If you are heading to India or spending some time in Rajasthan and don’t know where to go, let me tell you about one of my favorite cities. Jaisalmer, also called the Golden City, is such a unique place and definitely worth a visit. The buildings glow in this soft golden color, the desert goes on forever, and the whole vibe feels easy and laid-back. You can wander through markets full of bright textiles, explore the fort that looks like something out of a storybook, or head out into the desert for a safari under the stars. Jaisalmer really has a bit of everything, and that’s what makes it one of my favorite spots in India.
About The City
Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is honestly one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan. It has such a unique vibe that you don’t really find anywhere else in India. The city gets its name from the golden sandstone that all the buildings are made of, and when the sun hits them just right, everything glows. Because the whole city is built in this same golden stone, it feels so perfectly put together and almost unreal.
Jaisalmer sits right in the heart of the Thar Desert, and you can really feel the history, culture, and traditions of desert life all around you. Hinduism and Jainism have a strong presence here, and throughout the city you’ll come across historic temples that show off the intricate carvings and devotion of the people who built them.
Even though the buildings are all golden sandstone, the streets themselves are full of color. The markets are alive with vibrant textiles, especially the patchwork designs that Rajasthan is so famous for. Everywhere you turn you’ll find something colorful, from embroidered fabrics to mirror work and bright turbans.
What I also loved about Jaisalmer is how laid back it feels. Compared to bigger Indian cities, it’s much smaller and easy to get around. After just a couple of days, I felt like I already knew my way around, had a little routine, and even started recognizing familiar faces in the streets. The atmosphere is really calm and chill, but at the same time, there’s so much life and culture around you. It’s the kind of city that makes you feel at home really quickly.
Where To Stay
While I was in Jaisalmer, I stayed at two different places and honestly recommend both for different reasons.
First, I spent a few nights at Jaisalmer Hostel Crowd. This hostel is really beautiful inside, very clean, and super comfortable. The rooms, both dorms and privates, are well-kept and come with AC which makes a huge difference in the desert heat. The rooftop is one of the best parts, with stunning views of the fort and plenty of space to just hang out. Whether you want to stretch out on a hammock, lounge on the couches, or meet other travelers, it’s a really nice social spot. They also organize desert safaris straight from the hostel, which I’ll get into more in the next section.
After that, I stayed at Hostel Little Prince, which has a totally different feel. This place is more for budget travelers looking for something simple, authentic, and a little more local. The rooms are basic but comfortable, though keep in mind they don’t have AC. What makes this place so special is the rooftop. It’s full of colorful patterns, cushions, and good vibes, plus they have a café serving food all day. You can catch partial views of the fort from up there, and it’s the kind of spot where you’ll end up lingering for hours without realizing it. The hostel is family-run, and the owners and staff really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. They also run safaris, which I’ll talk about next.
The best thing about Jaisalmer is how affordable it is to stay here. You can easily find budget hostels and guesthouses, cozy mid-range stays, or even splurge on luxury hotels inside the fort or out in the desert. Whatever your vibe is, Jaisalmer has something that will fit.
Doing a Desert Safari
The most popular thing to do in Jaisalmer is without a doubt the overnight desert safari. Only about an hour’s drive from the city, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the Thar Desert, surrounded by golden sand dunes that stretch as far as you can see. Almost every hostel or tour company in town offers safaris, and most of them include transportation, a camel ride, dinner and breakfast, and a place to sleep under the stars. It’s such a unique experience and honestly one of the highlights of visiting Jaisalmer.
I ended up doing two safaris, one with Hostel Crowd and one with Hostel Little Prince, and they were both completely different experiences. The company you choose really makes a difference depending on what kind of vibe you’re looking for—whether that’s comfort and convenience, or something more raw and authentic.
With Hostel Crowd, we were picked up around 3 p.m. and driven to a desert camp. After some chai and coffee, we went on about an hour-long camel ride to a sunset point. We watched the sun go down while some local kids sang songs, and then rode the camels back to the camp. That evening there was a performance with traditional Rajasthani music and dance, followed by a big buffet dinner. The camp itself had Wi-Fi, proper toilets, and plenty of space to relax, which added a nice touch of comfort. Later at night, we were taken by jeep to a quiet section of the desert where small beds with mattresses and blankets were set up for sleeping. Lying there under the stars and actually seeing the Milky Way above us was unreal. In the morning, we went back to the camp for breakfast before heading back into the city. This safari gave me the desert experience with camel rides, stargazing, and cultural performances, while still keeping a bit of comfort.
A few days later, I went on another safari with Hostel Little Prince, and it felt like a totally different adventure. This one was way more off-the-beaten-path. On the way to the desert, we stopped at a lake and at Kuldhara, the abandoned ghost village, before heading deeper into the dunes. Once we got to the campsite, it was just us—no other tourists, no big groups, just silence and sand stretching forever. We could choose between camels or jeeps to get around, and the campsite was literally in the middle of massive sand dunes. The team set up a fire and cooked us a traditional meal right there in the desert. We spent the evening sitting on the dunes, watching the sunset, stargazing, and just hanging out. There were no bathrooms, no Wi-Fi, and no camp facilities—it was as raw and real as it gets. We slept under the stars with just blankets on the sand, and woke up to breakfast cooked over the fire before heading back. For me, it felt like a much more authentic experience, but it definitely isn’t for everyone if you’re someone who likes a little more comfort.
Prices for desert safaris are usually pretty similar across different companies, though some cost a bit more depending on the level of luxury. You can choose from basic setups where you sleep outside on the sand, to more “glamping” style experiences with tents, camps, and facilities. It just depends on what kind of vibe you’re going for. My advice is to do a little research or ask around before booking so you can find the safari that fits what you want. No matter which one you choose, spending a night in the Thar Desert under the stars is something you’ll never forget.
Other things to do in the city
Outside of the desert safari, which is the main thing most people come here for, there’s actually a lot of other things to see and do around Jaisalmer. The city may be small, but it’s full of history, color, and little experiences that make it so special.
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila)
The fort is probably the first thing you’ll notice in Jaisalmer. It’s one of the only forts in the world where people still live inside, and that’s what makes it so unique. You can wander through the narrow streets, pass by locals’ homes, stop at little shops, and even grab a chai on a rooftop café inside the walls. There are also temples hidden within the fort that are really beautiful to step into. I loved just spending time walking around and soaking it all in, and no matter where you are in the city, you can usually spot the fort glowing above you.
Gadisar Lake
Right outside the city, there’s a calm little lake that’s perfect for sunrise or sunset. It’s super peaceful, and it’s also considered sacred to the locals, which adds to the atmosphere. Sitting by the water as the light changes feels like a little escape from the busier streets in town.
Shopping in the Markets
The markets here are so much fun to wander through. They’re full of color and packed with textiles, patchwork quilts, embroidered clothing, camel leather bags, silver jewelry, turbans, and scarves. Even if you’re not looking to shop, it’s worth walking through just to see all the bright fabrics and designs. I found it really hard not to buy something every time I walked by.
Nearby Villages and Farms
If you head about twenty or thirty minutes outside of Jaisalmer, you’ll find quiet desert villages surrounded by farmland. It feels like a completely different pace of life out there. You’ll see goats, sheep, and cows wandering around, and you get a glimpse of how locals really live and depend on their animals. When I visited, I got to try chai made from fresh goat’s milk that we had just watched being milked. It was such a simple experience but honestly one of the highlights of my trip.
Kuldhara Village
This place is really interesting and a little eerie. Kuldhara is an abandoned village that locals say was emptied overnight, and no one really knows exactly why. Now it’s just ruins, but you can walk through the old homes and even check out the fort that overlooks the area. If you do a safari with Hostel Little Prince, they usually stop here on the way. Reading the stories and seeing it in person makes it feel like you’ve stepped into a mystery.
Practical Tips
Getting there
Jaisalmer is pretty well connected, so getting there isn’t too hard. From bigger cities like Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, or even Delhi, you can grab a train or bus that will take you right into the city. I personally took an overnight bus from Udaipur to Jaisalmer, which was actually pretty comfortable, and later I left on another overnight bus from Jaisalmer to Ajmer. Overnight travel is common in India and a good way to save time, but if you prefer trains, they’re also a great option and usually a bit smoother.
How long to stay
I’d say at least two or three days is enough to see the main highlights, but if you really enjoy the atmosphere here, you’ll probably want to stay longer. I ended up spending about five days because I loved the vibe of the city and wanted to go into the desert more than once. It’s the kind of place that feels relaxed, so it’s easy to slow down and stay longer than you planned.
The desert heat
One thing to be mindful of is the desert climate. The sun can be really strong, especially in the middle of the day, and it’s super easy to get dehydrated. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, covering up if you burn easily, and taking care of yourself if you go on an overnight safari. Evenings are usually cooler and really pleasant, but the days can definitely wear you out if you’re not prepared.
When to visit
I visited in September, and while the evenings were nice, the days were still really hot. The best time to go is usually between October and March, when the weather cools down a little and the desert nights are perfect for sitting under the stars. If you go in the hotter months, just be prepared for intense sun during the day.
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