The best things to do in Jaipur go far beyond ticking off the famous forts and palaces, though those are unmissable. The Pink City rewards travellers who explore its bazaars, taste its legendary street food, watch the sunset from a hilltop fort, learn the craft of block printing, and experience the folk culture of Rajasthan through music, dance, and puppetry. This guide covers the full range of what Jaipur offers, from the essential sights to the experiences that turn a visit into a genuine encounter with the city.
For destination planning, see our Jaipur travel guide and places to visit in Jaipur.
Things to do in Jaipur: forts and palaces
Explore Amber Fort at sunrise
The single most important thing to do in Jaipur is to visit the magnificent Amber Fort, ideally arriving by 8 to 8:30 am when the light is beautiful and the crowds have not yet built. Walk up the paved ramp (10 to 15 minutes) rather than taking an elephant ride, and allow two to three hours to explore the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), the Ganesh Pol gate, and the courtyards, with their sweeping views over Maota Lake and the Aravalli hills. Our places to visit in Jaipur guide covers the fort in detail.
Discover the City Palace
Explore the City Palace, still home to Jaipur’s royal family, with its museums of royal costumes and weapons, its ornate courtyards, and the famous painted Peacock Gate. The textile and armoury galleries are particularly good.
Photograph the Hawa Mahal
Capture the iconic honeycomb facade of the Hawa Mahal from across the street, ideally from a rooftop cafe opposite in the morning light, then go inside for the unusual window-framed views of the city below.
Watch the sunset from Nahargarh Fort
Drive up to Nahargarh Fort on the Aravalli ridge for one of the best sunset views over Jaipur, followed by chai at the hilltop cafe. It is one of the most relaxed and rewarding things to do in the city.
Decode the astronomy at Jantar Mantar
Explore the monumental stone instruments of Jantar Mantar, including the world’s largest stone sundial, ideally with a guide who can explain how each remarkable device tracks time and the movement of celestial bodies.
Things to do in Jaipur: food and markets
Eat pyaaz kachori and street food
Begin a day with pyaaz kachori at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar, one of Jaipur’s essential food experiences, and explore the street food of the old city bazaars along MI Road, Johari Bazaar, and Bapu Bazaar. Our places to eat in Jaipur guide covers the food scene in full.
Experience a Rajasthani cultural dinner
Spend an evening at a cultural village complex such as Chokhi Dhani, where an unlimited Rajasthani thali is served alongside folk dances, puppet shows, camel rides, and fire performances, a guaranteed highlight for families and first-time visitors.
Shop the bazaars
Explore Jaipur’s legendary markets: Johari Bazaar for gemstones and jewellery (one of Asia’s largest gem markets), Tripolia Bazaar for bangles, and Bapu Bazaar for textiles and handicrafts. Our shopping in Rajasthan guide covers the markets in detail.
Things to do in Jaipur: crafts and culture
Learn block printing
Take a block printing workshop in Jaipur or the nearby craft towns of Sanganer and Bagru, where the traditional technique of hand-printing textiles with carved wooden blocks has been practised for generations. It is a hands-on, memorable cultural experience.
Try a pottery workshop
Jaipur is famous for its distinctive blue pottery, and workshops offer the chance to try your hand at this traditional craft, learning about the techniques and materials behind it.
Watch a puppet show
Catch a kathputli (string puppet) performance, a centuries-old Rajasthani tradition, staged at cultural venues and heritage hotels across the city. Our cultural experiences in Rajasthan guide covers these traditions.
Take a heritage walk
A guided heritage walk through the old city reveals the planned grid layout, the bazaars, the temples, and the daily life of the Pink City, offering a deeper understanding than the monuments alone provide.
Things to do in Jaipur: beyond the city
Visit the Abhaneri stepwell
Take a day trip to Abhaneri, about 90 kilometres from Jaipur, home to the Chand Baori, one of the deepest and most spectacular stepwells in India, with its mesmerising geometric steps.
Explore the Shekhawati havelis
Visit the painted havelis of the Shekhawati region, often called the world’s largest open-air art gallery, with Mandawa the most accessible base for exploring the frescoed merchant mansions. Our offbeat places in Rajasthan guide covers Shekhawati.
Safari at Ranthambore
For wildlife lovers, Ranthambore National Park (best as an overnight extension rather than a day trip) offers the thrill of a tiger safari. Our wildlife tours in Rajasthan guide covers the park.
Practical tips for things to do in Jaipur
- Use the composite ticket covering Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, and the Albert Hall Museum, valid for two consecutive days.
- Start early at the forts to avoid heat and crowds, particularly at Amber Fort.
- Allow two to three days to experience the sights, food, markets, and culture without rushing.
- Avoid weekends and holidays at the major forts, which see significantly heavier crowds.
Plan your Jaipur Experience with Immersive Trips
At Immersive Trips, we design Jaipur itineraries that balance the essential sights with the food, crafts, and cultural experiences that make the Pink City so rewarding. Get in touch with our team to plan your Jaipur adventure.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Jaipur
What is the number one thing to do in Jaipur?
Visiting the magnificent Amber Fort is the essential Jaipur experience, ideally arriving early in the morning to enjoy the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the courtyards before the crowds and heat build. It is one of the finest forts in India and the highlight of any Jaipur itinerary.
What can I do in Jaipur in one day?
In one day, focus on Amber Fort (early morning, two to three hours), a photo stop at Jal Mahal, the City Palace and Jantar Mantar combined, a Hawa Mahal photograph, and Nahargarh Fort for sunset. This covers the essentials, though two to three days allow for a much fuller experience.
What are the best free things to do in Jaipur?
Photographing the Hawa Mahal from the street, viewing the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) from the promenade, exploring the old city bazaars, and wandering the Panna Meena Ka Kund stepwell are all free or very low cost. The bazaars in particular offer a rich, free experience of the city’s daily life.
Are there good cultural experiences in Jaipur?
Yes. A cultural village dinner at a complex such as Chokhi Dhani (with folk dances, puppet shows, and camel rides), a block printing or blue pottery workshop, a kathputli puppet show, and a heritage walk through the old city are all excellent cultural experiences. Our cultural experiences in Rajasthan guide covers these.
What are the best things to do in Jaipur with family?
Families particularly enjoy Amber Fort (with a jeep ride up), the Jantar Mantar astronomical instruments, a cultural village dinner with puppet shows and camel rides, and shopping in the colourful bazaars. Our family tour packages in Rajasthan guide covers family experiences.
Where is the best sunset spot in Jaipur?
Nahargarh Fort, on the Aravalli ridge above the city, offers the best sunset views over Jaipur, with a hilltop cafe for chai. It is one of the most relaxed and rewarding things to do in the city, and a lovely way to end a day of sightseeing.
Can I do a cooking class or craft workshop in Jaipur?
Yes. Block printing workshops (in Jaipur or the nearby towns of Sanganer and Bagru), blue pottery workshops, and cooking classes are all widely available and offer engaging, hands-on cultural experiences that go beyond the standard sightseeing.
What day trips can I take from Jaipur?
Popular day trips include the Abhaneri stepwell (Chand Baori), the Shekhawati painted havelis (with Mandawa as the base), and the Amber area sights. Ranthambore National Park for a tiger safari is better as an overnight extension than a day trip.
How much time should I spend at Amber Fort?
Allow two to three hours to explore Amber Fort properly, including the Sheesh Mahal, the Ganesh Pol gate, the courtyards, and the views. Arriving early (by 8 to 8:30 am) gives the best light and the fewest crowds.
Is Jaipur worth visiting for shopping?
Absolutely. Jaipur is one of India’s great shopping cities, renowned for gemstones and jewellery (Johari Bazaar), block-printed textiles, blue pottery, and bangles (Tripolia Bazaar). Buying directly from craft workshops offers the best quality and value. Our shopping in Rajasthan guide covers the markets in detail.