Things to do and see in Jodhpur, India's Blue City

The best time to travel to Jodhpur is between October and March, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant, ideal for exploring the city. During these months, temperatures are usually between 15 °C and 30 °C.

⚠️ Avoid the summer months (April to June), when temperatures can go over 40 °C, which makes walking around the city pretty exhausting. July to September is monsoon season: it doesn't rain much, but the humidity can be annoying.

✈️ By plane
Jodhpur Airport (JDH) has daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and other major Indian cities. It's a quick option if you're short on time.

🚆 By train
Jodhpur has very good train connections with places like Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Udaipur, among others. The station is in the center, which makes it very easy to get around from there.
👉 Read our guide to traveling by train in India 👉 You can also search for and book trains on 12go.asia

🚌 By bus
There are frequent buses from Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Pushkar. It's a cheap and pretty practical option.
👉 You can check schedules and book seats on 12go

1. Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort is Jodhpur's most iconic landmark, towering over the city from the top of a hill 125 meters (410 ft) high. It was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the city's founder, and is one of the most impressive forts in all of Rajasthan.

Inside its walls there's a museum with royal artifacts like thrones, palanquins, old weapons and textiles. From its terraces you'll get the best panoramic views of the famous Blue City, a sea of houses painted in different shades of blue.

📍 Recommendation: Set aside at least 3 hours to explore it at a relaxed pace. You can walk up (though it's steep) or take a rickshaw from the center.

• 🕒 Hours: every day from 9:00 to 18:00
• 💸 Entrance fee: 600 rupees (includes audio guide)

2. Jaswant Thada

Very close to the fort is Jaswant Thada, a white marble mausoleum built in 1899 in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Its architecture is typically Rajput, with very fine details, lattices and small pavilions. It's also surrounded by quiet gardens with lovely views of the fort.

• 🕒 Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
• 💸 Entrance fee: 50 rupees

3. Sardar Market and the Clock Tower

Right in the center is Sardar Market, one of the most vibrant markets in Rajasthan. It's the ideal place to see local life, buy spices, textiles and souvenirs, or try some street food. The Clock Tower is the market's central point and one of the city's landmarks.

4. Toorji Ka Jhalra (Stepwell)

This old 18th-century stepwell, Toorji Ka Jhalra, is one of the quietest and most photogenic spots in central Jodhpur. It was restored a few years ago, and today locals and tourists sit here to rest or cool off.

What stands out most are its perfectly symmetrical stairs and the bas-reliefs decorating the walls. When we visited, we saw lots of kids jumping into the water from the stairs: a typical scene of daily life in Jodhpur.

• 💸 Free entry
• 📍 Good to know: Unlike other stepwells in India, this one is open to the public without restrictions.

5. Mandore Gardens

Mandore Gardens are 9 kilometers from the center and were once the capital of the region, before Jodhpur was founded. There are royal cenotaphs, temples, sculptures and paths surrounded by greenery.

One of the highlights is the cenotaph of Maharaja Ajit Singh, with its imposing architecture. Plus, if you like animals, you'll run into dozens of langur monkeys moving freely around the gardens (they're huge!).

• 🕒 Hours: 8:00 to 20:00
• 💸 Free entry

6. Wander through central Jodhpur

Walking through central Jodhpur means getting lost in a sea of blue houses, narrow alleys, carved wooden doors and the city's everyday life. This experience is part of the charm of traveling to India's Blue City.

Don't forget your camera: every corner looks like a postcard.

7. Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most luxurious and modern palaces in Rajasthan. Built between 1928 and 1943, it combines Art Deco and Indo-Saracenic styles.

Today it's divided into three parts: the royal family's residence, a luxury hotel from the Taj group and a museum open to the public. The museum has personal belongings, antique furniture and a collection of classic cars.

• 🕒 Museum hours: 9:00 to 17:00
• 💸 Entrance fee: 100 rupees

Want to see Jodhpur with a guide, without worrying about transfers?

If you'd rather do the whole route more comfortably, there are private tours of Jodhpur that include a guide in Spanish or English, transfers and stops at the city's main sights, such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Mandore Gardens, Sardar Market and more.

👉 Here's a private tour of Jodhpur you can book online. It's ideal if you want to save time, get around comfortably and learn about the history of each place in depth.

Luxury hotels:

• Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace: A palatial experience, with luxury and comfort.
• RAAS Jodhpur: A boutique hotel near Mehrangarh Fort that combines traditional architecture with modern comforts.

Mid-range hotels:

• The Almond Tree: A charming hotel with very good value for money.
• Ratan Vilas: A 3-star hotel with an excellent score on Booking.

Budget hotels:

• Jodhpur Heritage Haveli Guest House: It has cheap rooms and a courtyard with an impressive view of the fort.
• Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli: A cozy hotel with an excellent location.

You can see Jodhpur well in 1 or 2 days. If you're traveling around Rajasthan, it's ideal to give it at least one night, to enjoy the fort and take your time exploring the blue neighborhood. If you want to include day trips like Mandore or Bishnoi Village, add an extra day.

2-day itinerary for Jodhpur

Day 1:

• Mehrangarh Fort (guided tour if you can)
• Jaswant Thada
• Lunch on a terrace with a view
• Sunset from the Pachetia Hill viewpoint

Day 2:

• Mandore Gardens
• Sardar Market and the Clock Tower
• A walk through the blue neighborhood
• Dinner on a rooftop with a view of the illuminated fort