Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur is an essence of glory, splendour and vivacity of a state as culturally wealthy as Rajasthan. Jaipur is famous for its majestic forts & palaces made of pink sandstone and beautiful temples and gardens, which make it an ideal tourist destination. The forts display the unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and is worth seeing.
The Pink City is a popular tourist place in Rajasthan as there are a variety of things to do & places to see in Jaipur during your stay here. Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and City Palace are the best places to visit in Jaipur. They showcase a fine mix of Mughal, Rajput and European style of architecture.
Hawa Mahal or the Wind Palace is one of the top sightseeing places in Jaipur. It is a five-storey palace constructed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It has 953 Jharokhas and made of red and pink sandstone in a pyramid shape. If you are religious, spend some time in the serenity of Galtaji, Govind Devji Temple, Birla Temple and Moti Dungri which are the must see places, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Watch sunrise from Hot Air Balloon
A hot-air balloon safari is among the best things to do in Jaipur with family. These rides take place two hours before sunrise or two hours before sunset Jaipur Tour Packages.
But the early morning balloon rides are the most fascinating. Each ride is one hour long. But the total time taken, including preparation, is around three hours. So, while it’s still dark, you’re taken to the outskirts of the city. And as the sun comes up, the balloon takes off too.
The hot-air balloon passes over fields, lakes and the surrounding villages. And it provides a bird’s-eye view of the forts, palaces and other places in the city.
Most balloon safaris take off from near the majestic Amer Fort. But depending upon the wind direction, the location can change, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Cycle around Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is a beautiful fort built on the hills. It is a lovely combination of Indian and European architectural styles.
It served as a point of defence earlier, but today, it is a viewpoint of Jaipur. From the fort, past the walls, you get a panoramic view of the vast, peaceful desert city. And short cycling trips to the fort are available. You can rent a bicycle and explore the serene surroundings during the morning hours, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Nahargarh Fort also has a wax museum. And if you go during the day, you can get a quick bite at the Padao Restaurant, while enjoying the views of the city.
Check out Hawa Mahal
A visit to the iconic Hawa Mahal is among the most popular things to do in Jaipur city. It has hundreds of small windows and these windows allow a refreshing breeze to pass through the building. Thus, Hawa Mahal is also known as “Palace of Winds”.
And during the old days, the windows allowed the women of the royal family to observe the happenings of the streets without being seen, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal is an astounding 5-floor structure built of red and pink sandstone. And its beauty becomes even more prominent when it glows with lights in the evening. The different shades of pink are better visible.
Visit City Palace
City Palace is among the most popular places to visit in Jaipur. It is in the heart of the city, and it used to be the administrative seat for the royal family. The descendants of the royal family still live here.
The City Palace complex is a remarkable place built mainly with red and pink sandstone. And it is known for its architectural style. Inside, you’ll find grand courtyards, beautiful gardens and elaborate temples. The complex also has different buildings, including two palaces – Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.
While Chandra Mahal acts as the residence for the royal family, Mubarak Mahal has been turned into a museum where royal belongings, clothing and weapons are put for display, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Explore Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built in the 18th century. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it features the world’s largest stone sundial. It also has various other instruments which work on the principle of the sun and shadow.
The instruments in Jantar Mantar were used to tell time during the day, precisely. The tools here can even predict eclipses and track the location of major stars.
From Jantar Mantar, you can observe the evening sky filled with stars and other planets. And you can also see the moon stealthily coming up in view as the sun sets, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Witness the beauty of Amer Fort
The elegant Amer Fort is on a hill outside Jaipur. It is a beautiful blend of Indian and Mughal architectural style, and it is one of the most impressive architectural structures of the city.
Carved arches, decorated doors and colourful designs on the walls are spread throughout the fort. And a huge lake welcomes you to the fort before you enter the courtyard, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Visit Amer Fort during the evening hours to witness its beauty glittering in the light. Also, attend the light and sound show during your visit. The show is about an hour long and narrates the history of the fort and the surrounding region.
And while you’re here, check Amer Palace too. The palace boasts of shiny rooms, picture-perfect gardens and stunning courtyards. It also has several underground tunnels to explore.
View Jaipur from Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort (also known as Victory Fort) is another of the majestic forts in Jaipur. It was built to protect Amer Fort, and it overlooks the fort. Also, both these forts are connected through an underground passage Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
You get a panoramic view of Jaipur and the surrounding region from Jaigarh Fort.
But the highlight of Jaigarh Fort is the giant cannon on wheels. It is called the Jaivana cannon and at the time of its making, it was the largest cannon in the world. But it was never needed in a battle. The Jaivana cannon was fired only once, during the trial run, and the cannonball landed about 35 km away, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
Visit elephant farm
A visit to the elephant farm Elefantastic is one of the offbeat things to do in Jaipur. Elefantastic is a sanctuary for elephants, where they are protected and cared for Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
It is set up on the outskirts of the city, near Amer Fort. And it offers visitors a close experience with elephants. You can spend an entire day here, learning how to communicate with them.
Elephant rides are not allowed in this sanctuary, but you can enjoy other fun activities like painting the elephants. The place also offers activities like feeding, bathing and walking the elephants.
And after the tour, you get a traditional homemade Rajasthani lunch, Places to See and Things to Do in Jaipur.
