Top 12 Forts and Palaces in Rajasthan You Must Visit

Rajasthan's forts and palaces are the backbone of almost every itinerary here — built by Rajput rulers across centuries, each with its own defining feature.

Jaipur's landmarks Amber Fort, with its Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and hilltop setting over Maota Lake, is Jaipur's essential visit, while City Palace and the smaller Nahargarh Fort round out the city's must-sees.

Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Mehrangarh Fort towers over Jodhpur's blue old city and is widely considered one of India's best-preserved forts, with extensive museum galleries covering Rajput arms, textiles and royal history.

Udaipur's palaces City Palace on Lake Pichola's edge is Udaipur's centrepiece, complemented by the lake-island Lake Palace (now a hotel, visible by boat) and Sajjangarh, the Monsoon Palace overlooking the city from a nearby hilltop.

Jaisalmer's living fort Jaisalmer Fort is unusual among Rajasthan's forts for still being inhabited, with homes, shops and havelis operating within its walls — Patwon-ki-Haveli nearby adds some of the region's finest carved sandstone architecture.

Kumbhalgarh — the great wall Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its massive perimeter wall — often cited among the longest continuous walls in the world — stretching across the surrounding hills.

Bikaner and Chittorgarh Junagarh Fort in Bikaner and the vast hilltop complex of Chittorgarh Fort — one of India's largest fort complexes — round out a longer Rajasthan circuit for travellers with more time.

Planning your own fort-and-palace circuit Our Udaipur & Kumbhalgarh and Jaisalmer — The Golden City Experience packages cover several of these directly — see either package page for the full itinerary, or enquire for a custom multi-city fort circuit.