The Ultimate Guide to the Top Tourist Attractions in Jaipur

Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the jewel in Rajasthan’s crown. A striking, beautiful city, Jaipur offers something for all tourists. Bursting at the seams with ornate palaces, temples and gardens, there’s a glittering array of attractions, activities and excursions on offer.

Famed for its unique, mesmeric beauty, Jaipur is one of the most visited destinations in India. In 2023 alone, more than 180 million domestic tourists and almost 2 million overseas visitors journeyed to Jaipur. In this comprehensive city guide, we’ll explore the best attractions, highlighting the top tourist spots in Jaipur Rajasthan you won’t want to miss. 

Jaipur leaps out from guidebook pages due to its vibrant colours and magnificent architecture but it has much more to offer than stunning buildings and ornamental gardens. This is a city that offers something for all travellers.

A family-friendly destination, Jaipur caters to children and adults of all ages, providing golden opportunities to explore, discover and indulge a diverse range of interests. In this guide, we’ll outline the most popular tourist destinations in Jaipur, offer advice about cultural experiences and sightseeing tours, share recommendations for free Jaipur attractions and help you plan an incredible itinerary for your first voyage to the Pink City.

Jaipur is a wonderland for tourists. You could easily spend weeks exploring its many sights and landmarks, discovering its quirks and venturing into far-flung nooks and crannies, but if you have limited time, we’ve put together a list of must-see Jaipur tourist spots:

• The Armoury
  
  
• Welcome Palace (Mubarak Mahal)
  
  
• Diwan-i-Am Art Gallery
  
  
• Pitam Niwas Chowk: A spectacular courtyard famous for its four breathtaking gates, the Lotus, Peacock, Green and Rose gates
  
  
• Chandra Mahal (the private residence of descendants of the Royal Family)
  
  
• Diwan-i-Khas: A captivating open courtyard known for its distinctive pink and white marble floor
   

Visitors can enjoy entry to the Royal Gaitor, the Cenotaphs of the Maharanis and Jaigarh with their entry ticket. The palace is located in the centre of Old Jaipur and is easily accessible by car, taxi and bus or on foot. 

Arguably the most impressive tourist spot in Jaipur City, Hawa Mahal showcases Jaipur’s pink splendour in all its glory. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this sprawling hive-like structure provided the perfect place to watch city life unfold for the ladies of the Royal Family, who were not allowed to be seen by the public.

Hawa Mahal means Palace of Wind. The name is reflected in the design of the building, which boasts facades of honeycomb-like lattice windows that allow a gentle breeze to sweep through the household.

To visit Hawa Mahal, you can book guided tours or meander at your leisure during opening hours between 9am and 5pm. The palace is located at Badi Chaupar and can be accessed on foot or by car, rickshaw, taxi or bus. It’s worth noting that you can visit for free if you just want to enjoy the splendour of the complex from the outside. 

Also known as Amer Fort and Amber Palace, Amber Fort is one of the famous tourist spots in Jaipur. Nestled high on a hill overlooking the city, this attraction is among the most beautiful. The extensive palace site stands out for its golden tones, which burst into life at dawn as the sun rises. This building provides a striking contrast to the pink and terracotta hues that characterise much of Jaipur’s architecture. The palace was built in the 1500s using sandstone and marble.

Visitor attractions include Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), Ganesh Gate and the magnificent gardens. For the best experience, consider staying until dusk and enjoying the famous sound and light show. This popular spectacle provides sensational views as well as an interactive story about the history and evolution of the fort. Amber Fort is located around 11 km from central Jaipur. To visit, you can take the bus or hire a car or an auto-rickshaw.

Jantar Mantar is a fascinating attraction in Jaipur, which is sure to delight adults and children alike. An observatory dating back to the 1700s, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (awarded in 2010) boasts an extraordinary collection of instruments designed to help people learn about the skies above.

The Sanskrit name translates to ‘Instrument of Calculation.’ Established by Jai Singh, this is an intriguing collection of weird and wonderful astronomical instruments. There are 19 instruments in total.

Jantar Mantar is a stone’s throw from City Palace and it’s open from 9am to 4.30pm daily.  For an in-depth explanation of the wonders of this collection, it’s best to book a guided tour. 

A must-see tourist spot in Jaipur for keen photographers, Nahargarh Fort was built in the 1700s and developed further in the 1860s. Folklore tells the tale of a dead prince, Nahar Singh, whose restless soul caused building work to crumble and disintegrate. In exchange for letting work progress, the fort was named after the prince.

The structure is a sight to behold, but perhaps the highlight of a visit to Nahargarh is the vistas. Don’t forget to take your camera! The winding ascent is well worth it for the breathtaking views.

If you don’t fancy the trek, you can also take the bus or hire a car or a taxi. The fort is around 30-40 minutes from the centre of the Pink City. Key attractions within the complex include a wax museum, a puppet show and the hall of mirrors. 

Jal Mahal is an ethereal palace, which appears to float on water. A magical, mysterious building, which rises from the Man Sagar Lake, the name Jal Mahal translates as Water Palace.

This is one of the most popular free tourist spots in Jaipur. The palace is not open to the public but it’s well worth a visit to gaze upon its stunning facade and embrace the serenity and tranquillity of its unique location. Jal Mahal has five storeys and was constructed mostly in the 18th century. There are several viewing points dotted along the lake to take photographs. 

Located in Ram Niwas Garden, the Albert Hall Museum is a historic museum, which is laden with artefacts, ancient treasures and relics from eras gone by. Construction began in 1876 when the foundation stone was laid by the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, who later became King Edward VII.

This museum is a top Jaipur tourist spot for families as well as travellers with an interest in history, ancient civilisations, art, architecture and sociology. The most famous exhibit is the Egyptian Mummy. Additional highlights include pottery and ceramics collections and magnificent murals. 

Galtaji Temple has earned the nickname Monkey Temple, due to its resident macaques. Also known as the Temple of the Sun God, Galtaji is a vast complex of intricate structures, which lies 10km to the east of the Pink City.

This temple has significant cultural meaning and represents a pilgrimage site dating back centuries. The architecture is impressive but many visitors enjoy the experience of visiting the site due to its ambience and rich history. There’s a calmness that shrouds the complex and provides a refreshing break from the bustling city streets.

Highlights include the natural springs and sacred water tanks, wild, beautiful gardens and orchards and panoramic views that stretch for miles. Children and animal lovers will love watching the monkeys chatter, leap and socialise.

The best ways to get to Galtaji Temple include hiring a car, booking a taxi or catching the train to Bais Godam, which is 1km from the temple. There are also many guided tours you can take from the city. 

A 30-minute journey from the heart of Jaipur, Patrika Gate is one of the most famous tourist spots in Jaipur. An imposing, bright and colourful monument, Patrika Gate is located in Jawahar Circle.

Boasting a rainbow of colours, this enormous gate has become something of an Instagram phenomenon. It’s no surprise people want to take photographs here. It’s a magical, kaleidoscopic portal emblazoned with vivid colour, ornate architectural features and unrivalled attention to detail. The arches of the gate showcase Jaipur’s history and beauty paying homage to major city attractions, including Jal Mahal.

After you’ve visited the gate and walked through its enthralling archways, take a break in Jawahar Circle Park. This is a beautiful spot to unwind and soak up the peace and quiet. There’s also a fountain show in the evenings. 

Jaipur is a treasure trove for souvenir shoppers and fans of jewellery, fabrics and artisan crafts. The Bapu Bazaar sparkles in the sunlight, offering visitors an iridescent display of goods.

Admission is free and there’s no obligation to buy. Stalls stock everything from vibrant, patterned textiles to beautiful pieces of jewellery. Even if you don’t indulge in retail therapy, going to a bazaar in Jaipur is a wonderful experience. Soak up the energy and atmosphere and enjoy the bright, vibrant colours. 

Visiting Jaipur is a dream come true for many travellers. Whether you’re organising a trip with friends, relatives or your kids, it’s a brilliant idea to plan ahead. Here are some top travel tips to help you enjoy the perfect holiday in the Pink City:

Visit between October and March for the best weather conditions: The peak season between October and March is the best time to visit if you’re eager to avoid intense heat, humidity and monsoon rains.

You can explore and enjoy Jaipur at any time but it’s worth noting that it gets very hot and humid during the summer and the rain is torrential during monsoon season.

If you do choose to visit during the low season, the weather might not be ideal, but prices will be more affordable and the main Jaipur tourist attractions will be quieter.

Explore transport options: Jaipur is geared towards tourists and it’s easy to get from A to B if you’re open to using public transport or using taxis, rickshaws and car hire firms. It’s worth planning routes in advance and grouping attractions by location to save time and money on getting around.

Eat like the locals: If you’re keen to enjoy an authentic foodie experience in Jaipur, embrace local dishes, sample local cuisine and go where the locals go. There’s a huge range of options available, from street food and market stalls to fancy restaurants showcasing the menus of top Indian chefs and stunning local produce. To find out about foodie hot spots, ask locals for recommendations, read travel guides and books and look out for events and food festivals during your stay.

Follow recommendations for tourists: As a tourist, it’s important to respect local traditions and customs. Follow recommendations for tourists, for example, paying attention to guidelines for what to wear and when to avoid taking photographs when visiting sacred sites, monuments or specific parts of the city. It is customary, for example, to remove your shoes when entering some places of worship. 

Jaipur is one of the most visually arresting cities in the world and it offers an incredible range of attractions, experiences and activities. The Pink City is a popular feature of travel bucket lists and it’s not hard to see why.

If you’re keen to visit, there are some truly breathtaking attractions to behold, including Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Patrika Gate and Amber Fort.

Exploring the city is a unique experience, which will stimulate all your senses and help you indulge an interest in history, art, design, architecture and photography, treat your taste buds and broaden your horizons. From family holidays to cultural trips, Jaipur offers opportunities to enjoy a truly magical escape.

If you’re ready to start planning your technicolour trip, book your hotel in Jaipur today.