When most people think of India, the first thing they picture is the Taj Mahal—but for me, the image that rose in my mind was of rose-pink walls and monuments, intricately detailed carvings and colorful architecture, with a whole rainbow’s worth of vibrant details and geometric shapes. Jaipur, the Pink City of India, has been an enduring dream of mine for years, ever since seeing photos of its impossibly beautiful architecture in travel books and magazines.
As an adult, I finally made it to Jaipur, and it was even better than I had imagined. The whole city is powder pink, with gorgeous buildings, arches, and monuments at every turn. I couldn’t believe my eyes for the entire time I was here, entranced by the women walking around with their brightly multicolored saris and gorgeous gold bangles, stopping every few paces to admire the exquisite level of attention paid to even the simplest carved bits of stone. Sure, I saw Jaipur through rose-colored glasses, but I can now offer you a rose-colored guide to Jaipur—the Pink City of India.
Why is Jaipur Called the Pink City of India?
I don’t think this will come as too much of a surprise, but Jaipur is famously known as the Pink City of India because its old town is washed almost completely in pink! It’s a soft, warm pink hue that makes the whole city glow at sunrise and sunset. However, there is some history behind the iconic shade!
Back in 1876, the Maharaja of Jaipur ordered the entire city to be painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales. The gesture worked so well that the color simply stayed, eventually becoming one of the defining visuals and cementing Jaipur as the pink city today.
Today, the color has become part of Jaipur’s identity—you see it everywhere: the arched gateways, the old markets, Hawa Mahal’s iconic facade, and even small shopfronts inside the bazaar. It’s one of the first things that makes Jaipur feel unlike anywhere else in India, and honestly, it sets the tone for how magical the rest of the city is to explore.
Best Time of Year to Visit Jaipur, the Pink City of India
The best time to visit Jaipur (and Rajasthan in general) is during the cooler months, which also coincide with the dry and touristic season. The high season runs from October to March and boasts the best weather, warm and dry. Avoid the summer months (April to June) because the weather is unbearably hot, sometimes soaring past an insane 40°C! The monsoon season (July to September) is lush and green and has fewer crowds and lower prices, but of course you have to be prepared for heavy rain, mud, and some closed outdoor attractions.
We actually went to Rajasthan during the tail end of monsoon season, in late September. We lucked out with the weather—it was still hot, but it didn’t rain a single time—though it was a stroke of good fortune and I wouldn’t rely on this. It actually started pouring the day after we flew out!
🥻 Going to India? Here are some of my best India travel tips and things I wish I knew before going…
How to Get to and Around Jaipur, Rajasthan
Getting to Jaipur, the Pink City of India, is super straightforward. It’s one of the most accessible destinations in Rajasthan, with its own airport (Jaipur International Airport) connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. You can also take a fast train such as the Shatabdi Express from Delhi, which is a popular option for Jaipur travel. (I personally find booking trains in India as a foreigner extremely difficult, though, so I hope you have better luck than we did!) Hiring a private driver is also super common and fairly affordable and convenient if you have more than one person in your party.
Once you’re in Rajasthan’s pink city, the easiest way to move around is honestly just by using Uber. It’s affordable, reliable, and removes the stress of negotiating prices every time you hop between sights. A lot of people also recommend Ola (India’s version of Uber), but the iPhone app has been glitchy since around 2024, so I wouldn’t rely on it. Uber is super affordable in India and very popular—we never had trouble getting a ride right away in the Pink City part of Jaipur, with only very remote areas outside of the old town taking a little longer.
Walking is technically possible in the historic center, and there are parts of Jaipur’s Pink City that are genuinely lovely on foot. But the sun is extremely strong, and sidewalks aren’t always consistent (or existent, for that matter). For anything beyond 10-15 minutes, I really recommend grabbing an Uber or tuk tuk. It’s cheap, it’s quick, and it’ll save you a lot of energy!
🕉️ Read more: 9-Day Rajasthan Itinerary: Colors of Agra, Jaipur, & Udaipur
Where to Stay? The Best Hotels in Jaipur
Best Luxury Hotels in Jaipur
- Shahpura House: A heritage mansion-style palace with richly decorated rooms, traditional architecture and a regal, old-world atmosphere.
- The Oberoi Rajvilas: A top-tier resort blending royal Rajasthani architecture with lush gardens, elegant courtyards, luxurious amenities and serene surroundings. They have a famous branch in Agra as well with a view of the Taj Mahal!
- Rajmahal Palace Jaipur: A former royal residence offering opulent rooms, historic architecture, and a sense of grandeur and history, for those who want their stay itself to feel like part of Jaipur’s past.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Jaipur
- Samode Haveli: A lovely heritage haveli with carved arches, antique decor, and a charming courtyard. It’s also located perfectly near the center of Jaipur!
- Pearl Palace Heritage – The Boutique Guesthouse: A colorful, welcoming guesthouse close to the old city area, with warm personal service and character
Best Budget/Affordable Hotels in Jaipur
- Zostel Jaipur: A budget-friendly hostel/guesthouse that offers basic, clean rooms and a communal atmosphere — great for backpackers or travelers who want to save money while staying somewhere social and central.
- BrijRama Palace: A heritage-style stay near the old city / palace area. It balances affordability with traditional architecture and location convenience.
What to Pack and Wear in Jaipur
Jaipur is in Rajasthan, which gets hot, dry, and sunny! You’ll want lightweight, breathable clothing—think linen pants, cotton dresses, airy tops, and comfortable walking shoes. Even the “cooler months” in Jaipur are still warm! Also, don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat because the sun in Jaipur can be brutal. If you’re traveling in the shoulder or off season, you’ll definitely want to bring an umbrella or rain coat as well.
In general, I recommend dressing on the modest side. Jaipur is one of most popular cities in India and people here are used to seeing foreigners, but it’s still better to cover your shoulders and knees. In general, showing a little tummy is totally fine in Indian culture, but most women will have their lower half completely covered. I also recommend having a light scarf or shawl on hand—great for temples, blocking dust, adding a layer in early mornings, and of course amazing in pictures!
How Long to Spend in Jaipur
I recommend spending 3-4 days in Jaipur. The Pink City is bigger and busier than you’d expect! For example, in Jaipur alone there are at least six large forts. Between the packed bazaars and sprawling palaces, you’ll need at least three days to properly see Jaipur’s highlights without rushing from one to the next.
With a fourth day, you can check out the full range of Jaipur’s colorful secrets (and at least spend a bit of time relaxing over a Rajasthani thali lunch or nursing a cup of chai!) Jaipur’s attractions are spread out, traffic can be heavy, and many of the city’s best experiences (like early morning at Patrika Gate or a late-afternoon visit to Panna Meena ka Kund) shine only if you give yourself time. We spent four days here total and it was the perfect amount of time to see everything that we wanted to!
What to See and Do in the Pink City of Jaipur (With Map!)
So, you finally made it. Welcome to Jaipur, the Pink City of India! I’ve put together this handy map so you can get a better feel of where everything in Jaipur is located. Feel free to save this map for your own use.
As you can see, there are a few concentrated areas where several things in Jaipur are clustered—most notably near the City Palace block and the Amer Region towards the north. I would recommend trying to see the different sights in these areas together just to help reduce transportation and waiting time. Especially for the Amer Region, it’s a bit annoying to get there and you might run into scams where drivers refuse to take you up the hill, so trust me—you only want to deal with that once!
Patrika Gate
Patrika Gate is one of the most colorful landmarks in Jaipur. Located by an unassuming traffic circle is a brilliantly colored rainbow hall of arches painted with scenes from across Rajasthan. Every inch of the interior is covered in intricate artwork, and I spent at least an hour simply admiring all the colors, carvings, and shapes. Seriously, you’d never know from driving by the outside what it looks like underneath! It’s located near the Jaipur Airport, so it’s an easy visit at either end of your trip if you’re taking a flight.
However, Patrika Gate is an insanely popular photo spot, especially among locals for wedding shoots. It’s busy all day, every day. If you want photos, you should definitely try for early morning on a weekday, but it might be tough regardless. Plus, Patrika Gate is essentially just one narrow corridor, so if even one other group is in the hallway, it looks crowded. When we arrived, it was so packed that after nearly 40 minutes of trying and failing to get a photo, we bribed a few local photographers and guards to keep the hallway clear for a 10-minute window just to get our shots in! Like a lot of places in India, a small tip can go a long way…and I was very grateful, because it would have been actually impossible otherwise.
All this to say, temper your expectations for seeing Patrika Gate clear and empty—it never is! But in India, you just have to take chaos and crowds in stride. Despite our struggle, Patrika Gate remains possibly my favorite part of our Jaipur travel experience.
🧘🏼♀️ In India, things rarely go the way that you want to. Here are some tips that you should know before you go!
Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace)
Hawa Mahal is the postcard image of Jaipur’s Pink City. The facade is a delicate coral color lined with hundreds of tiny windows that historically allowed royal women to watch street life unseen by passerby from the outside. It has a honeycomb look from far away and the thin detail work and beautiful shapes makes it one of, if not the most iconic building in Jaipur. Even if you’ve seen a thousand photos of it, nothing compares to taking in its architectural symmetry in person! It’s one of the places that instantly screams “Jaipur” and makes you understand why Jaipur is called Rajasthan’s Pink City.
You can go inside the Hawa Mahal if you wish, but my preferred way to enjoy the view is by taking a break at one of the cafes from across the street. The elevation helps you get a better straight-on view of the facade. We chose Tattoo Cafe, which is perfect for its direct line of sight, but Winds Cafe is a reliable backup if for some reason Tattoo Cafe isn’t available. The food is just okay, but after a long morning of walking around Jaipur, we really appreciated having some fresh cold juice and air conditioning while admiring the view! This is definitely one of my favorite stops from our Jaipur travels.
Amer Fort (Amber Fort)
Is it Amer Fort or Amber Fort? After a whole trip’s worth of trying to figure out the answer, I’ve discovered that it’s both. Amer Fort is easily the grandest attraction in the Indian Pink City of Jaipur. It’s huge, a massive combination of courtyards, frescoes, mirrored halls, and spectacular hilltop views. Because it sits high above the city, you’ll want to take a taxi or Uber up the winding roads. If you want pictures in front of the gorgeously ornate facade, I recommend arriving slightly before the 8 AM opening time because it’s very high in demand!
Inside, the fort is large enough that it rarely feels crowded. One of my favorite parts of Amer Fort is the shimmering Sheesh Mahal or palace of mirrors, where the whole interior is laid with dazzling bits of silver that reflect the light back to you. And for my fellow photographers who also covet that amazing photo with the light flooding in the geometric jali windows somewhere in Amer Fort, you’ll want to ask a guard to direct you—it’s actually really hard to find.
Because of the sheer vastness of Amer Fort, you can find quiet corners even during peak hours. I recommend budgeting at least 3 hours here, but it’s even better if you can afford to spend half a day—we ran out of time and didn’t even get to see quite everything that we wanted to, and who knows how many secret hidden corners lie inside Amer Fort that we didn’t get to find!
Panna Meena Ka Kund
Panna Meena Ka Kund is the stepwell you’ve probably seen all over Pinterest and Instagram. It’s a maze of zigzag staircases that descends into a central pool. In olden times, these stepwells were used to collect rainwater that the community could use for drinking and bathing. It’s incredibly photogenic and only a few minutes from Amer Fort, making it an easy pairing.
However, I will mention that even though you’ve probably seen pictures, you’re not allowed to walk on the stairs at Panna Meena Ka Kund! In reality…bribes sometimes make the rules bend just a little bit if you need them to. If you want a chance of your extra rupees working on the security guard, you’ll want to show up super early in the morning as they probably won’t make an exception for you if other tourists are around. We decided to respect the rules and just leave the stepwell alone.
Also, if you’re visiting in the monsoon season or shoulder season, the stepwell might be mostly full or flooded. I was surprised when we showed up and there were only a few stairs visible because there is just that much rainfall in the low season!
Jaigarh Fort
If you’ve checked out other Jaipur travel guides, you’ll probably see Nahargarh Fort listed as the best fort to visit in Jaipur. And while I do like Nahargarh Fort (and it’s on this list), I think Jaigarh Fort is one of the quieter, prettier hidden gems in Jaipur. If you want panoramic views over the Indian Pink City and look over the lush green hills and fortress walls that surround Jaipur, Jaigarh Fort is your spot. It’s a much more rugged and atmospheric fort than Amer Fort, with long ramparts, reddish stone walls, and huge courtyards that feel almost abandoned at times.
To visit the interior of the fort, you’ll have to go along with a nice guard who doubles as your tour guide. Our guide didn’t speak much English and he got tired of us stopping every two minutes to take photos, so he eventually let us wander around on our own, but it’s helpful to have someone along so you don’t get lost! The scenery from the top is stunning, especially towards golden hour or sunset. It’s a great contrast to the more ornate palaces in Jaipur.
Jaipur City Palace
The Jaipur City Palace is one of the most beautifully preserved royal complexes in the city and I consider this an essential stop on any Jaipur travel guide. Access to the Jaipur City Palace is divided into two tiers—the museum ticket only and the Royal Grandeur Tour. The museum ticket grants access to the palace grounds and the famous “4 season” doorways that you’ve probably seen photos of, and they are really as beautiful as they look in pictures. We spent quite some time here just admiring the Mughal and Rajput architecture!
But I think the Royal Tour ticket is actually worth it, despite its hefty price tag, because the upgraded tour grants access to the intricately beautiful Chandra Mahal. This tour also includes the Instagram-famous Blue Room (Chavi Niwas) which I adored for its stunning design! We also got to learn more about the history of the palace from our tour guide, who was very patient with our incessant photo taking, and see a beautiful demonstration inside the Jaipur City Palace’s own version of the Sheesh Mahal. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you think the increased price is worth it, but I have no regrets.
👑 Read my breakdown of exactly what the Royal Grandeur tour of the Jaipur City Palace is like, so you can see for yourself if you think the upgraded ticket is worth it!
Royal Gaitor (Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan)
The Royal Gaitor is one of Jaipur’s most beautiful hidden gems. This site is a complex of peaceful marble cenotaphs dedicated to the former maharajas. While it’s surprisingly quiet compared to other attractions in Jaipur’s Pink City, it’s exquisitely beautiful with tons of architectural details and surrounded by lush greenery. I think not many people think of cenotaphs as something worth seeing while traveling, but the design here is truly super beautiful.
I recommend visiting around golden hour, when it’s not as hot and carvings glow in the softer early evening light. The Royal Gaitor is surrounded by verdant hills and you can even spy bits of the Jaipur city wall if you keep looking up! If you enjoy quieter, atmospheric spots, this is one of the most rewarding stops in Jaipur.
Eat Traditional Rajasthani Food
No Jaipur travel guide would be complete without mentioning delicious Rajasthani cuisine! Like most of northern India, Rajasthan is predominantly vegetarian and I recommend sticking to the local cuisine as much as possible. Rich and colorful thalis with their assortment of delightful dishes, ghee-buttery rotis, spicy curries, and refreshing yogurts, raitas, and lassis are just a few of the amazing dishes you should try while in Jaipur!
There are a lot of local restaurants that serve traditional Rajasthani food, but I recommend M.M. Khan for a true local experience (this was recommended to us by multiple locals and it’s truly a bare-bones authentic restaurant) and Thali and More for slightly nicer but equally authentic dining. You can also ask your hotel or Uber driver for more recommendations, but we heard these two floated around frequently by actual locals and the proof is in the pudding: we didn’t see any other foreigners in either of these restaurants.
🥻 Read more: 9-Day Rajasthan Itinerary: Colors of Agra, Jaipur, & Udaipur
Jagat Shiromani Temple
Just a short drive from Amer Fort is one of the best Hindu temples you can visit in Jaipur. Almost 90% of Rajasthan’s population is Hindu, and I always try to visit a religious site when I’m in a region where faith is an important part of the lifestyle. While the temple isn’t very big, it’s full of intricate little carvings and adorable rows of tiny stone elephants that make it a really fascinating stop! Plus, it’s free to visit.
Since this is a functioning temple, be sure to cover your knees. We didn’t step inside the worship area itself and just wandered around admiring the carvings, but it still pays to be respectful. If you want to balance Jaipur’s big-ticket attractions with peaceful cultural stops, this one is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Phool Mandi Flower Market
The Phool Mandi Flower Market is a local stop in Jaipur that is absolutely worth navigating through chaos for. This is Jaipur at its most colorful and crazy—a lively morning flower market overflowing with marigolds, rose petals, and jasmine garlands. The huge piles of flowers in eye-poppingly bright colors, with sellers and buyers crowding the dirt streets, make for an incredible slice of daily life that’s energetic but not overly touristy.
Come early in the morning for the best atmosphere and photos, as well as to avoid the heat. The market is open as early as 5 AM, but we were there around 7 AM and it was still super busy! We didn’t see any other foreigners in the whole market, and I was touched by how nice everyone was. A sweet old man who didn’t speak any English, bearing a turban and a toothless grin, even showered us in marigold petals. It’s messy, fragrant, and full of life—a perfect way to start a morning in Jaipur. Plus, it’s right next to the Jaipur City Palace, so you can easily head there after the flower market.
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is famous for its sweeping views over Jaipur’s Pink City, especially at sunset. You’ll see this spot plastered on every Jaipur travel guide on the Internet, and it is for good reason—the city glows and sparkles in the evening, and the high view from the ramparts is lovely. However, this is one of the most popular spots in Jaipur for locals and tourists alike, and it was probably the most crowded place we encountered in all of Jaipur! Climbing the walls is both unsafe and strongly discouraged by the guards who patrol the area, so even if you’ve seen photos of people standing on them, I don’t recommend trying it. The drop from the other side is terrifyingly steep.
Something worth noting is that Nahargarh Fort is pretty hard to reach and the drive there takes a long time, up steep and winding mountain roads. I would arrange a pickup time with your driver and negotiate the fare in advance, because it’s not easy to get a ride back after dark. The drive is pretty enjoyable, though, with scenic views over Jaipur as you make your way up. Make sure to stop a few times to take in the vast views, and see if you can spot the Jal Mahal—the floating water palace—along the way!
Bar Palladio
I know I said earlier that you should stick to authentic Rajasthani cuisine while in Jaipur, but I’ll make an exception for Bar Palladio. It’s one of Jaipur’s most visually iconic restaurants, with a striking blue color decorated with red and white stripes, ornate white curlicue designs, and beautiful tiling. It’s actually the brainchild of Italian entrepreneur Barbara Miolini and Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, featuring Italian cuisine. I wasn’t confident about the food quality going in, but it was surprisingly very delicious and still incredibly affordable by western standards.
Do note that Bar Palladio has a strict no-camera policy; phone photos are allowed, but leave your actual camera behind! You don’t need a reservation and we just walked in at lunchtime with no problems.
Galta Ji (Monkey Temple)
Galta Ji, colloquially known in English as the “monkey temple,” is a remote temple complex tucked into the hills east of Jaipur. It’s a Hindu religious site but is also populated by a shockingly large number of monkeys! It’s a bit out of the way but I was fascinated by the architecture and also highly entertained just by watching the monkeys scramble around the temple grounds, swinging and jumping and playing with one another. They’re very cute, but please remember to steer clear of them and keep a close hold on your bags and items.
Something that we didn’t realize is that Galta Ji’s remote location means hailing a ride back to central Jaipur is pretty difficult. I would try to negotiate a return time with your driver, because there really isn’t much in this area and we eventually gave up on calling an Uber, instead having to go through the dreaded negotiation process with a local tuk tuk. You don’t need to spend that much time here because there’s not much to do aside from watch the monkeys, but I love animals and loved this stop in Jaipur!
Jaipur FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Pink City
- Is Jaipur worth visiting on a trip to Rajasthan? Absolutely. Jaipur is one of the essential stops in Rajasthan, with its beautiful pink architecture and history! I also found it easier to navigate than many other big cities in India.
- Is Jaipur safe for tourists? Jaipur is generally very safe for travelers. People here are used to seeing foreigners and tourists, and we didn’t run into any trouble even as unaccompanied women. Of course, like all places, you should stay aware of your surroundings and avoid poorly lit areas especially at night. Make sure to use verified rideshares! But I felt very comfortable and safe during my stay.
- What is Jaipur famous for? Jaipur is famous for its pink architecture, royal palaces, and hilltop forts like Amer Fort. It’s also known for traditional crafts such as block printing, jewelry, blue pottery, and embroidered textiles.
- Can you visit Jaipur as a day trip from Delhi? You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The distance is too far for a comfortable day trip, and you’d end up rushing all the major sights. At the very least, you should stay in Jaipur for at least one night. In this guide, I recommend staying 3-4 days!
- How much does it cost to visit Jaipur? Jaipur is flexible for all budgets. Entry fees for major attractions typically range from ₹200–₹500 for foreigners, while premium guided palace tours cost more. Food, shopping, and transport are very affordable unless you choose high-end restaurants or boutique experiences.
Beyond Jaipur Travel…
Where to next in Rajasthan? Once you’re done with the Pink City of India, it’s worth making a few other stops to take in the grandeur of this region. Check out my 9-day Rajasthan itinerary that also hits Agra and Udaipur and sorts out all the logistics for you, or read up on individual destinations below!
- Agra: The home of the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. It can be tricky to plan a visit to the Taj smoothly, so make sure to read my Taj Mahal guide. But Agra has more than just the Taj—huge monuments, rust-red forts, and a surprising number of hidden gems for such a popular city. Read my one-day Agra travel guide here.
- Udaipur (The City of Lakes): The relaxing and laid-back city of Udaipur is centered around the gorgeous Lake Pichola, making it a lovely place to unwind after nearly a week of hustle and bustle. Because a lot of cities in Rajasthan are completely landlocked, I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing the water until I arrived in Udaipur! Read my Udaipur travel guide here.
- Jaisalmer (The Golden City): Jaisalmer is like a desert fairytale dipped in honey. The entire city glows gold at sunset thanks to its sandstone architecture, and the fort is one of the few “living forts” in India where people actually reside inside. I also recommend Jaisalmer as the best place in Rajasthan for overnight desert camping and camel rides under starry skies!
- Jodhpur (The Blue City): Jodhpur is famous for its bright blue old town and massive Mehrangarh Fort that towers above the city. It’s a very walkable town and beautiful to look at, with plenty of delicious street food! If you’ve been to Chefchaouen in Morocco, it shares the same unique color.
- Pushkar: Pushkar is a small and spiritual town known for its famous Brahma Temple. Plus, it’s one of the most peaceful places in Rajasthan, full of rooftop cafes and hippie markets. Pushkar’s not particularly big, but spending one night here can help break up a long drive.
- Ranthambore National Park: If you’re looking to see India’s famous Bengal tigers on your trip, Ranthambore is the most popular place in Rajasthan for tiger safaris! However, I will warn you that the “tiger season” in Rajasthan spans October to June, with the highest chance of seeing tigers falling between October and March. Outside of this season, parks and safaris may not even be open, so double-check your dates before planning anything!
