Let me explain why we love Jaisalmer and how every time we visit India it tops our list despite the zillions of destinations to choose from in what is an entire subcontinent.
Over seven visits to India, we have travelled from the sunny beaches of the south all the way up to the misty tea plantations in the foothills of the Himalayas, experiencing a heck of a lot of destinations in between.
I have officially lost count of how many cities we have explored across this vast subcontinent. Yet, whenever people ask us which destination completely captured our hearts – and which city we unconditionally recommend and return to every single time – the answer is always the same: Jaisalmer.
We Love Jaisalmer
It sounds corny. But with its Golden Fortress, it really does rise majestically like a massive golden sandcastle out of the Thar Desert. This ancient oasis is an absolute masterpiece. While iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal are breathtaking, Jaisalmer is like a deeper, slower romance that is hard to find anywhere else in India.
Here are the 7 reasons why we love Jaisalmer and why it remains our undisputed favourite Indian city.
1. It’s Smaller and Less Overwhelming
Arriving in India for the first time usually means stepping straight into the high-octane, roar of mega-cities like Delhi or Mumbai. The sheer scale of chaos in those massive hubs – think surging crowds, relentless traffic, and intense sensory overload – can make your head spin.
Jaisalmer is the complete antithesis to that.
Because it is a much smaller desert city, it serves up all the excitement, colour, and magic of India without the crushing weight of urban chaos. So it gives you the space to breathe, look around, and comfortably find your feet.
We love Jaisalmer for that smaller chance at introduction to India.
2. Jaisalmer Really is India Like in the Photos
Jaisalmer is visually stunning. Every corner of the city glows with a golden hue because nearly everything is constructed from the local yellow sandstone.
There are historic markets filled with the vibrant colourful textiles you see in pictures, intricately carved architecture, and there are literally rows of glittering bangles.
Right at the edge of the town is the serene Gadisar Lake, surrounded by delicate shrines and artistic archways. It is a place where history isn’t just locked away in a textbook; it frames the backdrop of everyday life.
3. It’s Slower and Less Touristy: Time for Connection
It is not everywhere in India that you dare to truly slow down, but Jaisalmer lets travel-you you to tap the brakes. Because the city operates at a gentler pace, it isn’t as aggressively commercialised as other high-profile destinations in Rajasthan.
There is ample time here to simply sit down, slow down, and go back to the exact same street-side stall for a second or third cup of hot masala chai.
Before you know it, the vendor recognizes your face, greets you with a wide smile, and treats you like a regular. It’s a pretty cool feeling in a country of one billion!
4. Kind, Sincere, and Curious People
While people are deeply curious all over India, the interactions in Jaisalmer feel much slower, more personal, and far less transactional. The community here genuinely wants to get to know you.
On our very first journey, we made friends with a local family who graciously invited us into their family home for lunch. That single interaction has blossomed into a special bond; now, we have a meal together every single time we visit. This is one of the things that makes us love Jaisalmer all the more. And now whenever our friends head to the desert, we proudly set them up to meet our local friends too.
The warmth of the community is so genuine that we were even invited out to a remote Thar Desert village with Padam – our host at Wanderlust Guesthouse – to attend the traditional wedding of a friend of a friend!
Then, because Padam knows that I am a school teacher, he went completely out of his way to take our family out into the desert villages to visit a unique, funded school for girls. It was a privilege to see firsthand how these young girls are given the funded opportunity to continue their education and thrive.
5. The ‘Living’ Jaisalmer Fort
India is packed to the brim with magnificent forts and palaces, but the Jaisalmer Fort is entirely unique. It is a real, breathing “living fort.” Unlike other historical monuments that double as quiet museums after hours, a quarter of Jaisalmer’s population still resides permanently inside the fort.
Walking through the fort gates feels like stepping straight back into a medieval trade route. You can wander and explore the winding sandstone alleys completely at your own pace without feeling rushed.
Inside, you will find an excellent museum, historical tours, craft stalls, and rooftop cafes where you can sip a cold drink or a cup of chai while soaking in panoramic, birds-eye views of the desert city below.
6. Jaisalmerians Truly Love Jaisalmer
There is a fierce, beautiful pride that resonates within the local population. I mean, there is about India in general. But Jaisalmerians deeply love their city and their colourful Rajasthani culture, and they are incredibly proud to share it with travelers.
I always think that as much as there is such a pride in India all over. Here it is emphasised in contrast to India’s giant metropolises.
In Delhi, for instance, nearly everyone has migrated from somewhere else, and very few residents seem to genuinely enjoy living amidst the heavy pollution and urban stress. In Mumbai, the ultra-wealthy adore their glittering high-rises, while the rest of the struggling population bemoans the sky-high prices, and the sickening congestion of real people living inside sprawling slums.
Jaisalmer, however, remains proud, tight-knit, and celebratory. The city even beautifully preserves its complex history through its clothing – such as the iconic, intricate Sindhi scarves worn by local men, which honor the ancient cultural heritage once shared deeply with the lands that now make up neighboring Pakistan.
7. The Totally Unique Overnight Camel Safari
You cannot visit the Golden City without heading out into the Thar Desert. Taking an overnight camel safari is a magical, completely unique experience that you will talk about for the rest of your life.
Trekking out on camels into the sand dunes to watch the sun sink below the horizon, eating fresh food cooked over an open fire, and sleeping under a completely unpolluted blanket of billions of stars is pure bliss. I mean how often do we get to honestly claim that we’ve done that?!
On our very first trip to Jaisalmer, we booked a camel safari and loved the experience so intensely that the moment we got back to town, we turned right around and went out to the dunes again just two days later! It is an absolute bucket-list experience that will make you love Jaisalmer even more.
Where to Stay in Jaisalmer
To experience the absolute best of this desert paradise, you need to stay with a great team and in the right spot. We stay at the Wanderlust Guesthouse every single time we visit, and it is our favourite place in all of India.
Our legendary host, Padam, is the heart and soul of the property. He treats every guest like an extension of his own family and goes completely above and beyond to make sure your time in the desert is perfect.
The guesthouse has beautiful, clean rooms, an awesome rooftop restaurant with unbeatable views of the Jaisalmer Fort, and they run the most magical camel safaris in the region.
We Love Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a city that requires you to travel right to the very end of the train line – and because it is so isolated, you do have to take a dedicated train or bus route out and back. But trust us: it is worth every single kilometre.
Give yourself the gift of spending a few extra days here, lean into the slower rhythm of the desert, and let this golden oasis be what you love about India too.
We love Jaisalmer! We know you will too.
Questions answered and ready to plan your adventure? Check out our Ultimate Golden Triangle Itinerary to see how to link Jaisalmer with Jaipur and Agra!
Safe travels, adventurers!
Read More India Inspiration
- Our Detailed & Easy 2-Day Itinerary Of Jaipur.
- Train Travel In India.
- India Tourist e-Visa: Our Step-By-Step Guide.
- 10 Things To Do In Mumbai.
- 10 Things To Do In Kochi & Kerala.
- Best Tourist SIM Card For India.
- What To Wear In India.
- 4-Day Kochi & Kerala Itinerary.
- Travelling India By Bus: Intercity, Tourist & Sleeper Buses.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Especially for your first time in India!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
