Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan, rose in the early 1700s under Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as one of India’s first planned cities—astronomy, geometry, and Vastu shaping its grid. Today, its honeycomb facades, rose-hued walls, and hilltop forts frame a living museum of Rajput power and artistry. From the mirror-studded Sheesh Mahal to bustling gemstone lanes, this is India at its most cinematic.

Expect layered history and vivid craft traditions: blue pottery fired low and glazed luminous, block-printed textiles from Sanganer and Bagru, and intricate kundan jewelry in Johari Bazaar. Food is equally bold—ghee-rich dal baati churma, pyaz kachori, thalis heavy with seasonal vegetables, and fragrant masala chai sipped curbside while the city hums.

Practical notes: Winter (Nov–Feb) is cool and clear; summers are hot with a welcome monsoon break. Carry modest attire for temples, small cash for markets, and negotiate tuk-tuk rates before riding. Ride-hailing apps, metro, and autorickshaws make short hops easy; reserve popular restaurants for dinner and arrive early for sunrise or golden hour photos.

Jaipur

Jaipur’s old city wears its nickname proudly—streets washed pink since 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. The core is compact: City Palace and Jantar Mantar anchor the center; Hawa Mahal’s filigree facade floats just east; markets unfurl in color-coded lanes. To the north, Amber’s fort-palace complex rises over Maota Lake, with Jal Mahal poised like a jewel on the water en route.

Highlights you shouldn’t miss: the mirror-lit Sheesh Mahal at Amber Fort, the astronomical instruments at UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, evening illuminations at Albert Hall Museum, and sunrise pastels at Patrika Gate. Shop for hand block-printed cottons, leather mojari shoes, and blue pottery—ask for fixed-price sections if you prefer to skip bargaining.

Getting to Jaipur

• Flights to Jaipur (JAI): Frequent nonstops from Delhi (1 hr), Mumbai (1 hr 40 min), Bengaluru (2 hr 30 min). Typical one-way fares ~$25–90 depending on season. Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains from Delhi: Vande Bharat (~4 hr) or Shatabdi (~4.5–5 hr); expect ~$15–35 in AC classes. Check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.
• Road: Delhi–Jaipur via NH48 is ~170 mi/270 km; 5–6 hours by private car depending on traffic. Factor in tolls and a chai stop.

Where to stay

• Palatial icon: Rambagh Palace — former royal residence with landscaped gardens, “Steam” bar in a vintage train coach, and a celebrated Indian restaurant, Suvarna Mahal.
• Lake views near Amber: Trident Jaipur — bright rooms, kids’ amenities, easy access to Jal Mahal and the Amber road.
• Great value with resort vibes: ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Rajasthani motifs, pool, robust breakfast spread.
• Mid-range central: Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre — convenient for MI Road eateries and quick rides to the old city.
• Social and budget: Zostel Jaipur — dorms and privates, rooftop hangouts, and traveler events.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Jaipur | Hotels.com Jaipur

Day 1: Old City Icons, Astronomy, and Night Lights

Morning: Arrival is assumed this afternoon. If you reach early, fuel up at Tapri Central (tea lounge with masala chai, paneer pakora, and avocado poha; terrace city views) or Indian Coffee House on MI Road (no-frills, filter coffee, omelets). Otherwise, save your appetite for later.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to the historic core. Start at City Palace to see the Mubarak Mahal textiles and the Pritam Niwas Chowk peacock doorways. Adjacent, the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar showcases giant masonry instruments—ask a guide to demonstrate the samrat yantra sundial reading precision to 2 seconds.

Stroll to Hawa Mahal for its honeycomb facade. The interior is modest; many visitors photograph the frontage from cafes opposite. Dive into Bapu Bazaar for block-printed scarves and quilts, and Johari Bazaar for gemstones; look for hallmarked silver and ask for fixed-price counters if bargaining isn’t your style.

Evening: See the city glow on a guided evening spin with tastings—the traffic eases and lit monuments feel theatrical:

• Guided Night Tour of Jaipur With Optional Street Food Tasting

  

  Expect Albert Hall’s neo-Indo-Saracenic facade ablaze, photo stops at Hawa Mahal, and safe street-food bites (think golgappa, kulfi). Great orientation for first-timers.

Dinner picks:

• LMB – Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar: a Jaipur institution for vegetarian thalis, paneer ghewar, and sweets to gift.
• Samode Haveli Restaurant: candlelit courtyards, refined Rajasthani classics like laal maas (spicy lamb) and ker sangri.
• Bar Palladio: Venetian-blue interiors in a garden setting; Italian plates, aperitivi, and a stylish crowd—reserve in advance.

Nightcap: Steam at Rambagh Palace, a restored train coach bar pouring craft cocktails and wood-fired pizzas—come for the setting as much as the sip.

Day 2: Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, and Craft Traditions

Morning: Optional sunrise photos at Patrika Gate (painted archways in Jawahar Circle). Then drive 20–30 minutes toward the hills for Amber Fort; hire a licensed guide at the gate or prebook. Don’t miss the mirrored Sheesh Mahal—look for the “night sky” effect with a single candle. Walk or jeep up; skip elephant rides for ethical reasons.

Drop by the 16th-century Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell (5 minutes away) for geometric stair shots, then pause at Jal Mahal en route back—the palace floats mid-lake, best seen in morning light. Coffee and an egg bun or croissant at Curious Life Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours; two branches) makes a fine pit stop.

Afternoon: Dive into Jaipur’s living crafts. If you want a guided, flexible overview that covers the essentials door-to-door, this private tour condenses logistics:

• Private Jaipur Full-Day Sightseeing Tour By Car with Guide

  

  Ideal if you prefer an expert narrative through Amber, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and photo stops, with hotel pickup and time-tailored pacing.

Prefer something hands-on? Learn the region’s signature textile art and take home what you print:

• Learn Hand Block Printing Techniques & Print Your Own Fabric

  

  A local workshop walks you through carving, dyeing, and alignment; leave with a scarf or yardage you stamped yourself. Plan ~2.5–3 hours.

Lunch ideas (between Amber and the city):

• Rawat Misthan Bhandar: iconic pyaz kachori and mawa kachori; add a Rajasthani kadhi-chawal for a quick, hearty plate.
• Peacock Rooftop (Hotel Pearl Palace): breezy terrace, North Indian curries and tandoor, easy for groups.
• Spice Court: robust laal maas, junglee maas, and vegetarian Rajasthani staples in a leafy courtyard.

Evening: Departure is assumed this afternoon. If you have time before you go, swing past the Albert Hall Museum lawn for a final photo or pick up last-minute textiles on MI Road. Families with extra hours may enjoy a humane, educational visit:

• Private Elephant Sanctuary

  

  Focuses on care, feeding, and responsible interaction (no rides), with a candid look at elephant welfare.

Local logistics and tips

• Tickets: Expect roughly ₹200–₹700 for major monuments (foreign visitor rates higher; combo tickets often available). Carry ID and a payment card; some counters accept UPI/credit.
• Getting around: Tuk-tuks are quickest in the old city (agree on fare first). Ride-hailing cars are plentiful; allow 30–45 minutes each way for Amber during peak times.
• Shopping wisely: For gemstones, insist on bills and certification. For textiles, check print alignment and stitching; fixed-price cooperatives are good for first-timers.
• Dining hygiene: Busy spots turn over food fast—great for snacks like kachori or samosa. Ask for “less spicy” if needed; Jaipur kitchens are accommodating.

Flying out: Jaipur International Airport is ~20–35 minutes from most central hotels outside rush hour. Compare same-day fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For Delhi-bound travelers, the Vande Bharat train (~4 hr) is reliable—check Trip.com Trains.

Short on time, rich in moments—that’s Jaipur in two days. You’ll leave with palace staircases and turmeric-scented markets in your mind’s eye, plus perhaps a hand-printed scarf you made yourself. Come back for festival season or a longer Rajasthan loop when the desert starts calling.