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Contemplating visiting Jodhpur? Looking for the best itinerary for Jodhpur? Confused about how many days to spend in Jodhpur? Two days in Jodhpur are enough to explore the best of the city; however, if you’re a food lover, I’d recommend adding two additional days 😉 In all seriousness, our 2-day itinerary in Jodhpur covers nearly all the major tourist attractions in the city.
Jodhpur is one of our favorite cities in Rajasthan. The mighty Mehrangarh Fort dominates the city skyline. Perched on a hill, the fort can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The historic walled old town of Jodhpur, a mishmash of pretty indigo-washed houses, is a joy to explore.
The former capital of the Kingdom of Marwar is best known as the Blue City of India because of its iconic blue houses in the old city.
There are quite a few theories as to why the houses are painted blue – some say that Brahmins (the highest caste) painted their houses blue (they associate the blue color with their deity Lord Shiva) to set themselves apart from the lower cast.
At the same time, some argue that it’s because the blue color is a good reflector of the sun’s rays, which helps keep them cool in the desert heat. Then there’s another theory according to which the copper sulfate in the blue color acts as a termite repellent.
Jodhpur has also earned the sobriquet of the Sun City of India because the city enjoys bright and sunny weather throughout the year, and also the rulers of Marwar worshipped the Sun God.
JODHPUR QUICK LINKS
Airport Transfer: Book an arrival meet-and-greet and airport transfer to your hotel in Jodhpur at reasonable prices on Viator.
Where to Stay: Singhvi Haveli (budget); Ratan Vilas (mid-range); RAAS (boutique); Ajit Bhawan Palace (heritage); Umaid Bhawan Palace (luxury)
Top Rated City Tours: Full Day City Tour; Blue City Heritage Walking Tour
Top Rated Food Tour: Street Food Crawl
Top Rated Day Tours: Bishnoi Village; Desert Safari; Jhumpa Village Homestay In Desert
Ground Transport: If you are heading to Bikaner, Jaipur, Udaipur, or Jaisalmer next, you can easily book train and bus tickets in advance on 12GoAsia.
2-Day Jodhpur Itinerary in Nutshell
Day 1: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park + Jaswant Thada + Mehrangarh Fort + Pachetia Hill
Day 2: Blue Houses (Old Town) Tour + Toorji ka Jhalra + Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum + Mandore Garden + Clock Tower & Sardar Market + Street Food Tour
Jodhpur Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Jodhpur
We spent two days in Jodhpur. Based on our experience, here’s a 2 day itinerary for Jodhpur that includes all the best places to visit in Jodhpur in 2 days.
Day 1 of 2 Days in Jodhpur Itinerary
8 am: Breakfast @ Sam’s Art Cafe
What better place to kickstart your first day in the blue city than the most loved cafe here? Sam’s Art Cafe is located in the heart of the Old Town and is a favorite among travelers for its quirky decor, warm and cozy vibe, A-class service, great food, and reasonable prices.
Whatever you order for breakfast, be sure to pair it with a cup of coffee because they serve the best coffee in Jodhpur.
9 am: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
Located at the foot of Mehrangarh Fort, this 70 hectares of eco-park showcases the region’s biodiversity. There are four walking trails (the yellow trail, the green trail, the red, and the blue trail) weaving through the park, each more beautiful than the next.
You can explore the park independently by following a marked trail, or consider taking a guided walk with a naturalist for a deeper understanding of the region’s unique ecology and geology.
Another plus point of taking a local guide with you is that you get to walk through the blue trail – the trail you should do if you want to get that classic shot in which Jaswant Thada, Mehrangarh Fort, and Devkund Lake are in one frame!
Opening Timings: It’s open all days from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from April to September and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from October to March
Entry Tickets: INR 100 (USD 1.26) per person and Free for students (ID card proof)
A guided walk with a naturalist costs INR 200 (USD 2.52)
11 am: Jaswant Thada
All dolled up in dazzling white makrana marble, Jaswant Thada looks stunning. No wonder it’s labeled as the Taj Mahal of Marwar.
The cenotaph was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State in the loving memory of his father Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899. The beautiful edifice has served as a cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar since then.
The quiet surroundings, beautiful views, and impressive architecture make it one of the best things to do in Jodhpur.
Opening Timings: It’s open all days from 9:30 am to 5 pm
Entry Tickets: INR 30 (USD 0.38) per Indian adult and INR 50 (USD 0.63) per foreign adult
A tour guide costs INR 100 or USD 1.26 (1 to 4 people), INR 135 0r USD 1.70 (5 to 15 people), INR 170 or USD 2.15 (16 to 30 people), and INR 225 or USD 2.84 (31 to 50 people)
12 pm: Mehrangarh Fort
Perched on a rocky cliff known as Bhakurcheeria (the mountain of birds), Mehrangarh dominates the skyline of Jodhpur.
It was built by Rao Jodha Rathore, a founder of Jodhpur in 1459 and since then it remains one of the finest forts in India.
The Rathores (a Rajput clan) named the fort Mehrangarh which means the Fort of the Sun because they believe them to be descendants of Lord Rama and worship the Sun God.
Built at different times, the fort has seven gates viz. Jai Pol, Fateh Pol, Gopal Pol, Lakhna Pol or Dedh Kangra Pol, Amriti Pol, Loha Pol, and Suraj Pol. Mehrangarh has expansive courtyards like Srinagar Chowk and Zenana Deodhi; gorgeous period rooms like Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Phool Mahal (Palace of Flowers), Takhat Vilas, Sardar Vilas, Jhanki Mahal, Dipak Mahal, and Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace); and impressive galleries like Howdah Gallery, Palanquin Gallery, Daulat Khana, Painting Gallery, Textile Gallery, and Arms Gallery.
You can see the well-preserved old cannons along the fort ramparts and also enjoy the incredible views of the city.
We loved the Phool Mahal the most. The ceiling adorned with gold filigree and vibrant stained glass windows makes it one of a kind.
Don’t miss the handprints of sati at Loha Gate. The royal wives left their handprints before committing Jauhar. The fort also gives you a chance to enjoy folk art and music. It hosts performances throughout the day.
Located at the back of Mehrangarh Fort near Fateh Pol are the beautiful twin lakes of Ranisar and Padmasar. You can spend some quiet time here.
Before you leave the fort, get the blessings of Goddess Chamunda (manifestation of Goddess Shakti) by visiting one of the oldest and most celebrated temples of Jodhpur, Gayatri Shaktipeeth Shree Chamunda Mata Temple.
It lies close to the southern gate of Mehrangarh Fort. This is also one of the best sunset points in Jodhpur.
PS: The fort has been a popular filming site for Bollywood and Hollywood. Some of the famous movies shot here include The Dark Knight Rises, The Fall, The Darjeeling Limited, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Tere Naam, and Shuddh Desi Romance.
Opening Timings: It’s open all days from 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Tickets: INR 200 (USD 2.52) per Indian adult, INR 100 (USD 1.26) per Indian student or a senior citizen or paramilitary personnel, INR 600 (USD 7.57) (includes the audio guide) per foreign adult, and INR 400 (USD 5.05) per foreign student.
The photography permit is INR 100 (USD 1.26) for still photography and INR 200 (USD 2.52) for video photography.
The elevator ticket is INR 50 (USD 0.63) for one way.
A tour guide costs INR 500 or USD 6.31 (1 to 4 people), INR 600 or USD 7.57 (5 to 15 people), INR 800 or USD 10.10 (16 to 30 people), and INR 1000 or USD 12.62 (31 to 50 people)
2 pm: Lunch @ Darikhana
A specialty restaurant by RAAS, Darikhana ticks all the boxes. Lovely setting, charming decor, perfect ambiance, flavorsome food, warm hospitality, and first-rate services – would you ask for more?
It has one of the best views of Mehrangarh Fort, of course, best enjoyed at night when the fort is all lit up.
3 pm: Catch an Afternoon Nap
Now that you’ve enough time before you get to your next stop in the Jodhpur itinerary, you can return to your hotel room for a quick yet refreshing siesta.
4:30 pm: Makhaniya Lassi at Shri Mishrilal
You gotta have (it’s a must) a chilled glass of Makhaniya Lassi at Shri Mishrilal Hotel when in Jodhpur. Made with highly compressed curd and flavored with cardamom, kewda, sugar, and milk, this thick creamy drink is worth all the hype. And why not? They’ve been making it since 1960 after all.
They are also famous for their mount-watering preparation of rabri.
5:30 pm: Hike Pachetia Hill
Climbing Pachetia Hill awards you with a bird’s eye view of the blue city, especially during sunset.
The hike starts from Singhvi Haveli. It takes 20 to 25 minutes to reach the top. Once you are done taking in the stunning vistas, don’t forget to pay respect to Goddess Jwala at Maa Jwalamukhi Devi Temple.
7:30 pm: Dinner @ Chokelao Mahal Terrace
Set in the historic fort of Mehrangarh, Chokelao Mahal Terrace extends a royal and inspiring dining experience. The rooftop restaurant opens at 7 pm and is known for its lavish dinner menu and outstanding view of the glittering fort and the city below.
It’s recommended to book your table in advance. A chauffeur-driven Jeep picks you up from the fort gate and drops you at a restaurant.
Try their chakki ki sabzi, ker sangri, and laal maas.
Day 2 of 2 Days in Jodhpur Itinerary
6:30 am: Blue Houses (Old Town) Tour with Breakfast
It’s time to see the iconic blue houses that gave the city its nickname!
Wandering the narrow winding lanes dusted with an array of blue houses is one of the most authentic ways to experience the culture and history of Jodhpur.
Please be aware it’ll not be easy navigating the narrow, unpaved, and dusty labyrinthine alleyways.
You’ll have to jostle for space as cows forage through the garbage dump, dogs loiter around, motorcycles try to navigate, and kids play games. But then good things don’t come easy.
While you can very well explore the blue houses on your own, I insist you join a guided tour.
First off, it’s easy to get lost in the intricate web of bylanes the local tour guides know the city inside and out and take you deep into the alleys to find the hidden gems.
We did a Morning Heritage Walk with Bluecity Walks. The walk not only lets you discover the hidden spots but also gives you a chance to enjoy authentic Rajasthani breakfast and tea on the terrace of a 350-year-old blue Brahmin house.
Suppose you still don’t want to sign up for a guided tour and think that it’s fun and adventurous to maneuver the city’s backstreets on your own in search of the lovely blue houses and seek out the feeling of being lost in its entanglement, you should definitely look for two areas – Navchowkiya and Chandpol, particularly, Brahmapuri. These areas are where the majority of blue houses are clustered.
9:30 am: Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi (Jodhpur Stepwell)
Built by Rani Tawar Ji, Queen of Maharaja Abhaya Singh in the 1740s, Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi is an architectural wonder.
Your list of the best places to visit in Jodhpur in two days is incomplete without including this ancient stepwell. It remained submerged for almost 100 years and has been restored recently to discover the treasure trove of hand-carved red sandstone carvings.
You can walk down (cautiously) the maze of bumpy stairs or just admire it from the top as I did.
Note: Enjoy a cup of coffee at Jodhpur’s favorite hangout, Stepwell Cafe with a beautiful view of Toorji’s Step Well. Its terrace affords unparalleled views of Mehrangarh Fort.
Opening Timings: 24X7
Entry Tickets: Free
If you’ve time, walk about 500 meters away from Toorji ki Jhalra to another lesser-known stepwell, Mahila Baag ka Jhalra.
12 pm: Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
Commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh on Chittar Hill (the highest point in Jodhpur) in 1929, Umaid Bhawan Palace is a true embodiment of the royal heritage of Rajasthan.
With over 347 rooms the palace is spread across 26 acres. A substantial part of the palace has been converted into a heritage hotel run by the Taj Group of Hotels. The current royal family occupies a portion of it, and the remaining part is transformed into a museum.
From paintings, furniture, weapons, and art pieces to trophies and antique clocks, the museum houses the private collection of the royal family. You can also see the royal vintage car collection on the lawns of the palace.
Opening Timings: The museum is open all days of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Tickets: INR 30 (USD 0.38) per Indian adult, INR 10 (USD 0.13) per Indian child aged 5 to 11 years, and INR 100 (USD 1.26) per foreign adult
1 pm: Lunch @ Khaas Bagh
Owned by the royal family, Khaas Bagh offers an unparalleled royal dining experience. We loved our time here and definitely recommend you to dine here when in Jodhpur.
Right from the mocktails to starters to the mains to the desserts – everything we tried was lip-smackingly good. And not to mention the exquisite decore and splendid hospitality.
For all those who are crazy about cars, Khaas Bagh has a huge collection of vintage cars on display. You can marvel at the collection once you finish your meal.
3 pm: Rest and Rejuvenate
Return to your hotel room, put your feet up, and freshen up for the evening sightseeing.
4:30 pm: Coffee and Snacks @ Cafe Laalten
Cafe Laalten is a charming art cafe at Stepwell Square and is adored for its vibrant and artistic decor, delightful ambiance, peaceful vibe, unobstructed view of the fort, amazing collection of books, friendly staff, and of course, great food.
There are very few places that speak to your soul and Cafe Laalten is one of them.
Note: It’s a reservation-based cafe so book over the call before showing up.
5:30 pm: Mandore Garden
Just about 9 km north of the city of Jodhpur, lies the ancient town of Mandore which served as the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar before Rao Jodha Rathore shifted the capital to Jodhpur.
The beautiful and well-preserved Mandore Garden narrates the story of the glorious past.
Mandore Garden is dotted with cenotaphs aka chhatris or dewals of Maharajas of Marwar. The cenotaph of Maharaja Ajit Singh is beautiful of them all.
Other important structures inside the garden are the Hall of Heroes, Temple of 33 Crore Gods, Ravan Temple, Government Museum, and Mandore Fort and Palace.
Opening Timings: The garden is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the government museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Entry Tickets: Entry to the garden is free, however, a visit to the museum costs INR 20 (USD 0.25) per Indian adult, INR 10 (USD 0.13) per Indian student aged 12 or above, INR 100 (USD 1.26) per foreign adult, and INR 50 (USD 0.63) per foreign student aged 12 or above.
7 pm: Clock Tower and Sardar Market
The Clock Tower aka Ghanta Ghar stands at the heart of the old city. It’s one of the most chaotic, noisiest, lively, and colorful spots in Jodhpur. It has to be.
Here’s where tourists choose to stay (it’s where the action lies and it boasts some of the best hotels in the city), eat (it’s where most of the famous eateries, cafes, and restaurants exist), and shop (it’s where the oldest market in Jodhpur with about 7000 shops selling everything from handicrafts, fabric, footwear to handloom, spices, jewelry, and what not is positioned).
Built by Maharaja Sardar Singh about 200 years ago, the clock tower is the iconic landmark in Jodhpur. If you want to get a different perspective of the blue city, climb the tower and you’ll get a view of the market below and the bustling streets in the distance.
The clock tower market, Sardar Market, is one of the best places to shop in Jodhpur. A shopaholic in you is in for a great shopping experience here.
If you want to buy unique and inexpensive local souvenirs for family and friends back home, the Clock Tower Market is the place. Whatever you buy, be sure to haggle for the best bargain.
9 pm: Indulge in the Street Food of Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a foodie’s paradise and the clock tower area is ground zero for Jodhpur’s street food scene.
You ought to try out some of the local delicacies here. We loved samosas at Shahi Samosa, palak patta chaat at Arora Chat Bhandar, makhaniya lassi and rabri at Shri Mishrilal, and Jalebi at Motu Jalebi Wala.
Note: If you can add another day to your Jodhpur itinerary, you can explore Bal Samand Lake, and Kaylana Lake, and learn about life in rural Rajasthan by taking a Bishnoi Village Safari Tour.
Hope you enjoy your stay in the beautiful city of Jodhpur. If you have any questions, put them in the comments and we’ll be happy to answer them all!
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Kudos, very detailed blog. I haven’t read any blog on Jodhpur over the entire Internet that matches your’s in terms of the information that you’ve provided here. Well done.
Thank you so much, Yuvraj 🙂 I’m glad you liked our blog. Comments like this assure us that we are doing our job the right way.
Very lucidly detailed and will visit according to the suggestion . Thank you.