Places to Visit in Jodhpur, India (the Blue City)

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you.

If you’re planning a visit to India, make sure to add the Blue City to your itinerary.

Jodhpur, located just a few hours from other popular destinations like Jaipur and Udaipur, is the second largest city in Rajasthan.

Where is Jodhpur located?

How to get to Jodhpur?

Jodhpur can easily be reached by other main cities in India by train, car, or bus.

By car

Jodhpur can be reached by car from Jaipur in 6-7 hours and from Udaipur in 4-5. Personally I would not recommend renting a car in India, unless you are a super confident driver. Instead, you can consider hiring a private driver as a transfer between these two cities.

• Jaipur to Jodhpur $65
• Udaipur to Jodhpur $47

By train

Traveling to Jodhpur by train is a great option, if you’re coming from cities such as Udaipur or Jaipur. The train journey between Jaipur and Jodhpur takes around 6 hours.

Traveling by train in India can be extremely confusing to book ahead of time if you don’t have an Indian SIM and credit card.

Other than booking in person, a great way to get around this is to book using 12Go. For a small fee, you can book all of your trains and buses in India with no hassle!

Book your trains here

By bus

The bus is also an easy, and popular, way to reach the city of Jodhpur. For example if you are traveling between Jodhpur and Udaipur, a bus will be necessary. The journey is 5 to 7 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Book your bus tickets here

Best time to visit Jodhpur

The best time to visit Jodhpur is between October and March, when the temperatures are cooler and dry. I would avoid visiting during the summer months, which is the monsoon season in Rajasthan. We visiting in late March and the temperatures were hot but still manageable.

How many days do you need in Jodhpur?

This is always a tricky question for me, as the amount of days needed for a city depends greatly on your interests and travel style.

However, I generally think 2 nights, 3 days in Jodhpur is a sufficient amount of time for seeing all of the main sites, and having some time to just wander the city.

Where to stay

You’ll find plenty of affordable guesthouses and hotels in Jodhpur. Personally, I would recommend staying within the Blue City. It is calmer and a beautiful area to walk around. We stayed at the Kings Retreat. It was centrally located, had large, comfortable rooms, and had a beautiful rooftop with a view of Mehrangarh Fort.

Book your hotel here

Best places to visit in Jodhpur

Explore Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most famous forts in India. It sits at the end of the old town, looming above the blue city perched on a high cliff. Mehrangarh Fort is easily the most famous place to visit in Jodhpur.

Some people even ride the Flying Fox, which is a zipline that starts at the Mehrangarh Fort. We didn’t try it ourselves!

If you’re staying in the Blue City, you can easily walk up the hill to visit the fort, no driver or tour needed.

Hours: 9am-5pm, daily for the museum

Ticket price: 600 rupees ($7.25) for an international ticket for the museum

Get lost in the Blue City

The famous colored Blue City from which Jodhpur gets its nickname is actually only a small section of the city. But it the most charming part of the city, in my opinion. Unlike some of the other big cities in India, Jodhpur is super walkable, especially in this area.

Take a cooking class

By far our favorite thing that we did in Jodhpur was our cooking class with Spice Paradise. I think we must have cooked for almost 5 hours, covering dishes from saffron lassi and vegetable biryani to curried coconut carrots and naan. Everything we cooked was so unbelievably delicious, and the family that runs the class is so sweet. 100% recommend if you’re visiting Jodhpur.

To book a class, simply show up at the shop on the day that you arrive, and book a timeslot that works for your schedule. Even if the gates are closed, you can knock since the family lives above the shop.

Visit the Clock Tower and local markets

Right in the center of town you’ll find the Clock Tower, as well as the surrounding local markets. This is where you’ll find tourists and locals alike congregating.

The Sardar Market, located by the clock town, is a popular area to shop for handicrafts, textiles, and local spices.

Jaswant Thada

Jaswant Thada s a cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, who ruled Jodhpur from 1873 to 1895. It is known for its exquisite marble architecture. Since it is located very close to the fort, it is a great place to visit in Jodhpur on a day of sightseeing.

I would avoid visiting on a super hot day as the white marble reflect the hot sun.

Tickets are only 50 rupees ($0.60) for an international ticket.

Hang out by the step well

Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, or the Jodhpur step well, is an 18th century sandstone stepwell. It is a beautiful display of Jodhpur’s architectural history, and a popular photo spot in the city.

The Stepwell Cafe is a popular spot for hanging out and admiring the nearby step well.

Take a stroll through Mandore Gardens

Located a bit outside of the city center, a visit to Mandore Gardens is a great place to visit in Jodhpur for a relaxing day. Popular with locals, it is a beautiful park filled with elaborate gardens, cenotaphs, and temples.

You can easily visit and read a book or have a picnic, a good way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Try local Jodhpuri cooking

Jodhpuri cooking is some of the best in India, in my opinion. Many locals cook with ghee, giving the food a super rich and flavorful taste.

Here are some restaurants in Jodhpur to check out:

• Shri Mishrilal Hotel – the best saffron lassis in Jodhpur
• Shahi Samosa Arora Namkeen – hot, fresh veggie samosas
• Shandar Sweet Home – a must-visit for typical Jodhpuri cooking
• Gypsy Vegetarian Restaurant – a vegetarian casual dhaba known for their various thali options
• cafe laalten jodhpur – a cute art cafe with a rooftop area

Visiting India? Here are some other articles to check out:

• Grahan Village: India’s most beautiful village
• Exploring the Parvati Valley
• Best Things to do in Udaipur
• Best Things to do in Jaipur

Like what you read about the best places to visit in Jodhpur? Pin to for later!