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Imagine a rich blend of history, culture, architecture, and food, all set against a bright blue cityscape – this is Jodhpur. A major city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, the Blue City is a must-visit because of its iconic landmarks and cultural heritage. From the majestic Mehrangarh Fort towering over the city to lively streets lined with blue buildings, Jodhpur is a vibrant and unique place to immerse yourself Indian history and culture. This list of the best things to do in Jodhpur will take you through two amazing days exploring India’s Blue City.
Things to Do in Jodhpur: FAQs
Why should I visit Jodhpur?
Jodhpur is a captivating destination with stunning architecture, interesting history, and vibrant culture. The city is home to Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s most impressive forts with city views and a fascinating history. As you explore the old city, you’ll find beautiful blue buildings, delicious rooftop restaurants with regional specialties, bustling markets, and impressive architecture like the stepwells. If you venture outside of the city center, you can immerse yourself in a local Bishnoi village for a rich cultural experience. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or chasing your next best Instagram photo, Jodhpur is a must-visit destination in India.
How to get to Jodhpur?
As the second largest city in Rajasthan, Jodhpur is easily accessible from nearby major cities. Jodhpur has an airport with short one hour flights from Delhi and Jaipur. Jodhpur is also well-connected by trains and buses, but keep in mind that public transportation in India can be very crowded, chaotic, and take a long time. I highly recommend flying for longer distances or hiring a private driver for shorter distances. This also saves you the staring and picture-taking you’ll have to endure on public transportation for being one of the only non-locals.
Where to stay in Jodhpur?
The best place to stay in Jodhpur is inside the old city at the base of the fort. Not only is it a gorgeous place to stay with incredible views, but you’re in the heart of the city. If you’re arriving by car, van, or bus, you will have to transfer to a tuk tuk for the last few minutes as normal vehicles don’t fit in the small and crowded roads of the old city. But it’s worth the small hassle to stay in the center of the action.
$$$: RAAS Jodhpur
$$: Dev Kothi Boutique Heritage Stay
$: Zostel Jodhpur (Clock Tower)
How to get around Jodhpur?
It’s easy to get around Jodhpur by taking tuk tuks, which are on every corner and very affordable. You can also walk to attractions within the old city, but be careful on the streets as tuk tuks and motorcycles zoom by with little regard to pedestrians.
How long to spend in Jodhpur?
You can see the best things to do in Jodhpur in two days, as I’ve laid out below. Some people visit Jodhpur in just one day, but I was happy to have two days and two nights in this charming city. There’s plenty to do for two days and many hotels have nice rooftops and pools, so it’s a good place to chill as well.
When to visit Jodhpur?
The best time to visit Jodhpur is in the winter, from October to March. This is when the weather is cool and pleasant, making Jodhpur’s many outdoor attractions significantly more enjoyable. Jodhpur can get above 40°C/104°F in the summer (April to June) and the monsoon season comes from July to September, so try to avoid traveling in those months.
Top Things to Do in Jodhpur
On your first day in Jodhpur, plan to arrive by midday so you can use the afternoon and evening to starting exploring.
Day 1: Afternoon
Explore the Blue City
Jodhpur is known as “The Blue City” because of its blue-colored buildings, dyed with indigo to repel insects and keep the buildings cool. As you explore Jodhpur, you’ll find beautiful blue buildings on almost every corner. There are many photo opportunities as you wander through narrow alleyways, finding unique architecture and murals. While Jodhpur has many blue buildings, only some of them are the original “Blue City”. Ask your accommodation or hire a local guide to take you to the most authentic spots.
Go shopping at the markets
Jodhpur is a great place to go on a shopping spree. Sardar Market, right next to the clock tower, is lined by colorful vendors selling souvenirs, jewelry, textiles, street food, and more. Jodhpur is an especially great place to shop for textiles, including scarves, sheets, and pillow cases. When you walk into a textile store, you’ll be greeted by floor-to-ceiling shelves of colorful materials that you can spend hours digging through to find the perfect design for you. Many of these textile shops export to designer brands abroad, so you’re sure to get a great deal on something that costs significantly more at home. And good news – they ship!
If you want to shop for spices, check out MV Spices, the first female-owned spice shop in Rajasthan with handmade masalas.
Day 1: Evening
Watch the sunset with a cup of chai
Jodhpur is known to be a city that’s always sunny, meaning their sunsets are often clear and colorful. There are many rooftops where you can watch the sun go down, but I can recommend Chai Shai, a locally owned cafe with delicious masala chai. Watching the sunset with a cup of chai in hand is the perfect way to end your day in Jodhpur.
Try Rajasthani food on a rooftop
One rooftop simply isn’t enough with the stunning scenery in Jodhpur. For dinner, choose from one of the many delicious rooftop restaurants where you can try local Rajasthani food. Each region of India has its own local dishes, and part of the fun of traveling India is trying the regional specialties that you may have never heard of before! My favorite thing to order is a thali, which is a platter of various dishes, including curries, vegetables, breads, rice, and dessert. It’s a great way to sample lots of different dishes at once, and often comes in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Here are some of the best rooftop restaurants in Jodhpur:
- Indique Restaurant & Bar: upscale choice at a beautiful hotel (my tour guide said this is his favorite restaurant in India, and I had one of my best meals here)
- Blue Bird Cafe & Restaurant: affordable and run by lovely locals, claims to be the highest rooftop in Jodhpur
- Indigo Restaurant: mid-budget choice with a great ambiance, especially at night
Day 2: Morning
Visit Mehrangarh Fort
While exploring Jodhpur, it’s impossible to miss Mehrangarh Fort. Sitting on a hilltop surrounding the city, it’s considered one of the most magnificent forts in India. The fort has now been converted into a museum, where you can visit exhibits on palanquins (chairs used to carry people), weapons, art, and more. The architecture is absolutely stunning and the views over Jodhpur are breathtaking. I highly recommend hiring a local guide to take you to Mehrangarh Fort so you can learn more about the fascinating history. You can easily spend two hours exploring the grounds and taking in everything.
Day 2: Afternoon
Go on a safari to a Bishnoi Village
The Bishnoi are a Hindu community who are known for their love for the environment. They were India’s original environmentalists, even willing to sacrifice themselves to protect animals and trees. “Bishnoi” means 29 for the 29 principles that they follow to promote conservation and sustainable practices. They live in northern India, coexisting amongst wildlife. Being in Jodhpur gives you the rare chance to visit some Bishnoi villages, seeing how they live and work. It’s a great way to connect with local culture while maybe spotting some wildlife. My tour visited an opium ceremony, rug weaving family, and pottery maker, even seeing antelopes, peacocks, and a mongoose on the way. Book your Bishnoi village safari here.
For the rest of the day, you can relax at your hotel, grab another amazing rooftop dinner, or head to your next destination (I highly recommend Jaipur!).
Jodhpur is an amazing blend of history, culture, food, shopping, and architecture, making it a must-visit for any trip to India. After exploring the best things to do in Jodhpur, you’ll see why the Blue City leaves such an impression on many of the travelers who get to experience it. If you loved Jodhpur, what about visiting Jaipur, India’s Pink City, next?
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