Visiting Jodhpur and worried about what to do there? Look no further. Here is an extensive list of the 8 best things to in Jodhpur. With a city that’s steeped so deeply in culture and heritage, rest assured, this will surely be a memorable trip.

Who said forts and palaces are a thing of the past. Not when you are in Jodhpur. Here the royal family still runs affairs from the Mehrangarh Fort. The massive structure is built on top of a hill that towers over the rest of the city. The fort has been built from the hill and with resources that came off it; therefore the base merges into the hill and gives a unique look. Don’t miss Mehrangarh fort when in Jodhpur.

Soak up luxury at the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Starting from the museum to the part that Taj Group operates as a luxury hotel to the gallery of vintage cars or the occasional polo matches. There’s a lot one can do at the Umaid Bhavan Palace. This truly is living life king size. 

Located in the former capital of the Maharajas of Marwar, Mandore (5 kilometers away from Jodhpur), is a popular tourist destination. The famous Mandore Garden with its high rock terrace stays open for visitors every day from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. Come here for the awe-inspiring dewals (cenotaphs) which are significantly different from their traditional Rajasthani counterparts. Did the Maharajas of Mewar get influenced by the temple architecture of the South? Find out here.

On your way back from Mehrangarh Fort, stop at Jaswant Thada Mausoleum. Standing on the shore of a lake, this white marble mausoleum is a dainty beauty.  Built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the place offers a panoramic view of Jodhpur city and the Mehrangarh fort looming large in the distance. One of the best things to do in Jodhpur for sure.

Head to Osian – an ancient and deserted town 65 kilometers from Jodhpur - to delve deep into history. The town is home to 15 uniquely crafted Hindu and Jain temples that date back to the 7^th and 8^th Century. A huge number of temples have been lost to time but the ones that remain standing are a testimony to the rich heritage of India’s past.

Head 5 kilometers out of Jodhpur city to find some peace on the shores of the Balsamand Lake. Located near the Takhat Sagar hills, the lake is surrounded by mango, papaya, guava and plum orchards. You can also visit the nearby Takhat Sagar lake and visit the Siddhnath Shiv Temple. Definitely one of the best things to do in Jodhpur.

If you flock to Jodhpur in October, you will have one of the best things to do in the city. This is when the annual Marwar Festival takes place. Initially known as the Maand festival, this is a yearly celebration in honour of the medieval heroes of Rajasthan. Here you can catch traditional folk art performances and even a camel tattoo show and a polo match.

Once you have gone around the city and explored all the above in this list, there just one simple thing left to do. Take a break and soak it all in. And what better spot than a rooftop café for this? Pick something like the Indique Restaurant. Enjoy the food, the luxury, the ambient lighting and pensively gaze at the far away Mehrangarh Fort standing gloriously in the night, lit with a brilliant golden light.