Travel guide · India
Jaipur travel guide
Pink City bazaars, hilltop forts and Rajput palaces in Rajasthan's capital
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Jaipur was laid out in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as a grid of wide bazaars inside crenellated walls, and the old city was washed in terracotta pink for the Prince of Wales's visit in 1876. The walled city, the Jantar Mantar observatory and Amber Fort on the hills 11 km north are all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Most visitors spend two or three days here as the third corner of the Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra, splitting time between the forts, the City Palace and the jewellery, textile and bangle bazaars. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are October–March.
Key facts
- Country
- India
- Best time to visit
- October–March
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- JAI
- Mid-range daily budget
- $60–$150 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Pink City bazaars and City Palace
Why visit Jaipur
- Amber, Jaigarh and Nahargarh forts line the Aravalli ridge above the city and can be combined in one long day.
- The walled Pink City is a planned 18th-century grid where each bazaar still specialises: gems on Johari Bazaar, textiles on Bapu Bazaar, lac bangles off Tripolia Bazaar.
- Jantar Mantar's stone astronomical instruments, including a sundial about 27 metres tall, are unlike anything else on the tourist trail.
- Rajasthani food runs from dal baati churma and fiery laal maas to pyaaz kachori and ghewar from century-old sweet shops.
- Palace hotels such as Rambagh Palace and dozens of converted family havelis let you sleep inside the city's royal history.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
Castle · Amer
Amber Fort
Begun by Raja Man Singh I in 1592, Amber (Amer) Fort climbs a hillside above Maota Lake in a series of courtyards, halls and gates of honey-coloured sandstone and marble.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Palace · Pink City (Old City)
Hawa Mahal
The 'Palace of Winds' was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh so that royal women could watch street processions unseen.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Palace · Pink City (Old City)
City Palace
The royal palace complex at the centre of the old city mixes Rajput and Mughal styles across a sequence of courtyards.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
Historic site · Pink City (Old City)
Jantar Mantar
Jai Singh II, an accomplished astronomer, built this observatory between 1728 and 1734.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Castle · Aravalli ridge
Nahargarh Fort
Built in 1734 on the ridge directly above the old city, Nahargarh is the best place to watch the sun set over Jaipur.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Castle · Amer
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh crowns the hill above Amber Fort and was built in 1726 to protect it, with long walls running along the ridge.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
Where to stay
Pink City (Old City) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture and shopping
Pink City (Old City)
Walled 18th-century grid of bazaars, havelis and the City Palace
$$ · Best for budget, families, quiet stays and solo travellers
Bani Park
Leafy residential streets of heritage guesthouses near the railway station
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples, shopping and first-timers
C-Scheme
Upmarket central district of cafés, boutiques and Central Park
$$ · Best for budget, first-timers and food lovers
MI Road
The main commercial avenue between the station and the walled city
What to eat
- Dal baati churma — Rajasthan's signature meal: hard wheat dumplings (baati) baked and soaked in ghee, served with spiced lentils and churma, a sweet crumble of ground wheat, ghee and sugar.
- Laal maas — A fiery mutton curry coloured deep red by dried Mathania chillies and slow-cooked with yoghurt and garlic; it was traditionally a hunting dish of the Rajput nobility.
- Pyaaz kachori — A flaky deep-fried pastry stuffed with spiced onion, served hot with tamarind and mint chutneys.
- Mirchi vada — A large green chilli stuffed with spiced potato, dipped in gram-flour batter and deep-fried.
- Ghewar — A disc of lacy, honeycombed fried batter soaked in sugar syrup and often topped with rabri (thickened milk).
- Lassi — Thick sweet yoghurt drink served in disposable clay cups (kulhads), topped with a layer of malai cream.
When to go
The best time to visit Jaipur is October to March, when days are sunny and warm, nights are cool and sightseeing at the forts is comfortable. December and January are the busiest and priciest months. Avoid May and June, when temperatures regularly pass 40°C; the July–September monsoon is green and cheap but humid.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season | November–February | Sunny days in the low to mid-20s and cold nights; peak season for festivals, weddings and palace hotels, so book ahead. |
| Hot season | March–June | Temperatures climb from the low 30s in March to over 40°C in May and June, with dust storms; sightseeing is limited to early mornings, but prices fall. |
| Monsoon | July–September | Bursts of heavy rain, high humidity and green hills; hotel rates are at their lowest and the Teej festival brings processions. |
| Post-monsoon | October | Dry, warm weather returns with cooler evenings; Dussehra and Diwali preparations light up the bazaars. |
Getting there and around
Jaipur International Airport is in Sanganer, about 12 km south of the old city; the drive takes about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. App cabs and a prepaid taxi counter are available at arrivals. Most international travellers connect through Delhi.
Jaipur is spread out, and the main sights sit in three clusters: the walled city, the Amber–Jaigarh–Nahargarh ridge to the north, and the newer southern districts. Most visitors use app cabs or a car with driver for the forts and auto-rickshaws for shorter hops; the old city itself is best explored on foot, despite the traffic.
Plan your days
Two full days covers Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and a sunset at Nahargarh. A third day adds Galtaji, the Albert Hall Museum and slower bazaar time; with five days you can add Ranthambore or Pushkar.
Practical information
- Currency
- INR
- Language
- Hindi, Rajasthani and English
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, and many hotels provide refills.
- Emergency number
- 112 (all-India emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tipping is customary but modest.
Jaipur sees well-known scams: gem 'export' schemes, commission-driven shopping detours and friendly strangers offering tours. Traffic is the main physical risk, so cross roads carefully. From April to June heat exhaustion is a real danger, so drink water constantly and avoid midday sightseeing.
Flights to Jaipur
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Jaipur?
Two full days covers Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and a sunset at Nahargarh. A third day adds Galtaji, the Albert Hall Museum and slower bazaar time; with five days you can add Ranthambore or Pushkar. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Jaipur?
The best time to visit Jaipur is October to March, when days are sunny and warm, nights are cool and sightseeing at the forts is comfortable. December and January are the busiest and priciest months. Avoid May and June, when temperatures regularly pass 40°C; the July–September monsoon is green and cheap but humid.
+What is Jaipur known for?
Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Pink City bazaars, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Block-printed textiles, Gemstones and Palace hotels. Amber, Jaigarh and Nahargarh forts line the Aravalli ridge above the city and can be combined in one long day.
+Is Jaipur expensive?
Jaipur is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $60–$150 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Jaipur?
You do not need to drive yourself. Traffic is chaotic, and a car with driver hired for a day or for a Golden Triangle tour costs little more than a rental and removes all navigation and parking stress.