Here’s a list of the 15 Best Places to Visit in Jodhpur (India), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
Mehrangarh Fort
The Mehrangarh Fort is one of Rajasthan’s biggest attractions. It is not only India’s biggest fort but it’s also beautifully situated on top of a cliff overlooking Jodphur.
It is built with red sandstone and looks incredibly imposing due to its towering position and mighty fortification walls. The famous Kipling once called it ”the work of giants” and there is no better description of the Mehrangarh Fort.
Fortunately, the fort has been conserved very well and continues to impresses visitors with its beauty to this day. Visiting Mehrangarh Fort is one of the best things to do in Jodhpur if you’re a history buff like me.
Sardar Market
Sardar Market is one of the liveliest in Jodphur and is known for its iconic 19th-century clock tower. The goods on offer here range from handicraft and art to clothing and jewelry.
But there are also many eateries found here making the Sardar Market a great place to try out a variety of tasty local dishes from the region.
Photo: Giantrabbit / Shutterstock.com
Chauhan’s Art Gallery & Art School
The best places for art in Jodhpur are the atmospheric streets surrounding the Nagauri Gate. This area is known for its many art galleries and temples and its highlight, the Chauhan’s Art Gallery, offers a fantastic collection of artworks.
All the art sold here is handmade and available at reasonable prices. If you are looking for a special souvenir suitable for bringing home and use as a decoration for your home, this is the perfect place for you.
The gallery also offers an art school that offers interesting courses introducing its participants to Indian art.
Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
Umaid Bhawan Palace was built between 1928 and 1945 and is today often considered one of Jodhpur’s most beautiful buildings.
The edifice is used as a tourist attraction that draws visitors not just because of its breathtaking architectural beauty, but also with a museum showcasing the history of the building and the city.
Many interesting artifacts can be found here making a small piece of the region’s fascinating history come alive.
Photo: prashantkrsahu / Shutterstock.com
Cooking Class at Spice Paradise
Spice Paradise is one of the best places in Jodhpur to participate in a cooking class. Indian cuisine is known all over the world for its fantastic aromas and delicious curries.
Learning how to cook the curries and Indian dishes on your own is a great souvenir after your trip to India has come to an end. The passionate chefs at Spice Paradise welcome every guest with open arms and are very experienced in teaching foreigners their cuisine.
Coming here is a great experience all around as there are hundreds of herbs and spices found in this humble building and the smells and aromas you will encounter here are incredible.
Jaswant Thada
The cenotaph Jaswant Thada is another architectural marvel and place to visit in Jodhpur. It was built in the late 19th century and serves as a cremation ground for the royal Rajput family of Marwar.
Like many grand structures of the subcontinent, it is built using marble and features beautifully carved sheets that consist of extremely thin, polished marble. The site also features a well-kept garden and a small lake.
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is situated next to the Mehrangarh Fort and was created in 2006 to restore the natural ecology of this large, rocky wasteland.
Due to years of neglect, the rocks were overrun by an invasive species and a lot of work went into eradicating it so that local plant species could return to the rock.
Today the park is a great attraction for nature-lovers as exploring the rock formations and the arid Rajasthani landscape is a great break from the hustle and bustle of Jodhpur’s city streets.
Photo: Thanida Siritan / Shutterstock.com
Toorji Ka Jhalra (Toorji’s Step Well)
The Toorji Ka Jhalra is a typical Indian stepwell that was built in the 18th century on behalf of Queen Maharaja Abhay Singh. Renovation works were carried out recently and today the stepwell is very well preserved and serves as a popular tourist attraction in Jodhpur.
Going down the steps towards the water is a great way to escape the heat of the summer months and at the same time allows an interesting view around the richly decorated well.
Mandore Garden
The Mandore Garden is located just a few kilometers north of Jodphur and is a great destination for half-day trips. It is located in the ancient town of Mandore that was abandoned in 1459.
Since then stands empty after serving many Jodphuri kings as their seat of authority. Due to the centuries of neglect only the gardens remain and serve as a silent witness to the once-great significance of Mandore.
The gardens consist of wild greenery and many interesting temples are still in surprisingly good shape. Particularly interesting are the cenotaphs of the former Maharajas as well as the Hall of Heroes that features many great folk tales.
Marwar Festival
The Marwar Festival is held annually during two days of either September or October and is arguably Rajasthan’s greatest festival. It is dedicated to celebrating the valor of the ancient warrior kings and princes and consists of music and dance.
Folk singers dress in traditional attires and entertain the people with great romantic songs praising the ancient battle heroes.
I recommend going to the main stages located at the Umaid Bhawan, the Mehrangarh Fort, and the ancient city of Mandore, which are some of the best places to visit in Jodhpur for the ultimate Marwaw festival experience.
Phool Mahal
The Phool Mahal is one of the highlights of the famous Mehrangarh Fort. It was used for the entertainment of the Maharajas and was home to the female dancers of the fort.
Its name is related to the beautiful design of the room that is meant to resemble a flower. What makes the hall particularly amazing is its beautiful paintings and the golden ceiling.
Photo: arun sambhu mishra / Shutterstock.com
Singaria Coin Museum & numismatic research center
The Singaria Coin Museum is the project of a passionate coin collector called Subhash Singaria that opened his own coin museum after collecting more than 10,000 foreign and ancient coins.
Subhash Singari is often present at the museum and is eager to tell visitors all about his collection so don’t hesitate to get in contact with him. The museum is also doing a great job to explain the history of its exhibits and is a great place to learn.
Heritage walking tour through the Blue City
Jodphur offers many guided walking tours that lead visitors along some of the most interesting streets of the historic neighborhood of the city, often called Blue City.
They usually feature very knowledgeable guides that do a great job explaining not just the streets and landmarks but also the history surrounding them and how they contributed to the city.
The walks usually take around two hours and often include pick-up from your hotel. It’s a great way to explore the Blue City and make sure that you get to see the best places to visit in Jodhpur.
Salawas Durry Udhyog
For visitors interested in the traditional rugs made in Rajasthan, one of the best sites to explore is the Durry Udhyog in Salawas, a town located just a few kilometers south of Jodphur.
These handmade durries are known for being some of the best in the region and visitors are also welcome to take a look at the traditional manufacturing process used to make these rugs.
It is very impressive to watch the local craftsman create the durries completely relying on their own abilities. Salawas Durry Udhyog is one of the best places to visit in Jodhpur for a cultural experience.
Umaid Heritage Art School
The Umaid Heritage Art School is a great place to visit for anyone interested in art. The courses offered here are a fantastic way to relax while learning the art of Indian fine line painting.
Due to the calm and experienced teachings of the local artist, every participant will manage to create a surprisingly good looking painting that he or she can be proud of.
Another great aspect of this school is that some of the income generated goes to a charity supporting the education of local children.
Want more recommendations on places to visit in Jodhpur, India? Leave a comment below!