Have you ever felt that a particular place, city or town has a very royal aura? Like it has been home to kings and queens in the past and their presence can still be felt? Well, if you haven’t, head to Jaipur and you’ll know what I mean!
With numerous things and places to explore in Jaipur, even 3-4 days wouldn’t be enough to take in the beauty of this royal city. This city of Rajasthan has a timeless, majestic feel to it and just by wandering through the streets I could tell – there must be some great historic tale linked to its every nook and cranny.
When you’ve been around the place, you realize that it is, in fact, a ‘Pink City’, as it is fondly called. That’s because all older architecture makes heavy use of a particular shade of pink that is actually quite wonderful.
The unique architecture is complemented by an equally distinctive cultural ethos. This enthralling city’s flamboyance and higgledy-piggledy streets are so inviting that no traveler would be immune to its charm.
Jaipur City and one of its many attractions
Even as the city is becoming more and more modern, the indelible mark of the past hovers in the city’s very atmosphere. Even Lonely Planet recommends some places to explore in Jaipur. It should be done for an exciting royal experience.
Get to know about things to do and places to explore in Jaipur, India. We have shared our favorite tales from the land of grand palaces and colorful streets:
The mighty and handsome Amber Fort that stands tall and looks down at the Aravalli ranges gloriously. Romance the bygone era of Royalty at Amber Fort – a showcase of the magnificence of kings in ancient times. I was already awed by the beauty of this 16th-century monument, all thanks to Jodha Akbar that was filmed here. And I must add, I wasn’t disappointed at all.
The panoramas from castle’s terrace are simply gorgeous, and they look even more breathtaking during the night. Yes, we went there twice – once to soak in the beauty of the monument with a guide at tow; the second time during the night to enjoy the famous ‘Sound and Light Show’. It was indeed a stunning spectacle of music, light, and sound. There was a nip in the air in the night as with a lesser number of visitors and twinkling lights, the palace looks way prettier.
Mighty Amber Fort in Jaipur
Inside the stunning Sheesh Mahal
Garden in the middle of a lake
What could be a better proposition for city folks to cut away from the laborious routine and enjoy the life of a village dweller? Well, it’s an experience like no other. The rural life of Rajasthan is replete with folk music, Rajasthani food, and bucolic architecture.
An evening well-spent at Chokhi Dhani
If there’s one place that attracts visitors by the hordes then it has to be Johri and Bapu Baazar. Famous, crowded, yet a shopper’s paradise! Both the bazaars are pedestrianized and you can easily shop for anything and everything that you want. You name it and the bazaars have it!
From colorful jackets, lehenga cholis, suits, to juttis, traditional handicrafts, jhola bags, kurtis, bangles, beaded necklaces, and food stalls, you’ll find everything here for dirt cheap rates. The markets are most famous for selling sanganeri prints, batik prints and bhandhej. Not just shopping, taking pictures of all those colorful displays was a fun thing to do!
Let me warn you- shopping places to explore in Jaipur is going to be a real test of your bargain skills, but make sure you get all the stuff you like. This is because the quality and rates that you’ll find here are incomparable. I bought a lovely batik dyed lose pants and a jhola bag with an elephant embroidered on the top of it. Priceless!
Pink buildings of Johri Bazaar
Colorful Jhola bags at the Bapu Bazaar
Typical rajasthani bangles with elephant carvings
Wish I could buy all of these – a heaven for shoppers
Housed in gorgeously florid Albert Hall, Central Museum Jaipur has been built in tandem to the English and North Indian architecture. The museum exhibits relics from the history of Jaipur, which includes carpets, tribal dresses, miniature paintings, wooden carvings, folk art, and even an Egyptian mummy. We spent about an hour inside the museum and going through a lot of archways and courtyards.
Entry of Central Museum Jaipur
Birds flying over the Central Museum Jaipur – Such a sight!
There’s no staying away from street food when visiting places to explore in Jaipur. We were really keen on trying street food of Jaipur as we love Delhi’s street food, and I must tell you the food here is equally flavorsome. While I personally loved kachoris we had from the shop in front of Amber Fort, Harsh became a fan of dal bhajia – a street food made of yellow dal and stuffed with coriander as well as spices.
Kulhad lassi – it’s not just lassi; it’s a dessert! Here in Jaipur, people drool over kulhad lassi and it would be a rarity to find the shop ‘Lassiwala’ at the corner of Panch Batti Circle, not being overcrowded. Dashed with thick malai and froth on top, lassi at this shop would be a scrumptious treat to your taste buds.
Lassi is actually intrinsic to the life of people in Jaipur. Locals love this treat and for most their day begins only after a kulhad lassi drink. It’s easy to guess why Lassiwala is famous – their drink melts-in-your-mouth and are sanitized.
Kulhad Lassi at Lassiwala – yum yum!
If camels and elephants are not your stuff then a tonga ride will definitely be. Get on a rickety horse carriage (tonga) just as a local would and check off places to explore in Jaipur. A breezy tonga ride will let you witness the striking beauty of this wonderful city.
Fun tonga ride in front of Central Museum Jaipur
This is something which is rare in a place like Jaipur where palaces and forts dominate the city heavily. That is why this had to be on the list. It’s not your regular camping; it is typically glamorous camping with utmost comforts while being surrounded by nature. I would strongly recommend everyone to include luxury camping in their list of things to do in Jaipur. It can be an incredibly exciting experience for the honeymooners who are seeking something different to do on their break.
All those cravings for something different – pleasures of camping as well as outdoorsiness – luxury tents are ‘PERFECT’. We stayed at Lebua Lodge at Amer – an astounding glamping retreat.
Glamping in Lebua Lodge
Some optional stops, we’d recommend to the ones who have spare time in Jaipur are:
Gorgeous Jal Mahal in Jaipur
Gorgeous Jal Mahal in Jaipur
