The Golden City · Rajasthan city guide

Jaisalmer, the Golden City

A golden sandstone city in the heart of the Thar, crowned by one of the world's last living forts.

Things to do Food & shopping Getting there Good to know

Ideal stay2 nights

Best timeNovember – February

Reach byTrain or road from Jodhpur

From JodhpurAbout 285 km

About Jaisalmer

Why visit.

Founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, Jaisalmer grew rich on the caravan trade across the Thar. Its merchants built carved havelis of yellow sandstone, and its fort is still home to thousands of people.

Beyond the city lie the Sam and Khuri dunes, where you can ride camels at sunset and spend a night at a desert camp under the stars.

01 / Things to do

Top things to do in Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer FortThe golden living fort on Trikuta Hill.
Patwon ki HaveliFive carved merchant mansions.
Nathmal ki HaveliThe haveli built by two brothers.
Desert National ParkThe Thar reserve and its fossil park.
Sam Sand DunesCamel rides and desert camps, 45 km from town.
Gadisar LakeA peaceful lake of shrines and ghats, lovely at sunrise.
Salim Singh ki HaveliA peacock-shaped roofline and finely carved balconies.
Bada BaghRoyal cenotaphs on a ridge, beautiful at sunset.
KuldharaAn abandoned village with stories told for centuries.

Our tip: Climb to a rooftop inside the fort for sunset, when the whole city turns gold.

Into the desert

Dunes, camels and a sky full of stars.

Sam Sand DunesAbout 40 km from town, the classic place for a camel ride at sunset.
KhuriQuieter dunes and village life, about an hour away.
Desert camp nightFolk music, dinner by the fire and stargazing in the open desert.
Desert FestivalHeld each winter, usually in January or February.

Attraction guides

Living fort

Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila)

A golden sandstone citadel rising from the Thar, and one of the few forts in the world where people still live inside the walls.

Merchant mansion

Patwon ki Haveli

A cluster of five carved sandstone mansions, the largest and most elaborate haveli in Jaisalmer.

Merchant mansion

Nathmal ki Haveli

A 19th-century mansion carved by two brothers who each built one half, so no two sides quite match.

A camel rider on the dunes near Jaisalmer

Desert reserve

Desert National Park

A vast reserve of dunes, scrub and salt lakes in the Thar, home to the rare Great Indian Bustard.

Festival

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Three days of music, contests and camel races in the Golden City, ending with a full-moon night on the dunes.

02 / Food & shopping

Eat, browse and take home.

Ker sangriA tangy desert dish of dried berries and beans.
Ghotua laddooJaisalmer's own small, rich sweet.
Mirror-work textilesEmbroidered cushions, bags and wall hangings.
Rooftop cafesInside the fort, with views over the city.
[Your favourite spot][Add the cafe inside the fort you love most.]

03 / Getting there

How to reach Jaisalmer.

By airJaisalmer Airport has limited, seasonal flights. Jodhpur is the nearest major airport.
By railTrains connect Jaisalmer with Jodhpur, Jaipur and Delhi.
By roadAbout 5 hours from Jodhpur and 6 hours from Bikaner.

04 / Good to know