Jaipur, capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, is known as the ‘Pink City’. This city earned its nickname due to the pink colour of its buildings, painted so in 1876 to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, during his visit to India. The pink colour was chosen because it symbolises hospitality in Rajasthani culture. Since then, the tradition of painting buildings pink has been maintained, giving Jaipur its enchanting appearance. Jaipur is a city not to be missed if you are in northern India. Read the article below to discover the 11 things to do in Jaipur!
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11 things to do and visit in Jaipur
Walking the streets of Jaipur is a fascinating experience. At every turn, a new scene unfolds: people bustling about, the commotion of daily life, and then suddenly, you’re met with majestic pink palaces, standing tall with their distinctive beauty amidst the bustling chaos.Discover below the top 11 things to do and places to visit in Jaipur!
1. Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’
The Hawa Mahal is the symbol of Jaipur. Located in the heart of the city, its elegance is in stark contrast to the surrounding traffic and chaos.
The ornate façade of the Hawa Mahal serves as the back side of the building, enabling the women of the royal family to observe street life and events without being visible, in accordance with the restrictions of the purdah, the system of gender segregation prevalent at the time. The 953 intricately decorated windows were also crafted to facilitate airflow and maintain the palace’s coolness during the sweltering summer months.
Our advice is to visit the Palace of the Winds during sunset, when the sun disappears over the horizon, creating a magical aura around the palace. You can go to one of the two bars with terraces in front of the palace and enjoy the view from above. Admission to these bars is 250 Indian rupees (almost 3 euros), a price that will be deducted from your order at the bar.
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2. The City Palace
The City Palace is an imposing structure located in the heart of Jaipur’s old city, a stone’s throw from the Palace of Winds. Built in the early 18th century, it was the residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Rajputana royal family. Part of the complex continues to be the residence of the Jaipur royal family.
The entry fee for foreigners is 1000 Indian rupees (about 11 euro), and includes a visit to the beautiful palace to admire the Rajput, Mughal and European architecture, and the various museums inside, which hold a vast collection of artwork, historical artefacts, royal costumes and other treasures.
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3. Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory complex designed to observe the stars and measure time and other astronomical quantities with great precision. This site is truly impressive, with an array of giant and complex astronomical instruments inside, made mainly of stone and marble (including the largest sundial in the world, used to calculate local time!).
The Jantar Mantar gives a fascinating perspective on India’s ancient astronomical knowledge and the technological skills of its ancient builders. We personally admired the ingenuity and precision of their designs! The entrance fee for foreigners is 200 Indian rupees (just over 2 euros).
4. Govind Devji Temple Gate
The Govind Devji Temple is an important Hindu temple located in Jaipur’s City Palace complex, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
If you are lucky enough to be in Jaipur during religious festivals such as Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday) or Holi (the festival of colours), you should definitely go here! During these events, devotees adorn the temple with colorful decorations, and it becomes bustling with devotees engaging in rituals, singing, and dancing to honor Lord Krishna. It is truly a beautiful event to witness!
5. Albert Hall museum
The Albert Hall Museum is the first museum in Rajasthan, also built in 1876 to commemorate the visit of Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria. If you are interested in art and history, this museum houses a vast collection of art and historical artefacts.
One of the most striking features of the Albert Hall Museum is its illumination at night. We recommend that you visit the museum after dark to enjoy its beautifully lit façade.
6. Nahargarh Fort at sunset
Nahargarh Fort is the best place to enjoy the sunset in Jaipur. Perched on the hill, the fort offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Jaipur and the surrounding landscape.
The entrance fee for foreigners is 200 rupees (2 euros). The cost includes a tour of the fort’s courtyards, viewpoints, and the opportunity to enter the royal residential complex where you will find frescoed rooms and panoramic balconies.
7. Jal Mahal or ‘Palace on the Water’
The Jal Mahal is an iconic palace located in the middle of Lake Man Saga. The palace partially submerges beneath the waters of the lake, showcasing its exceptional beauty, especially in the evening when its illuminated façade casts mesmerizing reflections on the water’s surface. It is not open to the public for internal visits, but it is possible to admire the palace up close via boat cruises on the lake.
You can stop and take a few photos of the palace on your way to the Amber Palace, and admire its beauty while sipping a fresh lemonade.
8. Amber Palace
The Amber Palace is located about 11 km north of Jaipur, easily reached in about 30 minutes by tuk tuk (for the price of about 200 Indian rupees, a little over 2 euro). The palace has an imposing façade characterised by towers, ramparts and high walls. You can walk to get inside, or take a jeep tour along a scenic road.
Inside, you will find rooms decorated with frescoes, inlays and elaborate ornamental details. Inside, there is also a beautiful garden, and courtyards where you can sit, relax, and immerse yourself in the history of this beautiful palace.
Top tip: Admission to the fort for foreigners is 500 rupees (5.5 euros), but if you are a student, the cost is only 150 Indian rupees (2 euros). Make sure you bring your student ID with you to India as you can save lots of money when visiting attractions!
9. Patrika Gate
Located south of Jaipur, the Patrika Gate is one of the newest gates in Jaipur. If you have enough time on your hands, go and admire this beautiful gate and its extraordinary design and intricate architecture. The Patrika Gate is located at the entrance to Jawahar Circle, one of the largest parks in Jaipur, so you can take advantage of your visit to enjoy a stroll through the city’s greenery.
10. Lassiwala, the best lassi in town!
If you are in Jaipur and you love lassi, you cannot miss Lassiwala! Lassi is a popular, traditional Indian drink, particularly so in northern India. It is essentially a creamy mixture of yoghurt, water, sugar and spices. Lassiwala is the absolute best place to enjoy this drink in the whole city!
11. Shop at the Johari Bazaar
Located near the City Palace, the Johari bazaar is famous for its jewellery and precious stones. Here, you’ll discover a wide selection of Rajasthani jewelry, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings adorned with precious and semi-precious stones. The whole of Rajasthan is famous for its silver jewellery, we definitely recommend you try some!
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Where to stay in Jaipur
Most of the accommodation, or ‘Havelis’ as they are known locally, are located in the historic centre of Jaipur. This area is perfect for exploring the central part of the city on foot. We stayed in the Jaipur Haveli, just a 15-minute walk from the City Palace!
All of our recommendations below are rated 8+/10 on booking.com and most of them include free breakfast!
Hotels in Jaipur View all
How to get to Jaipur
Jaipur boasts excellent road and rail connections with most other major cities in Rajasthan and the Indian capital, New Delhi.
From Jodhpur: Several trains run daily between Jaipur and Jodhpur and take about 5 hours. There are also many bus services connecting the two cities, with journey times of around 6 hours. Check here for bus and train schedules and availability of tickets between the two cities.
From Udaipur: There are direct trains and buses several times a day between Udaipur and Jaipur. The travel time is about 5-7 hours. Check here for bus and train schedules and availability of tickets between the two cities.
From New Delhi: If you want to reach Jaipur directly from New Delhi, there are several options. First, you can take a direct flight to Jaipur airport from New Delhi. This is the fastest but most expensive way to reach Jaipur. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train, with travel times of around 4-5 hours. Check the bus and train schedules between New Delhi and Jaipur here.
When booking train and bus tickets abroad, we always use 12go.asia. You can check timetables and prices online and it’s often cheaper than booking in person! Check our 12go.asia here.
Best time to visit Jaipur
✅ The best time to visit Jaipur is during the cooler months between November and February. Temperatures range between 25-30°C during the day and 10-15°C at night. March to June is the hottest part of the year, with temperatures often touching 45°C. Depending on how you stand the heat, this season may or may not suit you. We visited in late March and, while temperatures reached 40°C in the midday sun, it was pleasant to explore the city in the morning and evening!
❌ Between July and September is the monsoon season, with rain most days and temperatures of 35°C . Many hotels are closed during this period and tourist buses have reduced timetables. This is the worst time of year to visit, so we advise against it!
Jaipur or Jodhpur: Which one should I to visit?
In our opinion, if you have time, you should visit both! Both Jaipur and Jodhpur offer many tourist spots and attractions to visit. If we had to choose one, it would be Jodhpur. Jodhpur is quieter and more relaxed to explore than the hustle and bustle of Jaipur and we loved the freedom to explore most of the old city on foot. In Jaipur, the main attractions are further apart and the streets more chaotic to navigate on foot, and you’ll have to hire a tuk tuk to move between them. Want to visit both and get your own idea?
Need to know! Answers to your questions about Jaipur
Why is Jaipur called the “Pink City”?
In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh had most of the buildings painted pink, the colour of hospitality, for the visit of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Are 2 days enough for Jaipur?
We think that 2 days is enough time to see all that Jaipur has to offer. However, if you have time on your hands, you can dedicate an extra day or two to your visit to take things slowly and not get too tired of the city!
In which part of India is Jaipur located?
Jaipur is located in the Rajasthan region of west-central India. With Punjab province to the north, Gujarat to the south and Delhi to the east, Rajasthan is landlocked and has no coastline. It also borders neighbouring Pakistan to the west.
What language is spoken in Jaipur?
Most of the population speaks Rajasthani, while many others speak Hindi and English.
Do you like our list of things to do and places to see in Jaipur? Leave us a comment below! If you have been to Jaipur or are planning your trip to India, we would love to hear from you!
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