Best Cities to Visit in Rajasthan: A Journey Through Royal India

Rajasthan is a beautiful land of history, culture, colours and royal grandeur. It offers numerous experiences that can shock, surprise and stun any traveller. This justifies the state drawing over 5.2 crore tourists in the first quarter of 2025. 

Every city in Rajasthan whispers a different story and offers a unique experience. These cities are full of golden sand dunes, historic forts, tranquil lakes and vibrant colours. In this blog, we will explore the best cities in Rajasthan to visit.

Best Cities to Visit in Rajasthan

1. Jaipur 

Jaipur, also known as the Pink City of India, is the best city to visit in Rajasthan, which should also be your starting point. It is a vibrant and bustling city, and at the same time, so beautifully royal. While in Jaipur, you must visit the Amber Fort, which is at the heart of tourist attractions. All of its walls are painted with stories about royals, kings and queens.

Visit Hawa Mahal for its iconic pink, honeycomb facade, an architectural feat blending Rajput and Mughal styles. But what’s something one simply shouldn’t miss? The bazaars. Bazaars in Jaipur boast centuries of craft as you wander through the rows of textiles, jewellery, and spices.

●    Attractions: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Albert Hall Museum, Jal Mahal, Birla Mandir, Johari Bazaar
●    City Visit Duration: 2-3 days
●    Best Time to Visit: October to March

2. Udaipur

Udaipur is popularly referred to as the City of Lakes, and for all the right reasons. Its waters are like mirrors, and reflect marble palaces, which appear to be floating on the surface. The sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola promises an unforgettable experience. And once you get off of it, the sky is awash with colour, whereas the City Palace glows like molten gold.

Udaipur is more than lakes and grandeur. It incentivises you to slow down. Sip chai at the ghats, stroll in the narrow lanes of the handicraft shops, or sit and watch the evening light blur the lines of the palace skyline. The city will teach you the art of stillness, and yet it encloses you with beauty.

●    Attractions: City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki Bari, Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Shilpgram, Bagore ki Haveli, Eklingji Temple
●    City Visit Duration: 2-3 days
●    Best Time to Visit: September to March

3. Jodhpur

Jodhpur, also called Blue City, combines history, culture, and daily life. The city is home to Mehrangarh Fort, which is one of the largest forts in India. The fort offers spectacular views of the houses painted in blue colour that seem to be a sea beneath. The fort has luxurious palaces, intricate carvings and museums, which make centuries of the Rajput heritage come alive.
While you are in Jodhpur, you must visit Toorji ka Jhalra. It is a stepwell that provides an insight into the traditional water architecture. When you start to feel hungry, you can savour the true Rajasthani cuisine, be it mirchi vada or mawa kachoris.
●    Attractions: Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Gardens, Clock Tower and Sardar Market, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Chamunda Mata Temple and Toorji ka Jhalra
●    City Visit Duration: 2 days
●    Best Time to Visit: October to March

4. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, the Golden City, rises out of the sands of the Thar desert. It is home to Jaisalmer fort, a gigantic sculpture of sandstone in the desert sun, which is unlike any other fort that you will see in Rajasthan. There are still families who live in it. There are also shops that are still operational.

It is awe-inspiring to see the sun set behind the Sam Sand Dunes and look up later at a sky with so many stars, and realise how small you are in the big, old landscape.

●    Attractions: Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli, Sam Sand Dunes, Gadisar Lake, Desert National Park, Jain Temples, Bada Bagh.
●    City Visit Duration: 2-3 days
●    Best Time to Visit: November to February

5. Pushkar

Pushkar doesn’t impress you with forts or palaces. It slows you down with its lake and its rhythm. Walking around the ghats, hearing temple bells and watching prayers float across the water, you feel something calm settle in you.
But Pushkar also has a free-spirited side. Cafes, little shops, and a mix of travellers give it a bohemian feel. And if you’re there during the Camel Fair, the quiet town suddenly bursts into life, music, colours, and the desert turns into a festival.

●    Attractions: Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple, Varaha Temple, Man Mahal, Rangji Temple, Pushkar Bazaar, Gurudwara Singh Sabha
●    City Visit Duration: 1-2 days
●    Best Time to Visit: October to March (during Pushkar Camel Fair in November in particular)

6. Bikaner

Bikaner is Rajasthan minus the crowds. Its jewel, the Junagarh Fort, is one of the best-preserved forts in the state, boasting of lavish halls and frescoed interiors that have still preserved their original appeal. The slowness in the air allows you to sightsee at a comfortable pace, taking in all the details without interruption.

Another popular event in the city is the annual Camel Festival, where performances, processions and celebrations revive the traditions of the desert. And no visit is complete without trying Bikaneri bhujia, a culinary heritage so popular that the city has come to be known for it.

●    Attractions: Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple (Deshnok), Lalgarh Palace, Gajner Palace, National Research Centre on Camel, Rampuria Havelis, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Kodamdesar Temple
●    City Visit Duration: 1-2 days
●    Best Time to Visit: October to February

7. Mandawa (Shekhawati)

Mandawa is a small town located in the core of the Shekhawati region and is commonly referred to as the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan. The town is also known to have beautiful havelis, which have detailed frescoes, paintings and murals that tell the stories of trade, folklore and royalty.

Mandawa is one of the most important places to visit to experience art, culture and heritage today because it is a living museum of Rajputana splendour. While it may be a small town, Mandawa enables visitors to immerse themselves in the architectural riches of the place.

●    Attractions: Mandawa Fort, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Bansidhar Newatia Haveli, Chokhani Double Haveli, and Harlalka Well.
●    City Visit Duration: 1-2 days
●    Best Time to Visit: October to March

To Conclude

Every city in Rajasthan has its own character, which provides a different aspect of the state's identity. Jaipur shines with riches, Udaipur with calmness, Jodhpur with blue, Jaisalmer with desert, Pushkar with spirituality and Bikaner with subdued grace.

Travelling in Rajasthan is not just an easy way to see its monuments but also to feel its atmosphere, its beats, and its living culture. These cities remain with you even after you have moved out of them, imprinted on the memory as chapters of a bigger narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first city I should visit in Rajasthan?
You must start with Jaipur. It is well-linked, full of history and provides you with the ideal introduction to royalty in Rajasthan.

How long should the tour be to visit every best city in Rajasthan?
Your tour must be of at least 10 days to visit the major cities without haste; two weeks to really slow down.

When is the right time to visit Rajasthan?
The months from October to March are the best time to visit Rajasthan. The weather is cooler, and forts, bazaars, and desert trips are much better.

Is Rajasthan safe for solo travellers?
Yes, it is not just safe for solo travellers but also one of the most hospitable areas of India to travel to.

What should I buy from Rajasthan?
There is so much that you can buy in Rajasthan, including hand-block printed fabrics, silver jewellery, blue pottery and a large pack of Bikaneri bhujia.