7 Top-Rated Sight-Seeing Destinations in Jodhpur (2024)
Rajasthan has a number of cities worth visiting and one among them is the Blue City – Jodhpur. Visitor’s to Jodhpur are definitely in for a treat as this beautiful city is not just visually stunning but also filled with some beautiful ancient treasures such as mighty forts, serene lakes, beautiful temples, and more. Apart from being known throughout the world as the Blue City, Jodhpur is also often called as the Sun City or and as the Gateway to Thar desert.
Jodhpur city with its blue roofs and blue walls provides some amazing photo opportunities! Jodhpur is one of the most visited cities in Rajasthan and people from all over the world travel to this amazing city to soak up its rich culture and royal vibes. The popularity of Jodhpur is such that it has also featured in a Hollywood movie which further catapulted this city’s popularity among international tourists as well.
In this post, we have listed down some of the must-visit and best places in Jodhpur that shouldn’t be missed out by anyone who is visiting this amazing Blue City. Make sure you keep this list in hand while planning your Jodhpur itinerary.
7 Top-Rated Sight-Seeing Destinations in Jodhpur
1. Mehrangarh Fort
No matter how long you are in Jodhpur, if there is one tourist attraction that should absolutely not be missed out is the enormous Mehrangarh Fort. Known to be one of the largest forts of India, the Mehrangarh Fort covers an area spanning 5 km and sits prettily on top of a hill which rises 410 feet above the ground. Visitors to Mehrangarh fort in Joghpur will see different architectural styles used as the fort’s construction took place over multiple centuries, under the reign of various rulers. 
Boasting of seven different gates, with each of them having their own significance, this huge Mehrangarh fort was initially built by Rao Jodha and the construction began in 1459. There are several unique features here that are worth exploring such as the walls on one of the gates which still bear the marks of cannon ball attacks, or the spikes on one of the gates which were used to protect against animal attacks, or the Victory Gate which was solely built to celebrate the win of Maharana Man Singh over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner, etc.
It would take you ideally two to three hours to completely explore the Mehrangarh fort and each minute will be totally worth the time spent here! Within the Mehrangarh fort, there are two of the most beautiful palaces of Jodhpur – the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the Phool Mahal (Rose Palace). Also, the carvings on the fort’s walls are simply stunning and exquisite. Apart from the wall carvings and palaces, visitors to the Mehrangarh Fort must also spend some time exploring the six galleries – Turban Gallery, Daulat Khana, Elephant’s howdahs, Paintings, Armory, and Palanquins.
There are few more attractions within the fort that are also worth visiting such as the Chamunda Temple, National Geological Monument, Nagnechi Mataji Temple, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, etc.
The Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur is open for visitors on all days from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The entry fee is INR 60 for Indians and INR 400 for Foreigners. To visit the museum, the entry fee is INR 70 for Indians and INR 600 for Foreigners.
2. Umaid Bhawan Palace
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the whole of India. This stunning piece of architectural beauty is the largest private residence in the entire world. The entire property is divided into three parts – private residence, museum, and heritage hotel. Currently owned by Raja Gaj Singh, this massive palace has 347 rooms and some of the best and unique collections in the museum such as clocks, stuffed animals, photographs, arms, etc. Apart from the 347 rooms, the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur also features an indoor swimming pool, marble squash courts, wood-paneled library, billiards rooms, tennis courts, etc.
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The private residence is not open for the tourists and the heritage hotel is open only for its guests. The museum is a great place to explore as it houses a number of items which were owned by the royal family over the years such as cutleries, photographs, trophies, etc. This palace which is surrounded by a lavish garden with different varieties of flora is also locally known as the Chittar Palace as it is located on top of the Chittar Hill in Jodhpur.
The palace can be visited between 9 AM to 5 PM.
The entry fee is INR 30 for Indians, INR 100 for Foreigners, and INR 10 for Children.
3. Mandore Garden
Part of the Mehrangarh Fort, the Mandore Garden is a lush, green, and expansive garden featuring some of the most amazing cenotaphs in the world. The architecture of these cenotaphs is simply exquisite! Apart from these beautiful cenotaphs, the most beautiful being that of Maharaja Ajit Singh, visitors to the Mandore Garden should also check out the Hall of Heroes, one of the most unique temples in India – the temple of Three Hundred Million Gods, and the Government Museum which houses various ancient relics and artefacts.
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The Hall of Heroes features 16 warrior figures, each of which have been carved out of a single rock.
You can visit Mandore Garden between 8 AM to 8 PM on all days.
Though there is no entry fee for the garden, visitors will have to pay an entry fee of INR 50 to enter the museum.
4. Jaswant Thada
Comprising an amazing multilevel garden, beautifully carved gazebos, and a pond, the Jaswant Thada is home to a stunning marble cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1889, this was also used as a mausoleum for the kings of Mewar and in fact, is even used today by the royal family of Marwar for cremation purposes.
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Featuring a temple-style architecture, the entire marble structure has been superbly carved with a flight of red steps leading up to it. This combination of red and white looks visually amazing and is a great background to click some amazing pictures. There is also an expansive garden which visitors can enjoy with their family and friends.
Open on all days, you can visit the Jaswant Thada between 9 AM to 6 PM.
The entry fee is INR 20 for Indians and INR 30 for Foreigners.
5. Flying Fox
If you wish to indulge in a one-of-a-kind experience in Jodhpur, then you must try the Flying Fox – a ziplining activity. Established in 2010, this Flying Fox Zipline Tour is one of the best and unique ways to explore the mighty Mehrangarh Fort. There are six zip lines and they each cover a different area of the fort. The six lines are – Rajput’s Revenge, Magnificent Marwar, Jai Jodha, Chokelao Challenge, Ranisar Rollercoaster, and Chhota Walla.
These ziplines are perfect if you want to get an aerial view of the Mehrangarh Fort and its surrounding areas. The entire activity will last for about 2 hours and you will also have to go through a safety briefing and practice session before you are harnessed to the actual zipline.
This heart-thrilling adventure activity is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
If you book the activity online, it will cost you INR 1700 for adults and INR 1500 for children and if you book the activity on the spot, it will cost you INR 1899.
6. Ghanta Ghar
Jodhpur’s Ghanta Ghar or Clock Tower is located in one of its busiest areas – Sadar Bazar. Built by Maharaja Sardar Singh almost 200 years ago, this is one of the best places to get a panoramic view of the beautiful Jodhpur city. This royal structure is surrounded by a local market which is the perfect place for visitors to get their hands on some amazing handicrafts and souvenirs.
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It is said that this area which is often visited by locals as well is the heart of Jodhpur’s rich tradition and culture. The markets look even more stunning during the evening hours and are definitely worth a visit even if you don’t wish to buy anything.
You can visit the Ghanta Ghar from 10 AM to 6 PM.
There is no entry fee charged at the Ghanta Ghar.
7. Kailana Lake
Rajasthan has a number of artificial lakes and the Kailana Lake in Jodhpur is one such massive man-made lake. Built by Pratap Singh in 872, the Kailana Lake covers approximately an area of 84 sq km. This beautiful lake is the perfect place for a pitstop for those who are travelling by road between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Also, if you wish to catch a perfect sunset, then head to the Kailana Lake.
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Gorgeous Babul trees, various types of rock formations, and hills form an ideal background for this pristine lake. This is also a great spot for birdwatchers who will have the opportunity to find various species of birds including the Siberian Crane. You can also avail the boating facilities and have a leisure picnic on the banks of the lake.
The lake is open for visiting from 9 AM to 5 PM.
There is no entry fee at the Kailana Lake.
Jodhpur has a number of tourist attractions in and around the city and it can be difficult for travelers to visit each one of them, especially if they are short on time. Which is why, we recommend that you try and visit at least these seven tourist attractions in Jodhpur to have a fulfilling trip.
