10 Unmissable Things To Do In Jaipur
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Planning to visit the Pink City, Jaipur? This list of things to do in Jaipur will help make the most of your time.
Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is very well known for it’s historical forts, royal palaces, rich heritage, warmhearted hospitality and abundance of visual art. Visiting this Pink City is a delightful experience for travelers from all around the world. If you are planning to visit Jaipur, here’s a complete guide comprising of things to do in Jaipur, when to visit, how to get around the city and where to street shop.
If you are short on time, you can take a full day tour to Jaipur from Delhi which would be covering all the major attractions. Click here to check out this tour.
Best Things To Do In Jaipur
1. Amer Fort
The Amer Fort also known as Amber Fort is one of the most picturesque and majestic forts of Rajasthan. Built of red sandstone and marble, this fort is a perfect fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) architecture. Overlooking the Maota lake, this fort has a very grand layout comprising of royal courtyards, temples, palaces, gardens and chambers. Amer fort was constructed in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I who was one of the Navratnas (nine gems) of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It was further expanded and renovated by Raja Singh I and other successive rulers.
The most remarkable feature of this Amer Fort is the Ganesh Pol which is a very beautiful and exquisitely decorated entrance gate to the private premises of the ruler. The Sheesh Mahal within these private premises is also an amazing part of the fort. The walls and the ceilings of the Sheesh Mahal are decorated with intricate mirror works, floral patterns and colored glasses. You can also enjoy the light and sound show organised at the fort during the evening to showcase the history of Amer Fort and the culture of the people of Amer.
Visiting the Amer fort is one of the most incredible things to do in Jaipur.
Opening Hours
The Amer Fort is open everyday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. It re opens at 7 PM for the light and sound show.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Amer Fort is Rs 100 for Indians while Rs. 500 for foreigners. There are also composite tickets available here costing Rs. 300 for Indians and Rs. 1000 for foreigners. This ticket is valid for two days and you can visit any forts including Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, Albert Hall and Hawa Mahal.
How to Reach Amer Fort
Amer fort is located at a distance of 11 kms north from Jaipur. You can easily hire a cab from Jaipur city to reach the fort. The cost of the cab depends from where you are picking it from, minimum being Rs. 150. However, if you are visiting Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, you can catch a bus from there that will take you to Amer in just Rs. 18.
2. Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh Fort is built 400 meters above the Amer Fort. This fort was built as a military base by Jai Singh II to protect the Amer fort in 18th century. You would be able to catch some amazing views of the Amer Fort, Maota Lake and the Aravalli ranges from Jaigarh Fort. This fort houses the Jaivana cannon which was known to be the world’s largest cannon on wheels for many centuries. This cannon was never used in any of the battles due to healthy relations between the Rajputs and the Mughals. The fort is hence very well preserved military structure you will come across.
You can also take a look at various weapons of medieval times at the armory chamber. The museum at the fort showcases many artifacts, stamps and photographs of the royalties.
Opening Hours
The Jaigarh Fort is open everyday from 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Jaigarh Fort are Rs 35 for Indians while Rs. 85 for foreigners.
How to Reach Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort is located at about 7 kms from Amer fort and easily be reached by taxi. You can also walk to Jaigarh Fort from Amer Fort.
3. City Palace
City Palace is one of the splendid monuments in Jaipur that beautifully portrays the glory and grandeur of the royal kingdoms of the 18th century. This palace was built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer to relocate his premises from Amer to Jaipur. This monument’s vast complex comprises of magnificently decorated gates, courtyards, gardens, royal premises, palaces, temples and alleys. This palace is a fusion of Indian, Rajput, Mughal and European architectures. You will find unique artworks, paintings, wall decorations, collection of weapons, fine glass and mirror works at almost all parts of this historically significant monument.
The main attractions of this complex are the Chandra Niwas, Mubarak Mahal, Maharani’s Palace (Queen’s Palace), Diwan-i-Khaas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Shri Govind Dev Temple, Pritam Niwas Chowk, and Bhaggi Khana (Museum of Carriages). You should not at all miss out this major attraction in Jaipur.
Opening Hours
The City Palace is open everyday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for City Palace start from Rs 130 for Indians while Rs. 500 for foreigners. You can also avail the composite ticket at this monument.
How to Reach City Palace
City Palace is located at Badi Chopad in the old city of Jaipur. The easiest way to reach there is by cab or by an auto rickshaw.
4. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal literally translates to Palace of the Winds and is a very significant part of Jaipur’s old city. It is built of red and pink sandstone. One thing of this five storey pyramidal shaped palace that immediately catches attention is it’s unique architecture having a row of small windows decorated by intricate latticework at each floor. This structure of 953 miniature windows also referred to as Jharokas was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the 18th century for the Rajput royal ladies, so that they could observe the activities and events going on outside the palace among the common people. These Jharokas along with centrally located fountains used to keep the palace very breezy, hence giving it the name Hawa Mahal.
The interior of the palace is very elegant and has colored glass work at some windows. From this palace you can also catch an extensive view of this beautiful Pink City. A visit to the Hawa Mahal which is also known to be as an iconic landmark is surely one of the most wonderful things to do in Jaipur.
Opening Hours
The Hawa Mahal is open everyday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Hawa Mahal is Rs 50 for Indians while Rs. 200 for foreigners. As, I have mentioned before, you can also avail the composite ticket at this monument.
How to Reach Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is located at Badi Chopad, next to City Palace. The easiest way to reach there is by cab or by an auto rickshaw.
5. Nahargarh Fort
Perched on the Aravalli hills the Nahargarh fort provides the most amazing panoramic views of the city and the entire surroundings. This fort was built in the year 1734 by the king Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh to guard the city from any attack. This was also a very popular hunting place for the royals. Nahargarh Fort is a perfect place to spend some serene time and view sunrise or sunset over the beautiful Pink City, Jaipur. The views of the city from the fort makes it one of the most amazing things to do in Jaipur. You can also visit the wax museum and dine at the restaurant in this fort.
Opening Hours
The Nahargarh Fort is open everyday from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Nahargarh Fort are Rs 50 for Indians while Rs. 200 for foreigners. You can also avail the composite ticket at this observatory.
How to Reach Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is located at the Aravalli hills, it would be a 10 km drive North from Jaipur. You can trek from the foot of the hill or hire a cab to reach the fort.
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6. Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. There are 5 such observatories in India and this one in Jaipur is the largest and the most popular among all. It has also been declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was very keen about obtaining knowledge and building astronomical instruments. He worked with various astronomers to build instruments to predict the time, eclipses and positioning of all the astronomical bodies. He took about seven years to complete this observatory.
Jantar Mantar has nineteen instruments from which you can make observations through naked eyes and also houses the world’s largest stone sundial. This observatory is a perfect example of the wisdom of the ancient kingdoms when there were no high end technologies for astronomical predictions. I would recommend you to hire a local guide there to explain you how these instruments work.
Opening Hours
The Jantar Mantar is open everyday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Jantar Mantar are Rs 50 for Indians while Rs. 200 for foreigners. You can also avail the composite ticket at this observatory.
How to Reach Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is located near City Palace and Hawa Mahal. The easiest way to reach there is by cab or by an auto rickshaw.
7. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is one of the most picturesque places in Jaipur. It is a palace located at the middle of the Mansagar lake. Jal Mahal is built of red sandstone and is a five storied palace, having four floors is submerged in the lake. Currently, the entrance to the palace is not allowed but you can stop by here and get some great pictures clicked. There are also many photographers there offering local outfits too, for you to dress up and pose for that perfect shot with the amazing backdrop of the palace and the lake. You can also feast on some street food and shikanji (lemon water) at the promenade beside the lake.
How to Reach Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is located 5 kms north at the Amer Road (National Highway 8) from Jaipur city. It comes on the way, if you are going to visit the Amer Fort.
8. Albert Hall Museum
If you want to learn about the history, interests and culture of the royal rulers of Rajasthan, Albert Hall Museum will be a perfect place for visit. This is the oldest museum in Rajasthan and has many artifacts, sculptures, statues, paintings, crafts, carpets, jewelry, weapons and many other ancient instruments. This impressive museum is based on Indo – Saracenic architecture and has an outlook of a beautiful castle. During the evenings, this museum complex gets illuminated with various colored lightings. Also, these illuminating transitions make the Albert Hall museum very stunning and awe worthy.
Opening Hours
The Albert Hall Museum is open everyday from 9 AM to 5 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM.
Entrance Fees
The ticket prices for Albert Hall Museum are Rs 40 for Indians while Rs. 300 for foreigners during the day time. In the evening, you can visit the museum for Rs. 100 which is applicable to all kinds of visitors.
How to Reach Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum is located at Ram Niwas Bagh in Adarsh Nagar. It can be reached by hiring a cab or an auto rickshaw.
9. Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani is the perfect spot to discover the Rajasthani traditional dance form, folk music and cuisine. It is a 5 star resort with a Rajasthani village theme. You can shop souvenirs, go for a camel ride, enjoy a puppet show and play games too. You will receive a very warm welcome at the restaurant and served the authentic assorted platter of Rajasthani food (also known as the Rajasthani thali). The ambiance and the vibe of this charming resort is very mesmerizing. Chokhi Dhani is definitely one of the must visit places in Jaipur that I would highly recommend.
Opening Hours
The Chokhi Dhani is open everyday from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fees for Chokhi Dhani starts from Rs 700 per Adult while Rs. 400 per child. This fee depends on the dining experience you would be opting for.
How to Reach Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani is located about 20 kms far from Jaipur at Tonk Road and it can be easily reached by a cab. The cab may charge you around Rs. 1500 for the two way journey depending on the location where you hire it from.
10. Raj Mandir Cinema
Raj Mandir Cinema is the oldest and one of the most stunning cinema halls you might have ever visited. This cinema hall was built in 1976 and is an iconic place in Jaipur. The royal architecture, beautiful ceilings, stylish chandeliers and classy look would leave in awe of this place. Many tourists and locals visit this cinema hall to watch bollywood movies. If you have some spare time in Jaipur with you and would like watching a movie, the royal theater Raj Mandir will not at all disappoint you!
How to Reach Raj Mandir Cinema
Raj Mandir Cinema is located near Albert Hall Museum at Bhagwan Das Road, Panch Batti. You can hire a cab or ride an auto rickshaw to reach there.
Street Shopping In Jaipur
If you are out for shopping in Jaipur get ready to put your bargaining skills to test. The most famous street markets in Jaipur are Bapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar. You are going to find everything ranging from mojaris, handcrafted bags, block printed clothing, scarves, light weighted quilts, embroidered ethnic jackets and variety of jewelries in these markets. You should visit these markets with a fresh mood or else you will just feel lost and tired there due to the crowd.
To indulge in some good street food you can stop by the very popular LMB (Laxmi Mishthaan Bhandaar) restaurant located centrally in the Johari Bazaar market. Try out the refreshing lassi, pyaaz kachori, dahi bhalla and anything of your choice from their varied options. There are many other food options also available in these market areas.
Where To Stay In Jaipur
Jaipur offers a wide range of stay options whether you are looking for staying at Havelis, stylish boutique hotels, heritage hotel or budget hostels. Bani Park is the best area to stay during your visit because of it’s close proximity to the sight seeings around the Pink City. Below are some of the highly recommended hotels in Jaipur that are located near all the major tourist spots;
Hostels: Hoztel Jaipur
Budget: Hotel Pearl Palace
Boutique Hotel: Samode Haveli
Luxury: Taj Rambagh Palace
Best Time To Visit Jaipur
Ideally Jaipur must be visited during winters (October – March) if you want to enjoy visiting and sightseeing of all the monuments. There are temperature drops during monsoons (July – August) as well, but it’s not probably an ideal time to visit this city, because the weather is quite uneven sometimes due to less rain showers. But, if you are planning to travel on budget, you will get best discounts on hotel deals during monsoons. The summer season (April – June) being the hottest and most humid is not a good time to visit Jaipur.
If you are travelling to Jaipur or planning out a trip and have any queries relating to the city, leave a message below in the comment box.
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Jaipur would be my dream! Such a beautiful place and I really enjoyed your post, it is so comprehensive and handy!
What a wonderful place in India, I would love to go there when I am in India. Your description and passion in this article makes me think of this as a happy place.
There is so much to see in Jaipur. I really enjoyed the visit to the palace. I paid for the more expensive option with a private tour of the residence and it was a fascinating experience. I had to smile at the personal framed photos of the British Royal Family on display .
I have been to Jaipur twice but in transit. I really wanted to explore the city but couldn’t. This is such a detailed guide to Jaipur. Jal Mahal and Hawa Mahal is on top of my list. Looking forward to explore the city properly during my next visit!
This brought back so many memories. I went nearly 20 years with my parents. Look forward to taking my kids there soon.
Jaipur is in my bucket list for long .and this looks like a great list.i loved all these palaces and forts.hope to see them soon
I missed Jaipur when I went to Rajasthan! Will have to go back!
I have friends who have travelled all over India and Jaipur is one place they have returned to again and again. Obviously I need to get there some time soon.
I visited Jaipur years ago when I was a kid, but we missed a lot of these. However, my husband is DYING to visit, so I guess now I have an even better excuse to go! Some of these look amazing, especially the Chokhi Dhani!
The architecture looks amazing. I haven’t been there yet but hope to go soon.
I am going in March! Can’t wait to see Pink City. How many days would you recommend there?
You should stay there for atleast two days to tick off all the places 🙂
Jaipur is a fabulous city! I have been there only for a few days and unfortunately didn’t have a chance to see all the wonderful sites you have described in this very informative post!
Wow the photos look amazing! India has been on my list forever, and I’ll definitely keep this for my future references 🙂
Jaipur looks like a dream come true. The architecture is amazing and so picturesque. I could have fun with my camera there. Another place to add to the list in the winter months where traveling where I live is more difficult to do!
Have been to most of these places and totally fell in love wiht the pink city. Carried back some of the finest quilts and rajayis and still using them… longing to do another visit of Rajasthan!
Very detailed post about this colorful city. It is definitely on my list
Great info!
This is a very comprehensive guide with all the details under one table. You missed eating kachoris at Rawat sweets. Next time when you go there, try visiting.
Sure, I will try them too😀
Cool guide! Very detailed. I like how you mentioned the price for an an average tourist and the price for a local. It’s good to know these details before you go so there are no surprises haha.
I didn’t make it to Jaipur when I was in India, but it definitely looks alike a good reason to go back. So many impressive sights to see!
I had been to Jaipur ages back in the summers. Not a pleasant experience. However after reading your post I think I can take tips and revisit.
Thanks for the article, great tips! You said it can get pretty hot in summer.. are we talking 30s or 40s? I’d love to visit Jaipur one day ☺️
You are welcome ♥️ The temperature rises above 40 in Jaipur during summers .😰
It’s been many many years since I visited as a child. And all I remember is I hated the food. I guess we just ate at all the wrong places. I can’t remember all the forts you have mentioned but one that I do remember (and so does everyone) is Hawa Mahal. Thanks for mentioning all the prices. They all seem pretty economical, the composite ticket appears to be great value for money.
Hi Anjali, I’ve visited Jaipur multiple times mostly a very long time ago and never as tourist. Reading your article, I want to visit again and soak in all the history, the stories and the architecture. The only place I remember is the Hawa mahal and it was quite nice.
Yours is a definitive list. I’ll pin it for reference.
Great post! So informative. I hope to maje it to Jaipur next year some time so I’ll pin this and maje sure to give it a other read before I go 🙂
What a detailed guide!! It gives an in depth insight about Jaipur city regarding where to stay, what to see and the prices. This guide is perfect for even a first time visitor in Jaipur.
I enjoyed reading your article, it’s so informative! Especially I loved that you wrote all the entrance fees and opening hours for the attractions.
Jaipur seems like such a lovely place
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Thank you so much for sharing this very detailed post. Just, WOW! the architecture is absolutely amazing. I will definitely be putting Jaipur on my list of places to visit.
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Great post! I am travelling to Jaipur in a week, and now am super excited for it!
I am sure you will have a great time! Happy journey 😀
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This place: Added In my bucket list.. 🙂
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