Famously known as the ‘Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan, here is our ultimate guide To jaipur. The epitome of royal hospitality can be found in the centre of this beautiful Indian city. So how did the city become known as the ‘Pink City?’.
This was a question we asked ourselves as we drove through the never ending line of pink sandstone buildings. The color pink actually symbolizes hospitality and in 1876 the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Ram Singh, requested that the entire city be painted pink for the visit of the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria. Thus, the city obtained the name ‘Pink City,’ shortly thereafter.
Overall, Jaipur is arguably one of the most photogenic cities in all of India. Not only will you have a great time exploring a wonderful cultural city, you will also have the opportunity to capture some unforgettable images along the way.
How To Get There
One can easily either fly into Jaipur, or arrive via car, or train from the surrounding cities. For us, we actually took a train from Agra Fort Station to Jaipur. The ride was not as frightening as we had anticipated and we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we got there. The train took us between 3-4 hours and it dropped us off in the centre of the city. In order to buy tickets, it is best to either have your hotel concierge book them for you, or you can download the app MyTrip and book them yourself. Booking tickets does require you to have your contact details and passport information on hand.
TIP
In order to book any train tickets via MyTrip, you must have an Indian phone number. If you are able to pick up an Indian SIM card upon arrival this new phone number will work. This is just another perk of purchasing a SIM card. It makes transportation around the country easier.
The Ultimate Guide To Jaipur
Things To Do
Amber Fort or ‘Amer Fort’
Located atop a high hill with sweeping views of Jaipur below, Amber Fort is a gigantic structure worth a visit on your trip. It’s sprawling grounds make for a fantastic day out, as there are plenty of areas to explore. Amber Fort is also one of the most well-known and visited forts in all of India. The fort is made out of sandstone and marble and has many great locations for photos.
Note…
If you visit the fort, you will see at the bottom they offer elephant rides up to the fort. PLEASE DO NOT EVER RIDE THESE ANIMALS. We were in total shock to see so many tourists riding their way up to the front entrance. It is horrible to the animals and the locals will only continue to do it if we continue to fund it. Rant aside, please don’t ride, and be a conscious traveller.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is a ginormous intricate pink sandstone building located just outside the City Palace. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, to allow the royal ladies of the household watch the life and city processions unfold down below. With a total of 953 windows, this building is one of the most iconic spots in all of Jaipur.
City Palace
City Palace is a massive complex with intricate buildings, gardens and courtyards located in the very centre of the Old City in Jaipur. The city palace is known for its detailed and colorful rooms. Entry fee to the city palace can be steep, so be sure to do your research to find up to date prices.
Panna Meena Ka Kund – Stepwell
One of the most famous stepwells in Jaipur. This geometric ancient well is a fantastic place to visit. Depending on the time of year, it may be filled high with water. It is important to note that as of recently they have placed guards on duty to stop tourists from taking photos on the steps. If you want to get a picture you have to arrive before 6:30 am, however even if you can’t walk inside, we still recommend you come to look at it! The shape and size is magnificent!
Albert Hall Museum
It is one of the oldest museums in the state and serves as the official museum of Rajasthan. The exterior entrance is always covered with birds and is a famous place to snap a photo, but if you are afraid of birds… its best not to go!
Patrika Gate
A beautiful colorful series of gates located at the Jawahar Circle entrance. Though the gate itself isn’t too big, the colors and patterns are truly mesmerizing. This was one of our favorite places to photograph as well whilst in India!
Gaitor Cenotaphs
This is an old royal crematory with majestic, intricately carved stone monuments about. A fairly peaceful and affordable site to see whilst in Jaipur.
The Ultimate Guide To Jaipur
Where to Eat
Bar Palladio
One of the classiest restaurants in all of Jaipur. With a lovely outdoor seating area and trendy bar inside, Bar Palladio was a great place to treat ourselves on our trip. They had some fantastic specialty cocktails and delicious food options for dinner. We loved it so much, we went twice!
Peacock Rooftop Restaurant
A super cute and affordable restaurant located in atop a beautiful rooftop. With live music, beautiful decor and the best chicken tikka masala you will ever have, we definitely recommend you stop by this place for a tasty dinner, or lunch.
Chokhi Dhani
If you are looking to try some traditional food from Rajasthan than be sure to stop by the Chokhi Dhani for a meal. Set up to look like a traditional village with various activities, you will be sure to get an authentic dining experience here.
Anokhi Cafe
Cute and relaxing cafe that offers a great variety of pastries, coffee, and delicious health food options. We ate here for lunch and also shopped next door at neighboring store which sold great handicraft items.
Cafe Kothi
This small, yet delicious cafe was located just blocks away from our Air BnB and we ate here for lunch twice. They had a great selection of western dishes, all of which were healthy and cooked to perfection.
Kebab and Currys
We ordered Kebab and Co for dinner multiple times through one of the food apps. The chicken tikka masala and garlic naan was to die for. Although not fancy, it was definitely tasty and affordable.
The Ultimate Guide To Jaipur
Where To Stay
Air B n B
To be honest, we were both a bit hesitant on getting an Air BnB in India, but our stay with our host Aman turned out to be the best decision on our entire trip. Not only did we gain a life long friend, but we also had the most beautiful, clean, massive living space for us to work and sleep. We stayed here an entire week because we loved it so much. Recently renovated, had fast wifi, all the amenities needed and even Netflix. Needless to say, we loved it here and we will definitely be back to stay here next time we are in India. For the listing on Air BnB Click Here.
Pearl Palace Heritage Hotel
Pearl Palace Heritage Hotel is decorated to the nines with gorgeous Indian detail and color. Each room features a different theme and cultural significance. With comfortable spacious rooms and a great location the Pearl Palace Heritage Hotel is a great place to stay if you are looking for a hotel in Jaipur. Check availability and book your stay Here.
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