Jaipur, India: travel guide
Rajasthan's Pink City of palaces, forts and gem-trading bazaars
The 'Pink City' — Rajasthan's capital famed for the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, and vibrant bazaars of gems, textiles, and handicrafts.
About Jaipur
Painted in a warm rose-pink, Jaipur is the usual first taste of Rajasthan. The Hawa Mahal's honeycomb facade, the City Palace and the hilltop Amber Fort give the city a royal skyline, and the walled quarter is still organised around its old trading streets.
Spend a day on the monuments, then lose an afternoon in Johari Bazaar and its neighbours, where jewellery, block-printed textiles and blue pottery fill the stalls. Evenings suit a rooftop dinner with the fort walls lit up on the hills.
Jaipur is easy to combine with Agra and Delhi, and suits anyone who wants culture and shopping in one stop. The best time to visit Jaipur is the cooler stretch from October to March.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- JAI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Jaipur
Amber Palace
fort · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₹1,000
16th-century hilltop fort known for its artistic Hindu elements and maze-like passages.
Hawa Mahal
palace · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹600
Iconic 5-story pink sandstone Palace of Winds with 953 small windows.
City Palace
palace · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹700
A complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings, still a royal residence.
World Trade Park
mall · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Massive modern shopping mall known for its unique futuristic architecture.
Govind Dev Ji
temple · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Major Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna within the City Palace complex.
Moti Dungri Temple
temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Popular temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, modeled after a Scottish castle.
Jawahar Circle
park · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · free entry
Largest circular park in Asia, famous for its musical fountain.
Nahargarh Fort
fort · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹600
Fort standing on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the pink city.
Jal Mahal
palace · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
The Water Palace located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.
Birla Mandir
temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A grand Hindu temple built entirely of white marble.
Albert Hall Museum
museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹600
The oldest museum of the state, functioning as the State museum of Rajasthan.
Chokhi Dhani
village · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · entry ₹650
Ethnic Rajasthani village resort offering traditional food and culture.
Things to do
- Jaipur Pink City Full-Day Tour Sightseeing Tour · 8 h · from INR 2,000 per person
- Amber Fort Guided Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Hot Air Balloon Ride over Amer Adventure · 1 h · from INR 13,000 per person
- Chokhi Dhani Cultural Evening Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,100 per person
- Ethical Elephant Experience Wildlife · 3 h · from INR 3,500 per person
- Nahargarh & Jaigarh Forts Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Galtaji Monkey Temple Sunrise Visit Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 900 per person
- Jaipur Heritage & Bazaar Walk Walking Tour · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Jaipur Pink City Full-Day Tour 8 h · from INR 2,000
- Jaipur Forts Day Tour 7 h · from INR 2,200
- Jaipur Heritage & Craft Day 7 h · from INR 1,900
Where to stay in Jaipur
- Pink City Center about INR 3,500 per night
Heart of old Jaipur with heritage buildings, bazaars, and cultural sites
- C Scheme about INR 6,000 per night
Upscale residential area with luxury hotels, restaurants, and shopping
- MI Road about INR 3,000 per night
Commercial hub with mid-range hotels, good connectivity and restaurants
Hotels
- The Oberoi Rajvilas 5-star · INR 40,000 to INR 100,000 per night
- Rambagh Palace 5-star · INR 35,000 to INR 90,000 per night
- SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace 5-star · INR 25,000 to INR 60,000 per night
- Jai Mahal Palace 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 32,000 per night
- Samode Haveli 4-star · INR 12,000 to INR 25,000 per night
- RAAS Jaipur 5-star · INR 14,000 to INR 32,000 per night
Where to eat
- Chokhi Dhani Rajasthani, Thali, Vegetarian · about INR 1,100 per person
- Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB) Rajasthani, North Indian, Desserts · about INR 450 per person
- Rawat Mishtan Bhandar Street Food, Rajasthani, Desserts · about INR 150 per person
- Tapri Central Cafe, Indian, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Niros North Indian, Mughlai, Continental · about INR 800 per person
- Spice Court Rajasthani, North Indian, Mughlai · about INR 900 per person
- Handi Restaurant Rajasthani, Mughlai, North Indian · about INR 700 per person
- Peacock Rooftop Restaurant North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 500 per person
Getting to Jaipur
Airport: Jaipur (JAI)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"
Airports, train stations, popular squares
Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.
How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Jaipur
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Jaipur?
- The highest-rated places in our Jaipur guide are Govind Dev Ji, Amber Palace, Moti Dungri Temple, Birla Mandir, Hawa Mahal.
- Where should I stay in Jaipur?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Jaipur: Pink City Center, C Scheme, MI Road.
- How do I get around Jaipur?
- Ways to get around Jaipur covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Jaipur?
- Scams reported to us for Jaipur include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Jaipur?
- The nearest airport to Jaipur has the code JAI.