Jaipur city is a beautiful blend of the old and the new. The traditional walled city built in 1727 will transport you back to the time of the kings. The pink walls, wide avenues filled with the hustle and bustle of locals and tourists, old palaces and bazaars have a charm of their own. And the new part of the city, like any other large city in India, is filled with modern office buildings, a vibrant nightlife, cafes and restaurants serving foods from all over the world.
Steeped in tradition and history yet marrying the modern, the capital of Rajasthan is one of the best travel destinations. There are so many things to do in Jaipur. The pink and rose red city is bound to seduce the most cynical of travelers. Its where picturesque lakes and mountains, magnificent forts, beautiful palaces, traditional markets, captivating museums, tantalizing cuisine and royal tigers all jostle to capture your attention.
On that enigmatic note, here are our six top things to do in Jaipur:
Fort Hopping
The trio of forts – Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh Fort are a sight to see. It takes a full day to cover all three. The forts are phenomenally well preserved and are at a distance of 11 to 14 kms from Jaipur.
Amer Fort is the most famous among the three and served as the residence and seat of power for the kings till Maharaja Man Singh shifted the capital to Jaipur. You can see the residence of the kings and queens, the offices of the administrative staff and the hall of public audience. The famous Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) resides inside Amer Fort.
Jaigarh Fort is connected to Amer Fort through a series of tunnels and acted as the protector in case of war. The royal family was evacuated to this fort during an attack. The magnificent also boasts of a cannon foundry which served as the main manufacturing unit for the Mughals. You can also see the Jaivana Cannon – the world’s largest canon here.
Nahargarh Fort overlooks Jaipur city and acted as a protector of the city. It also acted as a peaceful retreat for the king and the royal family, overlooking the crest of Jaipur city. Unlike the other two forts, Nahargarh (Meaning abode of tigers) Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.
Take A Heritage Walk
There are lots of things to see in Jaipur and if, like us, you are a history buff or a monument aficionado, you will have a hard time deciding what to prioritize. The guided heritage walking tour takes you through the major landmarks in the city. The walk starts from Ajmeri Gate in the old city and covers Tripolia Bazar, Jalebi Chowk and Hawal Mahal among others. The guides are well informed and share the story behind each monument and the construction of the city. The heritage walk takes about 3 hours and post the walk you can decide which places to explore further.
Jaipur can be considered the first planned city in India and was established on the principles of Vastu Shastra (traditional Hindu system of architecture) and Shilpa Shastra (Science of Shilpa – arts and crafts). The construction of the city began in 1726. Jaipur was painted pink to welcome Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1876. Effort has been taken by the Rajasthan Government to maintain the pink color and many of the avenues still remain rosy color giving Jaipur its distinctive appearance.
The heritage walks can be booked via Viator or ask your hotel for recommendations.
Explore Jaipur From The Sky On A Hot Air Balloon
This is one of the most fun activities that you can do at Jaipur. Imagine gliding over the Jaipur skyline watching the sunrise as the hot air balloon float over palaces, forts, lakes and hills. This incredible adventure is one of our top recommendations when you travel to Jaipur. The ride will fly above Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Samode Palace.
The balloon rides are organized by Sky Waltz and the price per person is about Rs 13000/-. The rides start in September and continue till the last week of April. You can choose the sunset or sunrise option. You will also get a chance to watch the team inflate the balloon and the process is quite exhilarating to watch.
Tiger Safari
Ranthambore National Park is located at a short drive from Jaipur. It is home to the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger along with leopards, sloths, jungle cats, sambar deer and over 300 varieties of birds. Take a jeep safari at Ranthambore. Tiger spotting was one of the most exciting part of our trip to Jaipur. This fantastic adventure will be one of the highlights of your travel.
The park is open from October to June. Plan for two days, one-night trip as the best way to spot a tiger is to take both the evening and morning safari. If you are not keen on a jeep or travelling in a large group, you can opt for the canter safari. There are several resorts situated around the park that offer the best of Rajasthani hospitality and cuisine. In addition, you can explore the Ranthambore Fort.
Bazaar Binge
Jaipur is a shopping paradise. From jewelry to precious stone, traditional textiles, leather goods and traditional mojaris, Jaipur has it all. Also, shopping is an experience at the traditional markets (bazaars). Most of the markets specialize in something. Johari Bazaar is known for jewelry made with precious gems. You can also pick lose gem stones. Chandpole is famous for handicrafts from Chandpole and Tripolia Market for Lac bangles. You can buy leather goods at Bapu Bazaar and find traditional juttis also called mojaris at Nehru Bazaar.
Jaipur is also famous for Blue Pottery. The eye-catching cobalt blue pottery is one of the best things to purchase in Jaipur. You can buy some exquisite pieces from Kripal Singh Shekhawat’s workshop called Kripal Kumbh.
Watch a Movie at Raj Mandir And A Meal At Rambagh Palace
Not a typical activity on a tourist itinerary, but when you are in Jaipur watching a movie at Raj Mandir is a must. Raj Mandir theatre is a cinematic gem renowned for its architectural grandeur. Opulent décor, plush seats, old style curtains and immersive movie-watching experience are the hall mark of this iconic movie theatre. Raj Mandir Cinema is a cultural landmark.
After the movie, continue the royal experience with a meal at Suvarna Mahal in Rambagh Palace. Ask for the Rajasthani thali which is served in traditional copperware or silver crockery and cutlery. Taste the delicacies of Rajasthan such as dal baati churma to gatte ki sabzi, Rajasthani kadhi, panchmela dal, ker sangri laal maas and safed maas under crystal chandeliers.
