Top places to visit in Jaisalmer

• Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)

  living-fort · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₹250

  A living 12th-century golden-sandstone fort rising from the Thar desert, one of the few inhabited forts in the world, packed with havelis, temples, shops and homes.

• Sam Sand Dunes

  desert-dunes · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · free entry

  The classic Thar desert dunes 40 km west of town, the hub for sunset camel safaris, jeep rides, desert camps and Rajasthani folk evenings.

• Patwon Ki Haveli

  haveli · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The grandest of Jaisalmer's merchant mansions, a cluster of five intricately carved 19th-century sandstone havelis with ornate jharokhas and museums inside.

• Gadisar Lake

  lake · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A serene 14th-century rainwater reservoir ringed by ghats, temples and shrines, with boating and migratory birds — beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

• Kuldhara Abandoned Village

  ghost-village · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  An eerily deserted 13th-century Paliwal Brahmin village, abandoned overnight in the 1800s per legend, now a preserved, atmospheric ruin steeped in folklore.

• Bada Bagh

  cenotaphs · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A garden complex of royal cenotaphs (chhatris) of the Jaisalmer maharajas set on a hillside, hauntingly photogenic at sunset against the desert sky.

• Jain Temples, Jaisalmer Fort

  jain-temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A cluster of seven exquisitely carved 12th-15th century Jain temples inside the fort, renowned for their intricate sandstone filigree and Dilwara-style work.

• Nathmal Ki Haveli

  haveli · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 19th-century haveli famously built by two brothers who carved its two sides simultaneously, giving it a charmingly asymmetric, richly detailed facade.

• Vyas Chhatri Sunset Point

  cenotaphs-viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A cluster of golden-sandstone Brahmin cenotaphs on a low ridge, Jaisalmer's favourite sunset viewpoint over the fort and surrounding desert.

• Salim Singh Ki Haveli

  haveli · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A distinctive 18th-century haveli of a powerful prime minister, crowned by a peacock-shaped upper storey with 38 carved balconies.

• Jaisalmer War Museum

  war-memorial · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  An Indian Army museum on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur road showcasing tanks, weapons and the heroics of the 1965 and 1971 desert battles, with an audio-visual hall.

• Desert National Park

  national-park · 4.2 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A vast Thar desert sanctuary of dunes and scrub protecting the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, chinkara, desert fox and rich raptor life.

Things to do

• Sam Dunes Camel Safari Adventure · 2 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Desert Camp Night with Folk Show Cultural · 12 h · from INR 3,000 per person
• Jaisalmer Fort Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 800 per person
• Desert Jeep Safari Adventure · 1.5 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Gadisar Lake Boating Leisure · 0.8 h · from INR 200 per person
• Bada Bagh & Vyas Chhatri Sunset Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 1,000 per person
• Kuldhara & Desert Villages Tour Day Trip · 4 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Jaisalmer Havelis Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from INR 700 per person

Day trips and tours

• Sam Dunes Sunset & Desert Camp Night 18 h · from INR 3,000
• Jaisalmer Golden City Tour 8 h · from INR 1,800
• Kuldhara & Desert Villages Day 6 h · from INR 1,500

Where to stay in Jaisalmer

• Fort Area about INR 2,500 per night

  Golden fort and old city with heritage guesthouses

• Outside Fort about INR 2,000 per night

  Modern area with mid-range hotels and desert tour operators

Hotels

• The Wanderlust Guest House & Safari 3-star · INR 1,228 to INR 1,900 per night
• Suryagarh Jaisalmer 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 42,000 per night
• Hostel Peace & Love Home Stay 2-star · INR 383 to INR 900 per night
• Shahi Palace Hotel Jaisalmer 3-star · INR 836 to INR 1,500 per night
• Explore Hostel Life Jaisalmer 2-star · INR 952 to INR 1,600 per night
• Hotel Darsh Safari - Fort View 2-star · INR 780 to INR 1,500 per night

Where to eat

• The Trio Rajasthani, North Indian, Continental · about INR 700 per person
• Desert Boy's Dhani Rajasthani, Thali, North Indian · about INR 550 per person
• Jaisal Italy Italian, Continental, North Indian · about INR 650 per person
• Saffron Rajasthani, North Indian, Continental · about INR 800 per person
• Chandan Shree Restaurant Rajasthani, South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 300 per person
• Free Tibet Restaurant Tibetan, North Indian, Continental · about INR 400 per person
• Romany Restaurant Rajasthani, North Indian, Continental · about INR 400 per person
• Kuku Coffee Shop Cafe, Continental, Bakery · about INR 250 per person

Getting to Jaisalmer

Airport: Jaisalmer (JSA)

How visitors arrive in Jaisalmer

• Train to Jaisalmer By train from Delhi / Jodhpur · common

  A direct train runs from Delhi and trains also come from Jodhpur. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or car By road from Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur · common

  Buses run from Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur; chauffeured cars are offered by tour operators. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Jaisalmer airport By air from Delhi / Jodhpur · possible

  A small airport southeast of town has domestic flights; Jodhpur is the larger alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi from Jaisalmer Airport unconfirmed

  Jaisalmer Airport is a civilian enclave on a military base southeast of the city; domestic flights only. Use a taxi or auto from outside the terminal into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train to Jaisalmer station

  A direct Delhi-Jaisalmer Express serves Jaisalmer's own railway station, which is the usual rail arrival point. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Bus from Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur

  Rajasthan Roadways and private operators run buses to Jaisalmer from Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Mount Abu and other cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw
• Taxi
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Jaisalmer

• Jan 23°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 33°C
• Apr 39°C
• May 42°C
• Jun 41°C
• Jul 38°C
• Aug 37°C
• Sep 37°C
• Oct 36°C
• Nov 31°C
• Dec 26°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Jaisalmer

What are the top-rated places to visit in Jaisalmer?

The highest-rated places in our Jaisalmer guide are Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila), Sam Sand Dunes, Patwon Ki Haveli, Jain Temples, Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer War Museum.

Where should I stay in Jaisalmer?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Jaisalmer: Fort Area, Outside Fort.

How do I get around Jaisalmer?

Ways to get around Jaisalmer covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Jaisalmer?

Scams reported to us for Jaisalmer include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Jaisalmer?

Average daytime highs in Jaisalmer run from 23°C in Jan to 42°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Jaisalmer?

The nearest airport to Jaisalmer has the code JSA.