Things to do in Jaipur

If visiting in January, the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is unmissable. Dubbed the 'greatest literary show on Earth', it takes place at the Diggi Palace.

It brings together Nobel laureates, Booker prize winners, and debut novelists for days of debates, readings, and music. The atmosphere is electric, intellectual, and festive.

It is a cultural pilgrimage for book lovers from around the world.

Seeing the Pink City from the sky is a magical experience. A Hot Air Balloon safari usually takes place at sunrise, launching from near the Amber Fort or Samode Palace areas. As you gently ascend, the landscape unfolds beneath you.

You drift over rugged Aravalli hills, hidden forts, rustic villages, and fields. The silence of the flight, broken only by the occasional blast of the burner, is serene. Villagers often wave from their rooftops, and you get a bird's-eye view of the geometry of the ancient forts that is impossible to see from the ground.

It offers a unique perspective on the scale and grandeur of Jaipur's history. The morning light provides perfect conditions for photography.

The Albert Hall Museum is the oldest museum in Rajasthan, functioning as the state museum. While the collection of artifacts inside is impressive, the building itself is a spectacle, especially at night.

The Indo-Saracenic architecture is illuminated with colorful LED lights that change colors. Pigeons flock around the domes, adding to the atmosphere. It looks like a glowing palace.

A night stroll around the museum is popular with locals and offers a cool, pleasant end to the day.

While most tourists drive up to Amber Fort, a heritage walk through the old town of Amer at the foot of the fort reveals hidden gems. This was the original capital before Jaipur was built.

The walk takes you through narrow lanes passing by 300-year-old temples, ancient stepwells (baoris), and ruined havelis. You visit the Panna Meena ka Kund, a beautiful historic stepwell with symmetrical stairs that is less crowded and incredibly photogenic.

You also explore the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, located in a restored haveli, dedicated to the art of woodblock printing. It offers a deeper cultural context to the grandeur of the fort looming above.

Just outside Jaipur lies the village of Bagru, famous for its natural dye block printing and the 'Bagru' print. Visiting this village is a journey into the heart of sustainable fashion.

You can watch the 'Chhipa' community at work, washing fabrics in the sun, mixing natural colors from indigo, turmeric, and pomegranate, and rhythmically stamping the cloth with wooden blocks. It is a labor-intensive art form passed down through generations.

Workshops allow you to try your hand at printing a scarf or napkin. It deepens your appreciation for handmade textiles and supports the local artisan ecosystem.

Jaipur is famous for its unique Blue Pottery, a traditional craft of Turko-Persian origin. Unlike regular pottery, it uses a dough prepared by mixing quartz stone powder, powdered glass, Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth), borax, and gum. No clay is used.

Participating in a workshop allows you to get your hands dirty and appreciate the skill involved. You learn to mold the pieces, paint the intricate floral and geometric motifs using the signature blue oxide derived from cobalt, and understand the firing process.

It is a meditative and creative experience. You connect with the artisan heritage of the city and can even take back your own creation as a souvenir. It’s a perfect break from passive sightseeing.

Rajasthan cuisine is rich and unique, born from the desert conditions. A cooking class in a local heritage home is the best way to understand the flavors.

You start with a market visit to buy fresh spices and vegetables, learning about local ingredients like Ker and Sangri (desert beans and berries). Then, under the guidance of a home chef, you prepare dishes like Laal Maas (spicy meat curry) or Dal Baati Churma.

The experience ends with a communal meal and stories about Rajasthani culture and hospitality. It is intimate, delicious, and culturally immersive.

For those concerned about ethical animal tourism, Elefantastic offers a sanctuary model. Instead of riding elephants at the fort (which is controversial), here you can interact with rescued elephants in a humane way.

You can feed them, wash them, and walk alongside them in the fields. The mahouts share stories of their bond with the animals. It is an educational and touching experience that prioritizes the well-being of the gentle giants.

It provides a meaningful connection with animals without exploitation.

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan is the royal cremation ground for the Kachwaha rulers. Located in a valley, it is a collection of marble cenotaphs (chhatris), each dedicated to a passed Maharaja.

The carving on the marble is exquisite, rivaling that of the temples. The cenotaph of Sawai Jai Singh II is particularly grand.

Creating a contrast to the busy city, this place is incredibly silent and peaceful. It is a hidden gem for architecture lovers and photographers.

Nestled in a crevice between two hills, the Galta Ji temple complex is a surreal spot. It consists of several temples and seven holy water tanks (kunds) where pilgrims bathe.

It is famous for the large tribe of rhesus macaques that live here, earning it the nickname 'Monkey Temple'. The architecture is crumbling but beautiful, blending into the rocky landscape.

Climbing up to the Sun Temple at the top of the ridge offers a stunning panoramic view of Jaipur city, especially at sunset. It feels like a distinct, wilder world just minutes away from the city center.

The Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is Jaipur's most recognizable landmark. While the structure itself is beautiful, the best way to admire its intricate honeycomb facade is not from the street, but from the rooftop cafes opposite it.

Places like the Wind View Cafe offer an eye-level view of the 953 windows (jharokhas). Sipping a masala chai while watching the bustle of the bazaar below and the light changing on the pink sandstone is a quintessential Jaipur moment.

It is the perfect spot for relaxation and photography.

Remarkably, Jaipur is one of the few fascinating cities in the world that has a leopard reserve right on its periphery. The Jhalana Leopard Reserve is a small but wildlife-rich forest area.

The density of leopards here is high, making sightings quite frequent compared to larger parks. A gypsy safari takes you through the dry deciduous forest where you can spot these elusive cats lounging on trees or prowling the undergrowth.

It is a quick and accessible wildlife adventure that fits easily into a city itinerary, proving that nature and urbanization can coexist.

Masala Chowk is an open-air food court located near Albert Hall Museum, specifically curated to bring the best street food of Jaipur into one hygienic place. It is a paradise for foodies.

You can sample legendary local dishes like Samrat's Samosa, Gopal's Singhada, and other chaats without navigating the chaotic traffic of the old city. The atmosphere is lively, with locals and tourists mingling.

It is a great place to have a budget-friendly and delicious dinner under the open sky.

For the active traveler, a cycling tour up to Nahargarh Fort is a thrilling challenge. The winding road up the Aravalli hills offers panoramic views of the city at every turn.

Reaching the top at sunset is the reward. Nahargarh stands on the edge of the hills, overlooking the entire sprawl of Jaipur. As the city lights turn on, the view is mesmerizing.

The ride down is an exhilarating coast. It combines fitness, history, and the best viewpoint in the city. Many tours include a breakfast or snacks at the fort cafe (Padao).

The Patrika Gate at Jawahar Circle is a modern addition to Jaipur's architecture but has quickly become an icon. It is a series of ornate gates, with every pillar and wall hand-painted with vibrant scenes from Rajasthan's history and culture.

Walking through it is like walking through a colorful corridor of art. The symmetry and the explosion of pastel colors make it arguably the most Instagrammable spot in Jaipur.

It is best visited in the early morning to avoid crowds and get the perfect symmetrical shot. Outside, the lush gardens of Jawahar Circle are perfect for a stroll.

For a sensory explosion, visit the wholesale flower market (Phool Mandi) near Chandi Ki Taksal at 6 AM.

Sacks of marigolds, roses, and jasmine are traded in a frenzy of color and fragrance. It offers wonderful photo opportunities and a look at the trade that decorates the city's temples and weddings.

It is raw, chaotic, and beautiful.

Kathputli (Wooden Doll) puppetry is the most popular folk art of Rajasthan. You can catch a show at many hotels, restaurants like Chokhi Dhani, or sometimes even on the streets.

The puppeteers recount folk tales of heroes and romance through the string puppets, accompanied by whistling and drumming. It is colorful, lively, and amazing to see the dexterity of the artists.

It helps keep an ancient oral tradition alive.

Watching a Bollywood movie at Raj Mandir is not just about the film; it is an event. Opened in 1976, this meringue-shaped cinema is famous for its opulent, Art Deco-style interiors that resemble a royal palace.

The lobby features chandeliers and carpeted staircases. Inside the auditorium, the curtain rises with fanfare. The audience often cheers, whistles, and clasps during the movie, making it a high-energy cultural experience.

It is one of the best ways to experience India's love affair with cinema.

Johari Bazaar is the oldest market in Jaipur, and true to its name (Johari means Jeweler), it is the hub for jewelry. From precious gemstones to traditional Kundan and Meenakari jewelry, the variety is dazzling.

Even if you aren't buying, walking through the pink arcades, seeing the vibrant saris, turbaned men, and the chaos of rickshaws is a sensory overload. You can also find high-quality textiles and quilts here.

Don't forget to sample the Lassi at the famous Lassi Wala nearby, served in earthen clay cups.

Every evening, the history of the Kachwaha dynasty comes alive at the foot of Amber Fort with a spectacular Sound and Light Show.

Sitting in the open-air amphitheater, you watch the fort walls lit up in dramatic colors while a narrator recounts the legends of Rajput valor, battles, and romance. The setting, with the dark hills and the starry sky, adds to the drama.

It is a compelling way to learn history through storytelling and visual effects.

The Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments built by the founder of Jaipur. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has the world's largest stone sundial.

While usually visited in the day, special evening tours or simply imagining the astronomers working here at night invokes a sense of scientific wonder. These instruments were incredibly precise in measuring time, predicting eclipses, and tracking stars.

It is a testament to the scientific temper of 18th-century India.

Jaipur is dotted with old havelis (mansions) that have been converted into boutique hotels. Staying in one is an experience in itself.

With frescoes on the walls, courtyards with fountains, and traditional Rajasthani hospitality, you feel like a noble guest. Places like Samode Haveli or Alsisar Haveli offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the past.

It adds a layer of authenticity to your trip that modern hotels cannot match.

Several wellness groups and hotels organize sunrise yoga sessions at iconic locations like facing the Hawa Mahal or in the gardens of Central Park.

Practicing Surya Namaskar as the sun rises over the Pink City is a spiritually uplifting start to the day. It combines health with heritage.

It helps you center yourself before the chaos of the day begins.

A lesser-known trek near Jaipur is the trail to Hathni Kund. It starts near the Charan Mandir on the way to Nahargarh. The trail passes through refreshing greenery (in monsoon and winter) and leads to a seasonal waterfall and dam.

It is a favorite among local hikers for a morning workout. The path is scenic, with views of ancient temples and the fort walls snaking along the hills.

It offers a peaceful nature escape right on the edge of the city.

Built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II for his second queen, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh is a multilevel garden that symbolizes love. Located away from the city center, it is a quiet retreat.

The garden is adorned with murals depicting the love story of Radha and Krishna, fountains, and water channels. The tiered layout offers nice perspectives.

It is a perfect spot for a romantic stroll or a quiet afternoon with a book. The architecture blends Mughal and Rajasthani styles beautifully.