Jaipur
Jaipur, the Pink City and capital of Rajasthan, combines a planned eighteenth-century old town, hilltop forts and lively bazaars, and it completes India's Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and the third point of the Golden Triangle. This Jaipur travel guide covers the things to do in Jaipur, which range from hilltop forts to an old city of pink-washed bazaars and palaces still lived in by the former royal family. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city in the early eighteenth century and laid it out on a grid, unusual for its time, and the walled city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is colourful, friendly and easy to enjoy, and a highlight of any trip to India.
What to see in Jaipur
Jaipur’s sights split between the old walled city and the hills to the north, where the rulers built their forts. Allow a day for each.
Amber Fort
About half an hour north of the city, Amber Fort rises above a lake on a ridge of the Aravalli hills. It was the seat of the Kachwaha rulers before Jaipur was founded, and its gateways, courtyards and halls mix Rajput and Mughal styles. The Sheesh Mahal, a hall lined with thousands of small mirrors, is the most famous room. Amber is one of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan listed by UNESCO. Arrive early, before the day warms up and the ramps fill with visitors.
The City Palace
In the heart of the old city, the City Palace is a complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, part of which is still home to the former royal family. The rest is a museum of textiles, arms and royal costumes. Look for the four decorated gateways in the Pritam Niwas courtyard, each painted to represent a season.
Jantar Mantar
Next to the palace, Jantar Mantar is an observatory built by Jai Singh II, who had a deep interest in astronomy. Its huge stone instruments measure time and track the positions of the sun and stars, and one of them is a giant sundial. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a guide helps explain how each instrument works.
The Hawa Mahal
Built at the end of the eighteenth century, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is a tall, narrow facade of small windows and latticed screens. It allowed the women of the royal household to watch street life and processions without being seen. It is best viewed from across the road in the morning light, and you can climb inside for views over the old city.
Nahargarh and Jaigarh
Two more forts guard the hills above the city. Nahargarh looks straight down over Jaipur and is a fine place to watch the sunset. Jaigarh, above Amber, is a military fort with long walls and a huge cannon. The drive along the ridge between them has wide views across the plains.
Step-wells and gardens
Close to Amber Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund is a step-well with criss-crossing flights of steps leading down to the water. In the city, the Albert Hall Museum, set in public gardens, holds collections of art and crafts in a nineteenth-century building.
Bazaars and crafts
Jaipur is one of India’s great craft cities. In the old city bazaars, each street has its speciality: jewellery and gems, textiles, bangles, spices or brassware. The city is known for block-printed cotton, blue pottery and gem cutting. In craft villages just outside town, such as Sanganer and Bagru, you can watch printers press carved wooden blocks onto cloth, and sometimes try it yourself. Take your time, and if you plan to buy something valuable, your guide can suggest how to shop with confidence.
Best time to visit Jaipur
The best time to visit Jaipur is from October to March, when the days are sunny and comfortable for climbing the forts. Summer is very hot, and the monsoon brings showers and greener hills.
| Months | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| October to March | Sunny, dry days with cool to cold nights, especially in December and January | Forts, bazaars, festivals and combining with the rest of Rajasthan |
| April to June | Very hot and dry | Early-morning sightseeing and indoor museums |
| July to September | Monsoon: humid, with showers and green hills | Fewer visitors and dramatic skies over the forts |
How long to stay and how Jaipur fits a trip
Two or three nights is ideal. That gives you a day for Amber and the hill forts, a day for the old city, and time to shop or visit a craft village.
Jaipur completes the Golden Triangle with Delhi, about five hours by road, and Agra, about four to five hours by road with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri. It is also the gateway to the rest of Rajasthan. The tiger reserve of Ranthambore is about three to four hours away. Heading west, the blue city of Jodhpur is about five to six hours by road, and the lake city of Udaipur is about an hour by air or a full day on the road.
- 1 week: the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
- 10 days: add two or three nights in Ranthambore for safaris.
- 2 weeks: continue from Jaipur to Jodhpur, the desert city of Jaisalmer and Udaipur.
Tips for visiting Jaipur
- Visit Amber Fort first thing in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The forts have steep ramps, uneven stone and many steps.
- Some monuments close one day a week. We plan around it, and confirm current ticketing when we book.
- Bargaining is normal in the bazaars. Keep it friendly, and agree a price before you buy.
Every trip we plan is tailor-made, with your own guide and driver where it helps. Tell us what you would like to see on our plan your trip page.
Highlights
- The ramparts, courtyards and mirrored halls of Amber Fort
- The honeycomb facade of the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds
- The courtyards and museum of the City Palace
- Jantar Mantar, an eighteenth-century observatory listed by UNESCO
- Sunset over the Pink City from Nahargarh Fort
- Textiles, gems and block prints in the old city bazaars
- The geometric steps of Panna Meena ka Kund step-well
- Hand block-printing workshops in nearby craft villages
When to go & practical information
Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March
Recommended stay: 2–3 nights
Plan your trip to Jaipur
Tell us when you would like to go and what draws you to Jaipur. We will suggest a route that fits.
Plan My TripFAQs about Jaipur
Have more questions? Contact us.
October to March is the best time, with sunny days and cool evenings. December and January nights can be cold, so pack a warm layer. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon from about July to September brings showers and greener hills.
Two full days is ideal. One day covers Amber Fort and the hills, and the other the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, the Hawa Mahal and the bazaars. A third day gives time for craft villages or a slower pace.
The old city was painted a terracotta pink in the nineteenth century to welcome a royal visitor, and the colour has been kept ever since. Pink is a traditional colour of hospitality. The walled city is now listed by UNESCO.
Ranthambore is about three to four hours from Jaipur by road, and there are also trains to Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town. Two or three nights there allow several safaris. Sightings depend on luck and season, and we confirm current safari zone bookings when we plan your trip.
Light, loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is comfortable and respectful, especially at temples. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the forts, and good shoes for steep ramps and steps. Shoes come off at temples.
Most are open daily, but some monuments and museums close one day a week, and ticketing rules change. We plan your sightseeing around closures and confirm the current arrangements when we book.