When most people envision a desert, thoughts of arid, uninhabitable stretches of sand come to mind. Combining shifting shapes made in the sand with a silent, mysterious solitude, deserts can take your imagination to new visages and vantages that you might otherwise never venture to. And while most deserts are indeed like this, our planet also boasts some captivating cities alongside great deserts that are just as dynamic as any other city destination you may choose to visit. Desert cities give the best of both worlds—a confrontation with a scorched landscape that seems otherworldly, right alongside a thriving, charming city teeming with locals ready to share their desert-lifestyles with interested tourists. So why not plan your next adventure in one of the world’s most amazing desert cities?
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
For many Americans, Arizona (and the Grand Canyon!) is the ultimate desert paradise and a wonderland of red rocks. While there are plenty of scenic desert adventures to be had, Scottsdale is a city situated alongside the great Arizonan deserts that offers visitors plenty of unique “city” adventures. With the iconic Camelback Mountain always lurking in the background, the city is home to some delicious restaurants with award-winning food and Scottsdale bottle services to keep the party going. For art-lovers, the famed architect Frank Lloyd Weight even built a home in Scottsdale, which is now a National Historic Landmark. The city is known to locals as one of the more expensive cities in the Phoenix area, packed with galleries, shopping, luxury hotels and spas. There is no shortage of things to do in Scottsdale despite its proximity to some of the USA’s hottest deserts, making it one of the world’s top desert cities.
Uyuni, Bolivia
Another fantastic desert city that’s oftentimes overlooked by the other big cities in Bolivia is Uyuni. While Bolivians may think of Uyuni as more of a town than a city, it is now a hub for tourism and has become a mandatory stop on an adventure along the gringo trail. One of the main reasons that Uyuni has become so popularized is for its salt flats—especially for the Salar de Uyuni, which is the biggest salt flat in the world. As a city, Uyuni is a great representation of quintessential Bolivia, and it’s the nearest town to one of the world’s most spectacular natural sites—the Salvador Dali Desert. Uyuni therefore makes for a great trip, as you can spend half your time visiting the stunning sand dunes, rocky hills, hot springs, and colored lagoons that resemble Dali’s famous landscapes while enjoying classic Bolivian food and culture in town.
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Commonly known as the driest place on the planet, the Atacama Desert in Chile is a rewarding destination that offers travelers a little bit of everything—thanks to the nearby city of San Pedro de Atacama. The city, which is home to charming Andean villages, pink flamingos and salt flats, has plenty of unique activities for people looking to take a break from venturing around the Atacama Desert. If you’ve ever wanted to try homemade empanadas or experience what it’s really like to live on an income from llamas, you’ll enjoy spending time in this small city, witnessing the real lifestyles of Andean people. The city is the perfect launch-pad for all that the Atacama Desert has in store, including ATV safaris, stargazing, horseback riding, geysers, hot springs, hiking and more. Keep in mind that the dry temperatures may call for some extra sunscreen, chapstick, lotion and eye-drops, and you may need to acclimate to the elevation.
Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, United States of America
Halfway between Santa Fe and Taos on U.S. 285 is Ojo Caliente, which has been known as a true city-like oasis for centuries. In fact, Native American Tewa tribes were the first people to build the town’s pueblos in the 15th century—the foundations of which surround the same hot springs still today. If you choose to visit this calming site today, there are several public hot spring pools, like Lithia, Soda, Arsenic and Iron, as well as a private soaking area reserved for tribal leaders. And as the backdrop to this great oasis of springs is a gorgeous mountain landscape, giving travelers the option to also try out some action sports, like hiking or mountain biking. Ojo Caliente is home to some quite charming sites, like the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project, the Classical Gas Museum and the Black Mesa Winery. This option will present an opportunity to witness New Mexico’s sacred land while healing the mind, body and spirit.
Desert Cities of Rajasthan, India
In the Thar region of India, there are several desert cities in the state of Rajasthan, including the “golden city” Jaisalmer, the “pink city” Jaipur, the “blue city” Jodhpur, the “city of lakes” Udaipur and finally, Bikaner. Jaisalmer in particular is known as the desert jewel, most famous for its incredible fort that withstood the test of time. This city, along with the others, is known for its colorful culture and its proximity to the renowned Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert). For travelers looking to experience a more urban event in these desert cities, the Rajasthan Desert Festival occurs each year in the winter, featuring entertaining sites like snake charmers, puppeteers, artists, craft-making and folk performers. After the festival, travelers can confront the reality of the expansive desert and explore the Thar region on a camel safari—one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. If you have time for a day trip, it’s also recommended to explore one of the 11 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the Thar desert, which is home to some fantastically unique vistas and animals.
No matter which of these wonderful desert cities you choose to visit, each of the options will give you the best of both urban and natural landscapes in other-worldly places you’ll never forget.
