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India is a vibrant and colorful country. So much so that the cities are named for their prominent colors. For instance, the Pink City, the Blue City, the White City, and the Golden City. A trip to India is incomplete without visiting Rajasthan. A treat for architects, historians, and people who want to explore diverse cultures. Every prominent site exudes an aura of grandiosity and royalty.

Jaipur forms a part of the West Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with Delhi and Angra. Founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, it is an ancient city built in 1727 that is quite often referred to as the Paris of India and the City of Jem.

Top 20 Places To Visit In Jaipur

Why Jaipur Is Called The Pink City?

Being one of the planned cities of modern India, Jaipur is known as the Pink City because of the predominant use of color in its buildings. You must be wondering why the buildings are pink in color in the first place. Well, there’s a little bit of history to that as well.

In 1853, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city, Sawai Ram Singh commissioned all royal and government buildings to be painted in a sandstone color, after which the city is called the Pink City.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Jaipur is during the winter from November to February when the city is pleasant and fresh.

Network Availability

Being one of the major tourist destinations in India, the city has good network connectivity throughout.

ATM Availability

Many ATMs are spread across the city to withdraw money whenever required.

Language Spoken

As one would expect, Hindi is the official language and is widely spoken in Jaipur. Being a tourist destination, many people converse in English as well.

How To Reach?

By Air

Jaipur International Airport (Airport Code: JAI, 11 Km) at Sanganer is the primary airport of Jaipur. Taxi and bus services are available readily outside the airport.

By Train

Jaipur Junction (Station code: JP, 2 Km) is the nearest railway station. It also serves as the headquarters of the North Western Railway zone. It is connected to many major cities and is the busiest railway station in Rajasthan.

The popular luxury train “Palace On Wheels” starts from here. Other luxury trains such as Maharaja Express and Deccan Odyssey offer sightseeing tours of Jaipur city.

By Road

One of the easiest ways to reach Jaipur is by bus. Jaipur is well connected to all the nearby major cities such as Jodhpur (351 Km), Ajmer (132 Km), Bikaner (335 Km), Jaisalmer (556 Km), Delhi (283 Km), Udaipur (394 Km), and Ahmedabad (679 Km)

Commute Within The City

Most of the tourist attractions are located at a walkable distance. Jaipur also has a metro line that runs across the city. Although you can hire bikes from ONN Bikes or Royal Brothers and enjoy the city at your own pace, we suggest hiring a taxi or tuk-tuk for sightseeing tours. The locals know their place well and some of them can share trivia from history as well. But, before you hop on, bargain! It’s a part of the process and you surely will get a better price if you do it.

Note: Uber and Ola are available. For sightseeing day tours, select HIREX or HIREGO in Uber.

Where To Stay?

For luxury options, you can stay in any of the Havelis which boast a complete ethnic experience. Pick based on your need from options that include hostels, homestays, villas, resorts, and apartments. Here are a few recommendations.

• Gypsy Monkey ($)
• HOUSE OF TOURISTERS ($)
• Hotel H R Palace ($$)
• Jaipur Hotel New – Heritage Hotel ($$)
• The Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur ($$$)
• The Leela Palace Jaipur ($$$)

Where To Eat?

Many restaurants in Jaipur serve authentic Rajasthani cuisine. The food tastes finger lickin’ good and you are sure to crave more. Pyaaz Kachori (deep-fried snack), Shrikhand (a sweet dish made of curd), Baluchi (veg gravy, tastes best with garlic naan), Laal Maas (mutton curry), and Rabdi Ghevar (dessert) are some of the famous dishes you should try in Jaipur.

Note: Zomato and Swiggy serve delicious delicacies at your doorstep.

Shopping

Jaipur is not more than just majestic forts and age-old museums, but also a shopper’s paradise. It is famous for all kinds of crafts including terracotta, stone carving, sandalwood art, blue pottery, enamel work, and wooden, and metal craftworks. A few of the famous bazaars are mentioned here.

1. Johari Bazaar – One of the biggest markets for jewelry and ornaments.
2. Bapu Bazaar – Famous for leather products, Mojiri shoes, and Rajasthani fabrics
3. Tripolia Bazaar – Known for lac jewelry and handlooms
4. Chandpole Bazaar – Traditional shopping place for art and handicraft products.
5. Aravalli Bazaar – Home for bedspreads and quilts

Tip For Entry Ticket

The best and most cost-effective way to buy entry tickets for top tourist attractions is to purchase a composite ticket for Rs 400 for Indians, Rs.1000 for Foreigners, and much less for students – INR 100 for Indian students and INR 500 for foreign students. Valid for two days, it helps you steer away from your biggest fear at a tourist spot – QUEUES and is definitely worth it.

You can buy these tickets at any of the following places, and they cover the same as well – Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Albert Hall Museum, Sisodia Garden, and Vidyadhar Garden.

Top 20 Places To Visit In Jaipur

1. Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir, also known as Sri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is a Hindu temple located at the base of Moti Dungri Hill. Built on a raised platform with a modern architectural style, this temple dominates the skyline of south Jaipur. It was constructed solely of white marble by the Birla Foundation in 1988 and stands as a dedication to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.

The three domes at the top represent the three main religions followed in India, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam.  In addition to the main temple, the complex also has a museum and gardens that are well-maintained. It is one of the perfect ways to start your day.

• Timings: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Entry fee: Free

2. Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of Breeze”, was designed by Lal Chand Usta in 1799 AD by the order of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It is one of the masterpieces of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Devoted to Lord Krishna, the shape resembles his crown, and the complete structure has about 953 latticed windows called jharokhas and these windows allow the breeze to flow through in order to keep the palace cool.

The main purpose of building Hawa Mahal was to let the royal ladies watch the festivals and other celebrations across the street without being seen. As it is open to the public now, we can now enjoy the street views from the palace. Another interesting thing is that Hawa Mahal is the tallest building in the world without a foundation.

The five-storeyed building managed to stand upright because it is curved. Hawa Mahal is one of Jaipur’s iconic landmarks. You can come back to it at night to get a glimpse of it is beautifully lit. 

• Timings: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs. 200 for Foreigners.
• Note: The entrance is through the City Palace.

3. Patrika Gate

The Jawahar Circle, Asia’s largest circular park, is accessed through the Patrika Gate. The garden has a rose garden, a children’s park, and a fountain where music and a light show are held. The Patrika Gate is quite popular among Instagrammers, carved with a series of archways and designed with pastel colors that make for memorable pictures. 

• Musical fountain timings: 7 PM to 7:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.20 for Foreigners to enter the garden.

4. Amber Fort

Amer or Amber derives its name from Ambikeshwar (local name for Lord Shiva) Temple built atop Cheel Ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the Aravalli range. However, few stories suggest that the name is derived from Amba, the Goddess Durga. 

About 11 Km from the city, located on a hill, Amber Fort is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. It is also popularly known as the Amer Palace. Built in the 16th century, this palace was where the Rajput Maharajas and their families lived. The architecture is influenced by the Mughlai style and the palace was constructed with red sandstone and marble. It overlooks Maota Lake which is its main source of water.

The fort is lit up during the night and offers a marvelous sight for all. You can also enjoy the light and sound show at an extra cost that takes place every day at Amber Fort. More information about Amber Fort can be gathered from this detailed blog.

In 2013, Amber Fort along with five other forts of Rajasthan (Chittor Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, and Jaisalmer Fort) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group “Hill Forts of Rajasthan”.

• Timings: 8 AM to 9 PM
• Entry Fee for Mirror Palace: Rs. 100 for Indians and Rs. 500 for Foreigners

5. Jaigarh Fort

About 15 Km from the city, Jaigarh Fort is located on Cheel Ka Teela of the Aravalli range of hills. It was built by Jai Singh II in 1726 overlooking the Amer Fort and the Maota Lake. The significance of this fort was to protect the Amer Fort and its palace complex and was named after Jai Singh himself. Also known as the “Victory Fort”, it features “Jaivana” which was the world’s largest cannon on wheels. Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort are connected and considered one complex. The fort has thick walls of red sandstone and an impressive garden within it.

• Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs. 100 for Foreigners

6. Nahargarh Fort

About 15 Km from the city, Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of Aravalli Hills overlooking Jaipur city. The name Nahargarh means “abode of tigers”. The fort was built mainly in 1734 by the king of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, and was later expanded in 1868. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh forms a strong defense ring for the city. Watching the sunset over the city and the bright city lights at night is all you need to end your day on a high.

Madhavendra Bhawan (Palace) is one of the hotspot attractions. It was built by Sawai Madho Singh for his nine queens and the King himself. This two-storeyed palace has nine apartments surrounding the three sides of the palace while the fourth, houses the Maharaja’s living room. 

The fort houses the famous Jaipur Wax Museum. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) which gives the magnificent royal look and feel is one of a kind. Both can be visited at Rs. 350 each.

• Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 50 for Indian nationals and Rs. 200 for Foreigners

7. Charan Mandir

Charan Mandir is located on the way to Nahargarh Fort. Charan means foot. In this ancient temple, the footprints of Lord Krishna are worshipped by the Hindus. The temple also has a watchtower that provides a panoramic view of the Jal Mahal. 

• Entry Fee: Free

8. Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum is the oldest museum in the state situated in Ram Niwas garden. It is popularly called the Government Central Museum. It was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in Indo-Saracenic architectural style and was named after Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales who laid the foundation stone in 1876 and was opened to the public in 1887.

The museum collections are spread across the ground and first floor and are divided into fifteen categories including pottery, jewelry, armor, miniature paintings, musical instruments, and coins. The Egyptian mummy is one of the main attractions of the museum. Visiting the museum at night, fully lit with colorful lights is quite something as it captivates your attention with its sheer brilliance and beauty.

• Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Night Timings: 7 PM to 10 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs 40 for Indians, Rs 300 for Foreigners, and fee for children below 7 years of age
• Night Entry Fee: Rs 100 for all except children below 7 years

9. Jal Mahal

In the middle of Man Sagar Lake, the Jal Mahal or Water Palace appears to float. Jal Mahal is the summer palace of the royal families. It is a five-storeyed building constructed with red sandstone. When the lake is full, the four floors remain underwater while the top is exposed. It has four octagonal chhatris at the corners and one rectangular chhatri which is of Bengal type.

The palace has suffered much damage because of the waterlogging which has been repaired under a restoration project of the Government of Rajasthan. Visitors are not allowed to enter the palace and can enjoy its magnanimity from the shore. Watching the sunrise from behind this palace is a gorgeous sight that one mustn’t miss.

10. Panna Meena Ki Kund

This historic stepwell has symmetric staircases on all four sides. These step wells are mainly used for rainwater catchment and are considered fine examples of unique architectural work. Nowadays, special permission is required to enter the staircases inside. General public visitors are denied to wander along the stairwell. A watch person has been put in to monitor.

• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fee: Free

11. Jaipur City Palace

Jaipur City Palace is one of the significant landmarks located in the heart of the city. The palace complex was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and continues to be the residence of the royal family. The most prominent ones in the complex are Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, Sabha Niwas or Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of public audience), Sarvato Bhadra or Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of private audience), and the Clock Tower.

Visitors can enter the complex through Udai Pol and Virendra Pol. The Mubarak Mahal now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and displays a vast and unique collection of royal costumes.

• Timings: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 130 for Indians and Rs. 500 for Foreigners

12. Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The name Jantar Mantar means calculation instrument. It contains geometric devices that are designed to tell time by the movements of the sun, moon, and planets. There are five Jantar Mantars in India (New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi) among which the largest astronomical observatory is in Jaipur. It also houses the world’s largest stone sundial. You can hire a guide (at an extra cost) to explain the working principles and chronology of the observatory. 

• Timings: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 25 for adults

13. Kanak Vrindavan

Located at the foothills of Nahargarh hills, Kanak Vrindavan is the perfect place for picnics. The gardens have a picturesque temple with marble columns and lattices that attract various tourists for a quick photoshoot.

• Timings: 9 AM to 7 PM
• Entry Fee: Free

14. Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing

Anokhi Museum is located in a beautifully restored haveli. It displays block-printed textiles alongside images and tools. Additionally, there are demonstrations organized for the visitors and is one of the must-visit places for art lovers.

• Timings: Closed on Mondays and public holidays; Open from Tuesday to Sunday – between 10:30 AM and 5 PM and on Sunday – from 11 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 15 for children
• Photography is allowed on additional charges

15. Isarlat

The 60-foot-high minaret located in the Tripoli Bazaar was built in 1749 AD by Sawai Ishwari Singh to commemorate a grand victory against his brother Madho Singh. It is also called Swarga Suli meaning “heaven piercing minaret”. From the top, you can see the complete view of the city.

• Timings:  9 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free

16. Galtaji Temple

About 10 Km from the main city, Galtaji is a series of temples built in the crevice of hills that surround Jaipur. The Galta Kund (water tank) is considered sacred and the water here never goes dry. Thousands of devotees visit this place during the Makar Sankranti festival, which is celebrated in the month of January. 

• Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
• Entry Fee: Free 
• Note: Beware of monkeys
• Tip: Hire a guide (at extra charge) to stay safe from the monkeys

17. Shanghiji Jain Temple

About 16 Km from Jaipur, Shanghiji Jain Temple is dedicated to the first Tirthankara, Adinatha. The temple was built in the 10th century AD and the idol of the deity is said to be about 4000 years old. The seven-storeyed temple is intricately carved and is built with red stone.

• Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
• Entry Fee: Free

18. Chulgiri Jain Temple

Chulgiri Jain Temple is located at the top of the hill. You can either climb around 1000 steps or reach the temple top by motorable roads. The sunset and night views of the city are worth all the effort you take to reach the top. 

• Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free

19. Memorials of Kings and Queens

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan, the royal cremation ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, is one of the prominent tourist spots. The Chhatris made up of white marble, displays the Rajput architectural style. Among all, Maharaja Jai Singh’s chhatri stands out with 20 carved pillars.

• Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 30

Maharani Ki Chhatri is the cremation ground for the queens. The name chhatri, not only refers to the umbrella shape but also the royalty. This crematorium has several exquisitely carved cenotaphs. It is believed that the cenotaph was finished with a roof structure only if the queen died before her king and not otherwise.

• Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs. 30

20. Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh is a palace garden about 6 Km away from the main city. It was built by Maharaja Jawal Jai Singh II in 1728. This complex has a two-storeyed palace, a garden with fountains, and painted pavilions. 

• Timings: 8 AM to 7:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs.10 per person

Very close to Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh is the Vidyadhar Garden. The garden is well maintained and is quite welcoming to the people who want to spend some time here & relax.

• Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM
• Entry Fee: Rs.50 per person

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have not visited Jaipur, then you are missing out on the grandeur. In fact, more people have visited Jaipur than the Taj Mahal & rightly so. We are planning for our second visit too. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags & set out to explore the pink city!