Best Things to Do in Jaipur (2026 Guide)

Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II — one of the few planned cities in 18th-century India, laid out on a grid with the palace complex at its centre and the city walls defining its boundaries. It is the capital of Rajasthan, the most visited state in India for foreign tourists, and the anchor of the Golden Triangle alongside Delhi and Agra. The city’s royal heritage is physically intact in a way that few Indian cities can claim — the Amber Fort, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory are all within a few kilometres of the old city and collectively represent some of the finest surviving examples of Rajput architecture.

Best Time to Visit Jaipur

October through March is the primary season — comfortable temperatures (15-25°C), clear skies, and the best conditions for fort and outdoor site visits. November and December are particularly pleasant. The Jaipur Literature Festival (late January) is India’s most internationally significant literary event, drawing authors from around the world. April and May become extremely hot (40-45°C); the monsoon (July-September) brings rain and humidity but also dramatic skies and green landscapes around the forts.

Getting Around

Jaipur International Airport (JAI) has connections to Delhi, Mumbai, and international destinations. Delhi is 5 hours by road (280km) or 5.5 hours by train — the Pink City Shatabdi is the best train option. Within Jaipur, auto-rickshaws (negotiate in advance) and Ola/Uber are the standard transport. The Amber Fort complex is 11km north of the city — rickshaws and taxis are the practical option. The old city area is somewhat walkable between the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar.

Amber Fort and the Hill Forts

Amber Fort (Amer Fort) is the most spectacular of Jaipur’s monuments — a 16th-century Rajput fort built on a hillside above the Maota Lake, with successive maharajas adding palaces, halls, and gardens over 150 years. The Hall of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) uses convex mirror pieces set in plaster to create a constellation effect when lit by a single candle — one of the finest examples of Rajput decorative art. The elephant ride up to the fort has been restricted due to welfare concerns; jeeps are the standard option. Nahargarh Fort, on the ridge above the city, provides the best panoramic views of Jaipur; Jaigarh Fort (connected to Amer by an underground passage) has the largest wheeled cannon in the world.

City Palace and Jantar Mantar

City Palace is a complex of buildings that has been the residence of the Jaipur royal family since the 18th century — the Chandra Mahal (seven storeys, still occupied by the royal family) towers above the courtyards and museums open to the public. The Mubarak Mahal (Welcome Palace) houses a textile museum with royal costumes and fabrics. Adjacent Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Jai Singh II, with 19 instruments including the world’s largest sundial (27m high), accurate to within 2 seconds in measuring solar time. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the most recognisable building in Jaipur, is a five-storey pink sandstone screen of 953 small windows built in 1799 for royal women to observe street life without being seen — the exterior view on Hawa Mahal Street is more architecturally satisfying than the interior.

Markets and Shopping

Jaipur is Rajasthan’s commercial centre for textiles, gems, and handicrafts — Bapu Bazaar for textiles and bangles, Johari Bazaar for jewellery, and the numerous emporiums in the old city for block-printed fabrics and semi-precious stones. Jaipur is famous for its pink sapphires, emeralds, and the lapidary work that cuts them — the gem market is genuine and not all sales pitches are misleading, but care is warranted.

Food & Drink

Rajasthani food uses very little water (reflecting the arid landscape) and relies on dried lentils, preserved vegetables, ghee, and dairy. Dal Baati Churma (lentil soup with baked wheat balls and sweetened grain crumble) is the defining Rajasthani dish. Kachori (fried pastry stuffed with spiced lentils) is the street breakfast. Masala chai is available everywhere and the standard refreshment. Jaipur’s thali restaurants provide the fullest introduction to the cuisine: Lassiwala (since 1944) for matka lassi in Old City; Rawat Misthan Bhandar for kachori and pyaaz kachori.

Practical Tips

• Amber Fort: Buy tickets at the base (or online); the elephant ride entry is controversial for animal welfare reasons — jeep transport is faster and more comfortable. Arrive at 9am before the tour groups.
• Jaipur Composite Ticket covers Amber Fort, Nahargarh, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and City Palace — significantly cheaper than individual tickets and valid for 2 days.
• The Jaipur old city is hectic — rickshaw wallahs may take you to gem or textile shops where they earn commission. If you want to shop, go independently; if you want to sightsee, negotiate a fixed tour price that excludes shopping stops.
• Water: Drink only bottled water in Jaipur. Ice in restaurants may not be safe; opt for hot drinks or sealed bottles.