Things to do in Jaisalmer Island

Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City because of the colour of its buildings, is one of the most impressive places in India. It is located in the heart of the Thar Desert, and while there is much to see in Jaisalmer, the most striking feature is the fort, which can be seen for miles around rising up among the city’s buildings. The city was built in the 12th century by maharaja Jaisar Singh, and for a time was the capital of the dynasty.

In this post we’ll help you prepare for your trip so you can get the most out of your experience. We tell you about the essential stops to make in Jaisalmer, the temples to see, the Gasi Sagar pond and much more. You can also go on excursions in and around the desert. Below you will also find travel tips and recommendations for accommodation and restaurants. Jaisalmer is a stunning city, very different from the rest of India, so we’re sure you’ll have the time of your life.

What are the best places to see in Jaisalmer?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. Jain temples to see in Jaisalmer

The city of Jaisalmer is influenced by the Jain religion, a minority religion practised by only a few thousand in the country. Its temples are characterised by giant carved sandstone sculptures. There are 7 temples inside the fort. The entrance fee is 200 rupees and you will be asked to leave your shoes outside before entering. The experience is well worth it as the temples are well preserved.

2. Gadsisar Lake

South of the city is the Gadsisar Lake, a must-see in Jaisalmer. It was artificially constructed in the 1400s to provide water for the entire city and never dries up because it is constantly supplied with water by the Gandhi Canal. It is also home to many migratory birds, so it is always full of life.

It’s worth a trip to the lake to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once there you can stroll around, hire a boat and visit the temples and shrines that surround it. The image of the buildings reflected in the lake is breathtaking. You’ll find it hard not to get your camera out.

3. Havelis, the houses to see in Jaisalmer

Havelis is the name given to the stately homes, impressive palatial mansions with gilded facades. There are many in Jaisalmer, but probably the most impressive is Havelis Patwon, a collection of houses belonging to an old merchant family. In fact, one of the houses can be visited inside as it has been converted into a museum. The price is 6.5€ and visiting hours are from 9:00h to 17:00h.

There are more stately homes inside the fort, but the ones most worth seeing are haveli Salim Singh Ki and haveli Nathmal-Ki.

4. Bada Bagh

This is a tomb and memorial built in honour of Maharaja Jai Singh II, remembered for building a dam across the lake to grow a garden in the middle of the desert. In the compound you will see several structures called Chhatris where different members of the royal family are laid to rest. The last one to be built dates from the 20th century.

5. Jaisalmer Fort

The Fort, a must-see in Jaisalmer, was built in the 11th century, and to this day is considered the oldest fort still inhabited. That’s why it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2013. The walls and watchtowers are in pristine condition, and the fort has four entrances leading to a network of narrow lanes lined with handicraft shops, small palaces and restaurants.

What to see around Jaisalmer?

1. Desert National Park

Within the Thar Desert and bordering Pakistan is the Desert National Park, a reserve whose purpose is to protect endangered species and provide shelter for many others. The park is home to up to 40 different animal species such as foxes, birds, cats and hedgehogs. The park was proposed as a World Heritage Site in 2009 in order to protect all these animal species.

2. Thar Desert Excursion

A highly recommended activity to do in Jaisalmer is to go on a Thar desert tour. These tours can be done by jeep or camel, and some include dinner so you can enjoy the sunset among the Sam’s dunes. The route also passes through several desert villages. It’s advisable to check with the agencies organising the tours, as some of them don’t treat the animals particularly well and can be uncomfortable for tourists.

3. Lodhurva, ancient capital of the Bhatti dynasty 

15km from the city is the former capital of the Bhatti empire until the 12th century. The city is abandoned, but still retains the grandeur of its era and there are several well-preserved buildings and temples, the most impressive being the Jain temple dedicated to the tirthankara. In Lodhurva it is as if time has stood still. The town is just 15km from Jaisalmer.

What to see in 1 day in Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer can be seen well in one day, although if you also want to visit the surrounding areas you would need at least 3 days. In 24 hours our recommendation is to focus on the fort, wander through its narrow streets, visit the havelis, the 7 Jain temples and Gadsisar Lake. This alone will give you a very full day, and you’ll also have time to wander around the little shops and enjoy the local cuisine.

If you decide to spend more than a day, we recommend a visit to the surrounding area. There are many impressive villages and ancient towns, such as Lodhurva and Kuldhara. And you can also take the camel or jeep treks through the desert to watch the sunset over the dunes.

Where and what to eat in  Jaisalmer?

You’ll find a wide variety of food in Jaisalmer, but you have to know where to look. Restaurants in the centre of town are more expensive, and the quality is not the best. The best thing to do is to go a little further away from the main streets or look in the hotel restaurants, which may be a little more expensive, but are of the highest quality. A speciality not to be missed is the Lassi, which is a common drink throughout the country, but here it is spiced in a particular way. Here are a few of our favourite restaurants:

• Bob Restaurant and Guesthouse: is a simple restaurant with very moderate prices. It is perfect for any meal of the day.
• Prithvi Restaurant: This restaurant is a little more expensive than usual, but worth the price for the spectacular views of the fort and the quality of the cuisine.
• Zoya Ka Zqyeka is a cosy restaurant serving authentic home-cooked Indian food. It’s open every day and the breakfast menu is a marvel.

Where to stay in Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer has a wide range of accommodation on offer. You’ll find everything from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels. The centre is a good place to stay as it’s closer to the main attractions, but it’s also noisier and more expensive. A good option for accommodation just 10 minutes from the centre is Kalarnaka Colony. Here are a few recommendations for accommodation:

• Moustache Jaisalmer: This is a nice hostel very well located next to the fort. The price of a bunk bed doesn’t go above 11€ and it has very nice common areas where you can relax.
• Hotel Lal Garh Fort And Palace: This beautiful 3-star hotel is a great place to stay in Jaisalmer. It has a swimming pool, restaurant and is very close to the centre. Prices are also very affordable at around €44 a night.
• Wild Heritage Desert Camp: is a pleasant resort with small private en-suite cabins. They have a swimming pool, gardens and an outdoor bar. It’s the perfect place to unwind. It is also very well connected to the main points of interest. The price per night ranges from €50 to €70.

How to get to Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer is on the country’s tourist itinerary, so it won’t be difficult to get there. If you’re on the road, it’s best to take the train, which departs from cities such as Jaipur and Jodhpur, and there’s the option to travel overnight. From Jodhpur the train takes 6 hours, and 5 hours if you take the bus.

There is also an airport in Jaisalmer, so you can fly from anywhere in India. There are numerous low-cost airlines, so it’s not too expensive.

For getting around the city, it’s best to walk or take a tuc-tuc, but be aware that you’ll have to haggle over the price.

What should I consider before travelling to Jaisalmer?

• A visa is required to travel to Jaisalmer. It can be obtained online and is usually granted in less than a week. The cost is around €70.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The city is safe, but be careful and watch out for your belongings.
• The official currency of India is the rupee.
• The traffic is crazy, if you can avoid it, don’t drive.
• Driving is part of everyday life, so be prepared.
• Best to avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
• Don’t try to see the whole country in one trip, India is huge. If you have to choose, it’s best to start in the north.
• The climate varies a lot from one area to another. If you’re going to the mountains the best time is summer, but for the rest of the country, travel is recommended between December and March.
• Beware of scams, they are very common.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Jaisalmer?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Jaisalmer.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently Asked Questions about a trip to Jaisalmer