Jaipur, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, is India’s “Pink City” and a masterclass in urban planning inspired by ancient Vastu principles. Its walled Old City—painted terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales—earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019.

From the hilltop citadel of Amer Fort to the latticed façade of Hawa Mahal and the precision instruments of Jantar Mantar, Jaipur showcases Rajput grandeur, astronomy, and artistry in equal measure. Markets hum with tie-dye, gemstones, blue pottery, and block-printed textiles crafted in nearby Sanganer and Bagru.

Expect bold flavors—dal baati churma, laal maas, ghewar—alongside excellent chai and third-wave coffee. October–March is prime season; dress modestly for temples, carry a scarf or hat for the midday sun, and use rideshares or auto-rickshaws to weave through the Old City’s lively lanes.

Jaipur

Jaipur’s skyline is a story in sandstone and marble: palaces with peacock gates, stepwells etched in geometry, and ramparts that stitch across the Aravalli hills. In two days, you’ll taste royal history, browse legendary bazaars, and meet artisans who keep centuries-old crafts alive.

Top sights include Amer Fort with its mirror-studded Sheesh Mahal, the City Palace with museum courts, the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, lakeside Jal Mahal, and sunset views from Nahargarh Fort. Balance monuments with market time in Bapu and Johari Bazaars for textiles and jewelry.

Getting there:

• Fly into Jaipur International (JAI). Nonstops from Delhi/Mumbai typically take ~1–1.5 hours and often run ~$30–120 one-way. Search and book flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• From Delhi by train: 4.5–6 hours, ~$5–20 depending on class. Check schedules and tickets on Trip.com Trains. Jaipur Junction is central; rideshare/auto-rickshaw to the Old City is ~20–30 minutes.
• Airport to Old City/MI Road: 25–40 minutes by taxi or rideshare; budget ~$4–10 depending on traffic.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Rambagh Palace, Jaipur (Hotels.com) — Iconic former royal residence with manicured lawns, heritage suites, and destination dining (Steam, Suvarna Mahal) for a regal stay.
• Zostel Jaipur (Hotels.com) — Social, budget-friendly hostel near key sights; great for solo travelers who want clean dorms/private rooms and a friendly common area.
• Chokhi Dhani Resort, Jaipur (Hotels.com) — Resort-style village experience with folk performances, traditional thalis, and rustic architecture, convenient for families.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Jaipur or entire homes on VRBO: Jaipur.

Day 1: Arrival, Old City Icons, and Artisan Craft

Morning: Travel to Jaipur. If you arrive early, ease in with specialty coffee and breakfast at Curious Life Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours, flaky croissants) or chai and street-side snacks at Indian Coffee House (MI Road), an old-school pit stop for dosas and poha. Drop bags at your hotel and hydrate—afternoons can be warm year-round.

Afternoon: Orient yourself in the Pink City. Grab a light lunch at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (famous pyaaz kachori, mirchi vada) or the legendary LMB—Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (try the Rajasthani thali and paneer ghewar). Then join a hands-on textile session in a neighborhood of master printers:

Do this experience: Hands-on Block Printing Workshop — learn carving basics and print your own scarf or tote (2–3 hours; ideal first-day activity).

Hands-on Block Printing Workshop (Viator)

After the workshop, make a quick photo stop at Hawa Mahal—late afternoon light makes the façade glow. For a view over the honeycomb windows, pop up to a nearby rooftop cafe like the Tattoo Cafe for a sunset chai.

Evening: Stroll Bapu Bazaar for cotton kurtas and quilts, and Johari Bazaar for traditional jewelry (look for kundan and meenakari). Dinner options: Peacock Rooftop Restaurant (tandoor, kebabs, city views), Baradari at City Palace (modern Rajasthani with royal ambiance), or a relaxed street-food sampler at Masala Chowk (try stalls for pav bhaji, gol gappe, and dal baati). For a nightcap, the heritage railcar bar Steam at Rambagh serves wood-fired pizzas and cocktails in a vintage train carriage setting.

Day 2: Forts, Palaces, and a Taste of Royal Jaipur (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning: Start early with breakfast at Tapri Central (Masala chai, pesto paneer sandwiches, and city views) or a quick lassi at Lassiwala (MI Road)—the original shop uses clay kulhads. Then head out on a guided half-day that hits the big-ticket sights efficiently (ideal before an afternoon flight/train):

Do this tour: Private Guided Half Day Tour Jaipur — covers Amer Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell, Jal Mahal photo stop, plus Old City highlights as time allows; hotel pickup and a local guide streamline logistics.

Private Guided Half Day Tour Jaipur (Viator)

At Amer Fort, look for the mirrored ceilings of Sheesh Mahal and the filigreed Ganesh Pol. The nearby Panna Meena ka Kund reveals interlocking stair geometry perfect for photos; then pause at Jal Mahal for a lakefront vista with hawkers selling roasted corn.

Afternoon: If time permits before departure, dart into the City Palace (museums and courtyards) or the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar. Lunch near MI Road: Spice Court (order laal maas and junglee murgh) or Handi Restaurant (handi chicken, veg curries with roomali roti). Transfer to JAI or Jaipur Junction (25–40 minutes). Book your onward ride on Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Most travelers depart this afternoon. If you have a late flight and want one last taste of Rajasthan, book dinner-and-folk-performances at the Chokhi Dhani Village complex (set thalis, puppet shows, and live music), or treat yourself to a royal meal at Suvarna Mahal (high-end Indian in a former palace ballroom).

Optional alternative (animal lovers): Swap the half-day city tour for an ethical, no-riding elephant visit that focuses on care, feeding, and bathing time with rescued elephants:

Private Elephant Sanctuary (Viator)

Local tips:

• Dress for stairs and sun at Amer Fort; carry water and small bills for tips.
• Shopping shortlist: block-printed quilts, mojari shoes, meenakari earrings, blue pottery. Reputable shops can arrange shipping.
• Getting around: app-based cabs, pre-paid autos, or a private car/guide to save time between dispersed sights.

Good-to-know dining map (favorites):

• Breakfast/coffee: Curious Life Coffee Roasters; Tapri Central; Indian Coffee House (classic).
• Lunch: LMB (thali, sweets); Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (pyaaz kachori); Spice Court (meat-forward Rajasthani).
• Dinner: Peacock Rooftop (tandoor + views); Baradari (modern Rajput plates); Masala Chowk (street-food court); Steam or Suvarna Mahal for destination dining.
• Sweets: Ghewar at LMB; kulfi and rabri in the Old City lanes.

This two-day Jaipur plan distills Rajasthan’s romance into bite-size brilliance: a hilltop fort, palace courtyards, artisan workshops, and plates piled high with spice and sweetness. You’ll leave with a printed souvenir you made yourself, a phone full of pink-hued photos, and a promise to return for a longer Rajasthan loop.