Glimmering Lake Pichola was created in the 16th century by flooding the village of Picholi – one of many vanity projects by the extravagant Maharana Udai Singh II. The lake is now 4km long and 3km wide, and gazing out over its silvery waters is one of Udaipur's great pleasures. The City Palace complex, including the gardens at its southern end, extends nearly 1km along the lake’s eastern shore.
Elegant pavilions and palaces stand in the middle of the lake, including the icy white Lake Palace of Maharana Jagat Singh II on Jagniwas Island, propelled to international fame by the James Bond film Octopussy (today, it's an exclusive Taj hotel).
Further south is Jagmandir Island, with its own elegant palace-turned-hotel, built by Maharana Karan Singh II in 1620. The restaurant, bar, spa, gardens and exhibitions inside the Gol Mahal pavilion are open to visitors on boat trips (₹600–800 return) run by the City Palace.
Trips leave regularly from the palace's Rameshwar Ghat from 10am to around sunset (the ₹50 City Palace entry fee applies), and prices increase mid-afternoon. You can linger as long as you like in the gardens before taking any boat back to shore.
Sunset cruises (₹500–750) can also be arranged directly with boat operators at Lal Ghat or through hotels and tour agencies, taking a similar circuit around Lake Pichola and its floating palaces.
