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Best time to Visit Rajasthan
Has to be the winter months! Rajasthan receives visitors all year round. But the summer here is very harsh, making it nearly impossible to go for sightseeing in the daytime!
Even the winters are a bit harsh, but as compared to hot summers, winter is any time a better time to visit Rajasthan.
October to March is the best time to visit Rajasthan!
Top 17 Places to Visit in Rajasthan
Jaisalmer- The Golden City of Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is an absolute bliss if you want to soak in the Rajasthan culture. Probably this is the reason why this city is prominently in every tour package you will take. The city has everything from magnificent forts to desert safaris to boat rides, you will get everything here!
The city is usually always crowded due to its abundance of activities. Visit gorgeous havelis like Patwon ki Haveli and learn about the bygone royal life of Rajasthan.
The best place to visit in Jaisalmer should be its Jaisalmer fort- the only living fort in India.
Go for a sun soaked boat ride in Gadisar lake, stay in Thar desert and go for dune bashing, cultural dances, authentic Rajasthani dinner, desert tent stay, dune bashing and much more!
A simple ride through this city will give you a panoramic view of old sandstone havelis and buildings- the reason why it is called the Golden city!
If you are planning to visit Rajasthan, Jaisalmer should be on your itinerary as it is considered as one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan.
Jaipur- The Pink City of Rajasthan
You might have seen the best of Jaipur in the famous bollywood song- Gulabi! The story behind this is- The King of Jaipur had painted the whole city in Pink- the color of warm hospitality, to welcome Prince Albert, the prince of Wales. Since then, the city has borne this name.
Jaipur has plenty of great hostels decorated in the traditional Rajasthani pattern.
Why is Jaipur one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan?
Amber fort- the huge fort that has courtyards, sheesh mahal and other many beautiful sights that scream royal living and history.
Clicking pictures outside the iconic Hawa Mahal, visiting the pink grand city palace, taking a road trip on the streets of Jaipur and eating the enticing street food are some of the best things to do in Jaipur!
Bikaner- The Red City of Magnificent Alleys
Yes, you read it right! You can never get enough of how gorgeous Bikaner alleys look. If you are here, you must opt for a haveli stay and enjoy the charm of Rajasthan here. You can get haveli stays anywhere in Rajasthan, but Bikaner is full of old havelis and hence it is much cheaper than any other part of Rajasthan.
Here are 10 best Bikaner walking tours!
The city was founded by the king Bika, hence the name- Bikaner.
Bikaner is another location for desert experiences and is much less crowded than Jaisalmer. You can visit their Camel breeding center for which you will need to take an hour-long road trip- but its all worth the time!
Visit the Junagarh fort and Karni Mata temple which is known for its inhabitants of black rats which are considered sacred!
Do not forget to snack on Bikaner’s famous Bhujiya and bring some home for your friends and family too!
Udaipur- The City of Lakes
The magnificent city of Udaipur has it all! It is rightfully known for lakes! The museums you will find here have no mixup with any other cultures because it was hardly invaded by Mughals. It has a strategic location in Aravali Hills; reason why it was so difficult to attack.
Must-visit sites in Udaipur have to be Lake Pichola, city palace, Lake Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, jag mandir, etc. Make sure you visit at least one lake at sunset.
If you have a bit more time, visit Shilpgram which is located in the western Udaipur. With the entry fees as low as INR 30 per person, you will get to see the best of culture here!
Kota- Beyond Kota Factory!
Many people do not know how important Kota is and how much it offers to travelers! Many people have the only reference to this city from the famous web series- The Kota Factory!
You might also have seen the Rajasthan Tourism Commercial in which they show the stunning Garadia Mahadev Mandir!
And rightfully said in the commercials- Jane kya dikh jaye! (you never know what you would spot or see in Rajasthan).
I remember Kota was the first stop in our Rajasthan Trip! Just for the traveling convenience, we had stopped here for one day and we decided to take a stroll around the city and we stumbled on this gorgeous place- Garadia Mahadev Temple. It is unbelievably beautiful and serene! This is exactly why Kota is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan!
Chittorgarh- Fort of Pride
You will need to stay in Chittor for one whole day and spend the entire day in Chittorgarh. This is one of the largest forts in India spreaded over 700 acres of land. It has many victory towers, palaces, 22 water bodies and much more!
The fort is in ruins- thanks to Mughals! They captured the fort and successfully destroyed it!
The fort was built by the Maurya dynasty in the 7th century!
What you can expect on this fort- A magnificent 9-story Vijay Stambh built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji.
The fort had inhabited Queen Padmini- the fierce queen known for her otherworldly beauty and sacrifice.
In case you are not aware, the queen had attempted Johur (walking into the firepit to sacrifice life) upon the death of the King, so that the enemy cannot touch her!
This shows the tremendous integrity and valor of the Rajput women! The place where the Johur took place is on the fort and you can still visit it.
Alwar- The City of Haunted Fort
Alwar is one of the hidden places to visit in Rajasthan! Alwar has so many hidden gems but the one you must not miss is- Bhangarh Fort!
The haunted fort had received so many paranormal enthusiasts and it still stands as a history and one of the most haunted places in Rajasthan.
Other places to visit in Alwar include- Alwar palace, city palace, the black fort- Bala Quila, Siliserh Lake and much more.
Remember, you will not find tourist hotels or proper restaurants here as it does not receive much of a footfall. It was such a task for us to find one proper restaurant to eat. My conclusion is- since this is a small village, going out for meals is not common there. As a result we met with so many gazes and looks!
If you wish to visit Bhangarh Fort, get down at Alwar Station and from there you can catch an auto that should take around INR 700 to and fro!
If you start your trip in the morning, you can come back to Alwar around afternoon. Then you can find a decent stay outside of your hotel.
Ajmer- The Only Brahma Temple in The World
Ajmer is a place where you can experience two different faiths. Ajmer is famous for Ajmer Sharif Dargah the shrine of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. This is the reason why it is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan.
Just a few kilometers away the small town of Pushkar is situated. Here you will find the only Brahma Temple in the world. You can also experience a relaxing Camel cart ride here. Pushakr hosts the gorgeous camel fare which is something you must experience.
Here you can also dress up in the Rajasthani ethnics, click pictures, go for rides and learn about Rajasthani culture.
Pushkar is also known for the holi celebrations- one of the most celebrated festivals in India.
Jodhpur- The Blue City
Well, you might wonder why Jodhpur is called the blue city? To me the reason is still unknown but you might stumble upon different theories. One being- the copper Sulphate in warmer weather turns blue and was used to repel termites found in the warmer regions like Jodhpur. Yes, I too found Jodhpur a bit warmer than the other parts of Rajasthan I visited.
There are other theories of why Jodhpur houses are painted blue. You can read it here.
Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rathore Rajput ruler, Jodhpur served as the capital of the Marwar kingdom.
If you want to take a panoramic view of the blue city, you must visit Mehrangarh, one of the important places to visit in Jodhpur. Along with this, you should visit Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace- which is now turned into a luxurious hotel. Some part of this palace is a museum where you can witness the objects of the royal Jodhpur and can walk the history lane.
You can also wait there for a bit and see how the hotel welcomes their guests in a traditional Rajasthani hospitality.
Bundi- Most Ancient Town of Rajasthan
Bundi is one of the hidden places to visit in Rajasthan. Unlike Jaisalmer, you will find very few crowds here. Its known for its warm hospitality. Make sure you opt for a homestay here.
SInce, Bundi has many temples in the city, it is known as “Choti Kashi” (little Varanasi)
When in Bundi, you should visit stepwells for which the city is well known for. Other places to visit in Bundi include- Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace, Garh Palace, Raniji ki Baori and Nawal Sagar.
Hadoti Art Gallery showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Hadoti region, with a collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.
Mount Abu- Arbuda Anchal, A Retreat of Sage Vashishtha
Often Rajasthan is known for its scorching heat. But Mount Abu is here for your rescue. It is the only hill station in Rajasthan and usually stays colder than other parts of Rajasthan.
Mount Abu lets you indulge into many activities like boating, hiking, trekking, watching sunsets, etc. There are a few best places to visit in Mount Abu are- beautiful Dilwara Jain Temples carved in white marbles, Achalgarh Fort, Guru shikhar, Nakki Lake, etc.
Mount Abu has got mentions in the Hindu Puranas, and it is known as Arbudaaranya or Arbuda Anchal.
Its pleasant climate makes it one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan.
Rajsamand- A Massive Lake of Rajasthan
Rajsamand or Rajsamudra lake is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan because it is a proof of that time’s engineering techniques.
It is one of the largest artificial lakes in Asia and a significant historical and cultural landmark.
This massive lake was constructed by Maharana Raj Singh I, in the 17th century. This helped a lot to the citizens in the severe drought. The lake was created by damming three rivers- Gomti, Kelwa, and Tali.
The lake is 4 miles long and 1.75 miles wide with a depth of 60 feet.
There are many ghats and temples situated around this lake, making it a place of religious and spiritual significance.
Shekhawati- A Thriving Trade Center of The Bygone Era
Shekhawati is known for its magnificent mansions and palaces. Since it was a great trade center, many merchants used their wealth to build these big mansions decorated with intricate frescoes and murals.
A blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture can be seen. There are mythological scenes depicted on the frescos of these havelis.
If you are fond of great architecture, then Shekhawati is one of the best places to visit in rajasthan.
Places to visit in Shekhawati- Mandwa- a town known for its havelis (Laxmi Niwas Palace, and the Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli), oop Niwas Palace and the Aath Haveli in Nawalgarh, Patawda Haveli, and now functional stepwells.
Osian- Khajuraho of Rajasthan
Due to its Hindu and Jain temples and architecture and the presence of erotic sculptures, Osain is known as Khajuraho of Rajasthan.
These temples are well-preserved and from the 8-12the century.
There are iconic hindu temples such as Sun temple, Harihara Temple (fusion of 2 hindu deities- Shiv and Vishnu).
Mahavira Temple in this city is one of the oldest Jain temples in India.
If you want to experience the magic of the desert but at a much less crowded place, Osian is a place for you. With the exposure to many activities from desert jeep & camel safari, camping and enjoying local cuisine, Osian is one of the top hidden places to visit in Rajasthan.
National Parks in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is not only about deserts. it has fortunately got diverse natural landscape and weather conditions. If you visit Udaipur, you will see massive lakes. Also there are plenty trekking & hiking points in Rajasthan including one Hill station that is Mount Abu, as I mentioned earlier. This place stays colder than the other parts due to its location.
It is no wonder that it also has five huge national parks with unique wildlife. There are total 5 national parks in Rajasthan- Ranthambore being the largest one, is also very popular among tourists. It is known for its tiger population. You can go for plenty safaris and can spot a tiger.
Sariska Tiger Reserve– Known for its successful tiger reintroduction program.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park– A world heritage site, famous for its bird diversity.
Desert National Park- Located in the Thar Desert, offering unique desert wildlife.
Mukundra Hills National Park– A relatively new tiger reserve, known for its diverse wildlife and scenic beauty.
Longewala Border
This is a small border town near Jaisalmer which is known for the famous Battle of Longewala in 1971. This is one of the most important battles of India. In this war, Indian troops were significantly outnumbered by the Pakistani troops. Indian Airforce had helped majorly in the decisive victory of this war.
If you visit the border town now, you will get to see the museum that keeps the remainants of this heroic war in it including destroyed tanks of Pakistan.
You will need an ID proof to get to this town surrounded by our brave soldiers who are there to help you through everything. Do not forget to eat a maggie in their cantene.
Tanot Mata Temple
This temple is near the Longewala Border. During the war of 1965, Pakistani forces had thrown tremendous number of bombs to this area and especially on this temple. But, none of the bombs were detoned and the temple was no destroyed at all. However, you can see the marks of those bombs in the temple area and inside the temple as well.
This incident strengthen the faith for Tanot Mata in the locals that the goddess has protected the area. Now, BSF (border security force) takes care of the safety and security of this temple. Even they attend daily rituals in the temple.
If you are planning to visit the Longewala Border region, this temple should be on your itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Rajasthan
How to reach Rajasthan?
Rajasthan is well connected by road, railway and airway. However, the best way to reach Rajasthan has to be the Railway due to its proximity to nearby areas.
Road– You can obviously consider a road trip to literally any part of Rajasthan. The roads are well-connected and in good condition.
Railway– Almost all the major sightseeing sites are connected by Railway from different parts of India.
Airway– Jaipur International Airport, Jodhpur Domestic Airport, Bikaner Domestic Airport, Jaisalmer Domestic Airport.
How to go for sightseeing in Rajasthan?
There are many bus companies that offer daily sightseeing in the cities. You can opt for daily autos too. You can hire your own bike or moped to get around on your own pace.
What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?
To escape scorching heat of Rajasthan, you should visit the state from October to February.
Where to stay in Rajasthan?
Depends on your interest. If you want more authentic experience, go for Havelis or homestays. Otherwise hotels are affordable too. For a budget friendly option, you can go for hostels.
What are the MUST places to visit in Rajasthan?
The must-visit places in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Ranthambore National Park.