Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan's Golden City
Built from the same honey-coloured sandstone throughout, Jaisalmer centres on one of the world's few still-inhabited forts, with desert dunes and merchant havelis close by.
Sep 23, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Jaisalmer, rising out of the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan, is built almost entirely from the same honey-coloured sandstone, a colour that gives the city its nickname, the Golden City. At its centre sits one of the few forts in the world still inhabited, with homes, shops, and temples inside its walls. Here are seven things to do, each with a direct map link.
1. Jaisalmer Fort
Sonar Quila, built in 1156, rises on Trikuta Hill above the old city and remains home to several thousand residents, making it one of the rare "living forts" left anywhere in the world, its lanes lined with havelis, shops, and guesthouses.
2. Patwon Ki Haveli
A cluster of five havelis built by a family of wealthy merchants in the early 19th century, its facades are carved in the same intricate stonework the city is known for, with a few sections open as small museums.
3. Sam Sand Dunes
A stretch of rolling desert around 40 kilometres from the city, Sam is where most visitors go for a sunset camel or jeep safari, watching the dunes shift colour as the light drops.
4. Gadisar Lake
An artificial lake built in the 14th century as the city's original water source, its ghats and the ornate Tilon Ki Pol gateway make it one of Jaisalmer's calmer spots, especially at sunrise.
5. Salim Singh Ki Haveli
Built in the 1830s, this haveli is known for its curved, peacock-shaped upper section and heavily carved brackets, a distinctive silhouette among the city's grander merchant houses.
6. Bada Bagh
A cluster of royal cenotaphs commemorating Jaisalmer's former rulers sits on a hillside above a small oasis garden, with modern wind turbines now lined up on the ridge behind, an odd but photogenic contrast.
7. Kuldhara
An abandoned village around 20 kilometres from the city, its residents reportedly left overnight in the early 19th century, and local legend has kept the site's reputation for being cursed alive ever since; today it is a ticketed, well-preserved ruin rather than a working settlement.
Traveller tips
- Jaisalmer Airport has limited flights; many visitors arrive by overnight train from Jodhpur or Delhi instead.
- Winter, from October to March, is by far the most comfortable season; summer temperatures in the desert are extreme.
- Book a desert camp near Sam Dunes if you want to stay on for stargazing after the sunset crowds leave.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the fort's narrow, uneven lanes, which are still a working residential area.
Where this is
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan