Top 10 Things to Do in Jaipur

A city as beautiful as Jaipur certainly has more than one reason to visit. The ever-crowded Pink city attracts tourists from all over the world because of its rich heritage and culture. The fort walls whisper tales of a forgotten time, the grand palaces take us to the glorious past, gems and jewelry speak of the royal heritage the city is famous for.

1. Explore the historic forts: Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort

The grand architecture of these massive forts enhances the splendid beauty of Pink City. To visit the following historic forts is undoubtedly one of the top 10 things to do in Jaipur.

• Amer or Amer Fort perched upon a hill, overlooking Maota Lake is one of the major tourist attractions. This fort houses a series of palaces, halls, temples, and gardens. Mirror mosaics and colored glass inlaid within the walls and roofs of Sheesh Mahal add to the grandeur of the fort. The light and sound show at Amber Fort in the dark immerses you in Jaipur’s rich folk culture.

• Jaigarh Fort, with outstanding watchtowers and towering gateways, was built to protect Amer Fort and its palace complex. It’s an absolute delight for the weaponry lovers to see the world’s largest cannon on wheels.

• Nahargarh Fort also known as Tiger Fort sits atop one of the rugged hills of Aravalli overlooking the spectacular views of Jaipur city. The fort looks stunning when it’s lit up at night. Wax Museum and Sculpture Park inside the fort draw a large number of tourists.

Mirror Mosaics on the Roofs of Amer Fort

Spectacular Views of Jaipur from Nahargarh Fort

2. Marvel over the magnificent royal palaces

• City Palace was once the place where the Royal family used to live. Nowadays, some part of it is open for the public and in the Chandra Mahal area, the royal family still resides. Located in the heart of the capital city, Jaipur’s City Palace has several courtyards, palace complexes, gardens, temples, and museums, one of the best places to visit in Jaipur.

• Hawa Mahal was built for Rajput women to watch the hustle and bustle of the city, catch glimpses of royal processions; and also allow the breeze to blow through the palace.

City Palace

Hawa Mahal

3. See the world’s largest stone sundial at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Interesting Architectural Instruments in Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is a large observatory and is also considered one of the world’s largest. The interesting 19 architectural instruments were designed to interpret the position of celestial bodies with naked eyes and to calculate local time. The structure was skillfully designed to read time using the position of the sun and the direction of shadows. You cannot miss this top thing to do in Jaipur.

4. Enjoy a ride in a hot air balloon

Jaipur is an excellent place to tick a few things off your bucket list. Floating in the air in a city full of palaces, forts, and monuments with a bird’s view is truly one of the top things to do in Jaipur, a magical feeling worth experiencing. Jaipur is one of the few places in India where hot air balloon flights are popular.

5. Indulge in delectable Rajasthani Cuisine

Rajasthani cuisine is rich in flavor and is a beautiful result of the royal heritage. Trying some authentic mouth-watering Rajasthani dishes will more likely cater to your adventurous palate. The local food items Rajasthan, especially Jaipur, is known for are Daal-Baati, Laal Maas, and different varieties of chicken curry, definitely one of the best things to do in Jaipur.

6. Soak yourself in Rajasthani Culture at Chokhi Dhani

The traditions and culture of Rajasthan are one of the richest in the world. Chokhi Dhani is a village-like resort that proactively promotes and preserves the traditional heritage of Rajasthan, carrying forward the legacy. It provides an opportunity for everyone to sulk in the Rajasthani culture to understand its glory and significance. This is one of the major tourist attractions in Jaipur where people can take part in a variety of cultural events. The restaurant is located on the Jaipur-Tonk road that further takes you to the beautiful cities called Kota and Bundi.

7. Watch the sunset from Jal Mahal

Beautiful Night Scene of Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal, the structure that appears to be single-story has four other levels submerged in Man Sagar Lake. The contrast between the light colored Palace and the dark blue waters of the lake creates a beautiful landscape. Watching the sun go down from the garden which is located near the Jal Mahal can truly be blissful, one of the top things to do in Jaipur. The government has restricted entry to the Jal Mahal palace, however, you can enjoy scenic views from the garden which is situated at the Amer Road.

8. Shop till you drop in Bapu Bazar

The Pink city is dotted with numerous shops and buzzing markets. Shopping is a top thing to do in Jaipur you cannot miss. Bapu Bazar is flocked with locals and tourists throughout the year. The place offers a great variety of products with costs ranging from high to low. The shops promise to sell traditional Rajasthani products ranging from textiles, perfumes to products made from camel skin. Mojari footwear made out of camel skin is exclusively found in the vibrant markets of Bapu Bazaar. It comes with unique embroidery patterns at an affordable price and is preferred by many tourists.

9. Party the night away

There is more to the city than just historical monuments, museums, and markets. Nightlife in the capital city is pumping and enthralling. As the sun goes down, the nightlife in the city flares up. Pubs like 100% Rock, Bar Palladio and many more easily keep the night young, also the best places in Jaipur at night. Pubs are an excellent place for travelers to groove to the city’s tunes and to socialize.

10. Spot the wildlife

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Jaipur, you should not miss visiting the wildlife parks which are located in and around the city. At just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Jaipur is the Sariska National Park. However, if you don’t want to travel this much and want to spot wildlife inside the city, Jaipur has got you covered. If you’re visiting the Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur, there’s a zoo located just opposite the museum. You can also visit Jhalana Safari Park and Nahargarh Biological Park to see the wildlife from a close distance.

See more about Best Places to Watch Wildlife, Sariska Tiger Reserve Tour from Jaipur