The city of Jaipur, popular as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is known for its various attractions. The vibrant city of Jaipur has lots to explore, from imperial grandeur and architectural magnificence, to street food and colourful markets.
How to reach Jaipur?
By Air: The Jaipur airport is situated in Sanganer, 12 kilometre away from the city centre. It has both international and domestic terminals and offers excellent connectivity to various cities worldwide, with several airlines operating regular flights. Popular airlines like SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Air India, Oman Air and IndiGo provide daily flights to Jaipur.
By Train: Jaipur can be reached by trains such as the comfortable and air-conditioned Shatabdi Express, connecting it to significant Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jammu, Kolkata, Jaisalmer, Ludhiana, Haridwar, Pathankot, Bhopal, Patna, Lucknow, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa. Notable trains include Pune Jaipur Express, Ajmer Shatabdi, Adi SJ Rajdhani and Jaipur Express.
By Road: The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) operates regular, Volvo (air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned), and deluxe buses between Jaipur and other cities within the state. You can board the bus from Narayan Singh Circle or the Sindhi Camp bus stand in Jaipur. Additionally, there are frequent bus services from cities like Kota, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Udaipur, Ajmer and Vadodara.
Best time to visit Jaipur
The best time to visit Jaipur and other parts of Rajasthan is from November to March when the weather ranges from 8°C at night to 32°C during the day. Summers are extremely hot, making sightseeing less enjoyable. Monsoons are hot and humid, also not an ideal time to visit. January is excellent for visiting Jaipur due to the Kite Festival and the Jaipur Literature Festival held around this time. In March, Jaipur hosts the Elephant Festival, just a day before Holi.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Amer Fort
The majestic Amer Fort, situated on a rocky hill, is a must-see tourist place in Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1592 AD, the Amer Fort was built in red sandstone and marble. It was the residence of the royal family of Rajasthan. Ride an elephant up the cobblestoned path that leads to the fort gate. The view of the setting sun from the Fort is breathtaking. In the evening, enjoy the light and sound show in the Fort that tell tales of the grit and grandeur of the Rajput kings. Entertaining dance programs are held in the evening in Sukh Mahal. Do not forget to visit the Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam and Sukh Mahal. The nearby Maotha Lake is a charming feature.
Also read all about Rajasthan’s historic Ranthambore Fort
Places to visit in Jaipur: Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh Fort is the most spectacular fort to overlook Jaipur. It is famous for the Jaivana cannon, considered the largest cannon in the world. The Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh II, to protect the Amer Fort. Named after its builder, it is also known as the fort of victory because it has never been conquered. Jaigarh stands amidst thorn-shrub-covered hills with steep roads going up to the main gate, Dungar Darwaja. The fort is located on Cheel ka Teela (The Eagle’s Hill) on the Aravalli mountain range, overlooking the Maotha Lake and Amer Fort. The Diwa Burj, a structure from the medieval period and a watchtower called ‘Cheel ka Teela’ are popular tourist attractions that give you an enchanting view of the entire city.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur gives the illusion of floating on the lake’s surface. An architectural marvel, it is a testimony of the engineering prowess of the Rajputs. It is a five-story palace where four floors remain under water. Jal Mahal blends Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Go boating in the Man Singh Lake for a stunning view of this palace.
Read more about the Jal Mahal Jaipur
Places to visit in Jaipur: Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, built in the shape of a honeycomb, is a landmark of Jaipur. Also known as the ‘Palace of winds’, this five-story building was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to see everyday life and celebrations on the street, as they were not allowed to make a public appearance without covering their faces. This palace has 953 windows or charkhas, which are adorned with intricate designs. A museum within the Hawa Mahal complex houses famous items like miniature paintings and ceremonial armour.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is a must-see tourist place, as it features the world’s largest stone sundial (Virat Samrat Yantra) with a height of 27 metres. Jantar Mantar, built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, is an astronomical observatory. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Galtaji Temple (Monkey Temple)
Galtaji Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Jaipur. The vast temple complex consists of shrines, holy ponds, pavilions and natural springs. The walls are designed with carvings and paintings and resemble a grand haveli. The temple complex is made of several temples, Galtaji being the main temple. The temples are built within a narrow mountain pass in the Aravalli hills and the walls and ceilings are adorned with frescoes and paintings from Indian mythology. The intricate design of the canopies/chhatri and lattices add to its beauty. A large number of monkeys on the premise give it the name ‘The Monkey Temple’. Locally known as the ‘Galwar Bagh’ Galtaji temple, it is also referred to as the Temple of the Sun God and houses three temples dedicated to the Sun God, Hanuman and Balaji.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Birla Temple
Birla Temple, also known as the Lakshmi Narayanan Temple ,designed in white marble, has a magnificent shrine and beautifully sculpted idols of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Delicate carvings of Hindu symbols and ancient quotes from the Geeta and the Upanishads adorn the walls of this fascinating temple situated on an elevated ground at the base of Moti Dungri hill.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum, located in the Ram Niwas Garden, is one of the oldest museums of Rajasthan. It has an amazing collection of Rajasthani miniature paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, musical instruments and arms. The museum looks stunning with coloured lights at night.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Nahargarh Biological Park
Located within the historic section of Nahargarh Fort, the Nahargarh Biological Park is a must-visit place for children and wildlife lovers. In 2016, Ram Niwas Jaipur Zoo was shifted to Nahargarh Biological Park. Different types of animals can be spotted during the wildlife safari at Nahargarh Biological Park. The most commonly spotted species include the Royal Bengal tiger, hyena, panther, crocodile, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear and over 200 species of birds. Spread over a large space, this park is made of granite rocks, stone rocks and dry deciduous and tropical rain forests.
Places to visit in Jaipur: City Palace
The City Palace in Jaipur is a popular tourist attraction and an important landmark in the city. The City Palace houses the famous Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and is the residence of the royal family of Jaipur. The palace is a classic blend of Indian, Mughal, and European architectural styles, evident in its grand pillars, lattice work or jali work and carved marble interiors. This huge complex has several buildings, courtyards and beautiful gardens. Built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace is home to the Diwan-i-Khas, a weaponry display at the Maharani Palace and the Baggi Khana, a museum of the Maharaja’s rides. Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal also are worth visiting. Pritam Niwas Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) has doorways painted to look like the feathers of a peacock and the Diwan-i-Am showcases the palace’s collection of miniature paintings. Mubarak Mahal has on display costumes and textiles and the armoury is dedicated to preserving finely-crafted daggers and swords. This palace gives an insight into the bygone era, with walls decorated with mirrors, murals and lattices. The current residents live in the Chandra Mahal, an elegant structure with curved eaves and domed rooftops where each of its seven storeys features a different architectural style.
Read more about the City Palace Jaipur: A classic symbol of different architectural styles
Places to visit in Jaipur: Chokhi Dhani
Source: Shahar Palace (Pinterest)
Serving as one of the premier village resorts in Jaipur, Chokhi Dhani is a must-visit destination. Nestled in the outskirts of Jaipur, Chokhi Dhani faithfully replicates the ambiance of a traditional Rajasthani village. The restaurants at Chokhi Dhani offer authentic Rajasthani cuisine that is sure to tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving for more. As folk music fills the air and traditional dancers enchant you with their performances, the resort’s health club, swimming pool and spa facilities provide the perfect setting to unwind and rejuvenate.
Places to visit in Jaipur: Panna Meena ka Kund
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Panna Meena ka Kund, also called Panna Meena ki Baoli, stands as an ancient stepwell with a rich history. In its time, it served as a vital water source and a communal gathering space. Dating back to the 16th century, this stepwell features distinctive recessed doorways, octagonal pavilions and a mesmerising interplay of criss-cross stair patterns throughout its structure. The symmetrical design of the eight-level stepwell is so impeccably executed that it offers an exceptional opportunity for captivating photographs.
Things to do in Jaipur
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Apart from sightseeing, Jaipur offers tourists an experience to cherish for a lifetime. Young or old, there is plenty to choose from, to make your Jaipur trip a memorable one.
Feeding and bathing elephants in Jaipur
Elephants have always been an important part of the Rajasthani culture. If you love elephants, then, enjoy a ride in Amer Fort or spend time feeding and bathing them in Jaipur. Elefantastic Elephant Sanctuary is a conservation project in Jaipur. The farm offers a close experience with elephants, including feeding, walking, and bathing the elephants. You can spend an entire day at the farm and learn how to communicate with them. Elefun in another elephant village set up by the local tourism department of the Rajasthan government. It is an elephant sanctuary dedicated to the well-being of the species. You can also paint the elephants with herbal, non-toxic colours that are harmless to the skin of the animals and wash off easily. Going for a wash with an elephant is the most fun as elephants love splashing water.
Camel ride in Jaipur
When in Jaipur, another must-do is an exhilarating camel safari. A camel ride in Jaipur can be enjoyed around the areas of Jal Mahal at the Lake Front.
Cycling and walking tour in Jaipur
You can go cycling in the Jaipur expedition and witness the unique combination of Indian and European architectural styles at the Nahargarh Fort. There are various tours in Jaipur such as bazaar walking tours, street food tours, heritage walking tours, and gourmet cooking sessions, which can be pre-booked as per your interest and time.
Chokhi Dani – explore Rajasthani culture and food
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Enjoy the rich culture and cuisine of Rajasthan in Choki Dani, a beautifully created village, 20 kms from Jaipur. Witness traditional Rajasthani artefacts, handicrafts, paintings, folklore and sculptures and enjoy folk dance and songs, puppet shows, magic shows, camel rides, horse rides, fortune-tellers, predicting parrots and acrobatics. Choki Dani Village Resort is famous for its traditional Rajasthani food. The menu includes dal (lentil curry), bati (baked round bread topped with a dollop of ghee), churma (dessert), sangri (fried dried vegetable) and gatte ki sabzi (curry made of gram flour). Rajasthani people take their hospitality very seriously.
Tourist places to visit near Jaipur
There are many tourist places near Jaipur which are a must-visit.
Sambhar Lake
Sambhar Lake is one of the most popular places to visit near Jaipur. It is around 90 kms from Jaipur and is known as the ‘Salt Lake of Rajasthan’. It is India’s largest inland salt water lake. Spread over an area of 22.5 sq kms, the saline lake is divided by a 5.1-km-long dam which helps in making salt. The Salt Laboratory and the Salt Museum are also worth visiting.
Bagru
Bagru village on Jaipur-Ajmer Road of Rajasthan is 35 kms away from Jaipur. Famous for its natural dyes, Bagru printing is done by hand, with carved wooden blocks. This simple technique has been around for the last 300 years, and makes use of eco-friendly tools that use natural vegetable dyes to print the cloth which are in demand even today.
Samode Palace
Samode is another must-see popular place near Jaipur, which is around 40 kms away. Worthwhile sightseeing places are Samode Palace, Samode Fort, Samode Bagh and Haveli. Samode is famous for the intricately carved Samode Palace built in the 16th century. The interior walls of the palace are designed with frescos and miniature paintings. Samode architecture reflects Mughal and Rajasthani art.
Sariska National Tiger Reserve
Sariska is a popular tourist place near Jaipur, located at a distance of 110 kms from the city. It is famous for the Sariska National Tiger Reserve, spread over an area of 800 sq kms in the Aravalli Hills. It has different terrains like grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs and rocky landscapes. The Sariska National Park has wild animals such as leopards, sambars, chitals, nilgais, four-horned antelopes, wild boars, langurs, hyenas and jungle cats.
Indulge in the famous foods of Jaipur
Jaipur has become a dream destination for Indians and international tourists, especially for its variety of food.
Lassi is a well-known street food in Jaipur, served with extra cream in kulhads (earthen glasses). You cannot leave Jaipur without tasting pyaz kachori, which is one of the most famous things to eat here. Non-vegetarian lovers will never forget laal mass, a mutton curry cooked for hours in yogurt and Rajasthani spices. Your Jaipur trip must include tasting ghevar, the famous sweet dish of Jaipur, usually made during the festival of Teej with flour, sugar, ghee and milk. Get the local taste of Jaipur with dal, baati, churma, which is served in almost every restaurant in Jaipur. Dal is a yellow lentil curry, baati is baked bread dipped in desi ghee and churma is a sweet dish. All three are mixed together and served.
See also: All about Jaipur Metro
Shopping in Jaipur
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Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise. There are plenty of shops to purchase gemstone artwork, handicrafts, costumes, footwear, puppets, purses, bed sheets and Jaipur quilts (rajai). Johari Bazaar is a famous tourist place to buy gemstones, jewellery and souvenirs. It has dozens of shops selling costume jewellery along with silver and gold. Head to Tripolia Bazaar for lac jewellery and intricately designed lac bangles. Chandpole Bazaar is famous for its colourful handicrafts and marble crafts. Bapu Bazaar is a must-visit in Jaipur for its leather and textile products and mojris, shoes made from camel leather. You can also buy fragrances (attar), lehengas, bandhani dupattas, colourful lehariya sarees and sandstone artefacts. Bandhini and leheriya sarIs and dupattas are famous things to shop in Jaipur.
Looking for more places to explore? Check out our list of Famous monuments
Additional tips for tourists in Jaipur
- Jaipur is a safe city to travel but be careful of your belongings in busy areas and crowded markets.
- Use the services of licensed government guides.
- There is a vast range of accommodation in Jaipur, fit for every type of budget. Do a proper research before booking a hotel.
- If shopping for gems and stones, handicrafts, sarees and scarves from local markets, bargain to reduce the prices.
- Shop at reputed shops that provide guarantee for your purchases.
- If you have come from abroad and are not familiar with the Hindi language, opt for a guided tour. Do not exchange money through unauthorised dealers.
- In areas where there are monkeys, avoid carrying snacks or food items in the open.
Check out: Jaipur pin code
FAQs
Which is the best time to visit Jaipur?
The most comfortable and pleasant time to visit Jaipur is between October and February. This is when the days are clear and breezy.
Which places should one visit on a two-day trip to Jaipur?
On a two-day trip to Jaipur, visit the Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, City Palace and the markets of Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar. Also, try some local cuisine of Rajasthan.
How can I commute in the city of Jaipur?
Cabs are easily available and can be booked for the entire day. Apart from private cabs you can use apps for booking Ola and Uber cabs. Autos are the most affordable mode of transport. Tourists can also avail of the city bus, a hop-on-hop-off service, which is quite efficient. Jaipur also has a metro service that recently started, although it only services a small part of the city.
Which is the most popular tourist place in Jaipur?
Amer Fort and Palace is the most popular tourist place in Jaipur.
Does Jaipur have any UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Yes, Jaipur is home to Jantar Mantar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What food is Jaipur famous for?
Jaipur is famous for several dishes like Dal Bati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Mangori, Ker Sangri, Rajasthani Curry, Pakodi and Lal Maas.
When not to visit Jaipur?
The summer months between April to August are extremely hot and not at all suitable for visiting the city.
Which is the best place to shop in Jaipur?
The best places to shop in Jaipur include Johri Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar.
Which is the most popular mall in Jaipur?
World Trade Park is the most popular mall in Jaipur.
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