If you ask me about one thing worth making time for in Udaipur, I would probably say sunset.
Recently, while writing about Sajjangarh Fort, also known as the Monsoon Palace, I found myself thinking about its beautiful evening views. One of my favourite parts of being up there is watching the evening slowly take over the city. The sun moves behind the Aravalli hills, the lakes lose their bright colours, and then, almost without you noticing, lights start appearing across Udaipur.
It is a simple thing, but it never feels quite the same.
That is also why travellers often ask where they should go to watch the sunset in Udaipur. The good thing is that you have several choices. You can sit beside a lake, climb a hill, visit a temple or find a viewpoint overlooking the old city.
Some places are busy around sunset. Others are better when you want a little peace.
After spending plenty of time around Udaipur, these are seven places I would put on the list.
1. Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
Sajjangarh is probably the first place that comes to mind when I think about a sunset with a big view.
The Monsoon Palace sits high above Udaipur, so you can see far across the lakes, city and Aravalli hills. The real pleasure is watching the view change as the sun gets lower.
The hills gradually turn darker and the last light spreads across the landscape. On a clear evening, it is easy to understand why people make the trip up here specifically for sunset.
If this is your first visit to Udaipur and you want that classic hilltop sunset, I would put Sajjangarh near the top of your list.
2. Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar gives you a much more relaxed kind of evening.
There is no need to make a big plan. Go for a walk along the promenade, find a place facing the lake and wait for the sun to drop behind the hills.
Around sunset, the area also feels very much like Udaipur rather than simply a tourist attraction. Locals come out for their evening walks, families gather around the lake and the tea and street-food stalls become part of the scene.
I like that combination.
You can watch the sky change, have a cup of tea and simply spend some time outside. Sometimes that makes for a better evening than rushing from one sightseeing spot to another.
3. Neemach Mata Temple
Neemach Mata Temple sits on a hill overlooking Fateh Sagar and gives you a completely different view of the city.
You can reach the temple by ropeway or climb the steps. If sunset is your main reason for going, I would not arrive at the last minute. Give yourself some time to visit the shrine and then find a comfortable place to enjoy the view.
From the top, Fateh Sagar lies below and the surrounding Aravalli hills stretch into the distance.
There is something nice about watching the city from a place that is also important to local people. It makes the sunset feel like part of the evening rather than the whole purpose of the visit.
4. Badi Lake
Badi Lake is the place I would suggest when you want to get away from the busier parts of Udaipur.
It is around 5 kilometers beyond Fateh Sagar, and the setting feels more open and peaceful. The lake sits among the Aravalli hills, giving you plenty of space to look across the water and enjoy the changing light.
You do not need to plan much for a visit here. That is actually the point.
If you have spent the day visiting crowded places and want to end the evening somewhere quieter, Badi Lake can be a welcome change.
5. Bahubali Hills
Bahubali Hills is for a different kind of sunset outing.
You have to walk up to the viewpoint, so this is not the place to choose if you want to step out of a car and immediately sit down. But the short trek is part of what makes the visit enjoyable.
Once you reach the top, you get a wide view of the water and the hills around it.
Bahubali Hills has become much more popular in recent years, especially with younger visitors and people looking for good photographs. But even without a camera, the view makes the climb worthwhile.
If you like a little walking and adventure with your sunset, this is the one I would choose.
6. Ambrai Ghat
For me, Ambrai Ghat is one of the most interesting places to watch the evening change in Udaipur.
You are sitting beside Lake Pichola with some of the city’s most recognizable sights across the water — the City Palace, Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace.
The view is already impressive before sunset. Then the light starts changing.
The lake becomes darker, the buildings begin to stand out, and eventually the lights come on across the old city. If you enjoy photography, you will probably find yourself taking far more pictures than you planned.
But even if you are not interested in photography, Ambrai is a good place to simply sit for a while.
I have always felt that Udaipur looks particularly good from across the water.
7. Karni Mata Temple
Karni Mata Temple, above Doodh Talai, is another good choice when you want a higher view of Udaipur.
You can take the ropeway or walk up the steps. From the top, you get a broad view of Lake Pichola, the surrounding hills and much of the city.
The changing light is the main attraction here. As the sun goes down, the view gradually shifts from the bright colours of late afternoon to the softer colours of evening.
If you are already visiting Doodh Talai, it makes sense to time your visit so that you can stay for sunset.
Which Sunset Point in Udaipur Is Best for You?
There is no single answer because each place gives you a different evening.
If you want the biggest panoramic view, go to Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace.
If you want a relaxed evening beside the lake, try Fateh Sagar.
For a temple visit with a sunset view, Neemach Mata is a good option.
If you want some peace and open space, I would look at Badi Lake.
For a short trek and a more adventurous outing, choose Bahubali Hills.
And if you want Udaipur’s old city, palaces and Lake Pichola in the same view, Ambrai Ghat is difficult to beat.
Karni Mata sits somewhere in between — a hilltop view, the lake below and the city spreading out in the distance.
A Sunset in Udaipur Doesn’t Need Much Planning
One thing I have learned about Udaipur is that you do not always need to organise your evening around a major attraction.
Sometimes the best plan is simply to finish your sightseeing, find a place with a clear view of the western sky and stay there for a while.
The sunset lasts only a short time, but the evening around it can last much longer.
Have a cup of tea. Take a walk. Sit by the lake. Watch the hills change colour. Let the city slowly light up.
That is enough.
And if you have several evenings in Udaipur, try more than one of these places. The sun may be setting in the same direction, but the view you get from Sajjangarh is nothing like the view from Ambrai or Badi Lake.
If you were spending just one evening in Udaipur, which sunset point would you choose first?
