia Circle for some food stalls offering lipsmacking snacks.
For travellers who prefer returning to a calm, modern neighbourhood after sightseeing, New Fatehpura offers a good middle ground between convenience and atmosphere.
Who Should Stay in New Fatehpura?
New Fatehpura is a good choice if you prefer a relatively quieter, more modern setting but still want to remain well connected to Udaipur’s major attractions.
It works particularly well for travellers who don’t mind taking a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride to the sights and would rather return to wider roads, restaurants and a less crowded neighbourhood at the end of the day.
It can also suit first-time visitors who want to explore historic Udaipur without necessarily staying in the middle of it.
Who May Prefer Another Area?
New Fatehpura may not be the right choice if experiencing historic Udaipur is the main reason for your trip and you want to step out of your hotel directly into its heritage streets.
If you want to walk easily to the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat and the surrounding markets, the Old City will put you much closer to the action.
Similarly, if your priority is waking up beside a lake or spending most of your time at a luxury resort, you may prefer staying around Fateh Sagar Lake or on the western side of Lake Pichola.
Fateh Sagar Lake — For Relaxed Lakeside Surroundings
If you want the lake to be a noticeable part of your everyday Udaipur experience, staying around Fateh Sagar Lake is worth considering.
This part of the city feels more open and relaxed than the Old City, with the lake, walking areas and wider roads creating a very different atmosphere. You are also close to attractions such as Saheliyon Ki Bari and Moti Magri, while the roads around the lake make it relatively easy to reach other parts of Udaipur.
What Is It Like to Stay Around Fateh Sagar Lake?
Staying around Fateh Sagar gives you a more relaxed version of Udaipur, with the lake becoming part of your surroundings rather than simply somewhere you visit during sightseeing.
You can spend an evening by the lake, walk along the waterfront, stop at cafés or simply enjoy the open surroundings without having to navigate the narrow lanes of the Old City. The area is also well connected by road, so getting around by auto-rickshaw or taxi is straightforward.
However, if your main interest is exploring the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat and the markets of the Old City, you will still need to travel there rather than simply walking out of your hotel and finding yourself among those sights.
Who Should Stay Around Fateh Sagar Lake?
Fateh Sagar is a good choice if you enjoy lakeside surroundings, open spaces and a more relaxed pace but still want to remain reasonably close to Udaipur’s attractions.
It can work particularly well for families, couples and travellers who like having somewhere pleasant to walk or unwind after sightseeing. It is also worth considering if you want the lake to be part of your stay without committing to a luxury resort experience.
Who May Prefer Another Area?
You may prefer the Old City if your priority is being within walking distance of Udaipur’s historic sights and markets.
New Fatehpura may suit you better if you want a quieter modern neighbourhood with more everyday conveniences and don’t particularly need the lake outside your doorstep.
Meanwhile, Haridas Ji Ki Magri and Ambamata are better suited to travellers who want their luxury hotel or resort to be a major part of the holiday.
Haridas Ji Ki Magri & Ambamata — For a Luxury Hotel or Resort Experience
If your Udaipur trip is partly about enjoying the hotel itself, the Haridas Ji Ki Magri and Ambamata areas are worth considering.
Located on the western side of Lake Pichola, this part of Udaipur is home to some of the city’s most sought-after luxury properties, along with quieter surroundings and relatively easy road access compared with the Old City.
Here, your choice of hotel can have a bigger influence on the overall experience because you may spend as much time enjoying the property as you do exploring the city.
What Is It Like to Stay Around Haridas Ji Ki Magri & Ambamata?
The experience here depends heavily on the property you choose.
A luxury resort or palace hotel can offer beautiful surroundings, attentive service, excellent dining and, in some cases, spectacular views of Lake Pichola. The area itself is also less hectic than the Old City, making it easier to come and go by car.
However, staying in a luxury hotel does not mean you escape Udaipur’s traffic and narrow roads once you leave the property. Even a private hotel car has to navigate the same city streets as everyone else.
The difference is that you return to a very different environment once you pass back through the hotel’s gates.
Who Should Stay Around Haridas Ji Ki Magri & Ambamata?
This area is best suited to travellers who see their hotel as an important part of the holiday rather than simply a place to sleep between sightseeing trips.
It works particularly well for honeymooners, couples celebrating a special occasion and travellers looking for a high-end stay with beautiful surroundings, fine dining and plenty of time to enjoy the property. Also, nearby you can explore the narrow lanes of Ambrai Ghat known for its art and craft stores and some excellent restaurants and cafes.
If your budget allows you to choose between a good hotel and an exceptional one, this is one part of Udaipur where upgrading the property can significantly change your experience.
Who May Prefer Another Area?
You may prefer the Old City if you want to spend most of your time walking through historic Udaipur and being surrounded by its markets, temples and heritage buildings.
New Fatehpura or Fateh Sagar may make more sense if you want a comfortable base but don’t intend to spend a large part of your trip inside a luxury hotel.
And if sightseeing is your primary focus, it may not make sense to pay a premium for a resort whose facilities you barely have time to enjoy.
Staying in Udaipur Without a Car
You don’t need a car to explore Udaipur.
Auto-rickshaws are widely available, and Uber is also an option for getting between the main areas and attractions. The bigger consideration is where you stay, because your accommodation can affect how much walking or road travel you’ll need each day.
In the Old City, some lanes are too narrow for cars, so your taxi may drop you at the nearest accessible road and you may have to walk the remaining distance to your hotel. This isn’t necessarily a problem if you enjoy walking and want to stay close to the historic sights, but it can become inconvenient with heavy luggage or if you have mobility concerns.
Staying in New Fatehpura or around Fateh Sagar Lake can make getting around by road easier, particularly if you plan to visit different parts of Udaipur during your stay. From New Fatehpura, for example, we regularly used short Uber rides and sometimes shared rickshaws to explore the city and return to our quieter neighbourhood afterwards.
If you’re staying at a luxury property around Haridas Ji Ki Magri or Ambamata, the hotel can also arrange a private car. However, once you leave the property, you’re still travelling on the same roads and dealing with the same traffic as everyone else.
For most visitors, I wouldn’t consider renting a car essential in Udaipur. Unless you plan to explore destinations well outside the city, using autos, Uber and hotel-arranged transportation is generally the simpler option.
Which Area Should You Choose for Your Udaipur Trip?
By now, you probably have a sense of which part of Udaipur fits your travel style. The important thing to remember is that being closer to the sights isn’t automatically better, just as staying somewhere quieter doesn’t automatically mean you’re missing out.
Udaipur is relatively compact, so you can stay outside the historic centre and still reach many of the city’s attractions without spending your holiday travelling back and forth. What matters more is what you want your surroundings to feel like when you’re not sightseeing.
Choose the Old City & Lake Pichola if being surrounded by historic Udaipur is the experience you’re looking for.
Stay in New Fatehpura if you prefer a quieter, more modern base with convenient road access to different parts of the city.
Stay Around Fateh Sagar Lake if you want lakeside surroundings and a relaxed place to walk or unwind during your stay.
Choose Haridas Ji Ki Magri & Ambamata if your hotel or resort is going to be an important part of the holiday and you’re looking for a high-end experience.
There is no single best area to stay in Udaipur. The right choice is the one that matches the kind of experience you want from the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Udaipur
There is no single best area for every first-time visitor. If you want to experience historic Udaipur from your doorstep, choose the Old City & Lake Pichola. If you prefer a quieter, more modern base with easy access around the city, New Fatehpura is a strong alternative. The right choice depends on the kind of Udaipur experience you want.
Yes, but probably less than you might expect. Udaipur is relatively compact, so staying outside the Old City does not mean spending hours travelling. However, your location still affects your daily experience, particularly whether you want to walk to historic sights, be near a lake or return to a quieter neighbourhood after sightseeing.
Lake Pichola is better if you want historic Udaipur, the City Palace and Old City atmosphere close by. Fateh Sagar is better if you prefer open lakeside surroundings, relaxed evenings and easier road access. Neither is universally better—the choice depends on the experience you want.
The western side of Lake Pichola, particularly around Haridas Ji Ki Magri and Ambamata, is home to several of Udaipur’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. However, the property itself matters just as much as the location if you want a luxury hotel to be a major part of your holiday.
Good places to stay include the Old City around Lake Pichola for a historic experience, New Fatehpura for a quieter modern base, Fateh Sagar Lake for lakeside surroundings, and Haridas Ji Ki Magri or Ambamata for a luxury hotel or resort experience. Once you’ve chosen your preferred area, see our guide to the [best hotels in Udaipur] for specific properties.
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Final Thoughts: Choose the Udaipur That Suits You
Choosing where to stay in Udaipur is ultimately less about finding the most popular neighbourhood and more about knowing what you want from the city.
Udaipur rewards different kinds of travellers in different ways, and the place that feels perfect to one person may feel completely wrong to another.
Think about what you want to see when you step outside your hotel each morning, how much walking or driving you are comfortable with, and whether your accommodation is simply a base for sightseeing or an important part of the holiday itself.
Once you answer those questions, the choice becomes considerably easier.
And once you’ve decided which part of Udaipur suits you, the next step is choosing the right property. Our guide to the best hotels in Udaipur brings together our recommendations across different locations, budgets and travel styles, so you can narrow down your options based on the kind of stay you’re looking for.
There is no single best area to stay in Udaipur. There is only the area that is best for you.
