The sheer beauty of Rajasthan can’t be expressed in words. As one of the top tourist places in India, Rajasthan offers a window to India’s rich past glory. From magnificent palaces to towering forts, beautiful lakes to a vast desert, there is no dearth of amazing places to visit in Rajasthan. It is impossible to cover all of the best Rajasthan tourist places, as they are situated throughout the length and breadth of this exotic locale. However, if you are planning a visit to this illustrious Indian state, then here are a few top tourist places in Rajasthan that you ought to visit.
Famous Rajasthan Destinations – Best Places To See in Rajasthan
1. Jaisalmer
A city situated amidst the sand dunes of the famous Thar desert, Jaisalmer is one of the best places in Rajasthan for holidaying with your family and friends. Named as the ‘Golden City,’ this Rajasthan destination as impressive monuments, palaces and is home to one of the largest forts in the world – the Jaisalmer Fort, locally referred to as the Sonar Quila. Things to do in Jaisalmer include sightseeing, camel safari, boating, paramotoring, quad biking, camping and dune bashing. You could also visit the local bazaars for a shopping expedition.
Best Time to Visit: November to March is an ideal time to visit Jaisalmer as the weather during this period is quite pleasant.
Nearby Attractions:
- Gadisar Lake.
- Bada Bagh.
- Nathmal-ki-Haveli.
- Thar Heritage Museum.
- Patwon-ki-Haveli.
- Desert National Park and Sanctuary.
2. Jaipur
No introduction is needed for the ‘Pink City of India,’ which tops the list of best tourist place in Rajasthan. Jaipur is an idyllic travel destination that offers tourists the best in terms of food, shopping, sightseeing, adventure activities and accommodation. From stunning palaces and forts to splendid gardens and temples, Jaipur is the largest city of Rajasthan. And, the things to do in Jaipur include elephant ride, camel ride, cycling, hiking, shopping for handicrafts, visiting museums etc.
Best Time to Visit: Winter season in Jaipur starts from October to March, which is a great time to visit this place.
Nearby Attractions:
- Jal Mahal.
- City Palace.
- Jantar Mantar Observatory.
- Birla Mandir.
- Elefantastic Elephant Farm.
- Nahargarh Fort.
- Nahargarh Biological Park.
- Amer Fort.
3. Ajmer
The ‘Holy City’ of Ajmer is one of the other Rajasthan tourist places that is charming in its simplicity. Home to the shrine of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer is encircled with the rugged Aravalli ranges and holds a religious significance to the Muslims. It is also the best place to experience mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine. Ajmer is a quaint city and offers a glimpse of how diverse religion, culture and communities in India have co-existed in harmony throughout the years.
Best Time to Visit: You can visit Ajmer all throughout-the-year, however, a visit during the annual ‘URS’ festival is the perfect time to visit this place.
Nearby Attractions:
Ajmer sightseeing includes many options, among them the top 5 are;
- Taragarh Fort.
- Ana Sagar Lake.
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra.
- Soniji Ki Nasiyan (Red) Temple.
- Akbar’s Palace.
4. Udaipur
One of the most romantic destinations, Udaipur is popularly referred to as the ‘City of Lakes.’ It is the most picturesque city of Rajasthan and has abundant to sightseeing options which makes it a great destination for a family holiday. Few of the things to do in Udaipur are; boat ride, heritage walk and trekking. You can also watch a puppet show, enjoy local cuisine and visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort to see the amazing sound and light show.
Best Time to Visit: September to mid-March is the best time for vacationing in Udaipur. During this time the nights are colder while the days are pleasantly sunny.
Nearby Attractions:
- Lake Palace.
- The Royal Vintage Car Museum.
- Jagdish Temple.
- Lake Pichola (an artificial lake).
- Bagore-Ki-Haveli.
- Lake Garden Palace.
- Fateh Prakash Palace.
- City Palace Museum.
- Taj Lake Palace.
5. Pushkar
Pushkar is one of the sacred dhams for the Hindus and the oldest inhabitant cities of India. It is also home to a rare Lord Brahma temple in India. More importantly, it has become the most sought-after tourist place in Rajasthan as the city hosts a one-of-a-kind cattle fair, referred to as the Pushkar Mela. Situated close to the Ajmer city, Pushkar is a laidback town with lakes, bathing ghats and numerous temples. However, once a year, this sleepy town comes alive during the annual Pushkar Camel Fair which is a major attraction. Things to do in Pushkar include camping, camel and jeep safari, hot-air balloon ride, hiking, souvenir shopping and much much more.
Best Time to Visit: You can visit Pushkar between the month of November and March. However, the best time to visit Pushkar is during the annual Camel Fair which is held in November.
Nearby Attractions:
- Pushkar Lake.
- Man Mahal.
- Naga Pahar.
- Merta City.
- Rose Garden.
6. Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore is one of the biggest and largest national parks in northern India. The major attraction of this park is the Indian Tigers and it has a diverse landscape filled with an abundance of flora and fauna. Located about 190 km from Jaipur, the Ranthambore national park is also a UNESCO heritage site and the things to do here include jungle safari, birdwatching, jeep safari, hiking, trekking and more. Here, you can also explore the ancient Ranthambore Fort, which is located within the park.
Best Time to Visit: This national park is open from October to mid-June for the tourists.
Nearby Attractions:
- Surwal Lake.
- Raj Bagh Ruins.
- Kachida Valley.
- Padam Lake.
- Lakarda and Anantpura.
- Jogi Mahal.
7. Jodhpur
Another royal city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur with its medieval aura takes you back to the good old times of ancient grandeur. With a hilltop fort and palatial palaces, this ‘Blue City ’ is a must-visit place in Rajasthan, especially, for those who love history and architecture. Things to do in Jodhpur include desert safari, excursions around the temples, forts, and the famous desert rock Park. One can also be a part of the Marwar festival and feast on lip-smacking snacks and local cuisine. The best part, at the colourful bazaars here, you’d find everything from pottery to spices to handicrafts to shoes & jewellery.
Best Time to Visit: The peak season in Jodhpur starts from October to March making it an ideal time for a vacation.
Nearby Attractions:
- Mehrangarh Fort.
- Kailana Lake.
- Jaswant Thada.
- Umaid Bhavan Palace.
- Ghanta Ghar and Sardar Market.
- Mandore Gardens.
- Arna-Jharna: Desert Museum.
- Machiya Safari Park.
- Osian Temples.
8.Bharatpur
Known as the ‘Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan,’ Bharatpur is famous for its bird sanctuary – the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. So, this destination is particularly great for bird watching enthusiasts. Yesteryears, this place was a heavily fortified city, almost impregnable. Thus, the many palaces and forts in this region are still in good condition and have stood the test of time. If you are visiting this city, then it is a good idea to plan your trip during the ‘Braj Holi Festival.’ As, during this time, the lively spirit of the entire city is high and you’d love each moment that you spent here.
Best Time to Visit: The weather is relatively pleasant and cool between October and February in Bharatpur. The park is open throughout-the-year, however, the best time to visit it is August to November and October to March.
Nearby Attractions:
- Lohagarh Fort.
- Bankey Bihari Temple.
- Dholpur Palace.
- Bharatpur Palace and Museum.
- Deeg.
- Band Baretha.
- Ganga Temple.
9. Mount Abu
Perhaps one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan, being the only hill station in a desert landscape, Mount Abu is the most visited destination by locals and foreign tourists alike. Encircled with verdant forest, this place is a paradise with lakes & forts and elegant temples and ancient ruins. If you need an adventure break or need a place to relax & rejuvenate, then head here right away. And, the popular things to do in Mount Abu are; rock climbing, trekking, camping and boating. You can also visit the wildlife sanctuary or go explore the caves and waterfalls.
Best Time to Visit: The winter season here starts in November, so November to March is the best time to visit Mount Abu.
Nearby Attractions:
- Guru Shikhar Peak.
- Peace Park.
- Nakki Lake.
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Achalgarh Fort.
- Dilwara Jain Temples.
- Toad Rock.
10. Bikaner
If you are looking for a getaway in Rajasthan away from the maddening crowd, then Bikaner is an ideal destination. The city of Bikaner is less commercialized than other tourist places in Rajasthan. This makes it a great place to spend some quality time with your loved ones as you explore historic forts and ornate palaces. One of the other popularly visited places near Bikaner is the 600-old Karni Mata Temple. At this unique temple, rats are revered and worshipped, which makes it an intriguing site to visit. Things to do in Bikaner include attending the Camel Festival, visiting the many temples and forts, going on a museum tour, enjoying the wildlife safari among others.
Best Time to Visit: Being a city that experiences extreme climate throughout-the-year; October to March is the ideal time to visit this place as the weather is pleasantly cool during this period.
Nearby Attractions:
- Junagarh Fort.
- Kote Gate.
- Gajner Palace.
- Rampuria Haveli.
- Lalgarh Palace and Museum.
- Karni Mata Temple.
- Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Shri Laxminath Temple.
#Conclusion
Rajasthan tourist places are incredible destinations that have something unique to offer to each traveller. Be it historical sightseeing, romantic getaway, wildlife safari or family and group holiday, there is an ideal destination for all types of excursions.
Rajasthan means the ‘Land of the Kings’ and if you want to ‘live like a royal,’ then there are many palaces here that offer luxury accommodation. You can also be a part of the many vibrant festivals and fairs that are held here annually. What’s more, the cuisine of Rajasthan covers a variety of dishes that’ll surely leave you wanting for more.
So, make the most of this list of best cities in Rajasthan and book a trip now!
Leave a Comment