Unveil the vibrant culture and rich history of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s “Pink City.” Immerse yourself in the grandeur of majestic forts and museums, experiencing the lingering essence of Rajput royalty. From delectable cuisine to exquisite fabrics, Jaipur offers a sensory overload unlike any other. It’s no wonder this desert capital attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.
Planning Your Jaipur Adventure
This guide is your one-stop resource for exploring Jaipur. To ensure a comfortable exploration, remember the ideal time to visit is between fall and early spring. Summer temperatures in Rajasthan can soar to an unforgiving 50 degrees Celsius.
Must-See Experiences in Jaipur
Get ready to delve into the heart of Jaipur. We’ll unveil the city’s top attractions, ensuring you don’t miss a single gem on your unforgettable journey.
Contents
- 1 Things to do in Jaipur
- 1.1 1. Amer Fort
- 1.2 2. Jantar Mantar
- 1.3 3. Chokhi Dhani
- 1.4 4. Jal Mahal
- 1.5 5. Hawa Mahal
- 1.6 6. Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight
- 1.7 7. Jaigarh Fort
- 1.8 8. Nahargarh Fort
- 1.9 9. Go on a shopping spree in Jaipur
- 1.10 10. Try out the Rajasthani Cusine
- 1.11 11. Albert Hall Museum
- 1.12 12. Grab a drink at Bar Palladio
- 1.13 13. Experience a festival celebration
- 1.14 Conclusion –
Things to do in Jaipur
1. Amer Fort
Amer Fort comes first in our list of things to do in Jaipur as it’s one of the most visited forts in the city and it’s one of the majestic forts in Rajasthan too. The fort is built with a fusion of Redstone and marble and it is known as the perfect fusion of Hindu (Rajput) and Islamic architecture.It was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I and after that, the fort has said to be renovated by his successors as well. The fort features a lake, courtyard, temples, gardens, and palaces that are just too good to be missed. The Ganesh Pol and the Sheesh Mahal are two of the most prominent features of the fort.The Fort opens from 8 AM to 5.30 PM and at 7 Pam it reopens again for a light and sound show. It’s located 11 km from Jaipur city and you can reach there by cab or city bus.
2. Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you must visit. This is an astronomical observatory that was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Although there are 5 such Jantar Mantar in India, this one is the most popular and kinda best among all the others.The Jantar Mantar was built because of the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who was always very curious about astronomical events therefore he worked with several astronomers to build such astronomical instruments to predict the time, the position of solar bodies, and the eclipses.There are a total of nineteen astronomical instruments through which observations can be made through the naked eyes and there is also a stone sundial present which is said to be the largest in the world. The whole thing took seven years to complete and it’s just fascinating how people were so advance and using technologies and science even centuries ago.It’s open from 9 am to 4.30 pm and you should probably need to hire a guide so that you can understand how these instruments were used.
3. Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani is a place where you will learn about the culture and tradition of Rajasthan. Here you will see the traditional Rajasthani dance performance, music, and Rajasthani cuisine. In simpler words, the place is a 5-star resort with the traditional Rajasthani theme and you will feel the closest to the culture and tradition of Rajasthan here.There are other things to do as well, you can go shopping and buy the local handicraft or the Rajasthani artifacts or home decors. You can also take a camel ride and enjoy a puppet show. There is a facility for playing game games here so you can have the best time here.Here you would see the hospitality of Rajasthan and there would be a very warm welcome which will make you feel royal in one way or the other. This one is the most recommended place to visit in Jaipur as you will get an unforgettable experience here.
4. Jal Mahal
Since you are in Rajasthan you can never get enough of Forts and Palaces and the next on our list is Jal Mahal. This one is kinda a unique palace that you will come across so far. The word Jal means water and Mahal means Palace that is its a Water Palace. The Palace is located in the middle of the Mansarovar lake, it is a five-story palace but four of them are totally submerged in water and you can only see the top floor of the Palace.The place looks magical at the sunset with good lighting and the setting sun in the background. Although you can’t enter the Palace, for obvious reasons, the view will be worthy of your time. You can take pictures and grab a bite from the local vendors.
5. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is another marvel of Jaipur that you shouldn’t miss out on! The name of the Palace means the Palace of Winds and it looks pretty amazing too. The Palace is built with red and pink sandstone and it looks just perfect with the whole Rajasthani feel.The Palace features hundreds of windows and its architecture is quite unique. There a total of 953 windows which are known as Jharokhas in Rajasthan. The Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the 18th century. He built this Palace for the Royal ladies so that they can observe the activities and the lifestyle of the common people.It’s an interesting place to visit and explore so you should see this palace and it’s not even far away from the city either. The Palace opens from 9 AM to 5 PM.
6. Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight
The Pink City is a place which won’t stop surprising you. What will surprise you the most is the view of Jaipur from the top, you can take a hot air balloon and just soak yourself in the beautiful view of the city. Jaipur is considered as one of the best places to take a hot air balloon ride.You can take up a hot air balloon ride from the Amer Fort and the ride will cover some of the iconic places in the city including the forts and the Palaces as well as the local villages. The ride will last for about an hour. You have to keep in mind that it is only available from September to April and you cant experience it in the summer season.
7. Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort is another iconic Fort to visit in Jaipur. The fort is built 400m above the Amer Fort and it was built by Jai Singh II. The fort was a military base to protect the Amer Fort. Since it is located at a higher level, visitors can see the scenic view of Amer Fort, Moata Lake, and the Aravalli Ranges from Jaigarh Fort.One of the most interesting things to see here is the world’s largest cannon, although the cannon was never used as there were no fights among the states. You can also see other weaponry and artifacts at the fort.
8. Nahargarh Fort
Yes, there are a lot of forts! And the next one on the list of things to do in Jaipur is to visit the Nahargarh Fort! The fort was built in the 18th century by Sawai Madho Singh. Just like the Jaigarh fort, this one too was a military base built to protect the city from attackers.The Fort was also used for hunting purposes by the Royals. Nowadays people come here to see the royalty as well as to enjoy the beautiful view of the city. There is also a wax museum as well as dining places to eat.
9. Go on a shopping spree in Jaipur
Since you are in Jaipur and exploring the rich heritage of the Royals, you might wanna take something home from this city. And when it comes to shopping, the city won’t disappoint you either. From the big malls to street shopping, you will find everything here.Street shopping is something you don’t wanna miss out on and there are plenty of places in the city where you can do street shopping. Some of them are Bapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar. You can find anything in here with a hint of Rajasthani culture in it. From the dresses to the jewelry, everything is unique here. Once you started the shopping spree you might not be able to stop yourself.You can also ask the guides or the locals the best places to buy the handicrafts and the Rajasthani artifacts which you won’t find anywhere in the world. Make sure you do not miss out on the shopping spree in Jaipur.
10. Try out the Rajasthani Cusine
Being in Rajasthan and not trying out the Rajasthani Thali would be a crime that you will regret. Rajasthani cuisine is very distinct and you will have an unforgettable taste as well. The best thing to try out would be the Rajasthani Thali which consists of ten to twenty food items, and each one varies from sweet to savory.You should also try out the sweets like Gewar which is Rajasthan’s specialty. There are many other sweets and dishes that you only find in Rajasthan. Apart from the main courses, there are some famous snacks like the Kachori, Samosa and so on which you can try out. Lastly, the street food is also a great thing to taste.P.S- the food can be spicy so always have a cool drink by your side!
11. Albert Hall Museum
The Albert Hall Museum is also a must-visit place in Jaipur if you wanna know the history and the rich culture of Rajasthan even more closely. This museum is known to be the oldest museum in Rajasthan (completed in 1187) and here you would find the artifacts, sculptures, statues, paintings, carpets, jewelry, crafts, paintings and so much more.The museum itself is worthy of our attention with its Indo-Saracenic architecture and it almost looks like a castle from the outside. Overall you would enjoy your time here.
12. Grab a drink at Bar Palladio
If you are looking for a royal place to have a drink then there won’t be a better place than Bar Palladio. The bar was designed by a dutch designer Marie-Anne and he gave the place a Rajasthani Royal look which makes it one of the most photogenic bars in Jaipur.The opening time for the bar is from 6 pm to 11 pm and here you can not only have the best cocktail or liquor but also have a bite of delicious Italian Food. The candlelights and the garden make it even more magical.
13. Experience a festival celebration
Rajasthan celebrates plenty of festivals that featured the heritage of Rajasthan and also the cultural and traditional values of ancient times. The Rajasthani festivals such as Gangaur or Teej are celebrated on a very big scale. The celebration looks so marvelous and huge. So check your calendar and if your trip revolves around any big celebration then you must see the celebrations.
Conclusion –
Jaipur, the captivating “Pink City,” offers a vibrant cultural experience. From majestic forts to delicious cuisine, the city has something for everyone.
Immerse Yourself in History and Culture
Explore the architectural wonders of Amber Fort and City Palace, remnants of a bygone era. Marvel at the unique Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and peek into the intriguing Jantar Mantar, an open-air observatory.
Tantalize Your Taste Buds
Indulge in the rich flavors of Rajasthani cuisine. Savor traditional dishes at a local restaurant or experience a cultural dinner show at Chokhi Dhani.
Start Planning Your Pink City Adventure!
We hope this information has piqued your interest in visiting Jaipur. With its rich heritage and cultural experiences, the Pink City promises an unforgettable trip.