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Jaipur, India

Destination guide

Jaipur

India

Jaipur (Hindi: जयपुर Jaypur), also known as the Pink City, is the capital of Indian state of Rajasthan, and its largest city. The city was built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city, and today it's a major tourist attraction for Indians and for international visitors.

AI insights

AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page

  • When visiting the Rajmandir Cinema, do not be discouraged by 'House Full' signs at the entrance. The box office typically releases a new batch of tickets shortly before each performance, and arriving early is the best way to secure the preferred box seats.

  • Avoid purchasing combination tickets for the Wax Museum and Sheesh Mahal at Nahargarh Fort. You will often be paraded through the museum first and then forced to join a lengthy, time-consuming queue for the Sheesh Mahal, which can significantly disrupt your sightseeing schedule.

  • Explore the Pink City on foot strictly during active shopping business hours. Once the shops close for the evening, the streets can become deserted and potentially unsafe for solo travellers.

  • Be wary of rickshaw and taxi drivers when heading to your accommodation; they may attempt to divert you to a different hotel that pays them a commission. Insist on being taken to your pre-booked destination regardless of their claims.

  • Bring mosquito repellent for the Amber Fort Sound and Light Show. Because the performance takes place outdoors, you will be vulnerable to bites while sitting through the narration.

How we vet these picks

Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.

Best time to go

Best window: December–February

April, May, June and July are the months to avoid — punishing heat. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.

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IdealGoodOkayOff-season

Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.

Getting around

By RTDC bus

It is the best and cheaper way to visit the Jaipur Local Sights by RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Dept. Corp.) There will be one guide with each bus to give you brief info about all sights. The full day tour, as of 2019, costs ₹600.

By metro

The Jaipur Metro provides a fast, reliable and inexpensive way to get around the city. The Pink Line runs from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar station, which is in the centre of the walled town (a.k.a the Pink City). Fares range between ₹5 and ₹25.

By local bus

City bus #5 connects directly Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, New Gate and the intersection of MI Road and Railway Rd every 10 min until 9PM. City bus #2 runs from the train station up Station Road to the City Palace, Minar, Observatory, etc.

On foot

Walking around the old town (Pink City) is certainly a highlight, and should be done on shopping business hours; otherwise, streets can be deserted and it might be a bit unsafe, especially for solo women.

By taxi

The taxis in Jaipur are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars, which are much safer than Auto rickshaws, and the drivers are polite.

Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Nahargarh Fort

Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri

The smallest of the three forts, notable primarily for excellent views over Man Sagar lake and the vast sprawl of Jaipur. Built in 1734 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in a mix of Indian and European styles, the fort also houses the…

Hawa Mahal

· Free

Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Singh as part of City Palace, it was an extension of the Zenana (women's) chamber. Its purpose was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.

Amber Fort

11 km North of central Jaipur, local bus #5 from Hawa Mahal or New Gate· Free

This massive fort-palace complex built in hybrid Hindu-Muslim style dates back to Raja Man Singh and was the royal palace of the Kachwahas from c. 1600-1727. It's one of six UNESCO World Heritage forts in Rajasthan.

Jaigarh Fort

A 1 km walk uphill from Amber Fort, or ₹100/200 for motorbike/auto-rickshaw

Never conquered in battle, this was considered the strongest of the three forts in the area. It is best-known as the site of the world's largest cannon, the Jaivana, which was test-fired only once — according to legend, despite using…

Jal Mahal

on the way to Amer Road· Free

This beautiful Jal Mahal or water palace was made by the King of Amber in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. The Jal Mahal represents the use of Mughal and Rajput architecture style.

Sheesh Mahal

A palace adorned with thousands on thousands of mirror tiles on the walls and ceiling.

Vetted sources

What to do

Rajmandir Cinema

C-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Rd, C-Scheme

An experience in itself, and another "don't miss". Once known as the best cinema India, and still the best in Rajasthan, it offers an overwhelming experience.

B.M. Birla Auditorium and Conference Hall

Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle

These are at the heart of Jaipur. This auditorium is spread over 9.8 acres and includes a computer centre, interactive science museum, an information processing centre, library, a processing planetarium, eight research divisions, a…

Heiwa Heaven The Resort

Jaisinghpura Khor, Jamdoli Chauraha, Agra Rd

Heiwa Heaven is a Jaipur-based luxury resort that hosts parties and destination weddings.

Central Park

The largest park in Jaipur, at the middle of the city. A big lush green beautiful garden and Rambagh Polo Ground and golf club nearby makes it an enjoyable place. The park also has a km 4

Skip the line — book tickets

Sawai Mansingh Stadium

Lalkothi

With a capacity of 30,000, this hosts the Rajasthan team and Rajathan Royals in IPL.

Amber Fort Sound and Light Show

Lower Amber Fort

Experience the history, culture and life of Amber through this spectacular show. Amitabh Bachhan narrates the story of Rajasthani kings with a script written by Gulzar. Don't forget the mosquito repellent.

Vetted sources

What to eat

Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.

Rawat Misthan Bhandar

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

The birthplace of mawa kachori, a sweet-filled fried pastry invented here by Rawatmal Deora.

Vetted sources

Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB)

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A decades-old walled-city institution serving Rajasthani thalis and the sweet ghevar.

Vetted sources

Anokhi Cafe

2nd Floor, KK Square, C-11 Prithviraj Road

Mostly organic non-Indian-style ("international flavour") home-style cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries, savoury snacks plus organic coffee and a selection of good teas.

Ambrosia

Right next to Statue Circle

Serving vegetarian and vegan, Chinese food and barbecue atop a 100-foot-high building providing a breathtaking view of the city.

Gangaur Sweets

J-32, Subash Marg, C-Scheme

Sweets for chamcham, also baked sweets and crispy samosas.

Vetted sources

Old Take Away

146, Subhash Corner, MI Roa

Various chicken and mutton dishes for take-away.

Vetted sources

Zolocrust

Hotel Clarks Amer, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Near Malviya Nagar

The gourmet bakery and Italian restaurant is operated by chefs of Hotel Clarks Amer and serves exquisite bakery items, it also serves vegan and vegetarian food.

Vetted sources

Where to stay

Atithi Guest House

Opposite All India Radio, 2 blocks from M.I. Road

A nice, modern and very clean hotel a few minutes from the Pink City. Has a simple restaurant, laundry service, Wi-Fi (check on current rates, which are not posted on their site).

Hotel Ramsingh Palace

B-2, Hathi Babu Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar

Comfortable beds, each room comes with LCDTV with multiple channels. Walking distance to the train station and central bus stand. Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, multi-cuisine restaurant.

Hotel Pearl Palace

51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, Ajmer Road

The place is designed as an art museum. Wonderful roof top patio restaurant. The owners are nice but the front desk clerk is very moody. They do not always honor reservations made from their website.

Hotel Kalyan

1 km from railway station

2-star hotel with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Free parking and pickup is available from the train station and central bus stand. Tasty restaurant and good service.

Chit Chat Palace

D-160 Kabir Marg, Bani Park

Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, nice restaurant.

Hotel Malak Mahal

54, Near Jal Mahal, Amer Rd

This hotel, which opened in 2012, has 45 rooms, an in-house restaurant and reserved parking spaces. It also provides free Wi-Fi, air-con rooms with attached washrooms and a nice guest service system.

Vetted sources

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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.