Things to Do in Jaisalmer
There’s a particular kind of light that hits Jaisalmer in the late afternoon — a warm, honey-gold glow that makes the entire city look like it’s carved out of a single block of sandstone. That’s not a coincidence. Most of the buildings here actually are built from local yellow sandstone, which is exactly why Jaisalmer earned its nickname: the Golden City. If you’re planning a trip to Rajasthan and wondering what to do once you get there, here’s an honest, practical rundown of the best things to do in Jaisalmer.
1. Wander Through Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)
You can’t talk about things to do in Jaisalmer without starting here. Built in the 12th century, Jaisalmer Fort is one of the very few “living forts” left in the world — meaning people still actually live, run shops, and pray inside its walls, rather than it being a roped-off museum piece. Roughly a quarter of the old city’s population still calls the fort home.
Give yourself at least half a day to explore it properly. Get lost in the narrow lanes on purpose, poke your head into little handicraft shops, and climb up to the ramparts around sunset — the view over the city from up there is one of those moments that makes the whole trip worth it. There’s a small entry fee, and hiring a local guide for an hour is genuinely worth it if you want the stories behind the stone, not just the stone itself.
2. Get Lost in the Havelis
Just outside the fort, Jaisalmer’s havelis (grand old merchant mansions) are almost absurdly detailed — carved sandstone balconies, latticed windows, and facades that took decades to finish. Patwon Ki Haveli is the most famous cluster, actually a group of five havelis built by a wealthy trader family in the 1800s. Nathmal Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli are worth a stop too, each with its own quirks — Salim Singh’s haveli is known for its distinctive curved roof, said to resemble a ship.
Walking between these three doesn’t take long, and honestly, some of the best photos come from just looking up at the window carvings rather than photographing the whole building.
3. Watch the Sun Set Over Sam Sand Dunes
No list of things to do in Jaisalmer feels complete without a trip into the Thar Desert itself, and Sam Sand Dunes (about 40 km from the city) is where most people go for it. This is the classic Rajasthan postcard moment — a camel safari at sunset, the dunes turning orange and then purple, and if you stay after dark, a folk music and dance performance around a bonfire.
You can do this as a quick sunset trip or turn it into an overnight desert camp, complete with dinner under an open sky and, if you’re lucky with the season, a genuinely staggering number of visible stars. Booking a safari a day in advance through your hotel or a local operator is usually enough, except during peak winter months when it’s smart to lock it in earlier.
5. Visit Kuldhara — the Abandoned Village
About 20 km from Jaisalmer sits Kuldhara, a village that was reportedly abandoned overnight by its entire population roughly two centuries ago, and it’s never been resettled since. Nobody fully agrees on why — heavy taxation, a local dispute, or, depending on who you ask, something stranger. Whatever the real story, walking through its crumbling stone houses at dusk is genuinely atmospheric, and it’s become one of the more unusual things to do in Jaisalmer for travelers who want something beyond forts and dunes.
10. Time Your Visit Around the Desert Festival
If you can plan your trip around it, the Rajasthan Desert Festival, usually held in winter near the Sam Sand Dunes, is worth catching. Think folk music, camel decoration contests, turban-tying and moustache competitions, and traditional dance — a genuinely fun, high-energy way to see local culture up close rather than from behind a camera lens.
8. Explore the Local Markets
For a slice of everyday Jaisalmer, Sadar Bazaar and Bhatia Bazaar are where you want to be. Expect embroidered textiles, mirror-work bags, silver jewelry, puppets, and leather goods, all set against the backdrop of narrow, bustling lanes. Bargaining is completely normal here, just keep it friendly rather than aggressive — most shopkeepers are happy to settle on a fair price without much drama.
9. Learn the History at the Local Museums
If you want context behind everything you’re seeing, the Desert Culture Centre and Museum is a good stop — it covers regional fossils, traditional Rajasthani instruments, and old costumes. History and defense buffs might also enjoy the Jaisalmer War Museum on the outskirts of town, which focuses on India’s military history in the desert region, including the well-known Battle of Longewala.
7. Step Back in Time at Bada Bagh
A short drive out of the city, Bada Bagh is a garden complex dotted with royal cenotaphs (chhatris) built to honor Jaisalmer’s former rulers. Set against a hillside with a small lake and old windmills nearby, it’s quieter than the fort and havelis, which makes it a nice contrast — fewer crowds, more open sky, and some of the best sunrise or sunset photography spots in the area.
A Few Practical Notes
Winter (roughly October to March) is by far the most comfortable time to visit — daytime temperatures are pleasant and desert nights, while cold, are perfect for camping under the stars. Summers here get brutally hot, so if you’re traveling between April and June, plan indoor and early-morning activities and save the desert trips for evening.
Jaisalmer is generally considered safe and welcoming for solo travelers and families alike, and most of the main attractions — the fort, havelis, and Gadisar Lake — are close enough together to cover on foot or with a short auto-rickshaw ride
What makes Jaisalmer special isn’t just any single monument — it’s how the whole city, desert included, feels connected to its own history without turning into a theme park about it. Between the fort, the havelis, the dunes, and the quieter corners like Kuldhara and Bada Bagh, there’s enough here to fill three or four unhurried days, and honestly, that’s about the right amount of time to actually enjoy it rather than rush through it.
Planning to make this trip happen? Trekomania Adventures can help you put together a Jaisalmer itinerary, desert camps, and safaris that fit your group size and travel dates — just drop your details on their site and they’ll get back to you.