Jodhpur is a desert city in north-western Rajasthan, built around the Mehrangarh Fort and known as the Blue City for the colour scheme of its old town houses. The old city circles the fort and is enclosed by a wall with several gates, while newer parts of the city spread out beyond it.
For a visitor, the main decision is whether to base yourself inside the old city, within walking distance of the fort, clock tower and markets, or outside it in the newer neighbourhoods. This guide covers the areas the sources identify, what each is like, and which level of accommodation you tend to find there.
Best areas to stay in Jodhpur
1. The old city around Mehrangarh Fort
This is the historic core, the walled old town that circles Mehrangarh Fort and contains the oldest part of the Blue City. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the fort gate, the old local market and the lanes of the blue-painted houses. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the fort and old city on foot rather than by vehicle.
Accommodation here is dominated by restored havelis and small guesthouses, many with rooftop restaurants and terraces looking up at the fort and over the blue city. Several sit at the foot of the hill below the fort, and some are reached by steep or winding lanes, so expect a climb on foot and narrow streets for vehicles.
2. Around the clock tower and Manak Chowk
The clock tower area, including Manak Chowk and the streets around it, is the commercial heart of the old city and a practical base for the markets. It suits travellers who want to be in the middle of things, with the bazaar, the clock tower and the route up to the fort all close by.
You find guesthouses and havelis converted for travellers here, generally small in scale, with rooftop restaurants and views of the fort. The area is busy and central; some properties are a short walk from the clock tower, and rickshaw drivers may take you to commission-paying places, so it pays to know the directions to where you are going.
3. Navchowkiya and the fort-gate lanes
Navchowkiya sits in the old town near the fort gate known as Fethpole, in the oldest part of the blue city. It suits visitors who want the fort and the old lanes immediately around them and are comfortable in a dense historic neighbourhood.
This area holds long-established havelis and guesthouses, some with stone lattice balconies, courtyards and plant-filled terraces facing the fort. It is within the old city, so the same practical points apply: narrow lanes, walking distances to the fort and markets, and views from rooftops rather than from the street.
4. Ratanada and the Defence Lab Road area
Ratanada lies outside the old city, in a quieter part of town, with properties set along Defence Lab Road and nearby streets. It suits travellers who prefer calm, gardens and space over being in the middle of the bazaar, and it works for those staying longer or wanting a heritage-style setting.
Here you find heritage buildings and larger properties with gardens, courtyards and pools, rather than small rooftop guesthouses. The trade-off is distance: some of these properties are around a kilometre and a half from the centre of town, so you will rely on vehicles to reach the fort and old city.
5. Mandore
Mandore is a separate area to the north of the city, known for its historic garden. It suits travellers who want a quieter base away from the old town and are happy to travel in to see the fort and markets.
Accommodation here is in traditionally designed bungalows and cottages, and properties sit within a minute's walk of the main historic garden. Because it is outside the old city, plan on reaching Mehrangarh and the clock tower by road.
6. Salawas village
Salawas is a village outside Jodhpur, reached from the city by road. It suits travellers interested in a rural stay and village crafts rather than a city base.
You find traditional hut-style rooms here, with basic cooling rather than full hotel facilities. Some village stays include pickup and return to anywhere in Jodhpur along with meals, which offsets the distance from the sights.
7. Kaylana Road and the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer highway
The area along Kaylana Road towards the Jaisalmer highway is on the edge of the city, near Akhey Raj Ka Talab. It suits travellers with their own transport or those heading onward towards Jaisalmer, who want to be on the road out of town.
Properties here are resort-style, set away from the old city rather than among its lanes. Treat it as a base for the road and for quieter surroundings, not for walking to the fort.
8. Banar Road and Prem Nagar
Banar Road, in the Prem Nagar area, is a further-out district close to Jodhpur Cantt railway station. It suits travellers arriving or departing by train who prefer a large resort setting to the old city.
This is where you find large palace-style resorts set in extensive gardens, with restaurants, a pool and other facilities on site. It is a few kilometres from the cantonment station and away from the fort, so you will need transport for sightseeing.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: small guesthouses and family-run homestays, often in restored havelis in the old city, with fan or air-conditioned rooms, shared or attached bathrooms, rooftop restaurants and terraces facing the fort. Dorm beds and basic rooms are available in some properties.
- Mid-range: restored havelis and heritage homestays with a handful of rooms, courtyards and gardens, plus heritage buildings with period furniture, pools and larger grounds, some on the edge of the old city and some in quieter neighbourhoods outside it.
- Splurge: large heritage and palace properties, including a palace hotel, with extensive gardens, multiple restaurants, bars, pools and sports facilities, generally outside the old city and reached by road.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the old city around Mehrangarh Fort. It puts the fort, the old market and the blue lanes within walking distance and gives you the rooftop views of the fort and city that define a stay in Jodhpur. Expect narrow streets and some climbing on foot, and choose a property with the directions confirmed before you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay inside the old city or outside it?
Inside the old city you can walk to the fort, the clock tower and the markets, and many properties have rooftop views of the fort and the blue city. Outside it, in areas such as Ratanada, Mandore, Kaylana Road or Banar Road, you get quieter surroundings, gardens and larger properties, but you will need transport for the sights.
Which area is best if I want nightlife and a central location?
The sources describe the old city and clock tower areas as the busy, central parts of Jodhpur, with markets and rooftop restaurants. They do not describe a separate nightlife district, so if you want to be in the middle of things, the old city is the practical choice.
Where do families tend to stay?
Families are better served by the areas outside the old city, such as Ratanada, Kaylana Road or Banar Road, where properties have gardens, pools and on-site restaurants. The old city suits those who want to walk to the fort, but its lanes are narrow and some properties are reached by steep paths.
How do I reach the fort and the main sights from where I stay?
From the old city, the fort and the old market are within walking distance, though some routes climb. From areas outside the old city, including Ratanada, Mandore, Salawas, Kaylana Road and Banar Road, you will need a vehicle; some properties arrange pickup from the airport or railway station, and some village stays include pickup and return within Jodhpur.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.