Jaipur, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, is India’s first planned city, gridded with precision and washed in the famed “pink” hue since 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. Today, the UNESCO-designated city brims with photogenic palaces, observatories, stepwells, and forts crowning the Aravalli hills.

Beyond the postcard facades lies a living craft capital: hand-block printing in Sanganer and Bagru, blue pottery studios, gemstone workshops, and bazaars that trade till late. The food is as bold as the colors—think hearty dal bati churma, fiery laal maas, and syrupy ghewar.

Visit October–March for mild weather; carry sun protection year-round. Dress modestly for temples; bring small bills for markets. Be discerning with gemstone purchases and consider official ticket windows for monuments—Jaipur offers composite tickets that can save time and money.

Jaipur

Jaipur—“The Pink City”—pairs Rajput grandeur with everyday bustle. From the filigreed Hawa Mahal to astronomic wonders at Jantar Mantar, it’s a place to slow down, sip masala chai, and browse fabric stacks dyed in desert light. Sunsets from the hill forts are the city’s nightly standing ovation.

• Top sights: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar (UNESCO), Jal Mahal, Nahargarh and Jaigarh Forts, Albert Hall Museum, Panna Meena ka Kund, Galta Ji (Monkey Temple), Patrika Gate.
• What to eat: Dal bati churma, laal maas, ghewar, ker sangri, pyaz kachori, kulhad lassi. Try both street-side legends and palace dining rooms.
• Fun fact: Jaipur’s old city was painted terracotta-pink—symbolizing hospitality—for a royal visit in 1876; locals have kept the tradition alive ever since.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Palatial icon: Rambagh Palace (heritage grandeur, manicured lawns, legendary service).
• Resort by the lake: Trident Jaipur (views of Jal Mahal, serene pool).
• Classic five-star: ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Rajasthani motifs, excellent restaurants).
• Convenient and modern: Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre (good value, central location).
• Budget/hostel vibe: Zostel Jaipur (social stays, traveler-friendly).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Jaipur | Hotels.com Jaipur

How to get to Jaipur (JAI):

• Flights: Frequent nonstops from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and international connections via major hubs. Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: Delhi (1 hr), Mumbai (1.5–2 hrs). Economy fares often range $40–$120 one-way domestically.
• Trains (from North India): Delhi–Jaipur in ~4–5 hrs; Agra–Jaipur ~4–6 hrs. Book on Trip.com (trains). Second class AC generally $5–$20.
• Local transport: App cabs (Uber/Ola), auto-rickshaws, and hired cars. To Amer: 30–40 minutes by car from the Pink City, depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, the Pink City glow, and a cinematic night

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, decompress with craft coffee and a light breakfast at Curious Life Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours, excellent croissants) or Anokhi Café (fresh salads, hummus, carrot cake).

Afternoon: Check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle ramble down MI Road and into the old city gates to feel Jaipur’s pulse—sweets stacked like jewels, tinkling bangles, spice mounds. Pause for a late snack at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar; their pyaz kachori is a local legend.

Evening: Catch a Bollywood screening at Raj Mandir Cinema, an Art Deco icon with a starry ceiling and enthusiastic audiences. Dinner nearby at Handi (MI Road) for tandoori platters and laal maas, or opt for Peacock Rooftop Restaurant (Hotel Pearl Palace) for a breezy, lantern-lit terrace and North Indian favorites.

Day 2: City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and bazaar browsing

Morning: Begin at City Palace—museums, courtyards, and the famed peacock gate panels. Step next door to Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century astronomical park that still reads the sky with stone instruments. Breakfast/coffee options before you start: Tapri Central (rooftop tea house; try vada pav and cheese masala Maggi) or Wind View Café later for a chai-with-a-view moment.

Afternoon: Face the honeycombed jharokhas of Hawa Mahal. Climb inside for breezes once prized by royal women observing the city unseen. Lunch at Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB) in Johari Bazaar—order the Rajasthani thali and finish with ghewar. Wander Johari and Bapu Bazaars for textiles, mojaris (leather juttis), and silver jewelry; bargain with a smile.

Evening: Time your way up to Nahargarh Fort for a golden-hour panorama; the Padao terrace bar there serves simple snacks with an unforgettable view. Later, dine at Bar Palladio in Narain Niwas Palace for elegant Italian plates and a blue-hued, candlelit garden; or Spice Court for robust local dishes (try safed maas and jungli chicken).

Prefer a guided orientation? Book a curated city day:

Full-Day Jaipur City Tour - Private covers Amber, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and more with a local expert and hotel pickup.

Day 3: Amber Fort, stepwells, elephants (ethical), and Jal Mahal

Morning: Head early to Amber Fort to beat the crowds. Explore mirror-studded Sheesh Mahal, the Ganesh Pol gateway, and secret passageways linking to Jaigarh Fort above. Book brunch at “1135 AD” inside the fort for a regal thali, or descend to a local dhaba for parathas and lassi.

Afternoon: Photograph the symmetrical steps of Panna Meena ka Kund, then continue to an ethical elephant experience focused on care and enrichment (no riding). It’s a favorite for families and animal lovers.

Private Elephant Sanctuary offers hands-on feeding and bathing under supervision, supporting conservation-forward practices.

Evening: Stop by Jal Mahal at twilight when the water palace shimmers in Man Sagar Lake. Dinner at Spice Court (excellent lal maas and keema baati) or Surya Mahal for North Indian classics. Cap off with kulhad kulfi along Amer Road.

Day 4: Hands-on crafts—block printing, blue pottery, and Albert Hall

Morning: Dive into Jaipur’s textile heritage with a block-printing class—carve, ink, and stamp your own pattern to take home. It’s interactive, design-forward, and a fantastic souvenir.

Hands-on Block Printing Workshop is a well-reviewed masterclass led by artisans.

Afternoon: Head to Albert Hall Museum for a sampler of Rajasthani art, weaponry, and textiles under Indo-Saracenic arches. Swing by Patrika Gate at Jawahar Circle for riotously painted archways—arrive between 3–5 pm for soft light and fewer crowds. Lunch at Anokhi Café (quiche, mezze) or O2 The Plant Café (fresh juices, bowl meals).

Evening: Dress up for dinner at Suvarna Mahal (Rambagh Palace)—think gilded mirrors, live classical music, and refined Rajasthani recipes—or go garden-casual at The Forresta Kitchen & Bar for grills and mocktails under trees.

Day 5: Optional Taj Mahal day trip from Jaipur

Morning: For Taj devotees, it’s an early start (around 2:30–3:00 am) so you’re in Agra for sunrise. Marvel at the Taj Mahal’s marble glow, then continue to the palatial Agra Fort and the delicate Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj).

Skip The Line: Sunrise Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour From Jaipur makes logistics easy with hotel pickup and a private driver. Expect ~3.5–4.5 hours each way by expressway.

Afternoon: Lunch in Agra before returning to Jaipur. Nap on the drive back and arrive by early evening.

Evening: Light dinner near your hotel—try dal makhani and tandoori rotis at Copper Chimney or the rooftop vibe at Peacock. If you skip Agra, spend the day locally at Galta Ji (Monkey Temple) and Sisodia Rani Garden, followed by coffee at Curious Life.

Day 6: Markets masterclass, blue pottery, and a cultural village feast

Morning: Breakfast at Tapri Central (chai flights, paneer paratha). Then dive deep into Tripolia, Chandpole, and Bapu Bazaars: lac bangles, cotton block-prints, brassware, and quilts. Visit a blue pottery studio to see quartz-based clay take on Jaipur’s iconic turquoise.

Afternoon: Lunch at LMB or Niros (MI Road stalwart for North Indian fare). Continue with a gem-cutting demonstration—learn the basics of quality and certification before you buy. Pause for cold coffee and brownie at Café Quaint (Jawahar Kala Kendra) if you’re in the area.

Evening: Head to Chokhi Dhani (12 km south) for a festive village-style dinner: folk dances, puppet shows, camel carts, and a traditional Rajasthani thali served on leaf plates. It’s theatrical, family-friendly, and tasty—arrive by 6:30 pm to sample it all.

Day 7: Gardens, last sips, and departure

Morning: Catch sunrise at Nahargarh step-viewpoints if you missed it, or stroll the frescoed alleyways around the old city’s lesser-known havelis. Alternatively, visit Vidyadhar Garden for Mughal-Rajput symmetry and quiet paths. Brunch at Wind View Café opposite Hawa Mahal (simple snacks; unbeatable vantage) or try idli-dosa at Sankalp for a South Indian send-off.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for quilts, block-printed table linens, and spices. Check out and transfer to the airport or railway station. For rail/flight options and prices, search Trip.com (trains) and Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure day. If you have time, sip one last masala chai and nibble on ghewar for the road. Safe travels!

Good to know: tickets, timing, and tips

• Monument tickets: Consider Jaipur’s composite ticket covering multiple sites including Amber, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and more (foreign visitor prices can change; expect roughly INR 1000–1200). Carry a photo ID.
• Best timing: Amber right at opening; Hawa Mahal mid-morning for light; Nahargarh at sunset; Patrika Gate mid-afternoon.
• Food hygiene: Choose busy stalls for street eats; ask for bottled water. Many restaurants offer excellent vegetarian options.
• Shopping: Inspect stitching and dye fastness; request receipts and any gem certifications.
• Getting around: Auto-rickshaws are plentiful—confirm the fare or use the meter. For a full sightseeing day, a private car/driver can be cost-effective.

Optional upgrade: Full-day guided Jaipur by car

If you want a driver-guide to streamline your day (hotel pickup, parking handled, insider commentary), consider:

Full-Day Jaipur Private Sightseeing Tour by Car with Guide includes key landmarks at a relaxed pace.

Seven days in Jaipur let you savor the city’s rhythm—royal history in the mornings, artisan stories by afternoon, and sunset vistas by evening. With thoughtful dining, a hands-on workshop, and an optional Taj adventure, this itinerary delivers Rajasthan’s romance without the rush.