Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
7 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
8 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
9 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
10 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All India Jaisalmer Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort

The oldest still-inhabited hill fort in India looks like a magnificent golden sandcastle.

Jaisalmer, India

Added By
Mariellen Ward
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Panoramic view of the Jaisalmer Fort skyline.   Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy
Panoramic view of the Jaisalmer Fort skyline.   Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy
Jaisalmer Fort   Daniel Villafruela/cc by-sa 3.0
Jain Temple in Jaisalmer Fort   Shitha Valsan/CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaisalmer Fort   Aashutosh Sharma
Palace of Maharawal, Jaisalmer   Anahgem/CC BY-SA 3.0
  walmorcouto / Atlas Obscura User
Jaisalmer Fort   whitiessam / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Jaisalmer Fort, like much of the city, is made from the golden-hued Jurassic sandstone of the region, and the effect is enchanting. From a distance, it looks like a golden sandcastle rising from the remote desert of western Rajasthan. But it is also a living fort, with about 3,000 inhabitants living within the complex.

The Jaisalmer Fort is the second-oldest fort in the state of Rajasthan, and the oldest continuously inhabited fort in India. It was built on a hill in the 12th century by Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. The double-fortified ramparts and circular bastions are incorporated into the stunning architectural design for extra protection during defense and battle.

Jaisalmer is on the edge of India, very near the Pakistan border, but it wasn’t always off the beaten path. Centuries ago, it was at the crossroads of several important trade routes, including the ancient Silk Road. Rich merchants built intricately carved havelis in the fort, adding to the beauty and charm of the “Golden City.”

A paved road takes you from the city up a ramp into the fort, through four huge gateways to Dushera Chowk, presided over by the beautifully carved Palace of the Maharawal, the former home of the monarch. The palace was turned into a museum and visitors can wander among the painted and tiled rooms, and up to the roof, the highest point in the fort, which offers stunning views.

The view from the Palace of the Maharawal, as well as other rooftops in Jaisalmer Fort, reveals the maze of narrow, twisting lanes that honeycomb through this ancient edifice. It’s a joy and delight to wander among them, letting yourself get lost. Residents share the confined space with several impressive Jain and Hindu temples, endless souvenir shops selling Rajasthani crafts such as puppets and textiles, guest houses and boutique hotels for every budget, cafes and restaurants, and, the fort museum itself.

Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan. But unlike most other forts, Jaisalmer is a living city that both preserves the past and thrives in the present.

Related Tags

Forts Castles Temples History Ancient Silk Road Deserts Architecture

Know Before You Go

Unfortunately, the tourist boom combined with water shortages in this desert location have added to the deterioration of the fort. Modern plumbing piped water into the fort, causing a leak that undermined the foundations. Several bastions collapsed and the fort was in jeopardy. Since then, conservation groups have repaired the damage, improved drainage, and fortified the structure, which though no longer in imminent jeopardy is still fragile. Visitors should use a minimum amount of water.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

mariellen

Edited By

travelerchannel, Meg, walmorcouto, whitiessam

  • travelerchannel
  • Meg
  • walmorcouto
  • whitiessam

Published

July 31, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.traveler-channel.com/what-to-see-in-jaisalmer/
  • https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/247
Jaisalmer Fort
Fort Road
Jaisalmer
India
26.912768, 70.913068
Get Directions

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 338
Stories 107

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 338
Stories 107

Related Places

  • The caravanserai.

    Iran

    Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

    One of the largest and oldest caravansaries in Persia.

  • Ranthambore Fort entrance.

    Ranthambhore Fort, India

    Ranthambore Fort

    The evocative ruins of a 1,000-year-old hill fort lie within a popular tiger reserve.

  • A relief of surgical instruments.

    Nagoa Ash Shatb, Egypt

    Temple of Kom Ombo

    One of its engravings is believed to be among the first representations of medical and surgical instruments.

  • The main gate of Chōshō-ji Temple, built in 1629.

    Hirosaki, Japan

    Zenringai (Zen Temple Street)

    These 33 Zen Buddhist temples were built to protect the nearby castle.

  • This is a rare example of authentic late medieval architecture in Tokyo.

    Higashimurayama, Japan

    Shōfukuji Temple Jizōdō Hall

    Considered the oldest intact wooden structure in Tokyo Prefecture, this impressive temple was built in 1407.

  • Hall of Edification

    Tainan City, Taiwan

    Tainan Confucius Temple

    The first Confucian temple in Taiwan, founded by the son of a pirate lord, doubled as the island's first state-sponsored school.

  • Deer outside Eremitageslottet

    Dyrehaven, Denmark

    Eremitageslottet (Hermitage Hunting Lodge)

    The castle used by the Danish Royal Family as a hunting retreat.

  • Pune, India

    Tulshibaug Ram Temple

    The 18th-century temple was once the tallest structure in Pune, and surrounded by a garden of tulsi.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.