Jaipur
Photo: Unknown artistUnknown artist (Public domain)State capital and the 'Pink City': walled old town, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, with the best bazaars in Rajasthan.
Two or three days cover the Pink City, Amber and the forts; add Sanganer/Bagru block-print villages, Chokhi Dhani in the evening, or day trips to Abhaneri stepwell and Ranthambore.
November: Pleasant; peak season starts
When to go
Things to do
- Explore Amber Fort and Maota Lake: Arrive at opening to beat crowds; jeeps run up from the base.
- Walk the Pink City bazaars (Johari, Bapu, Tripolia): Bargain; avoid driver-recommended shops.
- See Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar
- Sunset at Nahargarh Fort
- Evening village fair and dinner at Chokhi Dhani: Daily about 5-11 PM; tickets sold as dinner packages.
- Hot-air balloon flight
- Block-printing in Sanganer and Bagru
- Amber Fort light and sound show
- Gangaur and Teej processions
- Jaipur Literature Festival
- Chokhi Dhani: Recreated Rajasthani village on Tonk Road with folk dances, puppetry, rides and a traditional dinner; evenings 5–11 PM.
- Hot-Air Balloon Ride (Jaipur / Pushkar): Sunrise/sunset balloon flights over the Aravalli countryside near Jaipur and Pushkar, run by DGCA-authorised operators such as SkyWaltz.
Top sights
Albert Hall Museum
Rajasthan's oldest museum, an Indo-Saracenic landmark in Ram Niwas Garden with art, crafts and an Egyptian mummy.
Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's signature honeycomb facade of pink sandstone with 953 small windows, built so royal women could watch street life unseen.
Govind Dev Ji Temple
Krishna temple in Jaipur's City Palace complex, the city's most beloved shrine with set jhanki darshans.
Nahargarh Fort
Aravalli-ridge fort overlooking Jaipur, popular for sunset views and the Madhavendra Bhawan suites built for royal queens.
Jantar Mantar
UNESCO-listed 18th-century astronomical observatory with the world's largest stone sundial, beside the City Palace.
Birla Mandir
Modern white-marble Lakshmi Narayan temple at the foot of Moti Dungri, lit up beautifully at night.
Galtaji Temple
Pink-sandstone temple complex in an Aravalli gorge east of Jaipur, with spring-fed kunds and many monkeys.
City Palace
Royal residence in the heart of Jaipur's walled city, partly still home to the former ruling family, with museum galleries in its courtyards.
Jaipur Wax Museum
Kalaneri Art Gallery
Jaigarh Fort
Never conquered in battle, this was considered the strongest of the three forts in the area. It is best-known as the site of the world's largest cannon, the Jaivana, which was test-fired only once — according to legend, despite using only the half the design amount of gunpo
Moti Dungri Mandir
This temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is the main centre of religion for Jaipur people. Moti Dungri, meaning Pearl Hill, is a small hill that hosts a temple and a palace. It is said that this temple was built before construction of the rest of the city was begun, so as to prote
Nature and outdoors
Tilak Park
Chandra Shekar Azad Park
Shyam Vatika Park
Ambedker Circle
Rose Garden Ground
Jaipur City Park
Lotus Villa Small Park
Lotus Villa Main Park
Budh Vihar Park
XYZ park
Narayan Park
Elefantastic
Ethical elephant sanctuary in Jaipur where rescued elephants are walked, fed and bathed. No elephant rides, no chains. Visits by appointment only.
Where to eat
Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB)
Old-city vegetarian institution in Johari Bazaar: sweet shop, restaurant and hotel, known for paneer ghewar and Rajasthani thali.
Rawat Mishthan Bhandar
Station Road snack-and-sweet shop famed for pyaz kachori and mawa kachori, opposite Polo Victory.
Suvarna Mahal (Rambagh Palace)
Fine-dining room of Taj Rambagh Palace, set in the palace's original gilded dining hall; royal Rajasthani and Indian menu.
Handi Restaurant
MI Road non-veg favourite opposite the GPO, known for laal maas and handi-cooked mutton.
Spice Court
Civil Lines restaurant in Hari Bhawan/Achrol House, popular for Rajasthani meat dishes like junglee maas and keema baati.
Tapri Central
Rooftop tea cafe in C Scheme overlooking Central Park, known for kulhad chai and snacks.
Anokhi Cafe
Organic-leaning cafe on the 2nd floor of KK Square, attached to the Anokhi store; salads, cakes and daily-changing menu.
Masala Chowk
Open-air street-food court in Ram Niwas Bagh gathering well-known Jaipur vendors in one place; small entry fee.
Niros
MI Road restaurant running since 1949, one of Jaipur's oldest, known for laal maas and North Indian classics.
Bar Palladio
Italian bar-restaurant in the gardens of Narain Niwas Palace, famous for its blue painted interiors.
Chokhi Dhani
Village-themed resort on Tonk Road with folk performances and a floor-seated Rajasthani dinner; ticketed evening experience.
Lassiwala (Kishan Lal Govind Narain Agarwal)
MI Road lassi stall serving thick lassi in clay kulhads since 1944; shuts once sold out.
Shopping
Tripolia Bazaar
Walled-city bazaar near Tripolia Gate known for lac bangles, handloom and household goods; on the Gangaur and Teej procession route.
World Trade Park
Johari Bazaar
Walled-city Jaipur's jewellery street, known for Kundan, Meenakari and Polki work, gemstones, silver, and tie-dye textiles.
Bapu Bazaar
Busy Pink City street for mojaris, Sanganeri and Bagru block prints, Bandhej textiles, lac bangles, Jaipuri quilts and souvenirs.
Kishanpole Bazaar
Walled-city Jaipur bazaar for dyed fabrics, wooden crafts and souvenirs.
Friday Farmers Market
Thursday Farmers Market
World Trade Park, Jaipur
Large modern mall on JLN Marg, Malviya Nagar, with 200+ stores across two linked blocks; opened 2012.
Rangoli Plaza
Chandpole Bazaar
Western walled-city bazaar near Chandpole Gate for marble work, handicrafts and decorative pieces; Chandpole metro station nearby.
Narayan Market
Monday Market Ground
Nearby
Other destinations close to Jaipur.