Overview
About Jaipur
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, was founded in the early 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and laid out on a planned grid that was remarkably modern for its time. The terracotta-pink colour of the old walled city, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gave it the name the Pink City, and its broad bazaars are still lined with arcaded shopfronts in the same shade.
The city is ringed by the rugged Aravalli hills, and their ridges are crowned with forts that once guarded the Kachhwaha kingdom. Amber Fort, Jaigarh and Nahargarh look down over the plains, while inside the city the City Palace, the honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal and the astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar form one of the richest clusters of heritage in India.
Together with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the popular Golden Triangle circuit, but it rewards travellers who stay longer than a day. Its markets are famous for block-printed textiles, gemstones, blue pottery and lac bangles, its kitchens serve hearty Rajasthani dishes, and evenings at the forts or old havelis offer some of the most memorable views in the state.
- Amber Fort
- Hawa Mahal
- Pink City bazaars
- Jantar Mantar
- Block printing
- Rajasthani cuisine
Sightseeing
Best Places to Visit in Jaipur
Forts & Palaces
Amber Fort
A vast hilltop fort-palace of honey-coloured sandstone and marble overlooking Maota Lake. Its Sheesh Mahal, studded with tiny mirrors, is the highlight.
Jaigarh Fort
Built on the ridge above Amber to protect it, this rugged fort is known for the Jaivana, one of the largest cannons on wheels in the world.
Nahargarh Fort
Perched on the edge of the Aravallis, Nahargarh offers sweeping views over Jaipur and is a favourite spot to watch the sunset.
City Palace
Part of the palace is still home to the former royal family, while the rest houses museums of costumes, arms and manuscripts set around ornate courtyards and gateways.
Monuments & Museums
Hawa Mahal
The Palace of Winds, with its pink facade of hundreds of small latticed windows, was built so royal women could watch street life without being seen.
Jantar Mantar
A UNESCO-listed collection of giant masonry astronomical instruments built by Sawai Jai Singh II, including a huge sundial.
Albert Hall Museum
Rajasthan's oldest museum, housed in an Indo-Saracenic building in Ram Niwas Garden, with collections of carpets, pottery, arms and an Egyptian mummy.
Jal Mahal
A palace that appears to float in the middle of Man Sagar Lake on the road to Amber. It is viewed from the lakeside promenade.
Temples
Galtaji Temple
A temple complex built into a gorge on the eastern edge of the city, with natural spring-fed tanks and a large population of monkeys.
Birla Mandir
A modern white marble temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan, especially beautiful when lit up in the evening.
Markets
Johari and Bapu Bazaars
The main bazaars of the walled city, where Johari Bazaar specialises in jewellery and gems while Bapu Bazaar is good for textiles, juttis and souvenirs.
Nearby Excursions
Chand Baori, Abhaneri
About 90 km from Jaipur, this deep, geometric stepwell with thousands of steps is one of the most impressive in India.
Experiences
Top Things to Do in Jaipur
- 1
Catch the sunset at Nahargarh
Drive up to Nahargarh in the late afternoon and stay to watch the city lights come on below the fort walls.
- 2
Explore Amber in the morning
Reach Amber Fort early, before the heat and the tour groups, and take your time in the inner palaces and courtyards.
- 3
Shop the walled city
Browse the arcaded bazaars for textiles, mojaris, lac bangles and silver jewellery, and do not hesitate to bargain politely.
- 4
See block printing in action
Visit the printing villages of Sanganer and Bagru on the city outskirts, where artisans still hand-stamp fabric with carved wooden blocks.
- 5
Try a Rajasthani thali
Sit down to a full thali of dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri and sweets for a taste of the region in one meal.
- 6
Take a heritage walk
Guided walks through the old city reveal temples, havelis, craft workshops and the stories behind the Pink City's planning.
Weather
Best Time to Visit Jaipur
The best time to visit Jaipur is October to March. Here is what each season is like.
Summer
April to June
25°C to 45°C
Very hot, with scorching afternoons. If you travel now, sightsee early in the morning and late in the evening, and rest indoors in between.
Monsoon
July to September
25°C to 35°C
Occasional showers bring relief from the heat and green the Aravalli hills, though it stays humid. Teej festivities add colour to the season.
Winter
October to March
8°C to 28°C
The best and busiest time to visit, with sunny days and cool evenings. Festivals such as Diwali and the kite flying of Makar Sankranti fall in this season.
Getting there
How to Reach Jaipur
By Air
Jaipur International Airport at Sanganer is about 12 km from the city centre and has direct flights from most major Indian cities as well as some international routes. Prepaid taxis and app cabs are available.
By Rail
Jaipur Junction is well connected with Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and other parts of Rajasthan, including several fast daytime trains from Delhi. Gandhinagar Jaipur and Durgapura stations also serve parts of the city.
By Road
Jaipur is about 280 km from Delhi and about 240 km from Agra by expressway and national highway. Rajasthan state and private buses run frequently, and taxis, autos and app cabs are the easiest way to get around the city.
Taste of the city
Famous Food of Jaipur
Dal baati churma
Baked wheat balls served with ghee, spiced dal and sweet crumbled churma, the classic Rajasthani meal.
Pyaaz kachori
Flaky fried pastry filled with spiced onion, a popular breakfast across Jaipur.
Laal maas
A fiery mutton curry coloured red with Mathania chillies, traditionally cooked by Rajput households.
Ker sangri
A tangy preparation of desert berries and beans, often served with bajra roti.
Ghewar
A disc-shaped honeycomb sweet soaked in syrup and topped with rabri, especially popular around Teej.
Mawa kachori
A rich kachori stuffed with sweetened mawa and dry fruits, dipped in sugar syrup.
What to Buy in Jaipur
- Block-printed textiles from Sanganer and Bagru
- Blue pottery
- Gemstones and silver jewellery
- Lac bangles
- Mojaris and leather juttis
Travel Tips for Jaipur
- Consider a composite ticket if you plan to visit several monuments, as it can save time at entrances.
- Use authorised guides at the major forts and agree on rates before starting.
- Be cautious of touts offering to take you to gem shops; buy jewellery only from reputable stores.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since Amber, Jaigarh and Nahargarh involve plenty of walking and climbing.
FAQs
Jaipur Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Jaipur?
October to March is the best time to visit Jaipur, when days are sunny and pleasant for exploring forts and bazaars. Summers are extremely hot.
How many days are enough for Jaipur?
Two to three days are enough to see Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh and the main markets at a comfortable pace.
Why is Jaipur called the Pink City?
The buildings of the old walled city are painted in a terracotta-pink colour, a tradition that gave Jaipur the name Pink City.
What is Jaipur famous for?
Jaipur is famous for its forts and palaces, the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, block-printed textiles, gemstones, blue pottery and Rajasthani food.
How far is Jaipur from Delhi?
Jaipur is about 280 km from Delhi. The journey takes roughly four to five hours by road, and fast trains also connect the two cities.
Which is the most famous fort in Jaipur?
Amber Fort is the most famous fort in Jaipur, known for its grand courtyards, Sheesh Mahal and views of Maota Lake.
