Jaipur, The Pink City, is the heart of Rajasthan. It is called ‘Pink City’ due to the distinctive colors of its buildings, but the city is vivacious indeed in all ways. The capital city of Rajasthan was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. Since then, the royal city has been a tourist hub of Rajasthan because of its exceptional beauty. Built with the finest Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, Jaipur offers a spectacular beauty to behold. The city is deeply steeped in history and portrays the astounding amalgamation of ancient history and vibrant culture. Millions of visitors come annually to visit Jaipur.
The prolific tourism of Jaipur makes the city one of the busiest in India today. It’s not that there are no other beautiful monuments in the world, but when it comes to marvelous architecture embodied with phenomenal embellishment, Rajasthani monuments outdo all. Here, culture, art, and architecture stand side by side. So, let’s explore the beauty of this royal city to learn about the places to visit in Jaipur.
What do you expect on your particular trip? To witness architectural wonders saturated with heroic history, experience a cheerful culture, learn something new about the bygone days of the city, spend some quality time in a religious place, and enjoy the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the city, right? Well, a trip to Jaipur is the answer to all your demands. Here, you’ll find historical, religious, cultural, and natural beauty in different shades. So, let’s start off and have a look at the places to visit in Jaipur.
Amber Fort
- Location: Amer, 11 km from Jaipur city center
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹100 (Indian), ₹500 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 2-3 hours
- Things to Do: Explore the fort’s architecture, take an elephant ride, visit the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace)
- Nearby Attractions: Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort
- How to Reach: Taxi, local buses, or elephant ride from the base.
Amber Fort is the reason for the origin of Jaipur. Due to the rapidly-growing population and scarcity of water in Amber, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II commissioned Jaipur and made it the royal capital. Though the fort was abandoned nearly 300 years ago, it still remains one of the major tourist attractions in Jaipur. Located in the rugged hills, Amber Fort is an epitome of a blend of Mughal and Rajputana architecture. Built with red and white marble and embellished with stellar carvings and mirror work, Amber Fort spellbinds visitors at first glance. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Amber Fort, don’t forget to take an elephant ride. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jaipur.
- Also Read: Best Things to Do in Jaipur
Jantar Mantar
- Location: Near City Palace, Jaipur
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Things to Do: Explore astronomical instruments, learn about ancient timekeeping and celestial tracking
- Nearby Attractions: City Palace, Hawa Mahal
- How to Reach: Auto-rickshaw, taxi, or walking from the City Palace area.
Jantar Mantar was also built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The king constructed this astronomical wonder to measure time and track celestial bodies. It is the largest of five astronomical observatories in India. It features instruments built of stone and brass. Jantar Mantar is better known for its structural design than its architectural style.
City Palace
- Location: City Palace Complex, Jaipur
- Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹250 (Indian), ₹500 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 2-3 hours
- Things to Do: Visit the museums, admire royal artifacts, explore courtyards and gardens
- Nearby Attractions: Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal
- How to Reach: Auto-rickshaw, taxi, or walking from the city center.
Once again, an architectural wonder built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. I must say he was intensely inclined towards architecture. After shifting his royal capital from Amber Fort, he made the City Palace the royal residence. Sawai Jai Singh II was highly influenced by Mughal architecture, and it is quite apparent in every structure commissioned by him. This is an unsurpassed fusion of Mughal, European, and Rajput architecture. The palace is adorned with striking paintings and carvings. There is also a museum inside the palace that showcases a vast collection of royal artifacts. A must-visit place in Jaipur!
Albert Hall Museum
- Location: Ram Niwas Garden, Jaipur
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹40 (Indian), ₹300 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Things to Do: Explore royal artifacts, sculptures, and paintings
- Nearby Attractions: Central Park, Jaipur Zoo
- How to Reach: Taxi, auto-rickshaw, or walk from nearby areas.
Located in the lap of the awe-inspiring ‘Ram Niwas Garden,’ Albert Hall Museum is one of the oldest museums in India. The museum was built by Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, with the purpose of opening an educational institution there. However, the then ruler, Madho Singh, turned it into a museum, and now it is one of the best places to visit in Jaipur. The architectural design of this museum is so exquisite that even one of the greatest writers, Rudyard Kipling, couldn’t resist lauding it. In this museum, you’ll find curated content right from royal costumes, jewelry, weapons, rare stones, intricate paintings and sculptures, wood crafts, metal and stone objects, and much more. This museum truly creates an aura of bygone days.
- Suggested to Read: Famous Museums of Jaipur
Birla Temple
- Location: Birla Mandir Road, Jaipur
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Things to Do: Visit the temple, admire marble carvings, experience peaceful ambiance
- Nearby Attractions: Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple
- How to Reach: Auto-rickshaw, taxi, or personal vehicle.
In Jaipur, there are many great temples, but Birla Temple should be at the top of your list because it is the most popular religious place in Jaipur. This temple doesn’t belong to any Rajput rulers; rather, it was built by the world-famous industrialists, the ‘Birla family,’ in 1988. Built with white marble and adorned with captivating carvings of scenes from ancient Hindu mythology, Birla Temple is an unparalleled example of modern architecture. The quotes from the Bhagavad Gita are carved on the four walls of the temple. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are the presiding deities of Birla Temple, making it one of the must-visit places in Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal
- Location: Badi Chaupar, Jaipur
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 1 hour
- Things to Do: Explore the palace’s architecture, take photos from the windows
- Nearby Attractions: City Palace, Jantar Mantar
- How to Reach: Auto-rickshaw, taxi, or walking from nearby areas.
The architectural description of Jaipur would remain incomplete if I didn’t mention Hawa Mahal. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, Hawa Mahal is the most prominent landmark of Jaipur. The king constructed this palace for the royal ladies. At that time, women from noble families were not allowed to go outside and be seen by a common person. So, the king built this palace with 900 small windows through which the ladies could observe the day-to-day life of the outside world. It is made of red stones, and white marbles are distributed in a systematic way. One of the most iconic palaces to visit in Jaipur, and certainly a must-visit place!
Jal Mahal
- Location: Man Sagar Lake, Jaipur
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (outside view)
- Entry Fee: Free (outside view)
- Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Things to Do: Admire the palace from the lakeside, take photos, enjoy the sunset
- Nearby Attractions: Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort
- How to Reach: Taxi, auto-rickshaw, or local buses.
This floating water palace amidst Man Sagar Lake is the most picturesque place in Jaipur. The palace, dotted by the majestic Nahargarh Hills in the background, is indeed a specimen of Rajputana architecture. If you want to see the real beauty of Jal Mahal, visit in the evening or at night. A calm evening on the bank of Man Sagar Lake, admiring this architectural wonder, and feeling the tranquility of the surroundings can make you forget every pain.
Nahargarh Fort
- Location: Aravalli Hills, Jaipur
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Things to Do: Enjoy panoramic views of Jaipur, explore the fort, and capture sunset photos
- Nearby Attractions: Jal Mahal, Jaigarh Fort
- How to Reach: Taxi, private vehicle, or hike up the hill.
Perched high above in the Aravalli hills, overlooking the Pink City, Nahargarh Fort is probably the finest testament to Hindu architecture. It was built strategically as a defense citadel in the 18th century. Inside the fort, you can see unrivaled artwork, embellishments, and craftsmanship of Rajputs. If you’re a camera enthusiast and never miss a chance to capture fascinating sunset views, keep your camera handy here. The backdrop of the imposing Aravalli hills creates an enchanting canvas of nature. From Nahargarh Fort, don’t forget to visit Jaigarh Fort, which is just a 15-minute drive away and another beautiful place to visit in Jaipur.
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh and Vidyadhar Garden
- Location: Near Jaipur-Agra Highway
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigners)
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Things to Do: Stroll through lush gardens, admire paintings, and enjoy peaceful surroundings
- Nearby Attractions: Galta Ji (Monkey Temple), Nahargarh Fort
- How to Reach: Taxi, auto-rickshaw.
These two adjoining gardens in Jaipur render a surreal beauty to behold. Sisodia Rani ka Bagh was built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh for his beloved Queen Sisodia Rani. Filled with lush greenery, utter stillness, and multi-hued flowers, Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is a symbol of love. The adorned walls of the garden depict the immortal love of Lord Shri Krishna and Goddess Radha through lifelike paintings. Adjacent to Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is Vidyadhar Garden. This garden has its own beauty. Don’t forget to explore this beautiful place in Jaipur.
Chokhi Dhani
- Location: 20 km from Jaipur city
- Timings: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹700 – ₹1,000 (per person)
- Time Required: 2-3 hours
- Things to Do: Experience Rajasthani folk performances, enjoy traditional meals, shop for local handicrafts
- Nearby Attractions: Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal
- How to Reach: Taxi or private vehicle.
There’s no doubt that Rajasthan has the most vibrant and colorful culture in India. The best thing about Rajasthani people is that they adhere to their culture and traditions without caring about the world. So, if you want to be a part of this culture or experience the colors of Rajasthani tradition, head to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village. Here, you’ll witness and feel the real Rajasthani culture. From shopping to dining, everything is authentic. Chokhi Dhani always has a festive and cheerful ambiance. Indeed, a must-visit place in Jaipur!
Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar
- Location: Bapu Bazaar – New Gate, Johri Bazaar – Johari Bazar Rd, Jaipur
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Things to Do: Shop for traditional Rajasthani jewelry, textiles, handicrafts, and souvenirs
- Nearby Attractions: Hawa Mahal, City Palace
- How to Reach: Walking, auto-rickshaw, or taxi from central areas.
Can a trip really be completed without doing lots of shopping, especially a girl’s trip? No? Well, that’s why I’ve mentioned the two best street markets in Jaipur. Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar are shoppers’ delights. Here, you’ll find ornamental Rajasthani items, from ornate jewelry to traditional dresses adorned with gemstone and mirror work, lac bangles, striking handcrafted items, decorative home décor, and royal Rajasthani Jootis. If you really want to explore these two markets, carry a heavy wallet. Though the prices are reasonable, you might run out of money because every single item in these markets will urge you to buy it.
Best Places to Eat in Jaipur
If a cuisine is related to a particular culture and region, it becomes more special than ordinary dishes. Rajasthan has many special cuisines that can make anyone go crazy over them. If you don’t have enough money to relish a Rajasthani meal in a five-star hotel, don’t worry. You can still enjoy it, in fact, better than in a five-star hotel. Yes, I’m talking about the street food markets. Here are some of the best street food markets in Jaipur:
- Chokhi Dhani
- Bake Hut
- Niro’s
- Laxmi Misthan Bhandar
- Khandelwal Dhaba Purana Wala
- Spice Court
- Lassi Wala
- Pol Bar
Best Time to Visit Jaipur
You can visit the royal capital of Rajasthan throughout the year, as there are so many places to visit in Jaipur. If you want to do sightseeing, visit whenever suits you best. But if you want to witness the real Jaipur and experience the colors of Rajasthani culture, visit between December and April because most traditional Rajasthani festivals, such as the Kite Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival, Elephant Festival, and Gangaur Festival, fall during these months. During this time, the entire city gets drenched in the colors of happiness and celebration.
How to Reach Jaipur
Reaching Jaipur is very convenient by all means. Whether you’re traveling by air, rail, hired vehicle, or your own car, you can easily reach Jaipur as it is well-connected to major cities in India. Jaipur International Airport and Jaipur Railway Station are the most accessible transport hubs. To explore the entire city without any hassle, you can hire a city bus or hop-on-hop-off service, which is specially designed for tourists and is very convenient.
The list of must-visit places in Jaipur doesn’t end here. We’ve just mentioned the most prominent and not-to-be-missed places in Jaipur. The city has a lot more to offer. Come and explore!
- Must Read: Best Places to Visit in Rajasthan
