Also known as the Blue City of India, JODHPUR is the second-largest city of Rajasthan and a must on everyone’s itinerary traveling to India. Once, the city was an important route due to its excellent location. Nowadays, the desert city welcomes tourists from all over the world.
After visiting Santorini Island in Greece, Sidi Bou Said town in Tunis, Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, South Korea, where blue is the dominant color, I wanted to visit the Blue City of India as well. Read the entire article and find out which are the 11 things to do in Jodhpur!
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Get Lost In The Blue City
Why blue? Some locals are saying that blue keeps the mosquitos and termites away and decreases the temperature. Other locals say that the houses were painted in blue by the Brahmins, the highest priest caste in India. Nobody knows exactly, but blue dominates the city of Jodhpur.
You will only spot houses painted in blue in the Old Fort. While some are completely blue, others only have blue doors, blue windows, or a blue roof.
Strolling the streets, looking for blue, and enjoying the silence away from the horns is one of the best things to do in Jodhpur.
Spend The Night Under The Same Roof With The Royal Family
The ultimate in extravagance in Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Royal Palace, is where you can spend the night under the same roof with a royal family. Although you are unlikely to bump into a royal member, the experience is unique and expensive at the same time: around 800USD per night!
The Palace has two major wings. One wing is where Maharaja Gaj Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Umaid Singh, lives with his family.
The other wing is a hotel owned by the Taj Hotel Group. The hotel has 64 accommodations, including 25 rooms and 39 suites. TripAdvisor awarded Umaid Bhawan Royal Palace the World’s Best Hotel in the category of Traveller’s Choice.
There is a vintage car collection of the former King in front of the Palace, so don’t forget to stop by and snap some photos.
Explore The Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort, built in around 1459, is one of India’s most massive forts, and it’s Jodhpur’s main landmark. It is beautifully maintained at 125 m above the city and offers gorgeous views over the old town. At sunset, this place is fantastic!
The entry fee includes an informative audio tour that provides a glimpse of the Marwar Royal lifestyle. You will need 2-3 hrs to cover the three levels of the Fort.
Before you leave, walk towards the Mehrangarh Fort’s back to get a beautiful view over the Blue City from the top.
Go Ziplining
Want to experience something else? If you fancy some adventure, try the Flying Fox Zipline. The circuit has six zip lines and takes around 90 minutes to complete. Zipping over the Fort fence and back is a great experience, not only for the young ones! For the best views across the Fort and the Old City, consider ziplining at sunset!
Jaswant Thada
A visit to JASWANT THADA, an immense cenotaph about a kilometer from the Mehrangarh Fort, is a must while in Jodhpur. Maharaja Sardar Singh built this Palace in 1899 in memory of his father. What makes this place so spectacular? The entire Palace is made out of white marble and looks impressive in the sunlight.
Stay In A Traditional Homestay At The Foothills Of Mehrangarh Fort
There are so many options for accommodation, and you might feel lost when choosing one. I encourage you to stay in the Old City, in a traditional homestay at the foothills of MEHRANGARH FORT.
We chose to stay at Raj Mandir Boutique Home Stay during our visit, a charming and cozy homestay with gorgeous inside architecture, fantastic hosts, comfortable and quiet rooms. The location is excellent for day photos over the Blue City and night photos of Mehrangarh Fort from the rooftop restaurant.
Try The Thali
Almost every hotel in Old City has a rooftop restaurant facing the Fort, so finding a place with a view should be easy. Try the famous Rajasthan Thali, and you won’t be disappointed! Thali is a meal served on a tray with rice, chapati or naan, prickles, and six little dishes with different flavors: spicy, sweet, bitter, sour, astringent, and salty.
Ride The Rickshaws
In the Old City, you’ll need to use rickshaws as the lanes are narrow and the cars are not allowed. Always negotiate with the drivers. They won’t know all the restaurants or homestays, but they will always ask a local for help.
An old rickshaw driver picked us up from the Clock Tower, and he had no idea where to go. He asked and asked, but nobody seemed to help. We took our phone, checked google maps for the best route, and told him where to turn left or right in his language until we reached the destination. It went perfectly, and the old guy was ecstatic.
Shop At Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is the city’s landmark surrounded by the labyrinthine bazaars of Sardar Market: a dirty, chaotic but intrigued market. You can buy everything from vegetables, fruits, or spices to Aladin pants, scarves, jewelry or wooden furniture, and antique artifacts. Just make sure you negotiate tough.
Go On A Camel Safari
Camel Safari is another must while visiting Jodhpur. Hop on the camel,
and explore the golden sand dunes of the Thar desert. Finish the day by witnessing the sunset and enjoying a delicious dinner and a masala chai! Camel Safaris can be booked through your accommodation.
Interact With The Locals
While wandering the streets of Jodhpur, stop and interact with the locals and closely observe the customs of their day-to-day lives. They are always kind and interested in where you came from, where you have been in India, or what type of food you enjoyed the most.
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