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If you’re planning your first trip to Jodhpur, I’ve got your back. I’ll tell you how to get there, the best season to go, where to grab a bite, sleep well, and all the fun stuff to do and see. Let’s make your visit to Jodhpur easy and awesome with our travel guide to visiting Jodhpur!
Read more: India itinerary ideas for spending 1 to 4 weeks
Jodhpur, the second-largest city in Rajasthan, is nicknamed the Blue City because of the blue houses in its old quarter. Even though the blue houses are fewer now and spread out, they’re still there.
Walking through the narrow, twisting streets of the old city, I managed to find some of these old blue Brahmin homes. It’s a lively place. You’ll see women doing daily chores, like washing clothes or chopping vegetables or gossiping with neighbors on their doorsteps, and kids playing games in the lanes.
It feels like the real, everyday life of Jodhpur happens in these streets.
If you take the time to wander these streets, you’ll bump into plenty of culture and, of course, vintage doors and windows (I absolutely adore them). Around you, there will be markets with spices, fabrics, and handmade crafts.
Every corner offers something special — a taste, a sound, a slice of the past, and a piece of story.
Travel Guide to Jodhpur: Things to Know Before Planning a Trip to Jodhpur
Where is Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a city in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan in northwest India. It’s famous for its blue-painted houses and the massive Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city. And, of course, it’s counted among India’s top cities for tourists.
How Many Days in Jodhpur
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Jodhpur, I’d say two days should do the trick. That’s enough time to see the big spots like Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace without rushing.
You can also fit in some wandering around the old city to see the blue houses and shop in the markets.
With an extra day, you could even squeeze in a day trip to a nearby village or just chill and enjoy some local food. It’s a nice amount of time to get a real taste of what Jodhpur’s all about.
Best Time to Visit Jodhpur
Unquestionably, winter (October to February) is the perfect time to visit Jodhpur or any other city in Rajasthan, for that matter. It’s when the weather is perfect for exploration.
How to Get to Jodhpur
Jodhpur is well-connected by air, road, and rail with all the major cities in India. Indigo, SpiceJet, Vistara, and Air India are the major airlines that operate flights to and from Jodhpur.
A strong network of national highways makes a road journey hassle-free and fun. You can easily drive from Delhi to Jodhpur via NH 48. The entire journey takes about 11 hours but you don’t need to drive at a stretch as you can halt at Jaipur or Ajmer for a night.
If you don’t want to use your own car, there are many tour operators you can rent a car from. There’s also an option to hire a car with a driver if driving isn’t your cup of tea. Also, there are regular trains and buses (state buses, deluxe buses, or coaches) from different cities in India to Jodhpur.
How to Get Around Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a compact city. The old city is best explored on foot. Places that are far from the center of the city can be visited using an auto-rickshaw or taxi or Uber or Ola.
If you don’t want to haggle with auto-rickshaw drivers and want to explore the city stress-free, I’d recommend you hire a driver for the entire duration of your stay in Jodhpur.
For travelers who want to make the most of their time in Jodhpur without getting into the hassle of arranging transportation, guided tours are the way to go. Get Your Guide and Viator offer some mind-blowing private and group tours.
Where to Stay in Jodhpur
There’s no dearth of places to stay in Jodhpur as it’s a prime tourist city in Rajasthan. I’d suggest you book accommodation in the old city as most of the attractions are nearby.
We stayed at Jhankar Haveli. It was a nice experience, however, we would not recommend booking it if you’ve young kids. They don’t have a lift and the stairs are too steep.
Other best places to stay in Jodhpur (as per travelers’ ratings) include Pal Haveli, Singhvi Haveli, RAAS, Ratan Vilas, and Ajit Bhawan. You can book the iconic Umaid Bhawan Palace for an ultra-luxurious experience.
Find the last-minute deals for accommodations in Jodhpur
What and Where to Eat in Jodhpur
From savory snacks to sweet treats, Jodhpur is known for its food. A food lover would never want to leave Jodhpur. It’s purely a food lovers’ playground! Here are our favorite eateries to visit and food items to taste when in Jodhpur:
Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi and Malai Roti at Vijay Restaurant
Pyaaz Kachori (a fried pastry filled with a spicy onion filling) at Janta Sweet Home
Makhaniya Lassi and Rabri (sweet condensed-milk-based dish) at Shri Mishrilal Hotel
Jalebi (a spiral-shaped crisp and juicy sweet made with all-purpose flour and sugar syrup) at Motu Jalebi Wala
Samosa (a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, including ingredients such as spiced potatoes, onions, paneer, and peas) at Shahi Samosa
Palak Patta Chat (crisp and fried spinach fritters topped with spicy green chutney, tangy and sweet tamarind dates chutney and onions, sev and spice mixes) at Arora Chat Bhandar
Ghewar (a disc-shaped sweet made from ghee, flour, and sugar syrup) at Mohan Ji Mithai Wala
Mawa Kachori (fried dumpling filled with a sweet and fragrant mixture of mawa and nuts dipped in sugar syrup), Makhan Bada (deep-fried dough balls made of all-purpose flour soaked in sugar syrup), Rabri Ladoo (deep-fried gram flour balls mixed with rabri and sugar syrup), and Besan Chakki (Indian dense milk-based sweet made of roasted gram flour and sugar) at Jodhpur Sweets
Rajasthani Thali, Ker Sangri (dried Ker Berries and Sangri Beans cooked with yogurt and Indian spices), and Raab (special winter drink made of pearl millet)at Gypsy Restaurant
Dal Bati Churma (fried wholemeal flour balls served with spicy lentils and sweet bati powder) at Bhawani Dal Bati Churma in Sardarpura
Laal Maas (mutton curry prepared in a sauce of yogurt, hot spices, and garlic) at Kalinga Restaurant
Gatte ki Sabzi (cooked gram flour dumplings dipped in spicy curd gravy) at Midtown at Shanti Bhawan Heritage Hotel
Mirchi Vada (stuffed chili fritters or chili cutlets) at Pokar Sweets and Restaurants
Masala Cheese Omelette (a pancake made from beaten eggs, melted cheese, grated coconut, tomatoes, onions, and spicy masala) at Omelette Shop
Masala Chai (an Indian beverage made by brewing black tea with spices, sugar, and milk) at Bhati Tea Stall
The fine-dining restaurants to try in Jodhpur are:
Khaas Bagh
Indique
Darikhana and Baradari by RAAS
Chokelao Mahal Terrace
Risala by Umaid Bhawan Palace
If you’re fond of cafes like us, you must try:
Dylan’s Cafe
Stepwell Cafe
Sam’s Art Cafe
The Book Cafe
Cafe Laalten
There are quite many amazing food tours in Jodhpur to relish the local delicacies.
What and Where to Shop in Jodhpur
Mohanlal Verhomal Spices (MV SPICES) at Sardar Market for spices and tea
Sojati Gate Market (famous for its Mehendi artists) and Tripolia Bazaar for Rajasthani handicrafts
Mochi Bazaar for Rajasthani mojris
Nai Sarak and Kapraa Bazaar for Rajasthani fabric like bandhani and leheriya
Sarafa Bazaar for silver jewelry
I did not visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Market, but it’s also popular in Jodhpur, especially for antiques.
Special recommendations – Bibaji Churi Wale for hand-crafted bangles, Pukhraj Durry Udhyog for colorful durries (handwoven rugs), and Maharani Textiles and Handicrafts for export quality fabric and art pieces.
We also loved shopping at the Mehrangarh Museum Shop. You can buy some cool souvenirs like fridge magnets, stoles, t-shirts, tote bags, coasters, coin purses, and much more from here at reasonable prices. The profit goes toward the restoration and conservation of the historic fort.
This 2 hours guided shopping tour by Yo Tours takes you through the vibrant and lively markets of Jodhpur.
What to See and Do in Jodhpur
In Jodhpur, there’s a lot to see and do, and it’s all pretty beautiful and unique. First up, you’ve got to check out Mehrangarh Fort. It’s huge and sits on a hill so you can see it from all over the city. Inside, there are palaces and a museum with all sorts of amazing stuff from way back when.
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is a cool spot too, especially if you like nature. It’s right next to the fort and has all these walking trails and plants that are from the desert.
Then, there’s the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Part of it’s a hotel, but you can visit the museum part and see how the royals lived. And don’t miss the Jaswant Thada; it’s a beautiful white marble memorial that’s super peaceful.
For something different, head to the blue parts of the old city. The streets are narrow and it feels like stepping back in time. You’ll see those vintage doors and windows I love and get to capture some great photos.
You should also walk around the markets. Sardar Market near the clock tower is perfect for picking up souvenirs, trying mounth-watering street food, or just watching the city buzz.
If you’re up for a day trip, go see the Bishnoi villages. It’s a different world there, where people live in mud huts and really care about nature.
You can also take a trip to the desert and have dinner under the stars, or visit the ancient town of Mandore with its gardens and ruins.
Also, you should definitely climb up to Pachetia Hill. It’s a bit of a hike, but the view from the top is awesome.
Don’t forget about the ancient stepwell, Toorji Ka Jhalra. Not as maintained as Chand Baori or Panna Meena ka Kund, but a nice historic place to add to the list.
We hope this guide makes planning your first trip to Jodhpur easier. Remember, if you have any questions or need a bit more info, just give me a shout. Have a great trip, and I’m excited to hear all your stories when you return!
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