Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan, was founded in 1727 by astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II and famously blushed terracotta in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage City, where honeycombed palaces, observatories, and lively bazaars sit beneath Aravalli hilltop forts.

Come for the icons—Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal—and stay for the textures: indigo-dyed block prints, hand-cut gemstones, fragrant spice shops, and early-morning chai. The city’s rhythm builds from dawn’s temple bells to golden-hour sunsets at Nahargarh and evenings over kebabs, thali, and ghewar.

Best season is October–March. Summers are hot; monsoon (July–September) brings lush countryside and short bursts of rain. Dress modestly for temples, carry small notes/UPI for markets, and bargain with good humor. Use rideshares or autorickshaws; camera fees apply at some sights; avoid tout-led “gem shops.”

Jaipur

Jaipur distills Rajasthan’s royal pageantry into one city: hilltop Amber Fort with its mirror-filled Sheesh Mahal, the City Palace museums, and the astronomical precision of Jantar Mantar. Beyond the monuments, it’s a paradise for textiles, blue pottery, and jewelry in Johari and Bapu Bazaars.

• Top sights: Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Nahargarh Fort, Galtaji (Monkey Temple), Panna Meena ka Kund.
• What to eat: dal baati churma, laal maas, pyaz kachori, ghewar, and sweet-cream lassi. Favorite stops include Rawat Mishthan Bhandar (kachori), Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar/LMB (thali and sweets), Lassiwala (MI Road), and Tapri Central (chai and snacks).
• Fun fact: Jantar Mantar’s massive sundial can measure time to a precision of roughly two seconds on sunny days.

How to get there

• Flights: Delhi → Jaipur: ~1 hr (typical $30–80); Mumbai → Jaipur: ~1 h 50 m ($40–120). Compare and book on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Delhi → Jaipur: 4–6 hrs on express services (from ~$3–15, faster chair cars a bit more). Check schedules/prices on Trip.com Trains.
• Getting around: rideshares/autorickshaws within city (₹120–350 per short hop), or hire a driver for 8 hours to cover clustered sites.

Where to stay

• Browse stays across budgets on Hotels.com (Jaipur) or apartments/heritage homes on VRBO (Jaipur).
• Palatial: Rambagh Palace (former royal residence; lawns, peacocks, classic high tea).
• Luxury by the lake: Trident Jaipur (Aravalli views; convenient for Amber/Jal Mahal).
• Modern comfort: ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel or Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre.
• Budget/hostel vibe: Zostel Jaipur (social, clean, central).

Day 1: Old City Icons, Lassi Stops, and a Bazaar Walk

Morning: Travel to Jaipur. From Delhi, fly (~1 hr) or take a morning express train (4–6 hrs). Book tickets on Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains. On arrival, check in and grab a quick bite—Rawat Mishthan Bhandar’s pyaz kachori with jalebi is a classic, or a flat white at Curious Life Coffee Roasters.

Afternoon: Start at the City Palace museums (allow ~2 hrs). The textile and arms galleries hint at courtly life; the Pritam Niwas Chowk’s peacock door is a favorite photo spot. Step next door to Jantar Mantar (45–60 min) to see Jai Singh’s colossal astronomical instruments; time your visit for strong sunlight.

Evening: Walk to Hawa Mahal for golden-hour photos of its honeycomb façade. Sip a clay-cup lassi at Lassiwala on MI Road, then browse Johari and Bapu Bazaars for block-printed scarves, mojaris, and blue pottery—bargain respectfully. Dinner ideas: Handi Restaurant (laal maas, handi chicken), LMB (vegetarian thali and ghewar), or Peacock Rooftop (tandoori, skyline views). Nightcap options include Bar Palladio’s garden ambiance or STEAM at Rambagh Palace (wood-fired pizza served in a vintage train carriage).

Day 2: Amber Fort, Stepwells, Museums, and a Hilltop Sunset

Morning: Set out by 7:30 a.m. for Amber Fort to beat the crowds. Explore the Sheesh Mahal’s mirrored ceilings, Ganesh Pol’s painted gateway, and the zenana courtyards. Skip elephant rides (welfare concerns); take a shared jeep up instead. En route back, stop for photos at Jal Mahal floating on Man Sagar Lake, then drop by Panna Meena ka Kund, an elegant 16th-century stepwell with zigzagging stairs.

Prefer a curated half-day with transport? Consider this private tour that covers Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, and the stepwell with a guide and AC car: Jaipur Amer Fort, Jal Mahal & Stepwell Private Half-Day Tour.

Afternoon: Lunch at Anokhi Café (fresh salads, stuffed sandwiches, carrot cake) or Spice Court (well-executed Rajasthani curries; try jungli mutton). Continue to Albert Hall Museum for a panorama of decorative arts beneath Indo-Saracenic arches, then unwind in Ram Niwas Garden with kulfi.

Evening: Ride up to Nahargarh Fort for a wide-open sunset over the Pink City; the Padao viewpoint café is great for photos. For dinner, book 1135 AD inside Amber Fort (candlelit courtyards, live classical music) or head to Chokhi Dhani on Tonk Road for a village-style feast with folk performances and camel carts. Expect 30–45 minutes by taxi to either venue from the center.

Day 3: Crafts, Chai, and a Gentle Send-Off

Morning: Early photo stop at Patrika Gate in Jawahar Circle—its painted archways are a swirl of motifs. Then dive into Jaipur’s artisan heart with a hands-on workshop in traditional hand block printing; you’ll learn carving, inking, and alignment, and take home your own scarf or tea towel: Learn Hand Block Printing Techniques & Print Your Own Fabric.

Afternoon: Brunch or early lunch at Tapri Central (masala chai, pesto paneer sandwiches, and the “tadka maggi” noodles) or at Suvarna Mahal in Rambagh Palace if you want a grand finale with Rajasthani and North Indian classics. If time allows before departure, pop into a reputable blue-pottery studio or the Gem & Jewellery Museum for last-minute learning and light shopping.

Evening: Depart Jaipur in the afternoon. The airport is ~25–45 minutes from central neighborhoods depending on traffic; trains depart from Jaipur Junction. Compare options and times on Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains. Pick up travel snacks—mirchi vada, kachori, or a final clay-cup lassi—on the way.

Practical Tips and Entry Notes

• Opening hours shift seasonally; typical hours: Amber Fort 8:00–17:30, City Palace 9:30–17:00, Jantar Mantar 9:00–16:30, Hawa Mahal 9:00–17:00. Mondays are generally fine; museums rarely close weekly, but confirm locally.
• Approx foreigner entry fees (subject to change): Amber Fort ~₹550; Jantar Mantar ~₹200; Hawa Mahal ~₹200; Albert Hall ~₹300; City Palace museum ~₹700 (special palace rooms/tours cost more). Composite tickets exist—ask at the first monument.
• Dress light but modest; carry water and sun protection. Expect card payments at major sights, but keep small cash/UPI for markets and autorickshaws.

Prefer a Fully Guided Day?

If you want a driver-guide to streamline logistics across multiple sights in one shot, this popular full-day private city tour is a solid pick: Full-Day Jaipur City Tour - Private.

It typically covers Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal viewpoints, Jal Mahal, and bazaars with hotel pickup and flexible pacing—ideal if you prefer a single booking.

Where to book or tweak your plans

• Flights and trains: Trip.com Flights, Trip.com Trains, or Kiwi.com.
• Stays: Hotels.com (Jaipur) and VRBO (Jaipur), or book a specific favorite: Rambagh Palace, Trident Jaipur, ITC Rajputana, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre, or Zostel Jaipur.
• Experiences: Viator picks inside the itinerary above help you cover more in less time and include guides and transport.

In three days, you’ll trace Jaipur’s royal story from hilltop fortresses to mirrored palaces, sip chai in breezy rooftops, and carry home handmade textiles you printed yourself. The Pink City rewards early starts, curious appetites, and a little bargaining—bring all three, and Jaipur will glow for you.