Hello there! Are you planning a trip to India, and are wondering which places to add to your itinerary? In that case, welcome to my list of the top places in Rajasthan, India. With its mausoleums, temples, shrines and forts, Rajasthan is one of the most popular states of India for visitors, and that’s for good reason. Each monument on this list is incredibly breathtaking in its own way. You will find delicate carvings, colossal marble buildings, and even more dreamy sights.
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During my travels through India, I got to see many of the sights that India is famous for, and many of them left me speechless beyond anything I ever thought possible. Travelling India is something that will challenge you immensely (especially if you tend to be a little bit like Tantor, the germ-afraid from Tarzan, like me!), but one look at each place from this list will make up for the scaries. I would even go as far as to say that you will find no human-built sights like those in India.
New Delhi
The Red Fort in New Delhi
The Red Fort in New Delhi is one of the classic Mughal forts which you will see a lot in India, especially in Rajasthan and the surrounding states. Upon entering the space through its red colored gate (hence the name!), it is like stepping into another world. In there you can see courtyard after courtyard, each one more ornate than the other.
Helpful Tips:
- The Red Fort, like many of the top places in Rajasthan, gets very crowded, so make sure to visit it as early in the morning as you can.
- Make sure to stay hydrated. Indian heat is no joke, and if the Red Fort in New Delhi is the first place on your India itinerary, you will have to get used to it.
Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi
The next place on this list of the top places in India is Humayun’s Tomb. The tomb was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, and some even think it is even more beautiful than its famous counterpart. It is located within a beautiful garden in New Delhi and is the most incredible place for a stroll and taking many, many pictures. If you only spend one day in New Delhi, this is the place you should go for!
Agra
Red Fort in Agra
Just across the river bend from the Taj Mahal sits the Red Fort of Agra. The Mughal fort is built from red stone, and in there you will see courtyard after courtyard of delicate carvings, marble details and a breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal
No India itinerary is complete without you having seen the one and only Taj Mahal. The tomb might be one of the most beautiful sights you are ever going to see. Its white marble is almost blindingly perfect, and on top of that it has the most wonderful decorations and details. I could have spent an entire day just admiring every single detail of it. And it is not only the mausoleum itself but all the structure on its grounds.
Fatehpur Sikri Fort
On the way from Agra to Jaipur, you can stop by the Fatehpur Sikri Fort. In case you didn’t already catch it: yes, it is another fort of the rulers of the Mughal Empire and former residence of the Mughal emperors. Just as before, you will have many courtyards with special decorations, carvings and details to marvel at. However, my favourite places at the Fatehpur Sikri Fort were its mosque, the Jama Masjid and the massive Kings’ Gate, which I couldn’t even fit in a photo with my wide-angle lens.
Jaipur
Jaipur, also called the pink city is a must-see for everyone visiting India.
Hawa Mahal
Once you have made it to Jaipur, the first thing you will want to see is the Hawa Mahal. The insta-famous place is a façade of Jaipur City Palace and can be best seen from the street below or the many cafés across the street. It is also called the „palace of winds“, and its purpose was originally for the women of the court to have windows to look out into the street. While it is smaller in real life than it appears to be on screen, it is one of Jaipur’s highlights and not to be missed!
Amer Fort
In Jaipur, the next incredible place not to miss is Amer Fort. Like all the forts on this list, it greets you with some of the most unreal courtyards, filled with mosaics and breathtaking decor. As the name suggests, the most prominent colour of Amer Fort is amber, and it makes for a beautiful contrast with the teal that is used as a complementary colour (now you might guess what my day job is).
Helpful Information:
- You can buy the entry ticket at the counter directly.
- Amer Fort is one of the main attractions in Jaipur, so it gets busy. Make sure to plan your visit there for the early morning, once they open.
Patrika Gate
The Patrika Gate is another highlight of Rajasthan! The colourful gate is open to the public and free for you to visit. The structure consists of many arches, each painted in colourful motifs, reciting Jaipur’s royal history and folklore. Words actually can’t describe it properly, so make sure to see for yourself!
Helpful Information:
- The entry to Patrika Gate is free. However, this also means it can be very crowded, especially with people trying to sell you something. Be resilient; usually they leave you alone if you say „No“ sternly enough.
- Patrika Gate is located within a beautiful park; however, here you will also find many pushy people.
Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan
Apart from the forts, the next thing you are going to visit a lot in India are mausoleums. The Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan are a collection of cenotaphs that are open for visitors, and to be honest, they were one of my favourite places to visit during my 2-day stay in Jaipur. These impressive structures are not only beautiful to marvel at, but the entire place also feels like an oasis in the busy streets of India. Inside, there are three major mausoleums, with multiple smaller ones surrounding them.
Helpful Information:
- Compared to the Amer Fort or the Patrika Gate, the Cenotaphs are not super busy. They are a great to-do for the afternoon, but you don’t have to be very early here to beat the crowds.
Jaipur City Palace
Although the royal family of Jaipur had the incredible Amer Fort built, they also had a wonderful City Palace that you can visit. It is the city palace whose outside wall is the Hawa Mahal, only that inside, you are going to see so many more colourful wonders! This palace too has many courtyards and decorations; it is simply amazing.
Helpful Information:
- At Jaipur City Palace, you can pay extra to see more secluded rooms, like the insta-famous blue room. However, the ticket was too pricey for us (5.000 rupees for international visitors). We didn’t see the value in it.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the next city that should be on your radar for your India trip. If I were to describe Jodhpur in only a few words, they would be „hot“ and „sublime“ but also „majestic“ and „Transcendent“. It is hard to put into words, but Jodhpur has an undeniable charm and will leave you speechless like very few other places around the world.
In Jodhpur, we stayed in the wonderful Radisson Blue, which was the perfect choice because of its lovely pool and incredible buffet.
Jaswant Thada
I am not exaggerating when I say this is my favourite place on this list of the top places in Rajasthan. The Jaswant Thada is another mausoleum that is located in Jodhpur, next to what others might consider Jodhpur’s main attraction. Compared in size and sheer impressiveness, the Jaswant Thada might actually pale against Meherangarh Fort, but it still is my favourite. The pristine white marble of the mausoleum, embedded in a breathtaking natural scenery, just took my heart. To me, this is the one place in Jodhpur you can not skip!
Helpful Tips:
- Jaswant Thada is located on top of a mountain on a plateau, and compared to other sights in Rajasthan, it can get very windy up there! So a PSA for the ladies: hold tight onto your skirts!
Meherangarh Fort
As I mentioned, directly next to Jaswant Thada you will also find Jodhpur’s main attraction, the incredible Meherangarh Fort. From the outside, it looks almost like a beehive, and from its walls, you will get the most breathtaking views of the Blue City. On the inside, you will find a fort as breathtaking as ever, with every room in the red hues as its outside walls.
Helpful Information:
- At Meherangarh Fort, you will get a free audio guide. That one is amazing, and you will learn so much about the fort!
- Not exactly helpful, but did you know that Meherangarh Fort is seen in „The Dark Knight Rises “ by Christopher Nolan? Well, now you know!
Mandore Gardens
Tired of the forts yet? I mean, I could never be, but anyway, it was nice to switch it up for a change. In Jodhpur, you will also find the Mandore Gardens, a beautiful public park where you can enjoy a lush green scenery. And well, in the end you can never escape all the forts of Rajasthan, because in the park, you will find the ruins of the Mandore Fort, which is open for you to visit and to marvel at.
Helpful Information:
- The ruins of Mandore Fort are a paradise for pigeons. So of course, there is also a ton of their droppings, and therefore it also smells the part. If you have a sensitive nose, maybe avoid certain areas, such as the direct surroundings of the ruins.
- You are free to explore all the structures of the ruins, but you must take off your shoes for that. So make sure to wear socks underneath that you might wear.
Ranakpur Jain Temple
Between Jodhpur and Udaipur, there is not only a jungle waiting for you to explore it (or drive through), but you can also visit one of the most beautiful temples that I have ever seen. The Ranakpur Jain Temple is so impressive, built with marble that is covered in marble so delicate, you will not be able to take your eyes off it.
Helpful Tips:
- For your visit to the Ranakpur Jain Temple, you will get a great audio guide for free again. Make sure to use it!
- There is an elephant statue within the temple, and it is said that if you crawl underneath it, it will bring you good fortune. Well, I did it, and I consider myself one of the luckiest persons alive, so make sure to give it a try 😉
Udaipur
Oh, beautiful Udaipur! If you would ask me to rank all the top places of India, the places of Udaipur would for sure fight for the first few ranks. The city of lakes is also called the „Venice of the East“ due to its many lakes. It is the perfect finale to your India Itinerary. During our time in Udaipur, we stayed at the glorious LaLit Laxmi Vilas Palace, and we couldn’t have wished for a better place to stay at. The rooms were clean and spacious, and they might have the best view from their lobby that I have ever had!
Udaipur City Palace
The first of the top places in Udaipur has to be Udaipur City Palace. The residence of the local royal family is open to visitors. Exploring the palace is incredibly interesting. The parts that are open for visitors also function as a museum, offering you more than just the beautiful decorations of their inner courtyards. In there, you can see Indian art, relics from the time of the Mughal Empire and even maps, documenting the world as it was known centuries ago. It is very fascinating to be able to see all those exhibits, especially in front of such a picturesque backdrop.
Jagdish Temple
Only a short distance away from Udaipur City Palace, you can find Jagdish Temple. Nestled within the busy streets of Udaipur, this place is almost like an oasis. The temple is beautiful with many carvings of elephants (which I love so much!). I really loved it there, and although small in comparison to the other grand sights you see, Jagdish Temple didn’t fail to amaze me!
Helpful Tips:
- Jagdish Temple is free for you to visit.
- Upon entering the temple, you will be asked to remove your shoes. Make sure to wear socks underneath if you don’t want to be barefoot in the temple.
Sunrise on the Baahubali Hills Udaipur
Ok, technically speaking, this here is not a top place of India but a top experience in Rajasthan. The Baahubali Hills are a stretch of nature west of Udaipur, and they are the most perfect spot for seeing the sunrise. Honestly, after all the forts and temples, seeing this natural spectacle here touched me very deeply. Especially as a photographer, I can tell you, the light here is something else entirely.
Helpful Tips:
- To see the sunrise, make sure you are there EARLY. No snoozing, not even 5 minutes. You will be thankful for every minute of the experience.
- It can get quite crowded on top of the hill. Be early to get the best spots.
- The path to the viewpoint is fairly easy to hike; however, make sure to wear solid shoes! It can be dangerous to hike this walk in flip-flops or sandals.
Monsoon Palace
Above Udaipur, on top of a hill sits the Monsoon Palace. The former hunting lodge hosts a small collection of taxidermy animals today, which is not the most impressive thing I’ll admit. The most impressive thing about Monsoon Palace, however is its incredible view of Udaipur and its surrounding lakes and nature. It is really wonderful up there!
Helpful Tips:
- Around the palace, you will find a lot of monkeys. As usual with wild animals – do not engage and keep them to themselves.
- Did you know that the Monsoon Palace was used as a backdrop in „James Bond – Octopussy“? The more you know!
Badi ki Pal
The last top place of India that is located in Udaipur is the Badi ki Pal. The beautiful gazebos are located on the very same lake that you watched the sunrise from, and they make for the most beautiful backdrop for your last vacation pictures.
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