Things to Do in Rajasthan, India: City Guides

Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India known for its desert landscapes, mountain ranges, forts, palaces, temples and lively artistic traditions. From the historic cities of Jaipur and Jaisalmer to the hills of Mount Abu and the fertile lands east of the Aravallis, there is a remarkable variety of places to discover. Neywo has free audio guides for 7 cities in Rajasthan, with 38 narrated places in total.

Things to do in Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s history stretches from the Vedic and Indus Valley civilisations to the Rajputana era and the formation of the modern state in 1949. The former Rajputana Agency was made up of princely states, chiefships and the British district of Ajmer-Merwara before the region became part of the Indian Union. That long history is still visible in the state’s architecture and cities.

Explore Rajasthan’s historic cities

Jaipur, the capital and largest city, is one of the main places to visit in Rajasthan. Its Neywo guide includes 23 narrated places, among them Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jaigarh Fort and City Palace. Together, these sites show the architectural heritage associated with Rajasthan’s royal past.

The desert city of Jaisalmer offers a very different setting. Its Neywo guide includes 8 narrated places, including Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer War Museum, the Thar Desert and Jaisalmer district. The city lies in the landscape of the Great Indian Desert, where sandy terrain and limited water have shaped life for centuries.

In the east, Bundi has 5 narrated places. The guide covers Garh Palace, Sukh Mahal, Bundi district and Charbhuja Nath Temple, among other sites. Bundi sits in the broader tableland around Kota and Bundi, where Rajasthan’s landscape becomes more varied and fertile than the far west.

Udaipur reflects the character of Mewar, the hilly region in southern Rajasthan. Jodhpur is another important city in the state, associated with the desert side of Rajasthan. Alwar provides another destination to consider when planning a journey through the region.

Nathdwara, in the south of the state, has 2 narrated places on Neywo: the Statue of Belief and Nathdwara railway station. The town is also part of the varied cultural and historical landscape around the Aravalli hills.

Understand the desert and the Aravalli Range

Rajasthan is shaped by a meeting of desert and mountains. Much of the state lies within the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. The far west and northwest are sandy and dry, while the land becomes more fertile and habitable toward the east.

The Aravalli Range runs across Rajasthan from southwest to northeast. This ancient chain of ridges divides the state into two broad landscapes: the desert to the northwest, and higher, more fertile and varied terrain to the east and south.

At the southwestern end of the Aravallis, Mount Abu is Rajasthan’s only hill station. It is also home to the Dilwara Temples, a Jain pilgrimage site. In the south, the hills of Mewar create another distinctive landscape, while the area around Kota and Bundi opens into a broad tableland.

The desert has its own natural heritage as well. Desert National Park in Jaisalmer preserves part of the Thar ecosystem. Fossilised tree trunks and seashells record the area’s geological past, while resident and migratory birds include eagles, falcons, kestrels and vultures.

Discover Rajasthani crafts, music and dance

Rajasthan’s culture is expressed through colour, textiles, music and handmade objects. Traditional arts include block printing, tie and dye, gota patti work and Zari embroidery. Mirror work and embroidery are common features of clothing, while blue pottery, carpets and wooden furniture are among the region’s other crafts.

Music and dance are equally important. Ghoomar, associated with Jaipur and Jodhpur, and Kalbelia, connected with the Kalbelia tribe, have gained international recognition. The Manganiyar, Meena and Langa communities are noted for their musical traditions.

Traditional performance also remains an important part of Rajasthani culture. Kathputli, Gair and Kachchhi Ghori are among the state’s performance forms, adding movement, storytelling and colour to its cultural identity.

Explore Rajasthan with Neywo

Neywo offers free audio guides for 7 cities in Rajasthan, with 38 narrated places in total and 2 walking tours. Narration is available in 11 languages. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule.

Download Neywo to explore Rajasthan independently, whether you are walking through Jaipur, discovering Jaisalmer, visiting Bundi or travelling between the state’s historic cities and contrasting landscapes.