Jaipur

About Jaipur — The Pink City

Jaipur — the capital of Rajasthan — was painted entirely pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales (Edward VII), and the colour stuck. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the walled old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, laid out in mathematical precision with broad avenues, vast bazaars and intricate latticed palaces. Add the towering Amer Fort just outside the city, the Jantar Mantar observatory, and a bustling food and craft scene — and Jaipur is the perfect first stop on any Rajasthan tour.

Best Time to Visit

• October – March — peak season. Pleasant 10–25 °C, all major festivals (Diwali, Teej, Jaipur Lit Fest in Jan, Kite Festival on 14 Jan).
• April – June — very hot (above 40 °C). Sightseeing limited to early morning & evening.
• July – September — monsoon is short and brings dramatic skies.

Top Attractions in Jaipur

Hawa Mahal — Palace of Winds

The 5-storey, 953-window “Palace of Winds” is Jaipur’s icon. Built in 1799 for royal women to observe street life unseen, the pink sandstone façade catches the morning light like nowhere else. Best photographed from Wind View Cafe across the road, between 7–9 AM.

Amer Fort & Sheesh Mahal

The 16th-century hilltop fort 11 km north of the city — the seat of the Kachwaha rulers. Reach by elephant ride (mornings) or jeep. Inside, the legendary Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) where a single candle reflects into a thousand stars. The evening Sound & Light show is unmissable.

City Palace & Jantar Mantar (UNESCO)

The royal residence — still home to Jaipur’s titular Maharaja. Visit the Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas (with the world’s largest silver urns), and the four ornate Pritam Niwas Chowk gates representing the four seasons. Adjacent Jantar Mantar is the world’s largest stone observatory — a UNESCO masterpiece of pre-telescope astronomy.

Nahargarh Fort

Sunset point above Jaipur — the entire pink city sprawls below at golden hour. Don’t miss Padao Restaurant at the top for sunset drinks. Featured prominently in the Bollywood film Rang De Basanti.

Jaigarh Fort

Just above Amer — home to Jaivana, the world’s largest cannon on wheels. The fort houses the royal armory and a network of underground passages.

Jal Mahal — Water Palace

The 18th-century summer palace seemingly floating in Man Sagar Lake. Best viewed from the lake-side promenade.

Albert Hall Museum

Indo-Saracenic museum (1887) housing Egyptian mummies, miniature paintings, royal armour and Persian carpets. Beautifully lit at night.

Other Iconic Spots

• Patrika Gate — Instagram-famous painted gate at Jawahar Circle
• Birla Mandir — modern white marble Lakshmi-Narayan temple
• Galtaji — the Monkey Temple in a hill gorge
• Panna Meena ka Kund — symmetrical 8th-century stepwell
• Sisodia Rani Garden — Mughal-style royal garden

Things to Do

• Hot-air balloon ride over Amer Fort (sunrise)
• Elephant ride or photo at Amer (Hathi Sukh)
• Sunset at Nahargarh with cocktails
• Sound & light show at Amber Fort (English 7:30 PM, Hindi 8 PM)
• Heritage walk through the old city’s Hawa Mahal Bazaar
• Block-printing workshop at Sanganer or Bagru villages
• Cooking class — Rajasthani thali at Spice Court or Chokhi Dhani
• Cycle the old city at dawn (5–7 AM tour)

Shopping in Jaipur

• Johari Bazaar — gemstones, silver, kundan and meenakari work
• Bapu Bazaar — textiles, lehariya, bandhej, mojaris
• Tripolia Bazaar — lac bangles & brassware
• Kishanpole Bazaar — block-printed textiles
• Chandpole & MI Road — modern shopping
• Anokhi & Soma — premium hand-block-print boutiques

Tip: Bargain hard in the bazaars — start at 40% of asking price.

Local Food in Jaipur

• Pyaaz Kachori at Rawat (Sindhi Camp) — Jaipur’s most famous breakfast
• Lassi at Lassiwala on MI Road (look for the original “Lassiwala” since 1944, not the imitators)
• Dal Baati Churma at Chokhi Dhani (full Rajasthani village experience)
• Laal Maans at Handi Restaurant (MI Road)
• Mawa Kachori at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar
• Ghewar & Boondi Laddoo at LMB (Laxmi Misthan Bhandar) in Johari Bazaar
• Kulfi-Falooda at Bapu Bazaar Kulfi
• Spice Court & 1135 AD at Amer Fort — heritage dining

How to Reach Jaipur

By Air

Jaipur International Airport (JAI) with daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, plus Dubai, Sharjah, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat.

By Rail

Jaipur Junction with direct trains from across India — the Shatabdi Express from Delhi (4.5 hr) is the most popular option.

By Road

NH-48 from Delhi (280 km, 5 hr via NH-48 Expressway). NH-21 from Agra (240 km). See our fleet.

Travel Tips

• 3 days minimum for Jaipur properly
• Stay near MI Road or in the Walled City for easy access
• Combine with Pushkar & Ajmer as a day trip (140 km, 3 hr)
• Avoid weekends if possible — Amer Fort gets very crowded
• Photo permits at most monuments cost extra — buy at entry
• Hire a chauffeur rather than relying on tuk-tuks for the day

Ready to plan your Pink City journey? Use the booking card or chat with Prithvi directly on WhatsApp — we’ll arrange your hot-air balloon, palace tours, food trail, and the perfect Rajasthan circuit starting here.