Things to Do in Jodhpur: Top Attractions and Guide

Jodhpur, the magnificent Blue City of Rajasthan, is a place of soaring forts, tangled blue lanes, grand palaces and the great Thar Desert at its doorstep and it offers a wonderful range of things to do for every kind of traveller. Crowned by one of India's mightiest forts and painted in a thousand shades of blue, it is one of the most atmospheric and rewarding cities in the state. This guide from Delhi Agra Tour Packages covers the best things to do in Jodhpur in full, from the great fort and palaces to the old city, the stepwells, the markets, the food and the desert day trips, so you can plan the perfect visit, whether as a standalone trip or part of a Golden Triangle tour extended into Rajasthan.

I was born in Delhi and in more than 11 years planning trips across the region for Experience My India I have sent many travellers to Jodhpur and its mighty fort and blue lanes never fail to enchant. Here is the clear, practical guide to what to do.

Things to do in Jodhpur at a glance

Why visit Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the second-largest city of Rajasthan and the historic capital of the Marwar region and it is one of the most striking and atmospheric destinations in all of India. It is famous above all as the Blue City, for the countless houses of its old town painted in vivid blue, a sight most magical when viewed from the ramparts of the great fort above. It is also known as the Sun City, for its bright, sunny weather for much of the year.

What makes Jodhpur so rewarding is the sheer variety on offer. You can explore one of the mightiest forts in India, wander a maze of blue-washed lanes, visit grand palaces and serene cenotaphs, descend ancient stepwells, haggle in colourful bazaars, feast on some of Rajasthan's finest food and head out into the Thar Desert, all from one compact and characterful city. It makes a wonderful addition to a Rajasthan trip, pairing beautifully with the lake city of Udaipur, as our things to do in Udaipur guide us to that romantic city. Below are the best things to do in Jodhpur.

The top things to do in Jodhpur

Here, at a glance, are the highlights that should be on any Jodhpur itinerary, with a sense of how long to give each. The sections that follow describe them in more detail.

Explore the mighty Mehrangarh Fort

No visit to Jodhpur is complete without Mehrangarh Fort and it is the single greatest thing to do in the city. Rising sheer from a rocky hill some 400 feet above the Blue City, it is one of the largest and most magnificent forts in India, its massive walls and bastions dominating the skyline for miles around.

Within its mighty ramparts lies one of the finest fort museums in the country, with beautifully preserved palaces, courtyards and galleries displaying royal treasures, from palanquins and howdahs to arms, paintings and textiles. The views from the ramparts over the sea of blue houses below are simply unforgettable and among the best in Rajasthan. Allow a good two to three hours to explore the fort and its museum properly and do not miss the chance to take in the views and, for the adventurous, the zip-line circuit that soars over the fort's walls and lakes. Mehrangarh is the heart of any Jodhpur trip.

Pay your respects at Jaswant Thada

A short distance from Mehrangarh Fort stands Jaswant Thada, a serene and beautiful royal cenotaph that makes a perfect companion to the great fort. Built of intricately carved white marble, this graceful memorial to the Marwar rulers is sometimes called the Taj Mahal of Marwar for its delicate beauty.

Set beside a small lake and surrounded by gardens, with lovely views of the fort rising behind, Jaswant Thada is a tranquil and photogenic spot, a peaceful contrast to the grandeur of Mehrangarh just along the road. The soft, glowing quality of its thin marble, lit by the sun, is especially beautiful. A visit takes only half an hour or so and it pairs naturally with the fort for a rewarding morning.

Wander the blue old city

Jodhpur's famous nickname, the Blue City, comes alive when you wander the old town below the fort, a labyrinth of narrow lanes where house after house is painted in vivid shades of blue. Losing yourself in these atmospheric blue lanes, especially in the Brahmpuri area, is one of the most magical and quintessentially Jodhpur things to do.

As you explore, you will pass blue-washed havelis, tiny temples, local life spilling into the streets and countless photogenic corners, with the great fort always looming above. It is a photographer's paradise and a wonderful way to feel the real rhythm of the city. The lanes can be a maze, which is part of the charm, though a local guide helps you find the prettiest spots and understand what you are seeing. Wandering the blue city is free, endlessly rewarding and the soul of a Jodhpur visit.

Shop and soak up the Clock Tower and Sardar Market

At the heart of the old city stands the landmark Clock Tower or Ghanta Ghar and around it spreads the vibrant and chaotic Sardar Market, one of the great bazaars of Rajasthan. This is the bustling commercial and social heart of old Jodhpur and a feast for the senses.

Here you can browse and haggle for a huge variety of goods, from the famous Rajasthani textiles, bandhani tie-dye and block prints, to spices, handicrafts, antiques, silver, leather and the aromatic local products Jodhpur is known for. Even if you do not wish to buy, the market is a wonderful place to soak up the colour, noise and life of the city, to sample street food and to watch the world go by beneath the Clock Tower. It is best explored on foot, with your wits and your bargaining skills about you.

See Umaid Bhawan Palace

On a hill on the edge of the city stands Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the grandest and most unusual of Jodhpur's sights. Built in the 20th century, it is one of the largest private residences in the world, a vast and splendid palace of golden-yellow sandstone, part of which is still the residence of the Jodhpur royal family.

Today the great palace is divided into three parts: the royal residence, a magnificent luxury heritage hotel and a museum that is open to visitors. The museum displays the fascinating story of the palace and the royal family, with vintage cars, clocks, art and memorabilia and the building and its grounds are splendid to behold. A visit to the museum portion takes around an hour and it offers a glimpse of 20th-century royal grandeur quite different from the ancient fort.

Descend the Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell

In recent years, one of Jodhpur's loveliest old sights has been beautifully restored and become a favourite: the Toorji Ka Jhalra, a magnificent ancient stepwell in the old city. This deep, intricately carved stepwell, descending in handsome tiers of sandstone, is a striking example of Rajasthan's remarkable water architecture.

Once choked and forgotten, it has been cleaned and restored and the area around it has become a trendy spot with cafes and boutiques overlooking the well, making it a pleasant and photogenic place to pause. Descending the steps and admiring the carving is a quick but rewarding thing to do and it combines easily with a wander through the nearby blue lanes and the market. It is a fine example of how Jodhpur blends its heritage with modern life.

More things to do in Jodhpur

Beyond the headline sights, Jodhpur and its surroundings offer plenty more to fill a longer stay or to suit particular interests.

The historic Mandore Gardens, a little outside the city, hold the cenotaphs of the earlier Marwar rulers amid gardens and greenery, a peaceful and historic spot. For nature and views, Kaylana Lake and Balsamand Lake offer pleasant lakeside escapes, while the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, below the fort, is a restored natural park of desert flora with lovely walking trails and fort views. For the adventurous, the zip-line circuit at Mehrangarh is a thrilling way to see the fort and the blue city from the air. And for those with more time, the desert beckons, as described below.

Enjoy Jodhpur's famous food

Jodhpur is one of the great food cities of Rajasthan and tasting its specialities is one of the essential things to do. The city is especially famous for its spicy snacks and rich sweets and no visit is complete without sampling them.

Do not miss the mirchi bada and pyaaz kachori, the beloved fried snacks and above all the mawa kachori, a rich sweet kachori that is a Jodhpur speciality, along with the thick, creamy makhaniya lassi. The hearty Rajasthani staples of dal baati churma and the various local curries are wonderful here too, whether in a simple old-city eatery or a grand heritage hotel. Eating your way around Jodhpur, from street-side stalls near the Clock Tower to rooftop restaurants with fort views, is a delight in itself.

Take a desert day trip

As the gateway to the Thar Desert and the Marwar region, Jodhpur is a wonderful base for day trips into the countryside and the desert, which are among the most rewarding things to do for those with time.

The most popular is the Bishnoi village safari, a half-day trip to the villages of the Bishnoi community, famous as nature-loving conservationists, offering a glimpse of rural Rajasthani life, crafts and wildlife. Further afield lies the ancient temple town of Osian, with its beautiful old Hindu and Jain temples on the desert's edge and the wider Thar Desert, with its dunes and villages. These excursions add a different, rural and desert dimension to a Jodhpur trip and are easily arranged by car with a driver.

The best time to visit Jodhpur

Jodhpur, the Sun City, is hot and sunny for much of the year and the best time to visit is the cool season from about October to March, when the weather is pleasant for exploring the fort, the lanes and the markets and for desert day trips. This is the peak season and by far the most comfortable time to come, as our best time to visit Rajasthan guide covers the seasons across the state.

The summer months, from April to June, are very hot in this desert city and best avoided for heavy sightseeing, though they bring lower prices and thinner crowds. The monsoon, from July to September, brings some relief and a touch of green to the arid land. For the classic Jodhpur experience in comfort, plan your visit for the cool months.

How to reach Jodhpur

Jodhpur is well connected and easy to reach, with its own airport, a major railway junction and good road links across Rajasthan. It combines naturally with the other great cities of the state on a wider tour.

By air, Jodhpur Airport connects the city to Delhi and other major cities. By rail, Jodhpur Junction is a major station with trains from across India. By road, it is well linked to the other Rajasthan cities: it is a popular drive from Jaipur, as our Jaipur to Jodhpur distance guide covers that route and from the lake city of Udaipur, as our Udaipur to Jodhpur distance guide covers that journey. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable way to reach Jodhpur and to tour Rajasthan.

How to plan your visit

Jodhpur's highlights can be enjoyed in about two days, enough to explore Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, wander the blue old city and the market, see Umaid Bhawan and the stepwell and taste the food, with a third day for a desert day trip or a slower pace. The city's compact heart and the nearby sights make it easy to plan, especially with a private car and driver.

Jodhpur is one of the jewels of Rajasthan and fits beautifully into a wider trip through the region and the Golden Triangle, as our one week North India itinerary guide maps out a route taking in the great cities and sights.

Want your Jodhpur trip planned, with the fort, the blue city, the food and the desert all sorted around you? Message us on WhatsApp and Experience My India will build it for you.

Tips for visiting Jodhpur

• Give Mehrangarh Fort a good two to three hours and pair it with nearby Jaswant Thada in one morning.

• Wander the blue old city on foot, ideally with a guide, to find the prettiest lanes and understand what you see.

• Visit in the cool season, October to March, as Jodhpur is a hot desert city for much of the year.

• Do not miss the famous food: mawa kachori, mirchi bada, pyaaz kachori and the creamy makhaniya lassi.

• Haggle cheerfully in the Sardar Market around the Clock Tower for textiles, spices and handicrafts.

• Keep a half or full day for a desert day trip, such as a Bishnoi village safari or the temples of Osian.

• Explore in the early morning and late afternoon for the best light and the most comfortable sightseeing.

What to expect

A visit to Jodhpur is a feast of forts, blue lanes, palaces and desert colour. You can expect to be awed by the mighty Mehrangarh Fort and its views, charmed by the serene marble Jaswant Thada, lost happily in the maze of blue-washed old-city lanes, immersed in the colour of the Clock Tower market and delighted by the famous food, with the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace, ancient stepwells and the Thar Desert all adding to the mix. It is one of the most atmospheric and varied cities in Rajasthan.

As the magnificent Blue City and gateway to the Thar, with one of India's greatest forts at its heart, Jodhpur offers a rich and rewarding visit for every kind of traveller. With two days for the highlights and a cool season to explore in, it is a wonderful addition to any Rajasthan journey.

Plan your trip with us

A visit to Jodhpur, woven into a wider Rajasthan trip, is easiest and most enjoyable when the stays, the travel, the guide and the sightseeing are all arranged for you. That is what we do: well-chosen stays, a comfortable private car and an experienced driver, a knowledgeable guide to bring the fort and the blue city to life and the whole trip planned around you.

Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it honestly around your standard rather than a fixed figure. You can combine Jodhpur with the classic circuit on our Golden Triangle tours and we can build it all within our wider Delhi Agra Tour Packages.

Related guides

• 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.

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