Places to Visit In Jaisalmer That Must Be On the Bucket List of Every Traveler

by Diksha Khiatani · Published January 21, 2019 · Updated March 19, 2019

Owing to splendid castles, golden sand dunes, ornate Jain temples, etc., Jaisalmer beguiles avid holidaymakers. Bountiful of places to visit in Jaisalmer have a lot in store for the visitors of all age groups. The attractions in the ‘Golden City’ echo tales of the glorious bygone era and epitomize chivalry of the royal past. Above all, the vast Thar Desert invokes images of Arabian Nights fable. Overall, one can rest assured of memorable holidays in India.

When on your trip to Rajasthan, make sure that you explore these top tourist attractions in Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Fort

Made up of yellow sandstone, Jaisalmer Fort is definitely an architectural marvel. Reckoned as one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, the majestic fort turns into honey-gold during sunset. Adorned with ornate windows, walls and doors, the ‘Sonar Quila’ displays the brilliant craftsmanship. No less than a mini-town the massive fortifications holds within itself temples, houses, restaurants and shops. Another point to note is that the fort overlooks the city and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What’s special?

99 turrets
Many eateries offering delicious dishes.
The fort looks stunning at night

Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Patwon Ki Haveli

Flaunting its ornate huge suites, the Patwon Ki Haweli has a fairy-tale architecture. Crafted by Guman Chand, the 19^th-century haveli is definitely one of the best tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. The cluster of 5 grandiose havelis with intricately adorned jharokhas, gateways and archways exude an ethereal charm. Furthermore, out of the five, one haveli has been turned into a museum. Exploring the haveli is obviously one of the best things to do in Jaisalmer.

What’s special?

Architectural style
Arts and crafts of local artisans
Detailed inscriptions

Timings: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Gadsisar Lake

Tagged as one of the best winter destinations in India, the Gadsisar Lake welcomes migratory waterfowl during the coldest season. Surrounded by several shrines and temples, the most famous lake in Rajasthan is a perfect place to spend quality time with family. In fact, to make your vacations memorable, hire a boat and explore the lake or soak in the rustic feel. Offering a handful of experiences, the lake is worth-visiting.

What’s special?

Scenic views during sunrise
Close vicinity to the Jaisalmer Fort
Feed the fish

Timings: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

Jain Temples

The pride of Jaisalmer, the Jain Temples are popular tourist destinations in India. Enshrined within the Jaisalmer Fort, these sacred places replicate the architectural style of the famous Dilwara Temples. Dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras, the temples boasts of a series of seven interconnected shrines. Counted as one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, the historic temples are also a highly revered pilgrimage site.

What’s special?

Priceless historic manuscripts and texts
Legends associated with each of the temples
The entrance of the Parsvanath Temple

Timings: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Sam Sand Dunes

Luring adventure enthusiasts and holidaymakers alike, the Sam Sand Dunes are unarguably one of the best tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. During the evening, these sand dunes are beautifully adorned with bonfires all around. Besides bringing these dunes to life, the magical performances like Kalbelia Dance present India’s rich culture like never before. Additionally, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival lures huge a number of tourists from all over the world.

What’s special?

A perfect place to try adventure activities in Rajasthan like camel safari, jeep safari and camping
Golden sand dunes everywhere
Mesmerizing sunset and sunrise views

Timings: Any time of the day or night

[ Check out list of thrilling adventure sports in Rajasthan ]

Vyas Chhatri

Standing beautifully amidst the Bada Bagh, the Vyas Chhatri is dedicated to Hindu Sage Ved Vyas Ji. Displaying typical Rajasthani architectural style, the edifice ranks amongst the best places to visit in Jaisalmer. Furthermore, the grandeur of the memorials is beyond description. Built on raised platforms, the cenotaphs are carved out of yellow sandstone just like other structures in the city. To put it differently, A trip to Jaisalmer is incomplete without visiting this marvelous site.

What’s special?

Awe-inspiring views of Jaisalmer
Breathtaking views during sunrise and sunset
The chhatris in the backdrop offer some of the candid shots

Timings: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm

Browse the list of Unique Experiences in Rajasthan before planning a trip to Rajasthan

Bada Bagh

Commemorating the nobles who fought for the city, the Bada Bagh echoes with several historic legends. Because of housing the bountiful of cenotaphs of royal families, the place ranks amongst the most intriguing tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. Perched on a foothill, the cenotaphs further display a perfect mélange of Mughal, Paliwal and Rajputana architectural style.

What’s special?

The Govardhan Stambh (pillar)
A dam, a tank and a garden that make the place more beautiful
Enchanting sunset and mesmerizing sunrise views

Timings: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Thar Heritage Museum

Exhibiting an eclectic variety of the artifacts, the Thar Heritage Museum offers a clear picture of the city’s heritage. The museum is also one of the most visited places in Rajasthan to attend the puppet shows in the evening. Because of meticulously exhibiting documents, postcards, ornaments, weapons and coins, the privately-owned museum never fails to engage the visitors.

What’s special?

The snakes and ladder game
Displays of types of turbans, kitchen equipment, death & birth customs
Collection of fossils

Timings: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Desert Culture Centre and Museum

A treasure trove of craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage, the Desert Culture Centre and Museum entices researchers and scholars. Besides this, the museum is famous amongst international tourists as one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer. A notable reason for this is the traditional opium mixing box which is housed in the museum.

What’s special?

Costumes of the erstwhile maharanis and maharajas
Displays of types of turbans, kitchen equipment, death & birth customs
Collection of fossils

Timings: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Evoke the wanderer in you and embark on a sojourn to explore all these top tourist attractions in Jaisalmer.

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Most Famous Historical Forts in Rajasthan

Diksha Khiatani

A writer by day and a tsundoku at night. Emerging from an Engineering background, Diksha is a travel freak and anxious to explore different cultures and religions. Inclined towards the off-beat places, she wishes to uncover the secrets on her Scooty (if possible). She always grabs some time to take a quick nap, listen to music, skating and eat a brownie.