Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state. With its forts, palaces and bazaars, Jaipur sightseeing is a royal extravaganza. The best time to visit Jaipur are the winter months from October to March, though the evenings can be very chilly.Explore Jaipur for history, shopping and food! Skyscanner is ready with a list of tourist places to visit in Jaipur.
1. Hawa Mahal
The pink honeycombed facade with 953 latticed windows is an iconic landmark in Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, it was designed to resemble the crown of Lord Krishna.Best time to visit: Visit as soon as the gates open at 9:00 a.m.Reasonable time to be spent: 30 minutesTips: The interiors of the palace are not as impressive, so if you are short on time, you can just admire the facade from across the road.
2. City Palace
City Palace is the residence of the royal family. Built between 1729 and 1732, the complex includes gardens, courtyards and buildings.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 800 mBest time to visit: The complex is open to visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit early morning to avoid crowds.Reasonable time to be spent: 60 minutesTips: Do visit the museum at Mubarak Mahal. It exhibits an interesting array of royal artefacts, musical instruments, blue pottery, toys and fine clothes.
By Richard Moross (Flickr)/ CC BY 2.0
3. Jantar Mantar
A UNESCO world heritage site, it boasts of a collection of nineteen gigantic architectural astronomical instruments. The stone sundial here is the world’s largest.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 800 mBest time to visit: Timings are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mid day is the best time to visit to observe the instruments in action.Reasonable time to be spent: 45 minutesTips: Do not forget to carry a cap to protect your head from the hot sun.
4. Amber Fort
Amber Fort (also called Amer Fort), a majestic 16th-century sandstone and marble fort, stands atop a hill. There are four levels in the complex you need to navigate through. The Sheesh Mahal or the Mirror Palace has exquisite walls filled with mosaics of mirrors and coloured glasses.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 8 kmBest time to visit: Timings are from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Attend the spectacular sound and light show held in the evenings.Reasonable time to be spent: 120 minutes
By Prashant Kumar/ CC BY-SA 4.0
5. The bazaars in the Walled city
Head to Johari Bazar for kundan, meenakari and polki jewellery. You can buy colourful lac bangles at Tripolia Bazaar. The famous Jaipuri quilts can be picked up from Kadar Bux bedding store on the Hawa Mahal road.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 600 mBest time to visit: The bazaars are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Visit at night when they are at their vibrant best.Reasonable time to be spent: Shop till you drop.Tips: Haggling is necessary!
By Daniel Villafruela/ CC BY-SA 3.0
6. Soma
This boutique has a lovely collection of hand block print dresses, household textiles and furnishings. It is located at Jamnalal Bajaj Marg C’Scheme.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 6 kmTimings: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Reasonable time to be spent: 60 minutes
7. Amrapali
Well known for their collection of tribal, fine and gemstone jewellery, the Amrapali flagship store (on M.I. Road near Raj Mandir Cinema) is worth a dekko.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 3.7 kmTimings: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Reasonable time to be spent: 30 minutes
8. Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar
This busy restaurant in Johari Bazaar is more than sixty years old. Dig in the samosas, aloo tikkis, and paneer ghewar! Want more? Order a Rajasthani thali with dal baati churma!Distance from Hawa Mahal: 600 mBest time to visit: Open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., try go for an early lunch to avoid long queues.Reasonable time to be spent: 120 minutesTips: Do not forget to pick up some namkeen packets before leaving.
9. Spice Court
For Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine options, try out this restaurant set in a pretty courtyard at Civil Lines.Distance from Hawa Mahal: 5.8 kmBest time to visit: Open from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Go in the evenings, and you may catch a puppet show.Reasonable time to be spent:120 minutesTips: Opt for the Indian cuisine. The non vegetarian dishes are highly recommended – Lal Maas, Keema Baati, Bhuna Chicken.
Plan to spend at least three days in Jaipur. You can fly directly to Jaipur. The airport is located at Sanganer, 12 kilometres from the city center. Another option is to fly to Delhi and drive down to Jaipur.
Since Jaipur is a popular Indian destination, it’s best to book tickets well in advance: even as early as a whole year before. This will ensure best rates on flights. But if planning ahead is not an option, then 3-6 months before your trip can also be a good time to plan.
Note: The best time to book data refers to the price paid against the average price for return flights for 1 person to Jaipur from across India during the time period 1st January 2015 – 31st December 2016.
