Beautiful palaces and forts in Jaipur are among the best tourist places to visit in India. Jaipur is prevalently known as “the pink city” owing to the blushing color of its forts and marvelous architecture. The city is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan and is a wonderland of princely culture and heritage. Also called “the Paris of India,” the city has an array of tourist places like palaces, forts, temples, and bazaars. Once, Vinita Kinra said, “Jaipur is the finest jewelry ever created on earth, where the king was the jeweler and bricked his gems.” You will relate to this quote when you see the beautiful architecture of the pink city and its fantastic artwork.
Do you adore the flaunting expertise of old artisans? Do you want to experience the flashy lifestyle of the royal families of the bygone era? If yes, then get ready to be mesmerized by the grandeur and royalty of Jaipur and plan your itinerary with our tours of Jaipur, like Jaipur City Tour, Full day guided tour of Jaipur, and a Food tour of Jaipur.
1. Hawa Mahal
One of the best places to visit in Jaipur, this place needs no introduction. Popularly known as “the Palace of Wind,” the signature palace is a spectacular example of rich local artistry. The Palace was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It is said that this palace was built to enable the women of Rajput families to watch happenings outside without being seen by the public. Justifying its name, Hawa Mahal has 953 windows, making it extremely breezy. The five-story building has no stairs. Slopes connect all the floors. The palace highlights the distinctive architectural features of the city, from red and pink sandstone honeycomb façades to geometric accents and tiny windows. Its opening timings are from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Don’t miss the spectacular view of the Hawa Mahal from Wind View Cafe.
2. Amer Fort
Located in Amer, the fort is also known as the Amer Fort. Built-in 1592, the fort is made of marble stone and red sandstone, highlighting the blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture. The fort is a magnificent complex of halls, temples, palaces, and gardens built by successive rulers over 125 years, listing it as one of the best tourist places to visit in Jaipur. You can enjoy the elephant ride uphill to the fort’s entrance and ‘Amber by Night,’ which allows people to enjoy the charming view of lit mahals and chunks. There is also a light and sound show in the evening, showcasing the fort’s history and exquisite architecture. The fort is open on all days from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
3. City palace
Built by Sawai Jai Singh II between 1729 and 1732, the City Palace is a significant source of tourist attraction in Jaipur. The palace complex comprises several buildings, courtyards, and galleries depicting the beautiful amalgamation of rich Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. This enchanting structure in the city’s heart still houses Jaipur’s modern-day royal family. They reside in the Chandra Mahal, the most extravagant building in the complex. The Palace has many places for sightseeing, like the Mubarak Mahal, which displays royal costumes and textiles. There is the Armoury, which preserves the finely crafted old weapons. Then, there is Diwan-i-Am, showcasing the collection of the palace’s miniature paintings. Besides, there is Pritam Niwas Chowk, famous for its intricately designed doorways, which are painted to resemble the peacock’s feathers. City Palace is open on all days from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
4. Jantar Mantar Observatory
Don’t mistake it as a regular average observatory; UNESCO recognizes it as a world heritage site. The Jantar Mantar observatory is the largest stone astronomical observatory in the world. Located just next to the city palace, this observatory gives us an insight into the intellect of the former age. The building was constructed in 1727-1733 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh to study and collect information about time and space. The intelligent construction, along with nineteen instruments, allows the observer to know the position of the heavenly bodies with the naked eye. Another thing unique to this place is that it has the world’s largest sundial, known as Samrat Yantra. We recommend you visit Jantar Mantar in the afternoon to see all the astronomical structures working perfectly. You can also experience the light and sound show in the evening when the entire observatory lights up like a firefly!
5. Albert Hall
Named after the Prince of Wales and Albert Edward, the Albert Hall Museum is one of India’s oldest museums for art and culture exploration. Also known as the Government Central Museum, it is a stunning representation of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Situated in the Ram Niwas Garden, the museum has 16 art galleries. The galleries have a superb collection of art and antiques, like antique coins of different periods in India, miniature paintings, clay figures indicating yoga poses, marble art, and the illustrious Egyptian mummy. Again, visit this place at night because it’s so alluring to sit in the garden and gaze at the entire museum being brightened up by multicolored lights. This museum is one of the best tourist places to visit in Jaipur if you want to peek into India’s culture and history.
6. Birla Mandir
The Birla Mandir stands out when the entire city seems to be pink-washed. The temple on the Moti Dungari Hill is built entirely of white marble. Also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it pays tribute to the Hindu God “Narayan,” the preserver, and His wife, “Lakshmi,” the Goddess of purity and wealth. The idol of “Ganesha” gets special attention as it appears almost transparent. The walls of the temples illustrate essential events related to Hinduism. The marvelous architecture, the chanting of mantras, the subtle fragrance of incense sticks, and the ringing of temple bells will remove all your exhaustion.
7. Jal Mahal
Situated in the center of the Man Sagar Lake on the city’s outskirts, the Mahal seems to be floating on the lake. The sight of this serene Jal Mahal looks like an illusion. The Mahal has five stories, but only one appears above the water level. The other four are submerged beneath a reservoir. Although entry inside this place is not allowed, the sight of the fort all lightened up with its reflection in the lake is completely mesmerizing. Appreciate its beauty while boating; you’ll have the best sightseeing experience.
8. Pink City Bazaars
The Pink City is an old walled city in Jaipur built in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city is a shopper’s paradise with many things to buy. Brimming with royal heritage and culture, the pink city is famous for its four main bazaars: Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Johari Bazaar, and Kishanpole Bazaar. Each bazaar is known for something like Bapu Bazaar for textiles, Nehru Bazaar for footwear, johari for gemstones, and Kishanpole for wooden sculptures. Have a tour around these colorful bazaars, and you will notice the wealth of the city’s handicrafts, rich past, and rich culture. Many hidden gems and old Havelis are situated in this pink city bazaar, and they have some heartwarming stories that are worth listening to. You can even enjoy a night walk and have some snacks while walking through the pink walls of the city.
9. Nahargarh fort
Nahargarh Fort provides a scenic view of the entire city and is situated on the top of the Aravalli hills. Thanks to the enthralling sunset view here, it is one of the best tourist places to visit in Jaipur. Also known as the Tiger Fort, it was built nearly 300 years ago to defend the city against the enemies. The fort speaks of its royal history and culture. It contains ladies’ quarters known as Madhavendra Bhavan, a popular summer destination. Mardana Mahal, its counterpart, was constructed for royal men. Another noteworthy place here is Nahargarh Biological Park. The park is an asylum for regal animals like tigers, Asiatic Lions, and leopards. Visit this place empty-stomach to relish some traditional Rajasthani cuisine in one of the fort’s restaurants.
10. Chokhi Dhani Jaipur
Want to see the pure traditional Rajasthani culture? Located on the city’s outskirts, Choki Dhani is a luxury heritage resort reflecting the rich Rajasthani rural culture. This 5-star hotel has a royal décor with vintage furnishings, ancient artifacts, sculptures, and paintings. You must try many entertainment options like camel rides, folk dances, puppet shows, magic shows, boating, fortune-tellers, etc. Its occasional mini-fairs attract a lot of international tourists, too. Come here to relax in the alive and refreshing nature and feel the olden day Rajasthan.
The desert capital of India, Jaipur, is an exotic travel destination packed with a charming mix of attractions like lakes, palaces, and royal architecture. The beautiful city of India oozes royalty. You’ll feel the welcoming vibe inherited in Rajasthan’s pristine culture and heritage. From regal forts to royal palaces, temples to bazaars, and wildlife parks, Jaipur is an experience you should not miss. You must be convinced to visit these best tourist places in Jaipur. So, plan your next vacation to this city and pamper yourself in its warmth and liveliness.
You can book our walking tour of Jaipur to explore in a better way. We do our best to make your trip memorable with amazing stories about the city, fun facts, and some must-do things in Jaipur through our fun-loving storytellers. Above all, We always make sure that you get emotionally attached to the city’s beauty and local living & culture by the end of the tour.
