Jaipur, the Pink City

State capital of Rajasthan, 256 km from Delhi

must-see attraction

Visit duration: People typically spend 1 to 2 days here

Places to visit in Jaipur

About Jaipur City

The royal state of Rajasthan's even more royal capital Jaipur is where you can find the past and the present standing shoulder to shoulder. The city is a part of India's Golden Triangle where the two other vertices of the triangle are Delhi and Agra.

Jaipur serves as the gateway to other beautiful cities of Rajasthan like Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Pushkar. Jaipur alone houses dozens of tourist attractions with different historical backgrounds.

Also known as the Pink City due to the colour scheme of its buildings, Jaipur boasts of being one of the first-ever planned cities of modern India. Named after its founder, the Kachhwaha Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, the city's laid-back charm takes you back in time.

The city is steeped in history where each monument stands as a testimony to the rich culture and the unabashedly opulent lifestyle of the people through the centuries. While one side of Jaipur showcases ancient forts and the old charm of colourful bazaars, the other is a pat on the back to bring you back to the present with sprawling commercial areas and busy shopping malls.

The alluring history of Jaipur

When you know the story of a place, every corner starts appearing like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle uniting into one whole story.

The ruler who founded the city was a knowledgeable astronomer and famed mathematician. The year 1727 marks the starting point of Jaipur's history when Maharaja Jai Singh II founded his kingdom in his own name after succeeding the former capital of Amber.

A Brahmin scholar from Bengal, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya had guided Jai Singh in laying the foundation of Jaipur. It is said that major roads and squares took over 4 years to construct as they were made keeping in mind the Vastu Shastra techniques. This is an age-old technique or belief the position of places is crucial to bringing good luck and prosperity.

1790 witnessed the defeat of Jaipur in the hands of Maratha but Jaipur never succumbed to any external forces with its large reserves of wealth. Till 1948, it continued to be a princely state ruled by different rules of the Kachwaha dynasty. Even today, the royal family along with Sawai Padmanabh Singh, reside in the City Palace located at the heart of Jaipur.

When you look at any monument that belongs to a different century, you can experience how rich and vibrant the history of Jaipur has been through different times.

Festivals in Jaipur

Elephant Festival: Celebrated in the months of February and March, the Elephant Festival offers a lovely sight for spectators with beautifully decked elephants in processions. There is also a tug-of-war between the men and the elephants. You can guess who wins every time!

Kite Festival: On the day of the kite festival in Jaipur, the sky turns into a canvas with stunning kites flying in it. It is celebrated on January 14 every year. While the kites add colours to the sky during the day, at night fireworks brighten up the sky.

Facts and tips about Jaipur

• While taking a tour of some of the ancient monuments, it is recommended to hire a local guide to be able to understand the history and cherish the beauty of the place even more. The guides also take you to places where you can click the most amazing shots and frame them as royal memories.


• The history behind Jaipur being called the Pink City dates back to the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. To welcome him, the then ruler, Ram Singh I, painted the city pink: the colour of warmth and universal harmony.


• First held in 2006, the Jaipur Literature Festival has become the largest literary festival in the Asia Pacific.

Sleeping in Jaipur

In the city, you can find different types of accommodation to suit your needs. From affordable options that offer home-like warmth to luxurious stay options, you can choose whichever you want.

Bhola Bhawan Bed and Breakfast

Bhola Bhawan Bed and Breakfast is a great option if you are looking for accommodation in Jaipur from where you can travel to the most iconic monuments in minutes. The homestay offers fully furnished, air-conditioned rooms and hygienic washroom facilities. This is a mid-budget homestay offering a comfortable stay in Jaipur.

Hotel Jaipur Haveli

Stepping into the 200-year-old Jaipur Haveli offers you a warm stay in Pink city. Belonging to a family who has lived in the haveli since 1920, the haveli offers 8 air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. You can opt for a suite, double bedded rooms and single bedded rooms. The haveli is a mid-budget stay option in Jaipur.

Shahpura House Hotel

Located in Devi Marg, Shahpura House offers a stay in an early 19th-century palace. The palace was changed over the years and then opened to visitors in Jaipur as a place to stay in. There are 65 rooms in the house including luxurious suites. Different rooms have different prices.

The Raj Palace Hotel

The Raj Palace is a 5-star hotel with 50 rooms and 4 restaurants. This palace was built in the year 1727 for a former ruler of Jaipur. Even after being converted into a hotel, the palace still retains its old-world charm with original artifacts decorating the rooms. This is a luxury stay option in the heart of the city.

Hotel Hilton Jaipur

Located 6.5 km away from the City Palace, Hilton Jaipur offers a spectacular view of the Aravalli hills. The rooms are richly decorated and offer all the modern amenities. The hotel is a mid-budget stay option in Jaipur.

See more hotels in Jaipur 

Eating in Jaipur

Be it the national dish of delectable Dal, Baati and Churma or the piping hot Pyaaj kachori with spicy Lashun ki chutney, the food of Jaipur awakens all your senses. The colours of the multi-layered food, the aroma of pure purified butter and the lip-smacking taste of every bite- every meal in Jaipur is an experience to immerse yourself in.

1135 AD Restaurant

The restaurant is located inside Amer Palace with an open-air courtyard. You can get authentic Rajasthani cuisine in 1135 AD along with Mughlai and North Indian delicacies. It remains open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Suvarna Mahal Restaurant

This is a restaurant offering royal cuisine from the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Hyderabad and Awadh. The restaurant originally served as the regal banquet room in The Golden Palace. It is open for lunch and dinner from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm respectively.

Hawk View Restaurant

Located near the City Palace, this rooftop restaurant offers a panoramic view of Pink City that you can't get from anywhere else. The restaurant serves Indian and Asian cuisine and is vegetarian-friendly. It is open from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm and offers an amazing sunset view.

Steam Restaurant

This is a unique restaurant built inside a restored steam engine. The ambiance is perfect for a romantic dinner. You can get Lebanese and Italian cuisine here. The restaurant is open from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Rajput Room Restaurant

Rajput Room is an elegant fine dining restaurant in the Rambagh Palace. The restaurant overlooks the lush front lawns making your meal one with a great view. Besides authentic North Indian cuisine, this restaurant also serves Mughlai and Continental cuisine. It opens at 6:00 am and closes at 9:30 pm.

Other cities near Jaipur

• Ajmer - 136 km
• Pushkar - 150 km
• Bundi - 214 km
• Agra - 239 km
• Delhi - 256 km
• Jodhpur - 342 km

FAQs about Jaipur

1. What is the population of Jaipur?

Jaipur's current area population is 4,107,000. The city has seen a 2.47% increase from last year.

2. What are some of the famous monuments to visit in Jaipur?

Some of the must-see attractions of Jaipur include the City Place, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, and Nahargarh Fort among others.

3. What is the best time to visit Jaipur?

If you are planning to visit Jaipur, plan during the winter months of October to March. Summers in Jaipur are exceptionally hot and uncomfortable for tourists. Only during the pleasant winter months can you enjoy visiting the tourist places in Jaipur and take a proper tour around the city.

4. How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Jaipur?

The road distance from Delhi to Jaipur is 256 kilometres. It takes around 5 hours depending on the breaks you take on your way.