Jaipur is a heritage city in Rajasthan, India, known for royal residences, hill forts, temples, museums and distinctive architecture. Its major attractions include Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, The City Palace and Nahargarh Fort, giving travellers varied ways to see palace courtyards, fort settings and views over the city. Jantar Mantar adds an astronomical observatory with large stone instruments, while Albert Hall Museum focuses on collections and Indo-Saracenic architecture. Jal Mahal stands in Man Sagar Lake, and Jaipur also has Hindu temples, gardens and cultural spaces. The city suits travellers interested in Rajasthan’s royal past, architecture, museums, astronomy and religious sites. It also works for visitors looking for traditional food, folk dances and crafts at Chokhi Dhani, or an evening Hindi film at Raj Mandir Cinema.
Known for: Rajasthani palaces, Hill forts, Hindu temples, Astronomical observatory, Royal architecture
Top things to do in Jaipur
Amber Fort: Amber Fort combines Hindu and Mughal architecture, with courtyards, gardens and views of the surrounding hills.
Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal is a red and pink sandstone palace known for its honeycomb-like exterior, small windows and intricate latticework.
The City Palace: The City Palace is a royal residence and former administrative headquarters, with courtyards, galleries and the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum.
Jantar Mantar: Jantar Mantar is an observatory with 19 astronomical instruments, including a large stone sundial, near City Palace and Hawa Mahal.
Nahargarh Fort: Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills and overlooks Jaipur, making it a fort and city viewpoint.
Jaigarh Fort: Jaigarh Fort overlooks Amer Fort and Maota Lake, and includes the Jaivana cannon within its fort complex.
Jal Mahal: Jal Mahal is a palace set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, known for its unusual lake setting.
Albert Hall Museum: Albert Hall Museum is Rajasthan’s oldest museum, with varied collections in an Indo-Saracenic building.
When is the best time to visit Jaipur?
Best months: October to March
October to March is the best time to go, with dry weather and the coolest months of the year. May to July are the hottest months, and July and August bring most of the rain.
January: 16 mm of rain, dry, among the coolest months (good time to go)
February: 2 mm of rain, dry, among the coolest months (good time to go)
March: 23 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
April: 9 mm of rain, dry
May: 32 mm of rain, dry, among the hottest months
June: 62 mm of rain, some rain, among the hottest months
July: 241 mm of rain, rainy, among the hottest months
August: 203 mm of rain, rainy
September: 86 mm of rain, some rain
October: 15 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
November: 3 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
December: 4 mm of rain, dry, among the coolest months (good time to go)
How to reach Jaipur
By air: Jaipur International Airport (JAI), about 10 km from the centre of Jaipur in a straight line
By train: Jaipur Junction railway station, about 3 km from the centre of Jaipur in a straight line
Also see the Jaipur destination guide for local food, getting around and the best time to visit.