Jodhpur, India: travel guide
Mehrangarh Fort above a maze of blue-washed houses in the Thar's edge
The 'Blue City' crowned by the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, where indigo-painted havelis spill down ochre hillsides.
About Jodhpur
Jodhpur's skyline is dominated by Mehrangarh Fort, a vast fortress rising from a rocky ridge above the old city. Below it, houses painted in shades of indigo spread out in a dense maze, the reason for the nickname Blue City.
Inside the fort, museum galleries and ramparts give wide views, and Jaswant Thada, a marble memorial, sits close by. Down in town, the Clock Tower and Sardar Market are good for spices, textiles and a famous sweet-and-savoury snack called mirchi vada. Umaid Bhawan Palace stands on the far side of the city.
Jodhpur suits photographers and history lovers. October to March is the best time to visit Jodhpur.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- JDH
Last updated
Top places to visit in Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort
rajput-fort · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of India's largest and best-preserved forts, rising 120 m above the blue city on a sheer cliff, with opulent palaces, a superb museum and cannon-scarred gates.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
palace · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Majestic 1943 sandstone-and-marble Art-Deco palace, one of the world's largest private residences, part royal home, part Taj hotel and part museum.
Jaswant Thada
cenotaph · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Serene white-marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, set beside a lake below Mehrangarh — often called the "Taj Mahal of Marwar".
Clock Tower & Sardar Market
bazaar · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The landmark Ghanta Ghar clock tower presides over the vibrant Sardar Market, a maze of stalls selling spices, textiles, bangles and Marwari sweets.
Blue City (Brahmpuri)
old-quarter · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The maze of indigo-washed Brahmin houses beneath Mehrangarh that gives Jodhpur its "Blue City" nickname — a photographer's dream of winding lanes and rooftops.
Mandore Gardens
gardens-cenotaphs · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
Lush gardens at the ancient former capital of Marwar, dotted with the towering temple-style cenotaphs of Jodhpur's rulers and a Hall of Heroes.
Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell
stepwell · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h · free entry
Beautifully restored 18th-century stepwell of intricately carved rose sandstone, now a lively hub ringed by cafes and boutiques in the old city.
Kaylana Lake
lake · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Tranquil artificial lake ringed by hills 8 km west of the city, a popular spot for sunset, birdwatching and boating away from the bustle.
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
eco-park · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Ecologically restored desert park below Mehrangarh showcasing native arid-zone flora across volcanic rock, with marked trails and fort views.
Balsamand Lake & Garden
lake-garden · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 12th-century artificial lake and red-sandstone summer palace set in mango and pomegranate gardens, a peaceful royal retreat north of the city.
Masuria Hill Garden
hill-garden · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop garden and viewpoint with a Veer Durga Das memorial and a Hanuman temple, offering fine sunset views over the city and Mehrangarh.
Sardar Government Museum
history · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Early-20th-century museum in Umaid Public Gardens with displays of Marwar weapons, miniatures, textiles and natural history amid a leafy park and zoo.
Things to do
- Mehrangarh Flying Fox Zipline Adventure · 2 h · from INR 2,200 per person
- Bishnoi Village Safari Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Mehrangarh Fort Guided Tour Sightseeing Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Blue City Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Jodhpur Old City Food Walk Food Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Rao Jodha Desert Park Nature Walk Hiking · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Toorji Stepwell & Old City Heritage Tour Sightseeing Tour · 2 h · from INR 700 per person
- Marwari Cooking Class Cooking Class · 3 h · from INR 1,800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Jodhpur Bishnoi Village Safari Day 5 h · from INR 1,800
- Jodhpur Blue City Full-Day Tour 8 h · from INR 2,200
- Jodhpur Old City & Stepwell Day 6 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Jodhpur
- Old City about INR 2,500 per night
Historic walled city with blue houses and fortress views
- Airport Road about INR 3,000 per night
Modern area with mid-range hotels and good connectivity
Hotels
- Umaid Bhawan Palace 5-star · INR 40,000 to INR 110,000 per night
- RAAS Jodhpur 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 32,000 per night
- Baijoo Niwas 3-star · INR 2,735 to INR 3,600 per night
- Jodhpur Heritage Haveli Guest House 3-star · INR 1,710 to INR 2,600 per night
- Casa De Jodhpur 3-star · INR 1,499 to INR 2,300 per night
- The Thikana Heritage 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 3,600 per night
Where to eat
- Janta Sweet Home Street Food, Rajasthani, Desserts · about INR 150 per person
- On The Rocks North Indian, Rajasthani, Continental · about INR 900 per person
- Shri Mishrilal Hotel Beverages, Street Food, Desserts · about INR 100 per person
- Gypsy Restaurant Rajasthani, Thali, Vegetarian · about INR 450 per person
- Indique Rajasthani, North Indian, Mughlai · about INR 900 per person
- Kalinga Restaurant North Indian, Rajasthani, Chinese · about INR 650 per person
- Stepwell Cafe Continental, Italian, Cafe · about INR 700 per person
- Jhankar Choti Haveli Rajasthani, Continental, North Indian · about INR 600 per person
Getting to Jodhpur
Airport: Jodhpur (JDH)
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.
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Frequently asked questions about Jodhpur
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Jodhpur?
- The highest-rated places in our Jodhpur guide are Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Blue City (Brahmpuri), Clock Tower & Sardar Market.
- Where should I stay in Jodhpur?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Jodhpur: Old City, Airport Road.
- How do I get around Jodhpur?
- Ways to get around Jodhpur covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Jodhpur?
- Scams reported to us for Jodhpur include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Jodhpur?
- The nearest airport to Jodhpur has the code JDH.