Top 7 Places to Visit Near Jaisalmer Fort

Built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, this living fort rises straight out of the Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill, its honey-gold sandstone glowing deep amber at sunset. Wander the narrow lanes inside to find the Raj Mahal (royal palace), a cluster of intricately carved Jain temples, and countless family-run havelis that have been converted into shops and guesthouses.

A cluster of five havelis built by a wealthy family of jewel and brocade traders in the early 1800s, Patwon Ki Haveli is famous for its honeycomb of jharokhas (overhanging balconies) and mirror-work interiors. It's the grandest of Jaisalmer's haveli complexes and one of the most photographed buildings in the city.

This artificial lake was once Jaisalmer's only water source, ringed with temples, shrines, and a monumental entrance gate — Tilon Ki Pol. Arrive early for a quiet boat ride across still water framed by sandstone chhatris, or come at sunset when the ghats fill with locals and the light turns the whole lake gold.

A short drive from the city centre, Bada Bagh is a garden of royal cenotaphs built to honour Jaisalmer's former rulers, each dome-topped chhatri set against open desert and framed by an old dam and orchard. It's one of the most striking sunset spots near the fort — arrive an hour before dusk for the best light.

Once the residence of Jaisalmer's prime minister, this 19th-century haveli was built by two brothers working on opposite wings simultaneously — which is why its two halves are almost, but not quite, symmetrical. Look closely at the carved facade for tiny elephants, soldiers, and even a bicycle and steam engine tucked among the traditional motifs.

About 40 km from Jaisalmer, the Sam Sand Dunes are the classic Thar Desert experience — rolling golden sand, camel safaris at sunset, and desert camps under an exceptionally starry sky. Our front desk can help arrange a safari and transfer if you'd like to add a desert evening to your Jaisalmer stay.

Recognisable by its distinctive peacock-shaped upper balconies, this haveli belonged to a former prime minister of Jaisalmer state and is said to have originally had an extra storey removed by royal order to stop it from overshadowing the Maharaja's palace.