The city of Jaipur was the very first stop on my journey through Rajasthan and as soon as I arrived I completely understood the saying: “You either fall madly in love with India, or you hate it.”
For me it definitely was the first one and a sensory overload happened from the moment I got off the plane.
Jaipur is one of the most photogenic cities in India and there are so many amazing things to do in this vibrant city.
In this guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know based on my own personal experience.
IF YOU’RE PLANNING A TRIP TO RAJASTHAN YOU’LL WANT TO CHECK MY 2 WEEKS RAJASTHAN ITINERARY INCLUDING 31 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN THIS STATE.
Unique Things To Do in Jaipur, India
Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan. The ‘pink’ of the Pink City is Gerua (or ochre) in which the city was coated during the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1905-06.
It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and is also part of what they call the Golden Triangle of India tourism which also includes a visit to Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is often the gateway to visiting the other cities in Rajasthan such as Udaipur, Jodhpur or Jaisalmer.
As of 2019 the Pink City of Jaipur is also a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to reach Jaipur
People from all parts of the world come to observe the beauty and to know about the cultural legacy of Jaipur. Since Jaipur is one of the major cities in the country it is very well connected to all other corners of India which leans that there are several types of public transport possible such as by air, bus or train.
On my journey to India I flew from Delhi to Sanganer airport, which is only 10km from Jaipur. As an international tourist you can take connecting flights to Jaipur from both Delhi and Mumbai.
FROM DELHI
BY AIR
Like I just said there are plenty of national flights connecting Delhi with Jaipur! Once you get down at the airport, hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the main city.
BY BUS
Jaipur is linked with the all the major cities of India through the network of National Highways 8, 11 and 12 to only name a few. Another option is to go by bus which only takes 3,5 hours. There’s a really good bus service provided by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) with the buses at about every half an hour.
BY TRAIN
Jaipur is well connected by railroad to a ton of different cities in India including Delhi. There are three main railway junctions including Jaipur, the main station; Gandhinagar and Durgapara. Every train stops at Jaipur junction and a few of the trains stop at Gandhinagar and Durgapara.
Why you should visit Jaipur
Jaipur is a city steeped in history and culture where the past comes alive through magnificent forts and colourful palaces. During your visit you’ll get to experience where the maharaja’s used to live.
The streets are buzzing and honestly there is never a dull moment when you look out of your tuk tuk. There’s a mix of cars, motorcycles, chicken and cows all over the place and still no one gets hurt in the process.
The bazaars of Jaipur are known for their Rajasthani jewellery and I myself picked up some stunning earrings along the way!
When is the best time to visit Jaipur
Jaipur is located in a semi-desert regio, which has three distinct seasons: a warm dry winter, an unbearably hot spring/summer and a brief but intense monsoon season. I went in May which is part of the unbearably hot summer and I tell you, they’re not exaggerating.
There were times when we started exploring Jaipur in the early morning and by 7am the temperature had climbed up to 40°C. It’s no wonder we had to seek refuge in the AC during the day and that at times discovering all of these beautiful places in Jaipur felt like a struggle.
The winter months (November to Februari) are the best time to visit Jaipur and also the rest of Rajasthan for that matter. The weather is dry, sunny and warm. Due to its desert climate it does get chilly in the evenings so don’t forget to bring a jumper with you!
Where to stay in Jaipur
LUXURY TRIP
- Fairmont Jaipur – Built in the tradition of the region’s grand Mughal palaces, this majestic hotel offers the best in modern amenities and truly is a royal destination.
- Rambagh Palace – This hotel is known as the ‘Jewel of Jaipur’ and is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
- Samode Haveli – An urban oasis in the historic walled city of Jaipur, Samode Haveli is a traditional Indian mansion set in a verdant garden.
- Samode Palace – Located a little outside of Jaipur but one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen.
BUDGET TRIP
- Umaid Bhawan – Heritage Style Hotel – A stunning 4 star hotel once crowned as one of the best hotels in Jaipur!
- Umaid Mahal – Heritage Style Hotel – A Jaipur heritage style hotel providing true Rajasthani hospitality in Jaipur.
- Jaipur CM-A Luxury Boutique Hotel – Located in Bani park and offering a more modern twist to your stay in Jaipur.
14 Awesome Things To Do in Jaipur
1. Amer Fort
Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort, is located about 11km from the city centre and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Jaipur! Therefore I recommend you to visit it as early as possible in the morning.
The entrance to the fort is a little higher up and a narrow road will lead you to the main gate. The best way to reach the top is to simply walk, while you’re at it you’ll burn off some of that naan bread! To my horror I saw a lot of people choose to go up to the fort by means of an elephant. This is one of the most unethical things you could ever do and I truly hope you won’t.
For elephants to behave in such a way they had to be tortured from a very young age and the carriage on their back alone is way to heavy for them to carry.
If you would like more insight into this topic please visit this article of mine – How to visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary.
When it comes to visiting the fort we did hire a local guide on the spot. There are so many hidden corners to this fort that it would be a shame to not see everything.
And this way you support the locals and you learn a thing or two about the history and culture of Amer.
TIP – In the evening there’s a beautiful light and sound show.
- Opening Hours – 8am to 5.30pm and 6.30pm to 9.15pm
- Entrance fee – INR 500
- Duration – 2 to 3 hours
- Other activities close to Amer Fort – Panna Meena ka Kund, Nahargarh Fort, Great Wall of Amer
MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE ON VISITING AMER FORT FOR A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – AMER FORT IN JAIPUR, THE COMPLETE VISITING GUIDE.
2. Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is one of the best forts in Jaipur and stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the Pink City. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort it once formed a strong defence line.
But these days the Nahargarh Fort is mostly known as one of the best places to see the sunset in Jaipur and so we did on our first evening in India! We jumped in one of the Tuk Tuk’s in front of our hotel and after bumpy ride of about 30 minutes we arrived at the entrance of this magnificent fort. We settled on a return time with our driver and he would wait for us outside of the fort.
The view over the Pink City was absolutely mesmerising and at one point I had to pinch myself to believe I was actually sitting there, in the middle of India!
I climbed up the wall to get a better view, me being a midget and all, but always be cautious when doing so. The locals and the guards are not a fan of this so I would actually advise you to go a little more down to have more privacy.
- Opening hours – Every day from 10am until 10pm. I would not attempt to hike down after 10pm cause Nahargarh Fort is located within a nature park that’s full of wild animals. And yes, there are tigers around Jaipur!
- Entrance fee – INR 200
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
RAJASTHAN IS FILLED WITH STUNNING FORTS & PALACES AND I WROTE A DETAILED GUIDE WITH TONS OF PHOTOS & DETAILS – THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FORTS & PALACES IN RAJASTHAN
3. The Great Wall of Amer
Climbing the Great Wall of Amer is one of the most fun and free things to do in Jaipur! It gets its name from its impressive length and as a reference to the Great Wall of China. But no one knows exactly how long the wall is.
Unfortunately a big chunk of this masterpiece is crumbling down fast but so far the local government only paid attention to the segments that are visible to the public and tourists. This could lead to loss of more than 50% of the wall in total.
The best place to climb up the Great Wall is right across from the entrance of Amer Fort. There’s a small staircase that will lead you all the way up and I can guarantee you that you’ll have an amazing view over the Aravalli Hills and Amer Fort! It’s a steep way up and in May it was pretty brutal because of the heat but like with everything in India it was worth the struggle!
TIP – A lot of people confuse the Great Wall of Amer with the Jaipur Wall. These are not the same structures and the Jaipur Wall protected the wall city area of Jaipur.
- Opening hours – 24/7
- Entrance fee – Free
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
4. Panna Meena ka Kund
Panna Meena ka Kund, also known as the most Instagrammable stepwell is actually also a hidden gem in Jaipur. This peculiar place is located only 10 minutes driving from Amer Fort and that’s why most tourists completely forget about it.
If you’re into photography then this architectural masterpiece has to be on your list of things to do and see in Jaipur. The zigzag structure of the stairs in combination with the water bassin below lends itself to some incredible photo ops.
The stepwell is protected by local guards to keep a close eye if you’re following the rules. As of recent it is not allowed to walk down the stairs anymore, this to preserve the monument en due to the fact that a lot of accidents happened over the past years. I can imagine people running up and down, taking selfies and maybe even falling over into the bassin.
During my visit in 2018 it was “allowed”. We asked the guard if it was possible to go down and he told us that for INR 100 we could have 10 minutes but only when there’s no other people around.
- Opening hours – 7am to 6pm
- Entrance fee – Free
- Duration – 30 minutes
5. Monkey Temple
That one time in India where we hiked up another mountain in the blistering heat to simply realise there was a parking lot right in front of the entrance of the temple. Then again this way we also passed by the Sun Temple which was actually my favourite part!
The Monkey Temple, also known as Galta Ji, is a large Hindu complex located about 10km from the city centre of Jaipur. It’s not hard to see where it gets its name from. The temple is literally lined with monkeys and none of them are afraid of tourists! If you’re brave enough to feed them be prepared to get robbed as well.
- Opening hours – Every day from 5am until 6pm
- Entrance fee – Free but there is a camera fee of INR 50
- Duration – 1 hour
6. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is a pink palace in the heart of the Pink City and you can’t visit Jaipur and not see this magnificent building.
When I was doing my research for my trip to India I came across several images of this structure and I got so fascinated by it! It was crazy to discover in real life that it’s not much more than a beautiful facade in the middle of a busy street. There’s a small sidewalk in front of it with a fence but the best view is from across the street in one of the rooftop bars.
Hawa Mahal means the “Palace of Winds” and it has 953 small windows that were built to keep the wind on blowing through the palace so it would cool off.
Another legend actually states that Hawa Mahal was constructed by the Maharaja as a separate complex for the ladies of his harem. For each lady there was a window through which they could watch the daily life unfold down below.
- Opening hours – Every day from 9am to 5pm
- Entrance fee – INR 200
- Duration – 30 minutes
- Things to do around Hawa Mahal – Visit the City Palace of Jaipur or go shopping in the Pink Bazaar.
7. Patrika Gate
The Patrika Gate is another one of those unique things to do in Jaipur. A couple of years ago its popularity blew up on Social Media but besides that it’s not visited by a lot of tourists.
It’s a beautiful and colourful series of gates located at the start of the Jawahar Circle park.
The Pink City of Jaipur was founded in 1727 AD and they occupied its perimeter with the Jaipur Wall and 8 gates. Now, Patrika Gate is being represented as the ninth gate of Jaipur.
- Opening hours – 24/7
- Entrance fee – Free
- Duration – 30 minutes
8. City Palace
The City Palace of Jaipur is one of the most important landmarks in the Pink City! Upon visiting I highly recommend you to take the full tour! This way you don’t just see the courtyard but also all of the other beautiful rooms!
The City Palace was established at the same time as Jaipur itself and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit. The royal complex is made up of a series of gardens, courtyards, and buildings, one more colourful and luxurious than the other.
As a photographer you have to know that it’s not allowed to use a tripod inside of the palace grounds and to bring in your camera you have to pay a fee of INR 50.
- Opening hours – Every day from 10AM until 6pm (last ticket at 5pm)
- Entrance fee – INR 700 but if you want access to all of the rooms which I highly suggest the price is INR 2500 which also includes a guide.
- Duration – 2 hours
9. Caffé Palladio
Caffé Palladio is the perfect spot to have lunch after a busy day of exploring the city of Jaipur! It’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in Jaipur and the Art Deco vibes are splendid.
Caffé Palladio belongs to the same owner as Bar Palladio. Another stunning restaurant but one where I didn’t have a good experience at all. We had made a reservation to have cocktails and dinner at Bar Palladio and of course I brought my camera with me. Upon arriving the manager then told me that to enter with my camera I had to pay INR 3000. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and after going into a discussion we decided to leave.
I have heard from several other bloggers that they were allowed to take photos inside with their smartphone for free. I have no idea why at Bar Palladio they made such a fuss about a regular camera. But I wanted you to know before you make a reservation!
The service at Caffé Palladio however was impeccable and the vibe here was way more relaxed!
- Opening hours – 10am to 7pm
- Things to do around Caffé Palladio – Visit Albert Hall Museum
10. Albert Hall Museum
The Albert Hall Museum is the oldest museum in the entire state and functions as the state museum of Rajasthan. It was built in 1876 and originally intended as a concert hall. Its name comes from the Victoria and Albert Museum of London due to the similarity in building style.
These days there are 16 galleries in total inside of the museum, all showcasing the beauty of Indian culture.
- Opening hours – 9am until 5pm
- Entrance fee – INR 150
- Duration – 1 hour
11. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jaipur. It’s a water palace located in the heart of the Man Sagar Lake.
As a visitor it’s not allowed to enter the palace but you can admire its beauty either from the shoreline or by boating on the lake!
12. Rambagh Palace
Rambagh Palace is now one of the most beautiful hotels in Jaipur but it used to be the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
If you’re not a guest it’s not possible to visit the hotel but you can make a reservation for afternoon tea or dinner.
13. Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort is one of the most famous and renowned forts in Jaipur and still it is often overlooked by a lot of tourists. Therefore it’s one of the more unique things to do in the Pink City!
Jaigarh Fort, also known as Victory Fort, is 3km long and is connected to Amer Fort by subterranean passages and considered as one complex.
- Opening hours – Every day from 10am until 5pm
- Entrance fee – INR 100
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
14. Royal Gaitor Cenotaphs
The Royal Cenotaphs are another unique places to visit in Jaipur and are simply stunning to photograph.
Located on the Nahargarh foothills these stone monuments are intricately carved and beautifully displayed. It’s here that the former Maharaja’s of Jaipur found their final resting place.
Royal Gaitor is still one of those hidden gems so make sure to quick before it becomes too famous.
- Opening hours – Every day from 9am until 5pm
- Entrance fee – INR 50
- Duration – 1 hour
- Things to do around Royal Gaitor – Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal and Amer Fort.
I loved the architecture in Jaipur so much that I couldn’t stop taking photos! You can find my absolute favourites now in my print shop!
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Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
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