What to know and what to do in Jaipur, India: your complete Jaipur travel guide (plus our 5 favorite locations)

by Swahlee Co April 17, 2023

We recently traveled to Jaipur on a sourcing trip to visit our block print artisans and fell in love with the city. Here we will share why Jaipur deserves a place on your must-visit list.

Whether you've never been to India or you've lived here your whole life, you likely have some questions about life in Jaipur, what to expect, and how to make the most of your trip. This guide will unravel the mystery and give you all the information you need to enjoy your time in Jaipur, India.

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about visiting Jaipur, India.

Where is Jaipur?

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan — known as The Desert State — in north India. Jaipur is about 150 miles south and slightly west of New Delhi, the nation’s capital.

What time is it in Jaipur, India?

All of India functions on the same clock. Whether in Rajasthan or Assam, Indian Standard Time guides your watch.

IST is equal to UTC +05;30. During Daylight Savings, India is 11.5 hours ahead of CST.

During the remainder of the year, the difference is 10.5 hours.

What is the best time to visit Jaipur, India?

The best time to visit Jaipur is during the winter.

India is known for being a warm climate or “summer country” and Rajasthan is home to 50% of the Thar Desert. While Jaipur is not located in the desert, summers can still get immensely hot with temperatures reaching past 110 F.

During its winter months of October to March, Jaipur enjoys highs in the 70s-80s F (21-26 C) and lows in the upper 40s-50s F (4-10C).

April to June comprise the hot, summer months when scorching temperatures abound. From July to September, the area is drenched with monsoon rains.

Is Jaipur worth visiting?

With awe-inspiring architecture, bountiful history, and incredible food, Jaipur is 100% worth visiting.

Because of its far-west position in India, the city of Jaipur has some interesting cultural collisions visible in its architecture. The architecture of Jaipur is a blend of Rajput and Mughal styles. The old city is laid out geometrically and is based on Indian Vastu concepts.

Whether you want to see the third-largest wall in the world or spend a day exploring lavish palaces, this city offers all the opulent history your heart could ever desire.

If walking through history isn’t your thing, Jaipur has a wide array of coffee shops, shopping, and luscious parks. Of course, there are chai wallahs aplenty, ready to serve you a steaming cup of masala chai!

Jaipur has the unique attribute of being both upscale and affordable. You can easily enjoy the city on a budget. If you have a little more money to spend, you can indulge in higher-end meals and famously wonderful hotels.

What is there to see in Jaipur?

Jaipur is home to some of India's most incredible architecture. From the layers of the Hawa Mahal to the azure beauty of the Chhavi Niwas and beyond, the once-in-a-lifetime sites that Jaipur has to offer are well worth seeing.

What to see at Jaipur - Indian flag waves over the City Palace

What to see at Jaipur

When the Swahlee team visited Jaipur, we were primarily searching for the perfect textiles and prints for our upcoming lines. While we were here for business, we were able to fit in some fun and exploration.

If you only have a day or two to explore the city, we recommend making sure you take in these 5 locations.

Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal is one of the most famous Jaipur sites. At about 50 feet tall, and built from red and pink sandstone, the Hawa Mahal features 953 windows.

Once part of the harem of City Palace, it was built so that the women, who were not permitted to be seen, could still look out and see the city around them.

Unlike some famous destinations, this one is located right in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city. In about 10 minutes, you can walk from the Hawa Mahal to either Bapu Bazaar or the City Palace, making this an ideal stop at any point throughout your time in Jaipur.

It is free to view the Hawa Mahal from the outside.

City Palace

City Palace is one of the most well-known sites in Jaipur.

This landmark is home to the famous Chhavi Niwas or Blue Room along with the four doors. These four doors, or gates, represent the four seasons. The Peacock gate represents autumn, the Rose gate represents winter, the Lahariya, or green, gate represents spring, and the Lotus gate represents summer. Each door is dedicated to a specific Hindu deity.

City Palace is still a functioning residential palace as the royal family still resides in the Chandra Mahal.

City Palace is a must-see if you are in Jaipur. Each bit of architecture is stunning in its own way and the details on many parts of the palace will take your breath away.

Entry fees range from 300 to 3,000 rs for Indians and 700 to 4,000 rs for foreign nationals, depending on how much you want to see.

Bapu Bazar

Situated in the heart of the Pink City, Bapu Bazar is the perfect place for all of your shopping needs. Hundreds of shops featuring beautiful artisan work, camel leather products, and block-print fabrics line the streets.

Bapu Bazar shows off the beauty of Jaipur in stunning ways, from the pink walls to the brightly-colored wares for sale. You can easily find shiny jewelry, ornate scarves, and the famous Mojari camel leather shoes.

There is no entry fee and you can visit on weekdays from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

One thing to know about Bapu Bazar — and shopping in India in general — is that bargaining and haggling is part of the ritual. Shop owners will often offer a product at a higher price, expecting you to negotiate them down to a lower one. Practice your haggling skills before you go shopping and you’ll be golden.

The Great Wall of Amer

Coming in just behind the Great Wall of China and the wall of Kumbhalgarh Fort (also in Rajasthan) the Great Wall of Amer is the third largest wall in the world. Built to ward off invaders, Maharaja Man Singh began construction on the wall in 1592.

During your visit to Amer Fort, make sure you take time to look out over the surrounding hills to catch a glimpse of this famous wall. While only about 50% of the wall remains intact, the parts near the fort have been maintained and it is easy to imagine how glorious the region was during its height.

If you wish to explore the wall, you can do so for free. The entrance is located near the entrance to Amer Fort, making these two the perfect sightseeing combination.

With the rolling green hills and the jagged crests of the Aravalli Mountains, the scene is faintly reminiscent of the Great Wall of China and is a must-see if you’re in Jaipur.

What is the best time to visit Jaipur, India’s famous wall? Just before sunset. You’ll get to see the incredible views bathed in the warm glow of golden hour lighting, an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Amer Fort/Palace

Amer Palace, also known as Amber Palace or Amber Fort is a stunning, sprawling palace situated inside the Great Amer Wall, near Jaipur.

This stunning landmark took over 25 years to build and was completed around 1599.

If you love exploring historical sites, Amer Palace is for you. The grounds are extensive and there are endless rooms and areas to explore.

A ticket costs 500 rupees for non-Indians which evens out to about $6, depending on conversion rates.

Where to eat in Jaipur

Jaipur is foodie heaven.

Whether you’re craving authentically delicious Indian cuisine or unique flavors from around the world, the Pink City boasts some incredible food options.

While in Jaipur, the Swahlee team tried out several stops.

The Lama - An incredible option for Asian delicacies from all over the continent. They also have excellent coffee.
Palladio - Located at the Hotel Narain Niwas Palace, Palladio offers exceptional Indo-Italian fusion cuisine. The interior is decorated to remind diners of the Blue Room in City Palace. If you wish to dine outside, there are lovely canopy couches and fires set up each evening.
Shikaar Bahg - Also located at the Hotel Narain Niwas Palace, this restaurant offers delightful options. Most of the dishes are Indian or Indo-fusion. We had lunch here and loved the outdoor seating options and perfect lunch menu.
White Sage Cafe & Meraaki Kitchen - These two restaurants, under the same management, offer two distinct yet delicious menus. Whether you’re in search of delicious vegetarian options or want to treat yourself to sushi, this dining experience is one you don’t want to miss. We enjoyed the outdoor seating area and, since it was chilly out, they even provided portable fireplaces to keep us warm.
Spice Court - for authentic Rajasthani cuisine, try Spice Court. We went for the Rajasthani thali which, sadly, they no longer offer. However, we ordered several Rajasthani dishes, including Gatta, which were unique and delicious.

The best coffee shops in Jaipur

If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you will find plenty of incredible options in Jaipur.

Some of our favorite spots included:

Half Light Coffee Roasters - Half Light was one of our favorites and some of the team went several times to get some work done. The ambiance is perfect and the food and coffee are both excellent. If you go, be sure to try the mini pancake bowls!
Curious Life Coffee Roasters BLUE - One of two branches in Jaipur, Curious Life is a great spot to go if you need to get some work done while traveling. There are both indoor and outdoor seating options and the coffee is quite good.
Roastery Coffee House - Roastery Coffee House is an absolute must. There are plenty of outdoor seating options. The back patio features a small step well. Roastery Coffee is filled with natural lighting, crisp lines, and the perfect combination of modern and timeless design. Their specialty coffee offerings and food menu are both excellent.

What to know before you go

Jaipur is a wonderful city to spend a few days exploring and there is so much to see and do. But, before you book your flight and pack your bags, there is some key information you need.

How to get around the city

When it comes to getting from one site to the next or from your hotel to dinner, you have several options.

Uber - Uber functions across much of India and Jaipur is no exception. Uber is a good option if you want to get somewhere quickly without having to worry about helping your driver navigate. While it depends on when and where you go, most rides are $5 or less.
Bicycle Rickshaw - Perhaps the most iconic Indian mode of transportation, rickshaws are everywhere and are easily accessible. This tends to be a slightly cheaper option but you can’t usually go as great a distance as you would with an Uber. Keep in mind that these are open-air so, if it is chilly out, you might get cold. You may also have to help your driver find your destination.
Auto Rickshaw (Tuk-Tuk) - Another iconically Indian form of transportation is the auto-rickshaw. These are small, partially-enclosed vehicles that can comfortably fit about 3, maybe 4 people. These run slightly less than Ubers but usually a little more than other rickshaws. Again, you might need to help your driver navigate so you’ll want to make sure your phone’s maps are working. E-rickshaws are also now available.

Where to stay in Jaipur

Jaipur is a popular tourist destination which means it boasts a wide array of hotels and other lodging options that will fit nearly any budget.

If you’re looking to keep it budget-friendly look into smaller, privately owned hotels or hostels. Airbnb has options as low as $10 a night sometimes.

For those with more to spend, Jaipur has plenty of 5-star lodging options. Depending on when you go, you may be able to find several for less than $200 a night.

Of course, there are plenty of mid-range hotels that offer all of the basics. We recommend staying somewhere with a restaurant if you’re able as this will give you easy breakfast and dinner options when you don’t want to go out.

Common scams and tourist traps to avoid

Jaipur is an incredible place and most of the people you will meet are kind and happy to offer help or direction as you need it.

However, as with all tourist hotspots, there will always be several scams and tourist traps to keep an eye out for.

Drivers and “tour guides” are not always exactly what they seem. Many are legitimate but some will try to take advantage of you.
Beware of drivers who want to take you somewhere other than where you specified as they might have an agreement with a business and are trying to get you to go there and buy something.
Be careful with tour guides at local sites since some of them might not be official guides.
Avoid purchasing souvenirs near landmark sites. You can often get the same thing at a market for much less.
Always keep an eye on your bags and make sure to keep them closed and close to you in crowds.

What to wear in Jaipur

It can be hard to find the perfect travel dress or outfit.

India, as a whole, tends to have a more conservative way of dressing, especially for women, who often wear dresses or long tops with loose-fitting pants or leggings.

As a tourist visiting a tourist city, you don’t need to worry too much about “dressing like a local”, however, you should still consider cultural and environmental elements.

Especially if you plan on visiting any sites considered sacred or spiritually significant, you should plan on dressing in a modest, respectful way.

Most Indian women refrain from showing their legs and avoid low-cut tops. Some prefer not to show their shoulders. Since Jaipur is a tourist destination, you don’t have to exactly follow the local dress code, but you may find that you feel more comfortable doing so. Garments like loose-fitting pants and longer shirts are perfect.

If you plan to visit a temple, make sure your legs and shoulders are covered. If you plan to visit a mosque, ensure that your legs, shoulders/upper arms, and hair are covered.

If you visit during the cooler months, you might find that a jacket or sweater is needed during the evenings and early mornings.

If you visit during the hot months, you will want very loose-fitting, natural, breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, as the heat can be extreme.

We recommend airy, cooling pieces, such as the Cropped Trousers or Button Midi Skirt.