Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan and India’s “Pink City,” was founded in 1727 by the astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II. Its famed rose facades were painted in 1876 to honor the Prince of Wales—an architectural love letter that still glows at sunset. Jaipur’s blueprint was revolutionary: a grid-planned city of wide avenues, bustling bazaars, and squares that still hum with trade and tradition.

Travelers come for monumental fortresses—Amber, Jaigarh, Nahargarh—plus the filigreed Hawa Mahal, the royal City Palace, and Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO-listed observatory that measures the heavens with stone. Beyond landmarks, the city dazzles with hand block printing, gemstone cutting, blue pottery, and a culinary canon of laal maas, ghevar, and kachoris.

October to March offers the most pleasant weather, while summers get hot—plan early starts and shaded breaks. Dress modestly for temples and palaces, carry small bills for markets, and hydrate often. Rideshares and auto-rickshaws are easy; guides elevate intricate histories and help you shop smart in the bazaars.

Jaipur

Rajasthani grandeur is on full display here—think mirrored chambers, elephant gates, and terraces that overlook desert plains. Yet it’s the everyday Jaipur that stays with you: tea boilers clinking glasses, kite strings on rooftops, and shopkeepers coaxing you to feel the weave of a hand-printed cotton.

• Top sights: Amber Fort (Sheesh Mahal), City Palace, Jantar Mantar (UNESCO), Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell, Jaigarh & Nahargarh Forts, Albert Hall Museum.
• Local crafts: Bagru & Sanganer hand block printing, blue pottery, meenakari jewelry, handwoven durries.
• Food to try: Pyaz kachori, mirchi vada, laal maas, gatte ki sabzi, dal bati churma, mawa kachori, ghevar.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Jaipur or compare hotels on Hotels.com Jaipur.

• Rambagh Palace: Heritage icon with gardens, peacocks, and regal dining. Check availability.
• Trident Jaipur: Lake-facing rooms near Jal Mahal; great pool and service. See rooms.
• ITC Rajputana: Contemporary comfort with Rajasthani accents and a solid spa. Book here.
• Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre: Central location, modern amenities. Check rates.
• Zostel Jaipur: Social hostel vibes near the old city; private rooms available. Reserve.

Getting to Jaipur: Fly into JAI (1 hr from Delhi, ~1.5 hrs from Mumbai). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains from Delhi take ~4.5–6 hours (e.g., Shatabdi/Double Decker); search schedules on Trip.com Trains. Taxis from the airport to the old city are ~30–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Old City Icons, Chai Stops, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Travel to Jaipur. If you arrive early, ease in with chai at Sahu Chai Wala (near Badi Chaupar), a local legend serving coal-brewed tea in glass tumblers. For a light bite, try pyaz kachori at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar—flaky, onion-filled, and beloved by locals.

Afternoon: Check in, then get oriented on a private half-day tour to hit the highlights efficiently and learn how to navigate the bazaars.

• Guided option: Private Guided Half Day Tour Jaipur — customize stops like Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb facade, the astronomical wonders of Jantar Mantar, and a City Palace courtyard.

  

Pause for coffee or lassi around Bapu Bazaar. If you want that picture-perfect Hawa Mahal shot, duck into a rooftop cafe opposite the facade for a breezy vantage (expect a small cover via a beverage purchase).

Evening: Stroll Johari Bazaar for gemstones and Kundan jewelry; bargain politely and ask for hallmark certificates. Dinner at one of these favorites:

• Peacock Rooftop (Tonk Road): Lively rooftop with tandoor, curries, and live music; great for first-night vibes.
• Spice Court (Civil Lines): Order laal maas (chili-laced mutton) and safed maas (creamy cashew gravy) with missi roti.
• Bar Palladio (Narain Niwas): Venetian-blue interiors, candlelit cocktails, and small plates; reserve for weekends.

Day 2: Amber Fort, Stepwells, and a Block-Printing Workshop

Morning: Depart early to beat the heat and tour buses. Amber Fort is a masterpiece—don’t miss the mirror-inlaid Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas with its cool air channels.

• Guided option: Jaipur Amer Fort, Jal Mahal & Stepwell Private Half-Day Tour — includes Amber Fort, a lakeside photo stop at Jal Mahal, and Panna Meena ka Kund’s geometric steps.

  

Quick breakfast idea: split a mirchi vada (chili fritter) and mawa kachori from a local sweet shop near Badi Chaupar before you head north. En route back, swing by Jaigarh for cannon lore and expansive valley views if time allows.

Afternoon: Dive into Jaipur’s design heritage by learning hand block printing. You’ll carve or select wooden blocks, mix natural dyes, and print your own fabric—an endlessly satisfying, take-home experience.

• Hands-on experience: Learn Hand Block Printing Techniques & Print Your Own Fabric — a family-run workshop in Jaipur’s craft belt.

  

Lunch nearby can be simple and delicious: dal bati churma with ghee, or a thali to sample multiple Rajasthani staples. Ask your guide for a clean, local favorite close to the workshop area.

Evening: Shop Bapu Bazaar for textiles and mojari shoes or head to Tripolia for lac bangles (measure your wrist for a snug fit). For dinner, pick your mood:

• Chokhi Dhani (outskirts): A rustic village setup with folk performances and a Rajasthani thali served the traditional way—fun for families.
• Steam at Rambagh: Train-car lounge serving pizzas, grills, and mocktails/cocktails under the stars.
• Masala Chowk (Ram Niwas Garden): Open-air court with stalls from beloved city eateries—great for a casual tasting safari.

Day 3: Palaces, Observatories, and Sunset Over the Aravallis

Morning: Start at City Palace before crowds; admire the Pitam Niwas Chowk doors, then continue to Jantar Mantar to see giant sundials measure time with astonishing precision. Pop by Hawa Mahal to climb inside and peep the street below through latticed windows.

Breakfast picks: Tapri Central for Masala chai and bun maska with a city view, or Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB) for a sweet-savory spread and their famous ghevar. If you’re celebrating, book an early high tea later at Rambagh’s verandah.

Afternoon: Culture or creatures—your choice:

• Elephant care experience (no riding): Private Elephant Sanctuary — feed, walk alongside, and learn about conservation and welfare. Confirm ethical, no-ride interactions when booking.

  

Alternatively, visit Albert Hall Museum for a compact survey of Rajasthani art, then browse curated textiles at reputable emporiums (fixed-price shops help if you dislike bargaining). Lunch near the old city: try gatte ki sabzi and ker sangri with bajra roti.

Evening: Drive up to Nahargarh Fort for golden-hour views. Watch the city glow and the pink facades deepen as lights flicker across the grid. Cap your trip with dinner:

• Suvarna Mahal (Rambagh): Grand, frescoed dining room; order a Rajasthani tasting menu for a polished send-off.
• The Forresta Kitchen & Bar: Garden setting with North Indian mains and wood-fired dishes—easygoing yet atmospheric.
• Raj Mandir Cinema: If you love cinema, catch a Bollywood show under chandeliers and swooping Art Deco lines; buy snacks and cheer with the locals.

Practical Notes & Ticket Tips

• Timing: Start major sights by 8:00–8:30 a.m., break midday, and resume after 4:00 p.m. to beat heat and crowds.
• Tickets: Palaces and forts typically charge separate fees; expect roughly ₹200–₹700 per monument for foreign visitors, with camera fees at some sites.
• Transport: Auto-rickshaw hops around town are budget-friendly; settle the fare beforehand or ask to use the meter. Hires by the half-day/day are efficient for clustered sights.
• Shopping: For textiles and gems, request receipts and certifications. Fixed-price government emporiums are a good baseline for quality.

Optional: All-in-One Guided City Day

If you prefer a single guided day covering Jaipur’s core with a driver and guide, consider:

• Full-Day Jaipur Private Sightseeing Tour by Car with Guide — efficient coverage of City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and Jal Mahal with local insights.

  

Departing Jaipur? Compare flight times and fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, and check Trip.com Trains for rail back to Delhi or onward to Rajasthan’s other gems.

This 3-day Jaipur itinerary balances headline sights with artisan encounters and unforgettable food. From mirrored palaces to market lanes and sunset fort views, the Pink City will linger long after your last cup of chai.