Free things to do · Jaipur · India
8 free things to do in Jaipur
Jaipur without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Jaipur without paying an entry fee: Jal Mahal, Panna Meena ka Kund, Galtaji (Monkey Temple) and Birla Mandir are all free. The composite monument ticket costs less than buying separate entries if you visit three or more state-run sites.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 9
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–August
Free sights and experiences
Palace · Amer Road
1.Jal Mahal
Stop on the way back from Amber in the late afternoon, when the light turns the sandstone gold.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Views
- Architecture
Historic site · Amer
2.Panna Meena ka Kund
Visit right after Amber Fort in the morning, when the steps cast sharp shadows; respect any staff instructions about where you may stand.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Galta hills
3.Galtaji (Monkey Temple)
Go in the late afternoon and walk up to the Sun Temple for sunset; keep food out of sight because the monkeys snatch it.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Moti Dungri
4.Birla Mandir
Combine it with the Ganesh temple at the foot of Moti Dungri next door; shoes are left at a counter outside.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
Religious site · Pink City (Old City)
5.Govind Dev Ji Temple
Time your visit for one of the darshan sessions and stand at the back of the hall; keep phones away during worship.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Market · Pink City (Old City)
6.Johari, Bapu and Tripolia bazaars
Bargain politely and walk away from any 'export gem' deal; shops that pay commission to guides and drivers inflate their prices.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
Architecture · Malviya Nagar and Jawahar Circle
7.Patrika Gate
Go just after sunrise for empty corridors; it fits neatly into a trip to or from the airport.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Art
Gallery · JLN Marg
8.Jawahar Kala Kendra
Check the noticeboard at the entrance for free evening performances and craft fairs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Amer Road | Jal Mahal | 30 minutes |
| Amer | Panna Meena ka Kund | 30 minutes |
| Galta hills | Galtaji (Monkey Temple) | 2 hours |
| Moti Dungri | Birla Mandir | 45 minutes |
| Pink City (Old City) | Govind Dev Ji Temple and Johari, Bapu and Tripolia bazaars | 45 minutes + 2–3 hours |
| Malviya Nagar and Jawahar Circle | Patrika Gate | 45 minutes |
| JLN Marg | Jawahar Kala Kendra | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
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Palace · Pink City (Old City)
Hawa Mahal
The best view of the façade is from the rooftop cafés directly across the road in the early morning, when the sun lights the front; the entrance itself is at the rear of the building.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Historic site · Pink City (Old City)
Jantar Mantar
Hire one of the licensed guides at the gate or use the audio guide; without an explanation the instruments look like abstract sculpture.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Castle · Aravalli ridge
Nahargarh Fort
Drive up via the Amer road in the late afternoon, explore the Madhavendra Bhawan, then stay on the ramparts for sunset; arrange your return transport in advance.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Castle · Amer
Jaigarh Fort
Combine it with Amber Fort on the same morning; a road links the two, and Jaigarh is usually far less crowded.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
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Museum · Ram Niwas Garden
Albert Hall Museum
Visit in the afternoon heat for air and shade, then stay to see the façade lit up at dusk.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- History
- Art
- Kids
- Architecture
- After dark
Viewpoint · Pink City (Old City)
Isarlat (Sargasooli)
Look for the small entrance in the lane behind the shops of Tripolia Bazaar; it is far quieter than Hawa Mahal.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- History
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Experience · MI Road
Raj Mandir Cinema
Buy tickets a few hours ahead for evening shows at weekends, and choose the upper-tier seats for the best view of the auditorium.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Kids
- Architecture
Historic site · Aravalli ridge
Gaitore cenotaphs
Stop here on the drive to Nahargarh or Amber; the morning light is best for the carvings.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Museum · Amer
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
Pair it with Panna Meena ka Kund, a few minutes' walk away, after visiting Amber Fort.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
More ways to save
- The composite monument ticket costs less than buying separate entries if you visit three or more state-run sites.
- Use Uber or Ola rather than bargaining with auto drivers, especially for longer trips to Amber or the airport.
- Avoid shops your driver or a friendly stranger recommends; commission-driven emporiums mark prices up sharply.
- Never buy gems to 'resell at home for profit' — the gem export scam is long-running in Jaipur.
- Visit April or July–September for the lowest hotel rates, including palace hotels.
- Carry small notes for chai, snacks and tips; many stalls cannot change large notes.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jaipur expensive to visit?
Jaipur is very affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Jaipur?
Jal Mahal: Stop on the way back from Amber in the late afternoon, when the light turns the sandstone gold.