Bikaner, India: travel guide
Desert city of merchant havelis, the ornate Junagarh Fort, and camel breeding farms — a less-crowded gem on the Rajasthan circuit.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Top places to visit in Bikaner
Junagarh Fort
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry 300
A magnificent unconquered 1589 fort of red sandstone and marble, with opulent palaces, mirror-work halls and a museum — one of Rajasthan's best-preserved forts.
Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple)
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The famous "Rat Temple" at Deshnoke ~30 km away, where thousands of holy rats (kabas) are revered and fed — a unique, atmospheric pilgrimage site.
National Research Centre on Camel
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry INR 200
A unique government camel-breeding farm and museum on the city's edge, where you can see different camel breeds, take a ride and try camel-milk ice cream.
Lalgarh Palace
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry 100
A grand early-1900s red-sandstone palace blending Rajput, Mughal and European styles, with a museum and gardens; part is a heritage hotel.
Kote Gate Bazaar
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
The bustling old-city market around Kote Gate, famed for Bikaneri bhujia, namkeen, sweets, textiles and the lively flavour of the walled town.
Gajner Palace & Lake
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
A serene red-sandstone palace on a lake ~30 km away, a former royal hunting retreat now a heritage hotel, with migratory birds in winter.
Rampuria Havelis
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
A cluster of ornate early-20th-century sandstone mansions in the old city, intricately carved — the "pride of Bikaner" and a heritage-walk highlight.
Bhandasar Jain Temple
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
A beautiful 15th-century Jain temple known for its mirror work, gold-leaf paintings and frescoes, with rooftop views over the old city.
Devi Kund Sagar Cenotaphs
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
The royal cremation ground of the Bikaner rulers ~8 km out, with elegant marble and sandstone chhatris (cenotaphs) and painted ceilings.
Prachina Cultural Museum
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · entry 30
A museum within the Junagarh complex showcasing royal costumes, textiles, crockery and the lifestyle of the Bikaner royals.
Things to do
- Karni Mata Rat Temple Visit Cultural · 1.5 h · from INR 400 per person
- Junagarh Fort Guided Tour Cultural · 2 h · from INR 500 per person
- Bikaner Heritage & Bhujia Food Walk Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Camel Farm Visit & Safari Activity · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bikaner City & Junagarh Tour 7 h · from INR 1,200
- Karni Mata & Camel Farm Trip 5 h · from INR 1,000
- Gajner Palace & Desert Day 8 h · from INR 1,800
Where to stay in Bikaner
- City Center about INR 2,000 per night
Historic city with mid-range hotels and bazaars
Hotels
- Hotel Narendra Bhawan 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per night
- Laxmi Niwas Palace 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 18,000 per night
- Gajner Palace (HRH Group) 4-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- The Lallgarh Palace 4-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
- Vinayak Guest House 2-star · INR 1,200 to INR 2,500 per night
- Hotel Bhairon Vilas 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,800 per night
Where to eat
- Chhotu Motu Joshi Rajasthani, Snacks, Sweets · about INR 150 per person
- Bikaji / Bhujia Bazaar Stalls Snacks, Rajasthani · about INR 120 per person
- Heeralal Restaurant Rajasthani, North Indian · about INR 350 per person
- Gallops (Junagarh) Rajasthani, North Indian, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Bhinv Sweets Sweets, Rajasthani · about INR 120 per person
- Laxmi Hotel (Rajasthani Thali) Rajasthani, Marwari · about INR 250 per person
- Camel Milk Cafe (NRCC) Cafe, Snacks · about INR 100 per person
- Amber Restaurant Rajasthani, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.