Best Places to Visit in Rajasthan from Delhi

Rajasthan, the land of kings, is one of India's most magnificent, romantic and colourful states, a whole world of mighty hilltop forts, opulent palaces, golden deserts, shimmering lakes, sacred temples and gloriously vibrant culture. Easily reached from Delhi, whether by road, train or air, it is the perfect extension to a Golden Triangle trip or a wonderful, unforgettable journey in its own right. This guide from Delhi Agra Tour Packages rounds up the best places to visit in Rajasthan from Delhi, with what to see in each, how far each is, and how to plan a trip, ideally alongside a Golden Triangle tour.

I was born in Delhi, and in more than 11 years guiding the Golden Triangle for Experience My India I have taken countless travellers across Rajasthan. Here is the clear, practical guide.

Places to visit in Rajasthan at a glance

Jaipur, the Pink City

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and the third city of the Golden Triangle, is the natural first stop, only about 280 km from Delhi. Famous as the Pink City for the colour of its old walled quarter, it is a magnificent, vibrant city of palaces, forts and bazaars.

Its highlights include the majestic hilltop Amber Fort, the beautiful honeycomb facade of the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, the grand City Palace, and the fascinating Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, along with its wonderful markets, gemstones and famous food. As the gateway to Rajasthan and an easy few hours from Delhi by road, train or air, Jaipur is where most Rajasthan trips begin, and it is the natural first taste of the state's colour and grandeur, as our things to do in Jaipur guide covers it in full.

Udaipur, the City of Lakes

Udaipur, in the south of Rajasthan, is one of India's most romantic and beautiful cities, often called the City of Lakes or the Venice of the East, about 660 km from Delhi. Set around shimmering lakes and ringed by the Aravalli hills, it is a place of palaces, gardens and serene beauty.

Its jewels are the vast and opulent City Palace, the famous Lake Pichola with its shimmering island palaces, the Jag Mandir and the iconic Lake Palace, the Jagdish Temple, and the lovely gardens such as Saheliyon ki Bari. A honeymoon and heritage favourite, and often ranked among the world's most beautiful cities, Udaipur is well worth the longer journey, and it is reached most easily by train or flight, or via Jaipur on a road trip, as our Jaipur to Udaipur distance guide describes.

Jodhpur, the Blue City

Jodhpur, the great Blue City of Rajasthan, about 600 km from Delhi, is famous for the sea of blue-painted houses in its old town, best seen from above, and for its magnificent fort. It is a striking, atmospheric city on the edge of the Thar desert.

Towering over the city on a rocky hill is the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest, best-preserved and most impressive forts in all of India, with its palaces and museum, along with the elegant white marble Jaswant Thada memorial, the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace, and the bustling, colourful old market around the Ghanta Ghar clock tower. Jodhpur is a great highlight of any Rajasthan trip, famed for its warm hospitality and spicy cuisine, and a natural, rewarding stop on the way west to Jaisalmer and the deep desert.

Jaisalmer, the Golden City

Jaisalmer, the fabled Golden City deep in the Thar desert, about 760 km from Delhi, is one of Rajasthan's most magical destinations, built of honey-gold sandstone that glows in the desert sun. Remote and romantic, it is a world away from the plains.

Its crown is the living Jaisalmer Fort, or Sonar Qila, one of the very few inhabited forts left in the world, along with its exquisitely carved golden-sandstone havelis and, above all, the great golden dunes of the Thar desert at Sam for camel safaris and desert camps under a canopy of stars. Being so far to the west, it is best reached by an overnight train or a flight, or as part of a wider Rajasthan road trip via Jodhpur, as our Delhi to Jaisalmer distance guide describes in full.

Pushkar and Ajmer

Pushkar, about 470 km from Delhi, is one of the oldest and most sacred towns in India, set around a holy lake, famous for its rare Brahma Temple, its ghats and its world-renowned Camel Fair. A charming, bohemian pilgrimage town, it is a lovely, restful contrast to the grand cities.

Right beside it, only about 15 km away over a low range of hills, is Ajmer, home to the great Sufi shrine of Ajmer Sharif, the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites, drawing devotees of all faiths from across the subcontinent. The two towns, one Hindu and one Sufi, are easily and rewardingly visited together in a day, as our Delhi to Pushkar distance guide describes.

Ranthambore, the tiger reserve

For wildlife, Ranthambore National Park, about 380 km from Delhi, is one of India's most famous tiger reserves, offering the thrilling chance of spotting a wild tiger, along with leopards, deer, crocodiles and abundant birdlife, all set around an ancient hilltop fort.

Jungle safaris by jeep or open canter through the park are the great draw, along with the atmospheric ruins of the ancient Ranthambore Fort within the reserve, and Ranthambore adds a wonderful wildlife dimension to a Rajasthan trip that its forts and palaces alone cannot. It sits conveniently between Jaipur and the southern cities, making it an easy and rewarding addition to a wider tour, and one that families and nature lovers especially enjoy.

Bikaner, the desert city

Bikaner, about 450 km from Delhi, is a fascinating desert city in the north of Rajasthan, known for its grand fort, its camel country, and its rich culture and cuisine. Less visited than the big names, it rewards those who make the journey.

Its highlights include the magnificent, superbly preserved Junagarh Fort, the ornate old havelis, the famous National Research Centre on Camels, and the unusual and much-visited Karni Mata Temple nearby, known for its sacred rats. Bikaner is a rewarding and characterful stop on a fuller Rajasthan trip, especially for those exploring the northern desert regions and looking beyond the most famous cities.

Mount Abu, the hill station

Mount Abu, about 750 km from Delhi, is the only hill station in Rajasthan, a cool, green oasis high in the Aravalli hills, and a refreshing change from the desert plains. It is both a hill retreat and a major pilgrimage site.

Its jewel is the group of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples, world-famous for their breathtakingly intricate white marble carving, along with the sacred Nakki Lake for boating, the celebrated Sunset Point, and the many viewpoints over the hills. A popular summer escape and a major pilgrimage site all in one, Mount Abu is best reached by train to Abu Road or via nearby Udaipur, as our Delhi to Mount Abu distance guide describes.

Chittorgarh and the forts of Mewar

Chittorgarh, about 590 km from Delhi, is home to one of the largest and most magnificent forts in India, a vast hilltop fortress and a great symbol of Rajput valour and sacrifice, and the former capital of Mewar.

Its towering nine-storey Vijay Stambh, or Tower of Victory, its ruined palaces and ancient temples, and its stirring, tragic history make it a moving and unforgettable stop, especially for those interested in the history, legends and valour of the Rajputs. It pairs beautifully with the nearby Lake City of Udaipur, its successor as Mewar capital, as our Delhi to Chittorgarh distance guide covers, and the wider Mewar region holds revered sacred sites too, such as the Shrinathji Krishna temple at Nathdwara, in our Delhi to Nathdwara distance guide.

How to plan a Rajasthan trip from Delhi

With so much to see, a little planning helps you make the most of Rajasthan:

• Start with the Golden Triangle: most trips begin with Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then extend into Rajasthan, a wonderful introduction to the region.

• Choose a circuit: the classic Rajasthan circuit runs Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and back, taking in forts, deserts and lakes.

• Allow enough time: a full Rajasthan trip rewards a week or more; even the highlights need several days.

• Travel by car, train or air: a private car and driver is the most flexible, while trains and flights help cover the longer distances comfortably.

• Combine themes: mix the great cities with the desert, the lakes, wildlife and pilgrimage for a rich, varied trip.

We are always happy to build a Rajasthan itinerary around your interests, time and pace.

Best time to visit Rajasthan

The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March, when the desert weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing, and the days are sunny and the nights cool. This is the peak season, rich in festivals and at its most beautiful, and by far the best time for the long journeys and the desert experiences.

Summers, from April to June, are extremely hot across most of Rajasthan, so best avoided, though the hill station of Mount Abu stays cooler. The monsoon, from July to September, brings some relief and greenery. For the classic Rajasthan experience, aim firmly for the cool season, October to March, as our best time to visit Delhi guide echoes for the wider region.

Why visit Rajasthan?

Rajasthan offers some of the most spectacular, varied and unforgettable travel in all of India: mighty hilltop forts and opulent palaces, golden deserts and camel safaris, romantic lakes and gardens, sacred temples and shrines, and a gloriously vibrant living culture of colour, craft, music, dance and cuisine. No two of its cities are alike, each with its own distinct character, colour and legend, from the pink of Jaipur to the blue of Jodhpur and the gold of Jaisalmer.

For travellers, it is the perfect extension to a Golden Triangle trip, easily reached from Delhi, and a journey through living history, legend and royal splendour unlike anywhere else. Whether you have just a few days for one or two cities, or a couple of weeks for a grand circuit, Rajasthan rewards you richly and stays with you long afterwards, and it is rightly regarded as one of the great travel experiences of the world.

Travel tips for a Rajasthan trip

• Start with the Golden Triangle from Delhi, then extend into Rajasthan.

• Visit October to March for the most pleasant weather; avoid the summer heat.

• Allow enough time, ideally a week or more for a fuller trip.

• Mix the cities with the desert, lakes, wildlife and pilgrimage for variety.

• Use a private car for flexibility, and trains or flights for the longer legs.

• Book ahead in peak season and around festivals, when Rajasthan is busiest.

Want a Rajasthan trip planned around your interests, from the Golden Triangle to the desert and lakes, with everything sorted? Message us on WhatsApp and Experience My India will build it for you.

Plan your trip with us

Rajasthan is at its best with the routes, the timing and the stays all handled, and that is what we do, a comfortable vehicle and driver or trains and flights arranged, a well-paced itinerary through the forts, deserts and lakes, and your stays and sightseeing all sorted, so you simply enjoy the land of kings.

Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it honestly around your standard rather than a fixed figure. Start with the classic circuit on our Golden Triangle tours, and extend it deep into Rajasthan, or see the Taj at its finest on our Sunrise Taj tour. We can build it all within our wider Delhi Agra Tour Packages.

Related guides

• Nearby places to visit in Delhi: the best getaways from the city.

• New Delhi tour: the capital's imperial landmarks.

• Old Delhi tour: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

• Delhi day tour: the best of the capital in a day.

Experience My India has personally hosted 50,000+ travelers and the service he leads is rated 4.9 from 2,600+ reviews, operating since 2015. Delhi Agra Tour Packages is a unit of Experience My India.