Things to Do in Jodhpur: Travel Guide to Exploring India’s Blue City

When we were first planning our India travel itinerary, Jodhpur was one of the places that I insisted on adding to the list. There are only a handful of blue cities around the world and I wanted to see this one! We gave ourselves a total of 3 days in Jodhpur, which I felt was plenty of time to see the sights, visit the markets and also sample some of the best meals we had in all of India, so today I’m sharing this mini travel guide showcasing some of my favourite things to do in Jodhpur.

Jodhpur Travel Guide: What to Do, See, Eat, Drink & Experience in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Go in search of blue

First up, it wouldn’t be a proper visit to Jodhpur without ditching the map and purposely getting lost in the Blue City. With most of Jodhpur’s buildings and laneways painted blue, wandering around taking photos is an activity in and of itself.

Why Jodhpur is painted blue is still a bit unclear. There are a number of probable reasons like: 1) many Brahmins lived here and blue is the colour of Lord Shiva, 2) the colour blue helps keep homes cool during the summer months, 3) there is evidence of indigo plantations nearby and that would’ve made the colour blue readily available, 4) it would have given the rulers beautiful views from the fort, and 5) it would have attracted travelling traders passing through Rajasthan.

Whatever the reason, it’s a remarkable city you won’t soon forget.

Enjoy a Rajasthani thali

There is one meal that stands out from every other meal I ate in India, and that is the Rajasthani thali set that I had in Jodhpur.

For those of you who’ve never had a thali set before, it’s basically a meal served on a platter with an array of little dishes. Depending on the region where you’re having your thali, the platter will typically have plain rice or some kind of bread in the middle (this could be roti, chapati, puri or naan), and then you’ll have a selection of curries, pickled vegetables, curd, and other items.

The idea behind the thali is that you get 6 different flavours in one plate: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy. It’s basically a party for your taste buds, which makes it very fun to eat!

We ate at Jhankar, which is a Jain restaurant that serves up dishes that are strictly vegetarian and egg free.

The restaurant is set in a 500-year-old haveli that oozes history. We ate in their courtyard, which feels like a little oasis. I sank into the wicker chairs and was happy to sip on a lime soda while surrounded by palms and beautiful architecture.

The portions were massive, the food came fast, and every last bite was delicious. The majority of the little dishes in my thali were completely new to me, so it was nice to experiment and get a taste of Rajasthani and Jain cuisine.

If you still have room for dessert after all that food, you can try gulab jamuns, which are fried semolina balls soaked in rose syrup. Those will give you a sugar high!

Tour Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort rises 125 meters over Jodhpur making it the city’s main landmark. The walk itself is a little steep, but you’ll be stopping to take pictures and stare at the grand doorways and balconies so often that you’ll hardly notice the incline.

For something a bit adventurous, you can actually go zip-lining inside the fort! The Flying Fox consists of 6 separate zip lines which fly around the fort, and give you a bird’s eye view of the gardens and the desert lakes. I can’t say I did it myself, but it is one of the most popular activities in Jodhpur.

What I did make time for was food. I ate at Café Mehran, which is located inside the fort and serves up some of the best samosas I had in India. It’s a nice breezy cafe and the walls are covered in portraits of the Maharajas. Another popular restaurant located within the fort is Chokelao Mahal Terrace which only opens in the evenings and offers fine dining with views of Mehrangarh Fort all lit up at night.

If you’re looking for something else to do after you finish touring the fort, you can visit Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. This park sits at the foot of the fort, where you can hike the trails and see some of the local vegetation.

See how the Rathores lived

Once you’re inside Mehrangarh Fort you need to swing by Mehrangarh Museum. While admission to the fort is free, there is a fee to enter the museum (₹ 600 for foreigners), but it’s so worth it because we’re talking about the palace where the Rathores (the rulers of Jodhpur) once lived.

The museum is divided into galleries showcasing various artefacts like elephant howdahs (seats that would have been used to ride elephants), palanquins (covered day beds used to transport the nobility), as well as paintings, turbans, textiles, armour and wood crafts.

It’s a fascinating place, but it also gets packed, so the earlier you get there, the better.

Watch the sunset over the fort

In my opinion, Jodhpur has one of the best sunsets in all of India, which means you’re going to want to find a rooftop to watch the magic happen.

We went over to Castle View, which is a haveli that also happens to have a rooftop restaurant. Reaching Castle View involves navigating a maze of blue laneways and climbing a series of staircases, but once you reach the top, you have Mehrangarh Fort directly in front of you. It was a great little spot to watch the sunset with a drink in hand while the whole city was set aglow.

For something a little more upscale, Indique is a very popular choice for sunset drinks or al fresco dining. This restaurant is located in the Pal Haveli Hotel, which is a luxury property just north of the Clock Tower. This restaurant is a bit further away from the fort, so you don’t get those close up views, but it’s a nice little splurge. The setting is beautiful, the service is impeccable, and they serve a tasty saffron lassi. Just remember to make reservations because it fills up.

Stay in a traditional haveli

For our stay in Jodhpur, we booked ourselves into a traditional haveli.

I’ve already talked quite a bit about havelis in my guide to Jaisalmer, but basically, these are old family mansions that date back several centuries and have been transformed into a mix of luxury hotels and budget guesthouses.

I purposely tried to find havelis while we were travelling in Rajasthan, because it’s such a unique form of accommodation and you can feel the history from the minute you set foot through the door. While each haveli varies in terms of layout and design, you can generally expect dark wooden furniture, hand-painted scenes from Indian epics on the walls, a daybed with silk pillows, shared courtyards and rooftop terraces, and tiny doors that you’ll most likely have to duck your head under.

I stayed at the Jewel Palace Haveli, which had all of the above but catered to a more budget-friendly crowd. It was a property full of character, but my main complaint about this place is that the staff were quite young and easily distracted (we had to remind them multiple times that we needed things like towels, toilet paper and bed sheets); that being said, they are one of the top-rated havelis in the city. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, you can try browsing Jodhpur hotels here.

And that was it for Jodhpur! Our visit was short and sweet, but I’m glad we made time to stop here while we were traveling in Rajasthan. It was interesting coming here right after Jaisalmer, because even though both are fort cities, they each have their own distinct qualities. Jaisalmer was definitely the calmer of the two, but Jodhpur had its own gems hiding amidst the chaos.

Plan Your Jodhpur Trip: Practical Guide, Travel Tips, Planner, Itineraries & More!

When to Visit Jodhpur

Rajasthan’s desert climate means big swings between seasons. Thus, your experience shifts with the heat, light, and crowds.

Where to Stay in Jodhpur (By Vibe & Convenience)

Neighborhood Snapshot: Pick Your Base

Getting In & Getting Around

Arrivals in a Nutshell

• By Air: Jodhpur (JDH) connects via Delhi/Jaipur/Mumbai. The airport is a short ride from the Old City.
• By Train: Overnight and day trains link Jodhpur with Jaipur/Delhi/Udaipur/Jaisalmer. The station is central enough for a quick tuk-tuk.
• By Road: Well-worn routes from Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur. Factor in scenic tea/break stops and the occasional cow conference.

Local Transport Options

Eat & Drink: Blue City Bites You’ll Remember

Street & Sweet Essentials

More Things to Do (Beyond the Headliners)

If you’ve covered the fort, museum, thali, and blue lanes layer in a few of these based on your mood.

• Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell: A honey-stone geometric beauty tucked in the Old City; quietest at dawn.
• Jaswant Thada: Marble cenotaphs in a garden overlooking the lake; pair with your fort morning.
• Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum: A slice of Art Deco royalty and vintage cars; easy add-on in the afternoon.
• Mandore Gardens (short trip): Crumbling cenotaphs, langurs in the trees, red-sandstone charm.
• Zip-lining at the Fort: For the view + adrenaline combo—see the old city from the air.
• Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park: Low-impact trails and desert botany; golden hour glows on the rock faces.
• Sardar Market & Spice Lanes: Cumin, cardamom, chai blends; learn the difference between turmeric smiles and saffron whispers.

Blue City Photography Playbook

Light is everything. The blues pop at dawn and late afternoon. Midday flattens color.

• Dawn loop: Navchokiya lanes → stepwell square → Clock Tower before shops explode with color.
• Angles: Frame doorways with hanging bangles, catch staircases curling upward, look for blue-on-blue arches.
• People & portraits: Always ask; a smile and a quick “photo ok?” goes far. Offer to share the picture.
• Wardrobe tip: Wear neutrals; your photos will be about the city, not your shirt reflecting blue back at itself.

Shopping Without the Spin

What’s Worth Packing

• Block-print textiles: Table runners, scarves; check stitching and print alignment.
• Mojari (leather juttis): Try several pairs; leather softens with use.
• Spices: Whole > ground for freshness; sealed packets travel best.
• Miniature paintings: Ask about pigments and paper type; buy from artists if you can.

Bargaining: Start at 50–60% of the first price, but keep it friendly. If the vibe feels pushy, there’s another shop three doors down.

Micro-Itineraries You Can Copy

One Perfect Day (Highlights at Easy Pace)

• Morning: Mehrangarh Fort → Museum → samosa + lime soda break.
• Midday: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park short trail.
• Afternoon: Blue-lane wander (Navchokiya), stepwell coffee stop.
• Evening: Rooftop at Castle View or Indique for sunset; finish with a Rajasthani thali.

Two Days (Culture + Food)

Day 1: Fort + Museum → Desert Rock Park → thali lunch → Blue City lanes → sunset drinks.
Day 2: Jaswant Thada at opening → Umaid Bhawan museum → long market browse around Clock Tower → lassi + mirchi vada crawl → Pachetia Hill viewpoint for last light.

Three Days (Add a Short Trip)

Day 1–2: As above.
Day 3: Mandore Gardens morning → Bishnoi village craft stops (weaving/pottery) → back to stepwell for golden hour.

Practicalities: Money, Health, Safety

• Cash vs. Card: Keep small bills for tuk-tuks and snacks; cards are accepted at many cafés/shops, but not all.
• Hydration: Hot afternoons hit hard—carry a bottle; many cafés will refill filtered water.
• Modest Dress: Shoulders/knees covered for temples and when entering family courtyards.
• Footing: Lanes are uneven with surprise steps—closed-toe shoes help.
• Traffic & animals: Scooters thread through lanes; cows are unbothered and sometimes unpredictable. Give both space.
• Scams: Gentle persistence is normal sales culture; if a “free guide” appears, decline with a smile unless you genuinely want one.

Choosing Guides, Drivers & Workshops (Green-Flag Matrix)

Accessibility & Family Notes

• Old City: Narrow alleys and staircases can be tricky for wheels; choose stays with elevator/ground-floor options.
• Fort & Museum: Mix of ramps/stairs; staff are helpful—ask for the gentlest route.
• With kids: Stepwells, fort cannons, and lassi runs are big hits; plan a pool break in the hottest hours.

Save-This Checklist (One Page)

• Dates chosen with weather in mind (Oct–Feb easiest).
• Base area picked (Old City for rooftops/markets; Navchokiya for photos).
• Airport/train arrivals set; first night’s stay walkable if possible.
• Fort morning planned; sunset rooftop reserved.
• Blue-lane dawn walk mapped (and coffee stop plotted).
• Cash in small bills; offline maps; language snippets saved.
• Outfit for temples (shoulders/knees covered) + comfortable shoes.
• Hydration & sun kit: bottle, SPF, hat, lip balm.
• Optional day trip penciled (Mandore/Bishnoi).
• Shopping plan: textiles/spices—space in luggage set aside.

12-Question Jodhpur FAQ

1. How many days do I need in Jodhpur?
   Two full days cover the fort, museum, blue lanes, stepwell, and sunset. Add a third for Mandore Gardens or a lazy food-crawl day.
2. What’s the best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort?
   Opening hour for cooler temps, softer light, and fewer crowds. Pair the fort with Jaswant Thada right after.
3. Where can I find the deepest blue lanes?
   Wander Navchokiya and the alleys northwest of Sardar Market at dawn. Keep moving kindly—these are lived-in neighborhoods.
4. Is it walkable or do I need tuk-tuks?
   Both. The Old City clusters well for walking; you’ll still want tuk-tuks for the palace, gardens, and longer hops.
5. Any etiquette I should know for rooftop restaurants?
   Golden hour is prime time—reserve or arrive early, and be patient with service when the sun is doing its show.
6. What’s a good budget for meals?
   Street snacks are a few coins; hearty thali lunches/dinners are still great value. Bring small bills and an appetite.
7. Can I do Umaid Bhawan and the Fort on the same day?
   Yes: Fort/Museum in the morning, Umaid Bhawan mid-afternoon, then race the light back to the Old City for sunset.
8. Is zip-lining worth it?
   If you like light adrenaline with your views, absolutely—the fort + lake circuit from above is a fun contrast to slow strolling.
9. Where should I shop for spices without tourist shock?
   Explore spice lanes behind Sardar Market; look for vacuum-sealed packets and vendors who let you smell before you buy.
10. What should I wear for photos in the Blue City?
    Neutrals or warm tones. Blues on blues can look flat; soft whites, ochres, and corals pop beautifully.
11. Any easy day trips?
    Mandore Gardens for cenotaphs and langurs; Bishnoi villages for crafts; both pair well with a leisurely city evening.
12. Is Jodhpur safe to explore at night?
    The Old City is lively in the early evening; keep valuables tucked, stick to lit routes, and use tuk-tuks for longer after-dark hops.

Have you travelled to Jodhpur?
Are there any other things to do in Jodhpur you’d recommend?