Jaipur Travel Guide
Your complete guide to the Pink City -- majestic forts, vibrant bazaars, royal palaces, and Rajasthani cuisine. Everything you need for an unforgettable Jaipur experience.
Table of Contents
Your chapter-by-chapter guide to Jaipur
Welcome to the Pink City
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a city where royal heritage meets vibrant modern life. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it was India's first planned city, built according to Vastu Shastra principles. The city earned its famous "Pink City" nickname in 1876 when it was painted terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert. Today, Jaipur is a UNESCO World Heritage City and the gateway to Rajasthan's desert kingdoms. From the magnificent Amber Fort perched on Aravalli hills to the iconic Hawa Mahal's 953 windows, from the bustling Johari Bazaar's gemstones to the aroma of dal baati churma, Jaipur offers an experience that is quintessentially Indian. As part of the famous Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur attracts millions of visitors every year. Whether you are here for history, culture, shopping, or food, this guide will help you plan the perfect Jaipur trip.
Best Time to Visit Jaipur
Visual month-by-month guide -- taller bars mean better visiting conditions
Top Attractions in Jaipur
Amber Fort
Magnificent hilltop fortress overlooking Maota Lake. Stunning Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Diwan-i-Aam, and Ganesh Pol gateway. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hawa Mahal
Iconic Palace of Winds with 953 jharokhas (windows). Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Best photographed from the street at sunrise.
City Palace
Royal residence with Chandra Mahal (still occupied by royals) and Mubarak Mahal. Houses textile museum, armoury, and the world's largest sterling silver vessels.
Nahargarh Fort
Perched on Aravalli hills overlooking the city. Built in 1734 as a retreat. Offers the best panoramic sunset views of Jaipur. Popular Padao restaurant inside.
Jantar Mantar
UNESCO World Heritage astronomical observation site. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734. World's largest stone sundial (Samrat Yantra).
Jal Mahal
Stunning Water Palace in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. Cannot be entered but the view from shore is iconic. Best visited at sunset or during monsoon.
Albert Hall Museum
Rajasthan's oldest museum in Indo-Saracenic architecture. Egyptian mummy, decorative arts, and the famous illuminated facade at night.
Jaigarh Fort
Massive military fortress above Amber Fort with the world's largest cannon on wheels -- Jaivana. Connected to Amber Fort via underground passage.
Jaipur Food Guide
Royal Rajasthani cuisine and legendary street food
Dal Baati Churma
Rajasthan's iconic dish -- baked wheat balls served with dal and sweet churma. Try at Chokhi Dhani or LMB (Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar).
Laal Maas
Fiery red mutton curry made with mathania chillies. A royal Rajput dish. Best at Handi Restaurant or 1135 AD at Amber Fort.
Pyaaz Kachori
Crispy deep-fried pastry stuffed with spiced onion filling. Best at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar on Station Road -- Jaipur's most famous snack.
Ghewar
Disc-shaped sweet soaked in sugar syrup, topped with rabdi. Traditional festive sweet especially during Teej and Gangaur festivals.
Rajasthani Thali
Complete meal with dal, baati, churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, papad, and more. LMB and Spice Court serve excellent thalis.
Kulfi Faluda
Rich traditional Indian ice cream with vermicelli, rose syrup, and basil seeds. Try at Pandit Kulfi near Hawa Mahal.
Shopping in Jaipur
Gemstones & Jewellery
₹500 - ₹5,00,000+Jaipur is the gem capital of India. Johari Bazaar has trusted jewellers for emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Always ask for certification from government-approved dealers.
Block-Printed Textiles
₹300 - ₹15,000Hand block-printed fabrics from Sanganer and Bagru are world-famous. Bedsheets, dupattas, sarees, and kurtas in traditional Rajasthani patterns.
Blue Pottery
₹200 - ₹8,000Distinctive turquoise-blue glazed pottery -- a Jaipur specialty brought from Persia. Plates, vases, tiles, and decorative items. Visit Kripal Kumbh for authentic pieces.
Lac Bangles & Mojari
₹100 - ₹3,000Colourful lac bangles from Tripolia Bazaar and hand-stitched Mojari leather shoes from Bapu Bazaar. Quintessential Rajasthani souvenirs.
Getting Around Jaipur
Triveni Cabs (Private Taxi)
RECOMMENDED₹2,000-3,500/day
AC car with driver. Most comfortable way to cover Jaipur's spread-out forts and palaces. Delhi to Jaipur one-way from ₹5,500. Call 7668570551.
Auto-rickshaw
₹50-200/trip
Available everywhere. Negotiate fare before riding or use metered autos. Good for short city trips.
Jaipur Metro
₹10-30/trip
Modern metro covering Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar. Convenient for reaching Old City from south Jaipur.
City Bus (JCTSL)
₹10-25/trip
AC and non-AC buses connecting major areas. Low-floor buses run on main routes. Affordable but slow.
Cycle Rickshaw
₹20-50/trip
Perfect for exploring narrow lanes of Old City and bazaars. Eco-friendly and great for soaking in the atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Jaipur
MI Road & C-Scheme
₹2,500-8,000/nightCentral Jaipur's commercial hub. Close to restaurants, shopping malls, and cafes. Good mid-range to premium hotels. 15 min from major forts.
Old City (Pink City)
₹800-3,000/nightHeart of historic Jaipur. Walking distance to Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar. Budget to mid-range stays. Vibrant and noisy.
Amer Road (Near Amber Fort)
₹5,000-30,000/nightHeritage hotel belt with converted palaces and havelis. Luxury stays like Samode Haveli. Close to Amber Fort, Jaigarh, and Nahargarh.
Tonk Road / Airport Area
₹1,500-5,000/nightModern area near the airport. Business hotels and new properties. Convenient for early flights. 20-25 min from Old City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1How many days do I need in Jaipur?
2 days cover the main attractions (Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort). 3 days allow you to explore Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Birla Mandir, local bazaars, and take a day trip to Ajmer-Pushkar or Ranthambore.
Q2Is Jaipur safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, Jaipur is generally safe for solo female travellers. Tourist areas are well-policed and the city is accustomed to international visitors. Standard precautions apply: stick to well-lit areas at night, use trusted transport like our cab service, and dress modestly at religious sites.
Q3What is the best time to visit Jaipur?
October to March is ideal with pleasant weather (15-25 degrees Celsius). November is especially beautiful with clear skies. January can be cold at night (5-8 degrees). April-June is extremely hot (40-45 degrees). July-September brings monsoon rains which make Nahargarh and Jal Mahal stunning but sightseeing can be interrupted.
Q4How do I get from Delhi to Jaipur?
By car: 5-6 hours via NH48 (270 km). Our Delhi-Jaipur cab costs 5,500-7,000 rupees one way. By train: Shatabdi Express (4.5 hrs), Ajmer Shatabdi, or Vande Bharat. By bus: RSRTC Volvo (5-6 hrs). By flight: 1 hour, multiple airlines.
Q5What food is Jaipur famous for?
Jaipur is famous for Dal Baati Churma (Rajasthani staple), Laal Maas (fiery mutton curry), Pyaaz Kachori (onion-stuffed pastry), Ghewar (festive sweet), Kulfi Faluda, and Rajasthani Thali. The culinary heritage reflects royal Rajput and Marwari traditions.
Q6What should I buy in Jaipur?
Jaipur is famous for precious and semi-precious gemstones (Johari Bazaar), Block-printed textiles (Sanganer), Blue pottery, Lac bangles (Tripolia Bazaar), Mojari leather shoes, Bandhani (tie-dye) fabrics, and miniature paintings. Always buy gemstones from certified dealers.
Q7Is Jaipur expensive to visit?
Jaipur offers great value. Budget: 1,500-3,000 rupees per day (hostels, street food, autos). Mid-range: 4,000-8,000 per day (3-star hotels, restaurants, private cab). Luxury: 15,000+ per day (heritage hotels, fine dining, guided tours). A composite ticket (100 rupees) covers 9 major monuments.
Q8Can I combine Jaipur with Agra and Delhi?
Absolutely! The Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) is India's most popular tourist circuit. We offer 4-6 day Golden Triangle packages starting from 12,000 rupees. Jaipur to Agra is 240 km (4.5 hrs) with an optional Fatehpur Sikri stop.
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