The bustling blue city of Jodhpur, known as the “Blue City in India,” is the epitome of “Old is Gold”! A perfect amalgamation of bravery, grandeur, and royalty, Jodhpur offers an escape from the fast-paced life of metropolitan cities to the calm, peaceful atmosphere of its streets. Whether you’re exploring must-visit places in Jodhpur or indulging in the vibrant cultural vibe, this 3-day Jodhpur trip will give you a deep dive into its rich history and architectural wonders. From stunning forts to royal palaces, Jodhpur travel is an unforgettable experience!
So, let’s explore the places to visit in Jodhpur that will leave you awe-struck.
A Day-by-Day Travelogue
Day 1 – Reach Jodhpur, Explore Markets and Kalyana Lake
I embarked on the journey on Oct 18th, 2018, during a long weekend in Dussehra. We were a group of four friends driving from Gurgaon. Cheers to the well-constructed Delhi-Jaipur highway, the drive to Jodhpur took roughly around 9.5-10 hrs. We reached Jodhpur at 9.30 am on Oct 19th, 2018.
Clock Tower and Sardar Market
After checking in the hotel (see “Where to Stay” section at the end of this blog), we decided to explore this lively city. A walk through its narrow lanes does complete justice to small city feels. The classic architecture – knitting together traditional artwork and archaeological ruins – seems to take you back in time, to when Jodhpur was a city of royals. The vintage and rustic look of buildings and houses painted in soothing blue color wins your heart at first glance. We spent most of our day roaming the markets, getting a sneak peek into the daily lives of locals. Sardar Market is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs, textiles, handicrafts, and local artwork. This place also boasts famous eateries like Shri Mishrilal Hotel, at the clock tower, which is famous for its delicious lassi.
Kalyana Lake
In the evening, we paid a brief visit to Kalyana Lake, an artificial lake, situated on the outskirts of the city. Built by Pratap Singh in 187, it is spread over a vast range of 84 square kilometres and has a range of depth between 35-50 feet depending upon the level of water. This lake is a heaven for birdwatching enthusiasts during the winter season, as the sedge of Siberian cranes stops.
It was completely dark by the time we reached there but the place was worth a try. We stopped our car uphill for a couple of minutes and enjoyed the absolute quietness. After walking a fair number of steps for the day, we decided to call it a day since we were scheduled to have an extremely busy next day.
Day 2 – Mehrangarh Fort
Lunch at Gypsy Restaurant
Day 2 was swamped with the “Places to Visit” list. We had a princely lunch at Gypsy restaurant with an elaborate menu of 31 different authentic Rajasthani dishes. It was an absolute delight to have these exquisite spreads of preparations served to us in beautiful Rajasthani plates and brazen bowls. One needs to be either famished or have a giant appetite to finish off this entire thali. I recommend to have your day started with this wholesome Jodhpuri meal.
Mehrangarh Fort
It was around 3PM after lunch, when we set our GPS to Mehrangarh fort. All of us were so excited to finally visit the most talked about fort in Rajasthan but fate had some other plans for us.
Special Advice
A piece of advice for all who visit Jodhpur in self-driven cars – Do not follow Google Maps for local sight-seeing. Always prefer to ask locals for directions.
Google maps got us stuck in a labyrinth of narrow lanes, just 900m away from the fort. The continuous juggling between directions, constant hurl of abuses from locals and our desperation to get out of the street brimming with vehicles and humans left all of us completely exhausted. We ultimately managed to reach the main road after 40-45 minutes of turmoil and took another route after consulting locals and finally arrived at our destination.
The majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built in 1460 by Rao Jodha, is a stunning example of asymmetrical and organic Rajput architecture combined with the elaborate geometry and floral decoration of the Mughals. Starting from the entrance, embellished with bullet marks, to the view of the blue city and the breathtaking architecture, the impregnable fort leaves you mesmerized. We took an audio-guided tour that takes the visitor on a veritable treasure hunt through the fort including a museum with magnificent collections of silver elephant howdahs, gilded palanquins, carved ivory, weapons inlaid with gold and jewels, rare pieces of textile, and some of the world’s finest miniature paintings. The Maharaja Gaj Singh II, who ascended to the Gaddi of Jodhpur in 1952 at the age of four, also shares his memories of the moving Raj Tilak Ceremony at Mehrangarh.
It took approximately three hours for us, to finish the fort tour with a brief visit to the art and handicrafts shop within the fort.
Check the official website for the latest information on admission fee and other charges included
Jaswant Thada
Next, we visited Jaswant Thada, a cenotaph built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Located within walking distance from Mehrangarh Fort, it serves as the modern cremation ground for the Marwar royals. We arrived around 5:30 pm, just as the intricately carved marble mausoleum reflected orange hues, enhanced by the golden setting sun.
Nayi Sadak
National Handloom, located in Nayi Sadak, is one of the must-visit places in Jodhpur. It offers a variety of vibrant clothing, Indigenous artwork, showpieces, and more. After an hour or two in the shop, one will realize that his/her wallet isdraining out money like crazy.
We ended day 2 of Jodhpur trip with dinner at The Curry’s, a rooftop café in Zostel Jodhpur. While the food wasn’t exceptional, the café’s ambiance and Zostel’s interiors, blending heritage, culture, and ancient art, were truly stunning.
Day 3 – Umaid Bhawan Palace
Finally, the last day of the trip. We packed up, said goodbye to our hosts, and headed to the majestic Umaid Bhawan Jodhpur.
Kalinga Restaurant
Food is something we are all particularly enthusiastic about. So, we decided to enjoy an epic lunch before visiting one of the must-visit places in Jodhpur—the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Zomato suggested Kalinga Restaurant, one of the top places to visit in Jodhpur, located near the city railway station. Moments after settling in, an enormous platter was served. The paneer gravy, served in an earthen pot, melted in our mouths. While, the kadhi had the perfect balance of salt and sourness. The sizzling hot daal tadka with desi ghee was absolutely tempting. Feeling heavy-eyed but satisfied, we gathered the energy for one last adventure.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur is a stunning example of Rajasthan’s royal heritage, home to the former Jodhpur royal family. Situated atop Chittar Hill, it offers breathtaking views of the Blue City of Jodhpur. Its golden sandstone structure and expansive gardens captivate visitors, while the family museum showcases the royal history. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the vintage car display outside the museum. Undoubtedly, Umaid Palace Jodhpur is one of the best places to visit in Jodhpur for a memorable experience.
How to reach Jodhpur
Jodhpur is easily accessible from major cities in India, making it a convenient destination for travelers. You can reach Jodhpur by train. It is well-connected to other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad through frequent trains. Buses also operate from nearby cities, offering an affordable option for travelers. For those flying in, Jodhpur’s domestic airport is just 5 km from the city center, making it a hassle-free journey. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer stay, Jodhpur travel is seamless, allowing you to explore this must-visit city in Rajasthan with ease.
Where to stay in Jodhpur
We had our reservation at this place called Hotel, The Blue House. I highly recommend staying at this beautifully built 500 years old, blue-colored house, located very close to the Mehrangarh Fort. The owner of the house greeted us with warmth and served hot and refreshing cinnamon tea. Parts of the house had been restored over time, but it still held a peculiarly attractive structure. The antique furniture was ornated with ancient showpieces of art and the walls decorated with murals exhibited the characteristics of the ancient era. Besides the extremely congenial and hospitable owners and mind-boggling interiors of the place, the highlight of the house was a rooftop café with a direct view of the Mehrangarh fort. We were lucky enough to get accommodation in two rooms with a private passage and view of the fort. This little corner of ours is what all of us cherish the most.
Jodhpur, has its share of craziness and calm, experience and unfamiliarity, heritage and modernism which makes it all the more special and unique. When do you plan to take your trip to this beautiful Blue city of Rajasthan?
