If you are a traveller who craves for forts, palaces, and historical places, Jaipur is the city for you. Enriched with Indian culture and history, Jaipur offers incredible insights on the flamboyant lifestyle of Royal kings. If you want to explore the city for its heritage and cultural significance, you are in the right place. Here we have consolidated a list of 10 best places to visit in Jaipur.
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Jaipur is the capital city in Rajasthan, one of the most colourful states of India. It is the largest city in Rajasthan and is the first planned city of India. Also called as the Pink city. It combines the charms of ancient history and modern advantages of a metropolis. It is part of one of the famous tourist circuits, the Golden Triangle.
Top 10 Best Places to visit in Jaipur
Jaipur has so many places to explore. The list can go on but hers is the list of top 10 best places to visit in Jaipur.
1. City Palace
The majestic City Palace is one of the major attraction in the Pink city and was built by the founder of Jaipur city i.e. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It is a vast beautiful complex and has a fusion of both Mughal and Rajput architecture.
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It is still home for the last ruling family. The palace is divided into multiple courtyards, buildings and gardens including the Chandra Mahal and the Mubarak Mahal. The museum showcases several unique handcrafted products and other things that belong to the royal heritage of the City Palace.
History
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II initiated the construction of City Palace, Jaipur in 1727. He shifted from Amer to Jaipur due to increasing population and water shortages. He entrusted the design of Jaipur city to the Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.
Things to do in City Palace
1. Visit Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas
2. Watch puppet show
3. Explore Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal
4. Photography in Pritam Niwas Chowk
General Information
Entry fee: Entry fees for visiting the courtyards, museums, and the queen's chambers, are ₹100, ₹130, and around ₹1,000 respectively
Timings: 9.30 am to 5 pm
Visit Duration: 2 - 3 hrs
Tips
1. Plan to visit the Mubarak Mahal too.
2. Bring your valid student ID to get a discount on the entrance fee.
3. Buy the ticket together for all the nearby monuments like Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar etc. This will save queue time and the package is more cost-effective than buying separate tickets.
2. Amer Fort
Amer Fort or Amber Fort is a fort located 11 kilometres from Jaipur. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture is an amalgam of Rajput, Hindu, and Mughal styles. The fort complex is quite large and needs time to be explored. Elephant ride is a famous activity in the fort. Also, it holds a light and sound show in the evening which is worth watching to understand the history behind the fort.
History
Raja Man Singh built Amer fort in 1592 AD and Raja Jai Sigh I expanded and renovated it later. Amer was known as Dhundar in the medieval period. It was ruled by the Kachwahas from the 11th century onwards - between 1037 and 1727 AD.
Things to do in Amer Fort
1. Elephant ride in the morning
2. Light and sound show in the evening
3. Shopping the Maharani Saree
4. Indulge in the history and architecture of Amer Fort
5. Dining Experience
General Information
Entry fee: ₹50 per person
Timings: 8am to 5.30pm; 6.30pm to 9.15pm
Light and sound show fee: ₹150 per person
Timings: 7 pm to 9 pm
Elephant ride fee: ₹1100 for 2 persons
Timings: 8 am to 11 am
Visit Duration: 2 - 3 hrs
Tips
1. If you are planning to take the elephant ride, reach the fort in the morning.
2. If you are planning to watch light and sound show, visit the fort in the evening.
3. Our suggestion is to visit the fort in the morning as well as in the evening.
4. It is advisable to get either the audio guide or the tourist guide to know more about the history behind the fort.
3. Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is also one of the beautiful historic architecture that reveals the majestic history of the city. It offers the most striking view of Jaipur's scenic landscape. There is a wax museum and sheesh mahal situated at the entrance of the fort and both are worth a visit.
History
Nahargarh Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1734. The fort was constructed as a place of retreat on the summit of the ridge above the city. It was extended in 1868, during the reign of Sawai Ram Singh. Some historical events in the eighteenth century, like the signing of treaties with Maratha forces, happened at the fort.
Things to do in Nahargarh Fort
1. Enjoy the sunset.
2. Enjoy the city view from the top of the fort.
3. Visit the Jaipur wax museum.
General Information
Entry fee: ₹50 per person
Timings: 10 am to 5.30 pm
Visit Duration: 1-1.5 hrs
Tips
1. Visit the Fort in the late afternoon as the sunset from this location is beautiful and offers a beautiful city view.
2. Carry water bottles and keep yourself hydrated.
3. Carry sunglasses if visiting in the day time.
4. It offers the picturesque landscape of the city so do carry camera and power banks.
4. Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort is located on the Cheel ka Teela of the Aravalli range. The fort features a cannon called "Jaivana" which is the world's largest cannon on wheels. It also offers a magnificent view of the city.
History
Amer was ruled by Meenas before 10th century AD. During those days Jaigarh Fort was the defensive structure for the region. Amer fort and Jaigarh fort are interconnected by a series of encompassing fortifications and ruled by the Kachwahas from the 10th century onwards.
Things to do in Jaigarh Fort
1. Witness the world’s largest cannon on wheel.
2. Enjoy the view of Amer fort.
3. Visit the artillery museum.
General Information
Entry fee: ₹25 per person
Timings: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Visit Duration: 45 minutes
Tips
1. Wear comfortable shoes to explore the fort easily.
2. Stay hydrated
5. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is the palace of winds and, it is called so due to its architecture. It is a structure made of red and pink sandstone and has a pyramidal structure which resembles the crown. It has 953 tiny windows, also known as 'Jharokhas'.
History
Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. He was so inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal that he built this grand and historical palace. It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad.
Things to do in Hawa Mahal
1. Visit the roof cafes in front of Hawa Mahal and admire the beauty.
2. Explore the Hawa Mahal
3. Shop in the nearby market
General Information
Entry fee: ₹50 per person
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Visit Duration: 30-45 minutes
Tips
1. Prefer to visit the palace in the day as well as night time.
2. The main entrance for Hawa Mahal has been closed. You have to rely on local people to guide you for the entry of Hawa Mahal as there are no signboards.
3. Hike up the rooftop cafes in front of Hawa Mahal to click good pictures.
4. Hawa Mahal is located in the old market so you can also include shopping in your plan.
6. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake bordered by Nahargarh hills. It is a masterful creation with beautiful architecture. In the night with the reflection of lights in the beautiful lake, it is just marvellous and a delight to tourists.
History
Jal Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as a spot to relax after duck hunting. The beauty of this palace was later amplified by Maharaja Jai Singh 11 who completely renovated this palace.
Things to do in Jal Mahal
1. Camel Ride
2. Walk across the Mansagar Lake
3. Street food
4. Bird watching
General Information
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 12 noon to 10.30 pm
Visit Duration: 30-45 minutes
Tips
1. Prefer to visit in the evening so that you can enjoy both the daylight view as well as the night view with lights.
2. Wear comfortable shoes
3. Wear sunglasses if visiting in the day time.
7. Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments. It features the world's largest stone sundial and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions of celestial bodies with the naked eye. It is so fascinating to understand how these instruments work.
History
Jantar Mantar or astronomical observatory is built by Sawai Jai Singh for astronomical observations. Although the instruments were built by 1728, the construction of the instruments in Jaipur continued until 1738.
Things to do in Jantar Mantar
1. Understand the scientific features of all the instruments
2. Walk across the observatory
General Information
Entry fee: ₹50 per person
Timings: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Visit Duration: 1- 1.5 hours
Tips
1. Visit the Jantar Mantar either in the morning or in the evening to save yourself from heatstroke.
2. Either hire a tourist guide or download the app to understand the instruments.
8. Albert Hall Museum
It is the oldest museum in Rajasthan. The museum has a rich collection of artefacts including paintings, jewellery, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, and works in crystal. The museum gets even more beautiful at the night when the entire building glows with multicoloured lights.
History
The foundation of the museum was set when Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur in the year 1876. The building was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, assisted by Mir Tujumool Hoosein, and was opened as a public museum in 1887.
Things to do in Albert Hall Museum
1. Visit the zoo
2. Take horse ride
3. Enjoy the museum
General Information
Entry fees: ₹40 per person
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm; 7-10 pm
Visit Duration: 1- 2 hours
Tips
1. Prefer to visit the museum at night when the crowd lesser and the lightning also starts.
2. Avoid carrying plastic inside the museum.
3. Do not carry food items inside the museum.
9. Galtaji Temple
Galtaji is an ancient Hindu Temple. It is surrounded by beautiful Aravalli Hills. This place is on the list of the 10 best places to visit in Jaipur because of its serenity and location.
Things to do in Galtaji Temple
1. Enjoy the view of Aravali range.
2. Feed the monkeys.
General Information
Entry fee: Free
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset, on all weekdays
Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Tips
1. Beware of monkeys.
10. Sisodiya Rani Bagh
It is a royal garden built in the premises of Sisodiya Palace. The garden consists of numerous fountains and beautiful plants.
Things to do in Sisodiya Rani Bagh
1. The diverse variety of plants in the garden.
2. Shop local handicrafts.
3. Mural paintings of Radha Krishna
General Information
Entry fee: ₹10 per person
Timings: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Tips
1. Prefer to visit in the morning when there is less crowd.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Rest on the resting places made across the pathway.
These are the top 10 best places to visit in Jaipur. There are a lot more places that you can explore. Feel free to add more places in comments.
If you want to read our itinerary days wise, read blogs- Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and 4.
Apart from Jaipur, there are many other places to explore in Rajasthan. Check out the best places to visit in Rajasthan here.
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