Jaipur city called the Old City or even Pink City for its trademark pink buildings is the capital of Rajasthan and a veritable treasure trove. It has many sights, attractions, great food, thriving bazaars, and street markets. A dream come true for tourists and natives alike. If you’re planning to visit Delhi, then there is a good chance that Jaipur, and Agra, are a part of your itinerary. The Golden Triangle as we call it in India. So, what to do in Jaipur? Where do you eat? What do you see? Well, here’s five of the best things to do in Jaipur, to help you plan your travel itinerary.
Jaipur’s Best Attractions
Popular sites in Jaipur
Jaipur houses some of the best architectural wonders. Each one a spectacular feat of craftsmanship, that reflects the history and culture of the city and those who ruled it over the years.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was built in 1799. In accordance with the strictly observed Purdah system followed by the Mughals who then ruled India. This beautiful ‘mini’ palace is honeycomb-shaped. It has beautifully carved windows built accordingly for royal women to observe the happenings on the streets below. Allowing them to be a part of the daily processions, albeit unseen to the public.
The best time to visit is in the early morning when the sun touches this red and pink sandstone structure. The sun filters in through the window, truly a sight to behold.
City Palace
Chock full of beautiful gardens, gateways, and villas, all housed under one, big palatial roof, the City Palace is every tourist’s visual delight.
This beautiful palace is open to the public to sightsee. But you can also rent a real-life royal Gudliya suite on Airbnb. Fully furnished with a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, and a private swimming pool, which costs around a whopping $8000 a night. Did I mention that a butler comes with it for the duration of your stay?
The best time to visit would be early in the morning. Also, at twilight for the sound and light show usually scheduled at 7.
Perhaps you might even catch sight of the royal family who still live there!
Amber Palace
The Amber Palace, pronounced um-bare and not amber, happens to be a fort, a few odd miles from Jaipur. Probably one of the most popular forts in India, after the Red Fort at the capital. This fort used more than once to film Indian movies, like Jodha Akbar, Khoobsurat, and Bajirao Mastani.
This sprawling fort boasts of both Mughal and Hindu architecture and is also home to holy temples. But what is perhaps the most interesting facet is the Lingam, an idol of the Indian God, Shiva. It lies fully submerged in Lake Maota, which lies beside Amber fort.
But inside the fort itself is another breathtaking sight. The Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors. It is said that the ceiling and walls are lined with thousands of mirrored tiles and colored glass. It illuminates and brings to life by lighting one single candle.
At the base of one of the many pillars in the Hall of Mirrors, is a carved flower. It is known to show a different image to whoever sees it, at different angles: a fish, a lotus, a lion’s tail, a scorpion, an elephant’s trunk, and even a cob of corn, all in one single carving.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar was built by a Rajput warrior-king, Sawai Jai Singh II. It is a collection of nineteen architectural, astronomical instruments. In fact, a giant equinoctial sundial, 27 meters high and called the Brihat Samrat Yantra is there. It measures the time of day, correct to two seconds.
There are four such Jantar Mantar in India. The fifth having been torn down before the 1857 revolts-but the largest one is in Jaipur. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see, must-experience sight in Jaipur, for tourists and natives alike.
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal, or the Water Palace, is right in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. A splendid and tranquil structure, the low-rise Palace is perfectly symmetrical and was initially intended as a shooting ‘lodge’ for Maharajas. It was commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh back in 1799.
It is now to the public and is a short boat ride up to the palace. What is particularly striking is that while only one story is visible from outside, there are, in fact, four more ‘secret’ floors, submerged inside the water.
Like many of its counterparts around the city, this Mahal, too, is a veritable wonder of skilled and exquisite architecture.
Any of these beautiful monuments, palaces, and forts can be visited on your trip to Jaipur. Feel free to walk through the streets like a local.
Visit Choki Dhani Village, Jaipur
Built to present an authentic, Rajasthani village, Choki Dhani is a five-star resort. It embodies everything that is Rajasthan – culture, heritage, Rajput architecture, and indigenous art and craft, all in one mini-village setting.
Visiting Choki Dhani is another one of the top five best things to do in Jaipur. You can pop in for a few hours, or stay overnight as a guest.
Remember that this is a deluxe resort, and it is only staged as a village. Choki Dhani has a range of rooms for you to book. From the Royal Cottage and Royal Suite to the Presidential and Executive suites. If you’re on a business trip, The World Trade Park happens to be a short four miles away.
Enjoy an authentic, Rajasthani-thali meal full at Choki Dhani restaurant. Also, grab a ride on a camel or join in to listen to traditional music and watch dance performances by professionals who have trained in the ancient arts of Rajasthan.
You can also buy souvenirs from the gift shop. Artfully passed off local handlooms and textiles, pottery and craft shops you’d find across the State.
Jaipur’s best food
Of the list of top things to do in Jaipur, experiencing all the amazing food that the city has to offer, is right on top, par none.
The best things to do in Jaipur is to visit the local watering holes and grab a bite at authentic restaurants and dhabas.
Be it street food like gol gappas, pyaaz kachoris, chaas, and other amazing chaats. There is also traditional Rajput cooking which consist of a robust variety of both meat and vegetarian dishes. For instance, laal maas or safed maas(meat in spicy red gravy, and white gravi), dal baati churma(lentil-wheat balls), bajra roti and good old khadi chawal and saag aloo. Rajathani cuisine is a feast fit for kings.
Let’s not forget the variety of sweets and desserts, like the classic gulab jamun, kheer, churma laddoos, and moong dal halwa. They are sure to leave you feeling warm and full-bellied.
What is particularly famous in Jaipur, or any city in Rajasthan really is the Rajasthani thali.
Unlike the usual custom of having courses for the meal, a thali which is a large round plate, is placed before you. It is filled with all the food, all at once. A variety of dishes, all in small katoris-or cups, for you to enjoy.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what half of those things are. Locals and natives alike at Jaipur will be more than happy to walk you through every dish.
Visit the local stores
Rajathani Rajputs are proud and royal. Their contribution to the arts- music, dance, architecture, literature, and painting- has a special place in Indian hearts.
What Rajasthan is also known for is its unique crafts and textile. Most of Rajasthan, apart from the towns and cities, is desert land that has small pockets of villages. Each village is centered on a small-scale, cottage industry. It is known to have its own unique selection of crafts that they make and sell for tourists.
Jaipuri puppets, breath-taking embroidered quilts and carpets, and chunky silver and artificial jewelry are all very famous. Make sure to pick them up as a souvenir and start your own collection.
You will find that these crafts and baubles light up your home. They also add a splash of color and culture to it. When you buy these goods, you are also contributing to keeping the cottage industries alive. The proceeds go directly towards the welfare of the villagers as well as preserving a fast-disappearing way of life.
You can hire a local guide to help you find the best shops and stores, or you can enter the buzzing, thriving markets that come alive right in front of you.
Alternatively, since we’re on the topic of indigeneity, you can also learn how to make these crafts- pottery and weaving classes. Also, Bollywood dance classes are a great way to meet people and mix with locals. Just book a couple of classes for you to learn during your stay!
Cycle, Hike or Safari
Still wondering what to do in Jaipur?
Cycling through the streets of Jaipur is second best, only to meander through the dusky pink-stones streets. When walking gets too much for you, you can rent a couple of bicycles, and pedal along the winding paths. Stopping to visit monuments within the city limits or to grab a refreshing glass of chaas-spiced buttermilk- to cool down. Don’t forget to grab some local spices to take home with you.
Ranthambore National Park, the largest in the vicinity is known to house the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is a couple of hours from Jaipur. You can book a Safari, either with local guides or book it beforehand, online, to get the best rates and deals.
