--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Jaisalmer, India | Wimup" description: "The 10 best things to do in Jaisalmer, ranked: the living fort and its Jain temples, Patwon ki Haveli, sunset on the Sam dunes, Bada Bagh and Kuldhara." url: https://wimup.com/city/jaisalmer type: City guide updated: 2026-10-13 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Jaisalmer Jaisalmer, India · Asia · By Wimup Editorial, 13 min read Rawal Jaisal raised his fort on Trikuta hill in 1156, and caravans crossing the Thar paid for everything that followed. The merchants built in the same yellow sandstone as the walls, which is why the whole city glows at dusk. People still live inside the fort. ## Quick answer Jaisalmer is a sandstone fort city on the edge of the Thar, and two or three days covers it. Give the first morning to the fort, its palace museum and the Jain temples, the afternoon to Patwon ki Haveli and the bazaars. Drive out to the Sam dunes for sunset, then spend a second day on Bada Bagh, Kuldhara and Lodurva. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** Nov · Dec · Feb - **Ideal length:** 2 to 3 days - **Budget per day:** $20–80 - **Language:** Hindi and Marwari, with English used across tourism - **Getting around:** Walk the fort and the old city, autos for Gadisar and Bada Bagh, a hired jeep or taxi for the dunes and the villages - **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Jaisalmer ### 1. Walk the living lanes of Jaisalmer Fort Fort · Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001, India Built from 1156 on Trikuta hill and still lived in: shops, temples and homes fill the lanes inside the walls. Enter through Akhai Pol and climb past Ganesh, Suraj and Hawa Pol to the main square. Entry to the fort itself is free. - **Time:** 2 hours - **Cost:** Free to enter; the palace museum inside is ticketed - **Best at:** Early morning, before the day trippers - **Tip:** Walk the outer ramparts at dusk for the view down over the old city as the stone turns gold. Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 2. Tour the Fort Palace Museum Palace · Raj Mahal, Dussehra Chowk, Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer 345001, India The Raj Mahal, the rulers' palace, is the paid part of the fort. The rooms climb past carved balconies and painted chambers to roof terraces with the best view over the fort's bastions and the old city below. - **Time:** 1.5 to 2 hours - **Cost:** Ticketed, with a separate camera charge - **Best at:** Morning, when the light comes through the jharokhas - **Tip:** Go early, before the roof terraces heat up, and see the lanes after: they make more sense once you have looked down on them. ### 3. See the carved Jain temples inside the fort Temple · Jain Temples, Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer 345001, India Seven interlinked temples, built from the 12th to the 15th centuries in the same yellow sandstone as the walls, carved inside and out. Non-Jain visitors are admitted for limited hours only, so check at the gate the day before. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Check at the gate; camera rules vary by temple - **Best at:** Late morning, in the visitor window - **Tip:** Leave leather at your guesthouse: belts, wallets and bags are not allowed inside, and shoulders and knees must be covered. Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/jain-temples-of-jaisalmer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 4. Climb through Patwon ki Haveli Haveli · Patwon ki Haveli, Patwa Haveli Road, Jaisalmer 345001, India Five merchant mansions in one lane, begun in 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa for his five sons and finished over about fifty years. The first, Kothari's Patwa Haveli, is a museum furnished as the family lived. Look up at the facade before you go in. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Ticketed; Kothari's museum is a separate entry - **Best at:** Mid-morning, when the facade is in full sun - **Tip:** Stand at the far end of the lane for the shot of all five facades together. ### 5. Watch sunset from the Sam sand dunes Desert · Sam Sand Dunes, Sam, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India The big dunes are about 40 km west of the city, inside the Desert National Park, and sunset there is the reason most visitors come to Jaisalmer. Go by jeep, take a short camel ride and stay for the camp's folk music after dark. - **Time:** Half a day - **Cost:** Camel rides and jeep safaris are priced by the operator - **Best at:** The hour before sunset - **Tip:** Walk away from the camel stands to the far dunes: five minutes on foot buys you an empty ridge. ### 6. Start the day at Gadisar Lake Lake · Gadisar Lake, Gadisar Road, Jaisalmer 345001, India The reservoir that watered the city for centuries, rebuilt under Maharawal Gadsi Singh in the 14th century and lined with shrines and ghats. You enter under Tilon ki Pol, the carved gateway a courtesan paid for. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Free to walk; boats are hired by the ride - **Best at:** Sunrise, when the chhatris reflect on still water - **Tip:** Pair it with the Desert Culture Centre beside the lake, whose puppet show runs in the evening. ### 7. See sunset over the cenotaphs at Bada Bagh Cenotaphs · Bada Bagh, Ramgarh Road, Jaisalmer 345001, India Rows of royal chhatris on a low ridge about 6 km north, built for the rulers of Jaisalmer from the 18th to the early 20th centuries above an old garden and dam. The domes face west, so this is the city's other sunset. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Ticketed - **Best at:** Late afternoon to sunset - **Tip:** The last, unfinished chhatri at the back marks where the tradition stopped. Look for the bare platform. ### 8. Walk the empty streets of Kuldhara Abandoned village · Kuldhara, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India A Paliwal Brahmin village, founded around the 13th century and abandoned in the early 19th, roughly 18 km south-west of town. Roofless houses still line its street grid. Legend blames the prime minister Salim Singh; failing water is the other explanation. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Small entry fee per person - **Best at:** Morning, before the heat - **Tip:** Combine it with Khaba Fort on the same road: one taxi, half a day. ### 9. Drive out to the Jain temple at Lodurva Temple · Lodurva Jain Temple, Lodurva, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India The Bhati capital before Jaisalmer, about 15 km north-west, now a single rebuilt Parshvanath temple with a metal Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree, in its courtyard. Quieter than the fort temples and easier to see. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Check the fee at the gate - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Combine it with Bada Bagh on the way out and Amar Sagar on the way back. ### 10. Look out from Khaba Fort Fort · Khaba Fort, Khabha, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India A small fort above a second abandoned Paliwal village, with a little museum of finds from the site. Climb to the top for the view over the ruined lanes, and watch for the peacocks that roam among them. - **Time:** 1 hour - **Cost:** Check the fee at the gate - **Best at:** Late morning, after Kuldhara - **Tip:** It sees far fewer visitors than Kuldhara, so do it second and have the ramparts to yourself. ## Best havelis & palaces in Jaisalmer Carved houses the caravan trade paid for, all in the old city below the fort. 1. **Nathmal ki Haveli** (Haveli · Old city): Built for the prime minister in 1885 by two brothers, each carving one half. Spot the differences. [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/nathmal-ki-haveli?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Salim Singh ki Haveli** (Haveli · Old city): The prime minister's house of 1815, with a swelling top floor and peacock brackets under its roof. [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/salim-singh-ki-haveli?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 3. **Tazia Tower, Mandir Palace** (Palace · Gandhi Chowk): A five-storey tower Muslim craftsmen shaped like a Muharram tazia in 1886. Now part of a heritage hotel. 4. **Tilon ki Pol** (Gateway · Gadisar): The carved gateway to Gadisar Lake. A Krishna shrine on top saved it from demolition. ## Best temples & cenotaphs in Jaisalmer Three more sacred sites, after the fort's Jain temples and Lodurva. 1. **Laxminath Temple** (Temple · Jaisalmer Fort): A working Hindu temple to Lakshmi and Vishnu in the fort, busiest at the evening aarti. 2. **Amar Sagar** (Lake and temple · Amar Sagar): A reservoir north-west of town with carved Jain temples beside it. The lake is often dry. 3. **Vyas Chhatri** (Cenotaphs · Bada Bagh Road): Brahmin cenotaphs on a ridge north of the fort. Locals' choice for sunset over the walls. ## Best museums in Jaisalmer Small, specific collections. The puppets are the reason to go. 1. **Desert Culture Centre and Museum** (Folk culture · Gadisar): A retired teacher's collection by Gadisar, with an evening puppet show. 2. **Jaisalmer Folklore Museum** (Folk culture · Gadisar): Textiles, instruments and household objects, on the same ticket as the Desert Culture Centre. 3. **Jaisalmer War Museum** (Military · Jodhpur Road): An Indian Army museum on the Jodhpur road with tanks and the story of Longewala. Free entry. ## Best of the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer The Thar has more to it than one ridge of sand. 1. **Khuri sand dunes** (Dunes · Khuri): Smaller dunes south-west of town and a village setting, with far fewer jeeps than Sam. 2. **Desert National Park** (National park · Sudasari): Grassland and dunes protecting the great Indian bustard, best seen around Sudasari. 3. **Akal Wood Fossil Park** (Geology · Akal): Fossil tree trunks about 180 million years old, a national geological monument since 1972. [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/akal-wood-fossil-park?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best restaurants in Jaisalmer Rooftops with a fort view, and the city's best-known sweet shop. 1. **Saffron** (Rajasthani · Gandhi Chowk): The rooftop of Nachana Haveli, with ker sangri among the Rajasthani plates. 2. **Trio** (Rajasthani · Gandhi Chowk): A terrace at Mandir Palace, known for its Rajasthani thali. 3. **Desert Boy's Dhani** (Vegetarian · Central Jaisalmer): Vegetarian Rajasthani food on a stone patio, with folk music in the evening. 4. **Jaisal Italy** (Italian and Indian · Jaisalmer Fort): Pasta, pizza and Indian plates just inside the fort's first gate. 5. **Dhanraj Bhatia Sweets** (Sweets · Sadar Bazaar): The address for ghotua laddu, the city's own sweet. ## Best bazaars in Jaisalmer The old city's market lanes, each with its own trade. 1. **Manak Chowk** (Market square · Old city): The square below the fort's first gate, where the bazaar lanes begin. 2. **Sadar Bazaar** (Market · Old city): The main market for leather, textiles and everyday shopping. 3. **Pansari Bazaar** (Craft · Old city): One of the oldest markets, for embroidered textiles, puppets and craft. 4. **Sonaron ka Bas** (Jewellery · Old city): The jewellers' quarter, for silver and gold. 5. **Bhatia Bazaar** (Textiles · Old city): Saris, silks and mirror-work fabric. ## Best day trips from Jaisalmer Long drives toward the border. Leave early and carry ID. 1. **Tanot Mata Temple** (Temple · Tanot): A BSF-run temple about 120 km north-west, tied to the 1965 and 1971 wars. [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/tanot-mata-temple?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Longewala War Memorial** (Memorial · Longewala): The 1971 battlefield near Tanot, with captured tanks and a small museum. 3. **Ramdevra** (Pilgrimage · Ramdevra): The shrine of Baba Ramdev near Pokaran, revered across faiths. 4. **Pokaran Fort** (Fort · Pokaran): A red and yellow sandstone fort with a museum, about 110 km east on the Jodhpur road. ## Festivals & annual events in Jaisalmer (2026) - **Makar Sankranti** (14 Jan): Kite day. The rooftops of the old city fill from morning. - **Jaisalmer Desert Festival** (Jan or Feb): Three days of camel races, folk stages and contests, ending on the Sam dunes. - **Holi** (Mar): Colours in the old city squares. Wear clothes you can throw away. - **Gangaur** (Mar or Apr): Women's festival for Gauri, with idols carried through the streets. - **Teej** (Jul or Aug): The monsoon festival for Parvati, with swings, henna and processions. - **Ramdevra fair** (Aug or Sep): Pilgrims walk for days to Baba Ramdev's shrine near Pokaran. - **Paryushan** (Aug or Sep): The Jain festival of fasting, when the fort temples are busiest. - **Diwali** (Oct or Nov): Lamps along the fort ramparts and the haveli rooftops. ## Must-try dishes in Jaisalmer, India - **Ker sangri**: Desert berries and khejri beans, dried and cooked with spices. - **Ghotua laddu**: The city's own sweet: gram flour, ghee and cardamom, pounded by hand. - **Laal maas**: Mutton in a red chilli and yoghurt gravy. Hot by design. - **Dal baati churma**: Baked wheat balls with lentils, ghee and a sweet crumble. - **Panchkuta**: Five desert vegetables cooked together, a Marwari staple. - **Gatte ki sabzi**: Gram-flour dumplings in a yoghurt curry. - **Pyaz kachori**: Fried pastry filled with spiced onion, the breakfast snack. - **Makhaniya lassi**: Thick sweet lassi topped with butter and saffron. ## Jaisalmer transport & airports - **Jaisalmer Airport** (JSA): A civil enclave at the air force station outside town, with a short list of domestic routes. Check the season's schedule before you build a trip on it. - **Jaisalmer station** (Rail): Station code JSM, a short auto ride from the fort, with trains from Jodhpur and on to Jaipur and Delhi. Book ahead in winter. [Website](https://www.irctc.co.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Buses and taxis** (Road): State and private buses run from Jodhpur, about 285 km east. A hired car is the comfortable way and lets you stop at Pokaran. - **Autos and jeeps** (Local): The fort and havelis are walkable. Autos cover Gadisar and Bada Bagh; hire a jeep or taxi for Sam, Kuldhara and the border. ## Jaisalmer at a glance - **Country:** India - **State:** Rajasthan - **Region:** The Thar Desert, western Rajasthan - **Population:** 65,471 in the city (2011 census) - **District:** Rajasthan's largest by area, at 38,401 square kilometres - **Founded:** 1156, by Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajputs - **Nickname:** The Golden City, for its yellow sandstone - **UNESCO:** Jaisalmer Fort, part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013) - **Language:** Hindi and Marwari - **Currency:** Indian rupee (INR) - **Time zone:** IST (UTC+5:30) - **Best months:** October to March; May and June pass 40C ## Interesting facts - Jaisalmer Fort is one of the few forts still lived in: about a quarter of the old city's people live inside it. - Jaisalmer is Rajasthan's largest district by area and, at the 2011 census, its least populous. - The Tazia Tower was built in 1886 by Muslim craftsmen, shaped like the floats of a Muharram procession. - The fossil trees at Akal are about 180 million years old, from when this desert was forest. - Bada Bagh's last chhatri, for Maharawal Jawahar Singh, was never finished, and the tradition ended with it. ## Jaisalmer travel FAQ ### How many days do you need in Jaisalmer? Two or three. One for the fort, the palace museum, the Jain temples and the havelis, ending on the Sam dunes at sunset. A second for Bada Bagh, Lodurva, Kuldhara and Khaba Fort. Add a third for Tanot and Longewala. ### When is the best time to visit Jaisalmer? October to March, when days are warm and nights in the desert are cold. The Desert Festival falls in January or February. May and June regularly pass 40C, which makes the dunes and the fort hard going by midday. ### Sam or Khuri for the dunes? Sam has the bigger dunes and the most camps, and it is busy at sunset. Khuri, south-west of town, is smaller and quieter, in a village setting. Either way, walk away from the camel stands for an empty ridge. ### Should you stay inside Jaisalmer Fort? You can, and many guesthouses do business there. Waste water seeping into the hill has weakened the fort, and sections of wall have collapsed, so a hotel outside the walls puts less load on it. The view of the fort is better from outside anyway. ### How do you get to Jaisalmer? By train from Jodhpur, Jaipur or Delhi, by road from Jodhpur (about 285 km), or by air to Jaisalmer Airport when flights run. Most visitors arrive on an overnight train and use autos and hired jeeps from there. ## Nearby guides - [Pushkar](https://wimup.com/city/pushkar.md): India · 10 picks - [Udaipur](https://wimup.com/city/udaipur.md): India · 10 picks - [Jaipur](https://wimup.com/city/jaipur.md): India · 10 picks - [All of Asia →](https://wimup.com/asia): 87 cities Part of the [India guide](https://wimup.com/country/india.md) · [Asia](https://wimup.com/asia.md) ## Sources - [Jaisalmer tourism board](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [See the carved Jain temples inside the fort (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/jain-temples-of-jaisalmer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Nathmal ki Haveli (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/nathmal-ki-haveli?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Salim Singh ki Haveli (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/salim-singh-ki-haveli?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Akal Wood Fossil Park (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/akal-wood-fossil-park?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Tanot Mata Temple (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/rajasthan/jaisalmer/tanot-mata-temple?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Jaisalmer station (official site)](https://www.irctc.co.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.