Rajasthan holds a treasure of ancient archives and heritage. The stories of the bravery, sacrifice, pride and romance are kept safe within these forts in Rajasthan. Hence, it’s rightly said that the great rulers have been long gone but their legacy still lives through the Forts, Palaces, Mahals and Temples of the state. The great details and thoughts put in to create these of the brilliant monuments will inspire awe in you with every fort of Rajputana holding a unique charm. So, here’s a guide to the top 10 forts in Rajasthan that are a must-visit on your vacation!
Top 10 Forts in Rajasthan
- Amber Fort, Jaipur
- Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
- Ranthambore Fort, Ranthambore National Park
- Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
- Gagron Fort, Gagron
- Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
- Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
- Lake Palace, Udaipur
- Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
- Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajsamand
1. Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber fort of Jaipur is located on the Aravali highlands and offers magnificent views of the Maota lake. Built back in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh the fort displays the Mughal style of architecture created using the red sandstone and marble doubles giving it a grand look and also making it one of the best forts in Rajasthan.
Highlights of the fort: Elephant rides, the panoramic city views, Diwan-I-Khas, Diwan-I-Am, Sukh Niwas and Shesh Mahal.
Entry fee: Indians – INR 100 per person (adults) and INR 10 per person(students) | INR 500 per person (Foreigner) and INR 100 per person (Foreign students)
Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | Light show: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tourist attractions near Amer Fort: Jal Mahal, City Palace Jaipur, Nahargarh Palace and Hawa Mahal
2. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
This majestic fort located on top of the Trikuta hill is the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. This spectacular beauty overlooking the dunes of Thar desert was built way back in the 12th Century using yellow sandstone by Rawal Jaisal and is one of the best and most visited forts in Rajasthan. Hence, the fort is also popularly known as “Sonar Quila” or “Golden Fort” .
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Four grand entrances, Royal Palace, Lakshminath Temple, Shree Nath Palace, Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, many other Hindu and Jain temples and villas of the merchants.
Entry fee: Entry is free. But, camera fee (INR 50 for still and INR 100 for video) are applicable.
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tourist attractions to visit near Jaisalmer Fort: Bada Bagh and Salim Singh Ki Haveli are two of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer.
Also read: 5 Popular Hill Stations In Rajasthan For A Refreshing Escape From Heat
3. Ranthambore Fort, Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore Fort is built around the Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary in Sawai Madhopur. Interestingly, this fort in Rajasthan was built on two hills back in the 10th century by Nagil Jats who were the oldest royals of Rajasthan. At present date, although many parts of the fort are in ruins after witnessing attacks from the Mughals and Britishers, few structures remain tall and stand strong and hence it is still considered to be one of the best forts in Rajasthan.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park, Jain Temple and Lord Sumatinath Temple
Entry fee: For Indians it is INR 25, for foreigners, it is INR 200
Timings: 6:30 am to 10:00 am and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Tourist attractions near Ranthambore Fort: Malik Tala, Surwal Lake Raj Bagh Ruins and Jogi Mahal
Also read: Top things to do in Ranthambore
4. Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the earliest forts of Rajasthan which was constituted in the 7th century. It holds a significant part of Rajasthan’s history and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to many romantic tales of Rajasthan. Spread over a broad area of 700 acres with seven large gateways termed as Pol, it is also usually known as Water Fort, as there are about 22 water bodies within the fort making it a good spectacle and also one of the best forts in Rajasthan.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Kirti Stambha, Vijay Stambha, Padmini’s Palace, Gaumukh Reservoir, Fateh Prakash Palace, Rana Kumbha Palace, Meera Temple and annual Jauhar Mela
Entry fee: INR 5 per person (Indians) | INR 100 per person (Foreigners)
Timings: : 9:45 am to 5:15 pm
Tourist attractions near Chittorgarh Fort: Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
Also read: The most Haunted places in Rajasthan
5. Gagron Fort, Gagron
Another UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Gagron fort of Rajasthan is beauty in itself. This fort has wonderful surrounding and holds many archaeological marvels of history. One of the most visited forts in Rajasthan, this fort is the epitome of a “Jal Durg” which means it is surrounded by water on all sides. The Gagron fort was initially built as a protection from armies in the 1195 AD by the then ruler Bijaldev of the Parmara kingdom. The glory of the fort in Rajasthan has however faded through the years but the charm still lives.
Highlights of Gagron Fort: Sparkling river on three sides
Entry fee: None
Timings: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tourist attractions near Gagron Fort: Prithvi Vilas Palace and Chandrabhaga Temples
6. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort stands as one of the most prominent cultural landmarks of Jodhpur. The establishment of the fort was done way back in 1458 by then Rathore ruler Rao Jodha. One of the most beautiful forts in Rajasthan, this fort continues to stand strong and sparks wonder from all its visitors. There are seven massive gateways of the fort and each of them signify their great victory on different kingdoms. Even today, there are many unsolved mysteries that the fort holds that entices many around the world.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Wonderful views of the Blue City, the seven Pols, museums (housing armoury, paintings), temples and palaces
Entry fee: INR 70 per head (Indian nationals) | INR 600 per person (Foreigners)
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tourist attractions near Mehrangarh Fort: Jaswant Thada, Balsam and Lake, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Kaylana Lake are among the best places to visit in Jodhpur.
Also read: 15 Tourist Places Near Jodhpur That Are Worth Visiting In Rajasthan
7. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Hawa Mahal is one of the most clicked forts in Rajasthan. Its unique honeycomb-shaped windows are totally a show stopper. It was built by the king Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799. The surprising fact behind the numerous windows or jharokhas (as they call it) were built so that the queens and their daughters could see the views of the city and its daily hustle without being seen. Today, the palace has been transformed into a market place (Sireh Deori) where you can buy colourful jewels, handlooms and everything that can take you back to the traditional Rajasthani artistry.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Intricately designed windows in the facade, the main market around the palace, colourful glasswork inside
Entry fee: INR 50 per person (Indian nationals) | INR 200 per head (Foreigners)
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
8. Lake Palace, Udaipur
Glorifying the title of Venice of the East, Lake Palace is among the best heritage hotels of Udaipur. The Lake Palace was built in 1743 and at present date has been modified into a luxury estate with 83 rooms that will surely take you back to the ancient days while having the comfort of modern facilities. This is a top recommendation if you’re planning your honeymoon in Rajasthan.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort: Houses the second largest freshwater man-made lake in Asia, holds excellent vintage car collection.
Entry fee: No entry fee
Timings: Open 24 hours
Also read: The Top 5 Beautiful Lakes in the Land of Maharajas, Rajasthan
9. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Originally built as a huge mansion boasting its ancient heritage, this palace has been transformed into a boutique hotel which will give you a feeling of a king, a place where you will be treated like a maharaja with access to world-class amenities. The place is managed by Taj Group of Hotels and holders of 347 luxuriant rooms in its space. One of the best picturesque forts in Rajasthan, on your Jodhpur vacation, ensure to not miss Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Highlights of Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur: Lovely gardens
Entry fee: INR 30 per person (Indians) | INR 100 for foreigners
Timings: 10 AM-4:30 PM
Also read: 9 Best Weekend Getaways From Udaipur Which Cannot Be Missed
10. Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajsamand
Kumbhalgarh Fort towering the Aravali ranges is one of the most fabulous majestic forts in Rajasthan and holds a large part of history within its borders. The fort was built by Maharaja Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The greatness of the fort lies in its great castles stretching to 36 kilometres and interestingly the Kumbhalgarh Fort is the next longest massive wall after the Great Wall of China.
Highlights of Jaisalmer Fort:36 km long braced walls, Badal Mahal, fantastic panoramic vista of the region, seven massive gateways, Jain Temple and Hindu Temple
Entry fee: For Indians it is INR 10, for foreigners it is INR 100
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tourist attractions near Kumbhalgarh Fort: Rajsamand Lake
So, have you decided on the favourite forts in Rajasthan that you would be heading to on your next trip to Rajasthan? Well, we are with you if you feel that none of them can be missed while exploring the rich heritage of Rajasthan. Get to know about the different tourist attractions in India, have a look at some useful information for planning a great vacation. You can also log onto pickyourtrail.com for some amazing tour packages. Happy vacay!