Jaipur is one of the easiest cities in North India to visit for the first time. Its main sights sit close together in the old walled city, and a weekend is enough to see the highlights without rushing.
Day 1: The Pink City
Begin at the City Palace, where the royal apartments and museum show the life of the Jaipur rulers. Nearby, the Jantar Mantar observatory holds stone instruments for measuring time and the positions of the sun and stars. Then walk through the bazaars around Johari Bazar, where jewellery and textiles are sold, and see the Hawa Mahal from the street. Its screened windows were built so women of the palace could watch the city.
Day 2: Forts and a view
Visit Amer Fort early, before the heat and the crowds. It is a short drive from the city and is best reached by road, with a climb on foot or by jeep. In the late afternoon, go to Nahargarh Fort on the ridge above the city for sunset over the rooftops.
Practical notes
Plan the forts for the cooler hours of the morning and carry water. Bargaining is normal in bazaars, but keep it friendly. Booking local transport through your hotel or an app is usually simpler than negotiating on the spot. For the wider state, see the Rajasthan guide, and for a quieter Rajasthan town, read about Bundi in lesser-known places in North India.
Featured photo: Amer Fort, Jaipur, by Abhinav Sharma via Pexels (Pexels License). A stock image, not the author’s own.
Opening times, ticket prices and transport options change. Check current information before you go.
