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Located in central Rajasthan, Jodhpur is an indigo-dyed cityscape that emerges from the surrounding desert. Rising above Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort, which is encircled by the Old Walled City whose serpentine by-lanes lead to clusters of houses bathed in blue. In the past, the colour blue was used by the city’s Shaivite Brahmins to paint their homes, but has since been used by other locals as well. Journey back in time in the Old Walled City, which features a medieval charm with its maze of glorious Rajput palaces, traditional havelis and houses, old bazaars and hidden stepwells. Past the 16th-century city walls is the modern city of Jodhpur. Along with its age-old architectural marvels, the city is also known for its culinary delights, hospitality and shopping. True to Rajasthani culture, Jodhpur is a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and tastes: The perfect sampler if you have a long weekend to spare.
The GQ Guide To A Long Weekend in Jodhpur:
Perched on Chittar Hill, one of the highest points in Jodhpur, the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace is undoubtedly the crowning jewel of hotels in Jodhpur. It offers sweeping views of the Blue City, sprawling sand dunes, and the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. This grandiose palatial hotel was designed by renowned Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester. It exhibits a blend of Renaissance and Rajput architecture. Built between 1928 and 1943, this hotel comprises 70 guest rooms, including well-appointed, Art Deco-style rooms and suites. Step out to dine at Risala, their authentic Rajasthani restaurant and Pillars, their picturesque colonnaded veranda offering European and Mediterranean delicacies.
Also overlooking the intimidating Mehrangarh Fort is Raas Jodhpur, an erstwhile haveli that has been transformed into a luxury boutique property. Showcasing a bold juxtaposition of the old and the new, Raas Jodhpur is an 18th-century structure with modern amenities.
While the hotel has forty lavish rooms and suites, we recommend staying at their Heritage Suite, which is located in the original haveli for the complete experience. Get drinks at their terrace restaurant, Darikhana with uninterrupted views of the Mehrangarh Fort, and dine at their multi-cuisine eatery, Baradari Restaurant. We love that the food is prepared using organic produce from the chef’s personal garden.
If you’d like to stay at a more budget-friendly hotel, check out Ajit Bhwan. Built in 1927, this red sandstone palace hotel features traditional Rajput architecture, opulent interiors and a large outdoor pool. Also, they offer a spectacular desert safari, which is a must do!
While the hotels in Jodhpur have a large selection of restaurants offering delectable food, to really experience the culture of the city, we highly recommend checking out Jodhpur’s local eateries. Have a royal feast at Chokelao Mahal, a restaurant located inside the Mehrangarh Fort. Offering a bird’s eye view of the Blue City, this eatery is accessed by a jeep that picks you up from the entrance. Their lal maas and chakki ka saag are lip-smackingly delicious.
You cannot miss dining at Gypsy, a casual Rajasthani restaurant that serves authentic thalis with impeccable service. Step Well Cafe is a quaint cafe with panoramic views of an ancient step well—Toor ji ka Jhalra. Located within the Old Walled City of Jodhpur, this bistro offers an extensive Indo-European menu. It’s a great place to take a break from exploring the city or shopping in the bazaar nearby.
Located near Ajit Bhawan is On The Rocks, a pan-Asian eatery and bar. Their intimate bar and large cocktail menu featuring a delicious Whiskey Sour are very popular.
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Jodhpur’s namkeen and mithai is famous amongst locals and tourists alike. Visit Surya Namkeen for their scrumptious shahi samosa and pyaz ki kachori and Choudhary Namkeen for their spicy mirchi vadas. Moreover, Chaturbhuj Rameshchandra’s gulab jamuns and Mohanji Mithaiwala’s boondi ladoo and rabri ladoos are to die for. Drop by these hole-in-the-wall establishments for the perfect local snacks and desserts.
If you’re still not satisfied, stop by Nai Sarak, a small street with a number of food stalls selling all kinds of Rajasthani delights.
Sardaar Bazaar near the Clock Tower is the place to go for local handicrafts. It is a bustling bazaar comprising a number of narrow alleys lined with shops, which are known for their tie-and-dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, antiques, carpets and spices.
For traditional Rajasthani clothes and footwear, stop by Mochi Bazaar. The shops here are bursting with traditional mojaris, colourful Rajasthani sherwanis and lacquer bangles. The Gem and Jewel Palace is a local institution for traditional Rajasthani jewellery ranging from delicate necklaces, exquisite earrings and stunning bridal jewellery.
VJ Home is fantastic for traditional wooden furniture and palatial iron and stone home decor pieces. A number of palaces in Rajasthan source their furniture from VJ Home. Celebrity-favourite Maharani Textiles and Handicrafts is a great store for silk stoles, pashminas, brocade fabrics and a variety of soft furnishings.
Finally, Step Well Square is ideal if you would like to shop at contemporary Indian stores. Situated near the Step Well Cafe, the Step Well Square is a restored area of the Old City. Numerous popular Indian brands such as Via Jodhpur, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Forest Essentials and Good Earth are located here.
You can’t travel to Jodhpur and not visit the Mehrangarh Fort. Towering 410ft above the city, this structure was built in the 17th century. It houses a museum and a number of palaces. We suggest taking the audio-guide of the Mehrangarh Museum and stopping by the fort’s Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal and Moti Mahal. Additionally, adrenaline junkies can also zip line over the fort with a unique view of the city.
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Alongside the Mehrangarh Fort is the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. This park was established in 2006 with the aim of preserving the natural ecosystem of the region. It has over 80 varieties of succulents and other species of plants that grow in the rocky landscape. At this park, take a guided tour or stroll along the criss-cross walking trails while discovering the native flora and fauna. Lastly, regardless of if you’re staying at the Umaid Bhawan Palace or not, take a tour of the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum to learn about the royal family of Jodhpur.
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