Today’s blog post lists the 13 must-visit places in Jaipur.

Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is one of the best places to visit Rajasthan.

You need at least three days to explore all the ancient palaces, forts and museums.

Here’s the list of 13 must-visit places in Jaipur.

• Hawa Mahal
• Panna Meena Ka Kund
• Jagat Shiromani Temple
• Amer Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Nahargarh
• Jal Mahal
• Gaitore ki Chhatriyan
• Patrika Gate
• Marble Gate
• City Palace
• Albert Hall Museum
• Galta Ji temple

HAWA MAHAL

An icon of the Pink City is the Hawa Mahal.

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, in 1799, built a red and pink sandstone palace, the Hawa Mahal. It is known as the Palace of Winds.

You can see the Hawa Mahal from the outside for free or pay an entry fee to see the interiors.

I had seen photos of the interiors. They didn’t seem appealing, so I didn’t go inside. The windows are best seen from the outside anyway.

I saw the Hawa Mahal in the morning and lit at night. The night view is just as beautiful.

If possible, visit the Hawa Mahal in the morning and after 7 p.m. when they light it up.

Hawa Mahal opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. A single ticket costs Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.50 for foreigners.

While walking to Hawa Mahal, I encountered an elderly cameraman with an 1880s wooden box camera.

A small black and white photo costs Rs.50, and a bigger one is Rs.100.

I thought I would take a photo while returning to the car, but he had left by then. ☹️😞

I advise having your picture taken. It is a unique souvenir.

You can search “The Old Photography Tikam Stand” on Google Maps to locate this elderly gentleman. He sits there from noon and leaves at 6 p.m.

PANNA MEENA KA KUND

According to a legend, the Baori (well) gets its name from Panna Meena, an eunuch working in Maharaja Jai Singh’s court. He contributed to the building of the step well.

Besides being the sole freshwater source for the locals, it was a socialising point for women and men and a resting place for weary travellers.

Today, it is more a tourist spot than a public well.

A small non-descript door in the wall leads to the step well.

Entry to Panna Meena Ka Kund is free and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

When I arrived here at 9 a.m., it was busy. Later, it becomes busier.

I would have liked to visit the Panna Meena Kund after Amer Fort, but there were separate entry and exit routes.

If not for the several parked cars, I would have missed the entrance to the Panna Meena Kund.

The step well is a beautiful architectural wander, but you don’t need more than ten minutes at Panna Meena Kund.

JAGAT SHIROMANI TEMPLE

A 2-minute drive from Panna Meena Ka Kund is the Jagat Shiromani temple.

I advise stopping by the Jagat Shiromani Temple and Panna Meena Ka Kund en route to Amer Fort.

Jagat Shiromani Temple worships Meera Bai, Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu.

Meera Bai, a pious devotee of Lord Krishna, spent her life worshipping and writing poetry about Krishna.

According to locals, the Krishna idol at Jagat Shiromani Temple is the same one that Meera Bai worshipped in Mewar. It was moved secretly to America during the war against the Mughals.

I’ve seen pictures of this beautiful temple on Pinterest and regret not going.

If you want eye-catching photos for your Instagram, don’t miss this place.

Jagat Shiromani Temple opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. daily. It is one of the few places you can visit in Jaipur for free.

AMER FORT

A 5-minute drive from Jagat Shiromani Temple is Jaipur’s main attraction, Amer Fort.

Amer Fort (Amber Fort) is known for its iconic zigzagging ramparts overlooking Maota Lake.

There are two ways to reach Amer Fort— walking up the ramparts or driving to the top.

I chose the latter option because I was short of time. Also, it’s a long uphill walk.

Instead of walking, you can opt for the elephant ride. Remember that the rides are only till 11 a.m. and the queues are long.

My favourites were the ramparts, Diwan-e-aam, Ganesh Pol, Diwan-e-Khas, the Sheesh Mahal and the gardens. Apart from this, there was nothing much to see at Amer Fort.

After visiting the Mehrangarh in Jodhpur, I had high expectations for Amer Fort, so I was slightly disappointed when there wasn’t much at Amer Fort to explore.

If you’re driving to the top of Amer Fort, you don’t need more than 1½ hours to explore the fort.

Amer Fort is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. A single ticket to Amer Fort is Rs.100 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners.

JAIGARH FORT

Jaigarh and Amer Forts were part of one complex and joined by secret underground tunnels. During the war, the royal family used these tunnels to move from one fort to another.

Besides being a defence fort, the Jaigarh Fort was the treasury of Amer Fort. Locals believe the royals stored their treasure in hidden chambers under the rainwater reservoir.

There are several stories about the treasure but no concrete evidence.

It is home to Jaivan Cannon, the biggest in the world. This 50-tonne cannon requires 100 kilos of gunpowder to shoot a 50-kilo cannonball and has a recoil of four feet.

Elephants, Peacocks, birds, sacred symbols and Lotus and floral motifs decorate the length of the cannon.

In the 19th century, Sawai Ram Singh II added the carriage and canopy.

Jaigarh Fort is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A single ticket for Jaigarh Fort is Rs.150 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners.

NAHARGARH FORT

A 10-minute drive from Jaigarh Fort is the stunning Nahargarh.

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, in 1734, built the Nahargarh Fort, whose purpose was to serve as a retreat for the royal family.

Its fortifications extended to Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort. The three forts formed a protective ring around the city.

Many visitors skip this beautiful and colourful fort. It is home to a palace with suites for the different queens of Jaipur.

Sawai Madho Singh built individual suites for his queens at Nahargarh.

Each suite is different and a must-visit.

Of all the three forts, Nahargarh was my favourite.

If not for lack of time, I would have spent more time here.

Nahargarh Fort is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets to the Fort are Rs.50 for Indians and Rs.200 for foreigners.

JAL MAHAL

Sitting amidst the Man Sagar Lake is Jal Mahal. It appears to float on the water, but four of the five storeys are submerged.

Unfortunately, unlike other palaces, you can’t go to Jal Mahal but see it from the road.

Today, there’s a promenade along Man Sagar Lake, where visitors can enjoy views of Jal Mahal while dressing up in traditional Rajasthani clothes or munching on snacks.

Earlier, there was a restaurant at Jal Mahal, but it closed down. I would have loved to go there if it was open. It would have been a memorable experience.

It wasn’t, so I had to be content with views of the Water Palace.

You can visit the Jal Mahal anytime, but if you want to enjoy the promenade, late afternoon is ideal.

GAITORE KI CHHATRIYAN

A 10-minute drive from Jal Mahal is the Gaitore ki Chhatriyan, the cenotaphs of the Kachwaha kings.

Jaipur’s founder and ruler, the Kachwaha King, Maharaja Jai Singh II, designated this site for cremating Kachwaha King.

Maharaja Jai Singh II, the founder and ruler of Jaipur, chose this site as the cremation grounds for the Kachwaha kings.

Unlike the Ahar cenotaphs in Udaipur and Panchkunda Chattriya in Jodhpur, the Gaitore ki Chhatriyan were different. Instead of a cluster of cenotaphs of varying sizes, there was only one main structure with three smaller similar ones flanking on three sides.

The beautiful cenotaphs are a must-visit in Jaipur. Also, the Indo-Persian architectural themes are evident. It is worthwhile walking around and seeing the intricately carved designs of elephants, floral patterns, war scenes and more.

Compared to the other royal cenotaphs, Gaitore ki Chhatriyan is well-maintained.

Gaitore ki Chhatriyan opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Gaitore ki Chhatriyan tickets cost Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.50 for foreigners.

PATRIKA GATE

Photos of Patrika Gate popped up on my Instagram feed a few years back. Since then, I wanted to visit this beautiful place.

On this trip, I had the opportunity to cross it off my bucket list.

What is Patrika Gate? It is a pink-coloured gate with the interior pillars painted in a rainbow of colours and patterns.

The Patrika Gate is in the park inside Jawahar Circle.

It is a busy roundabout all day and can be confusing for outsiders.

It is one of the most instagrammable places in Jaipur. Also, at 8 a.m., you’ll have the place to yourself.

Patrika Gate is open all day and night and is free.

MARBLE GATE

Marble Gate is another stunning white gate in Jawahar Circle.

You can walk here from Patrika Gate. It is a 10-minute walk between the two gates.

The Marble Gate is more of a white holey wall. But just as beautiful.

This instagrammable Marble Gate is open all day and night and is free.

CITY PALACE

The City Palace’s purpose was administration. Today, it serves as the royal family’s residence and houses Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum.

Every corner of the City Palace is beautiful, but my favourites were the orangish-red-coloured Diwan-e-aam and the vibrant doors at Pritam Chowk.

Ideally, I would advise arriving at the City Palace a few minutes before opening.

If I learnt anything from this trip, the crowds don’t arrive until 10 a.m., but the City Palace opens at 9:30 a.m., so you can’t avoid crowds.

Want to take photos at the doors without interruption? Pritam Chowk should be your first stop. Trust me, those doors are one of the instagrammable places in Jaipur.

Also, I highly recommend taking the Royal Splendor tour. Yes! This Rs.3000 tour is expensive, but you won’t regret it. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the secret rooms of City Palace.

Unfortunately, filming was ongoing, so some areas of the City Palace were corded off. The secret rooms were one of them.

City Palace opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m., but the last entry is at 6:30 p.m. Entry tickets for City Palace cost Rs.300 for Indians and Rs.700 for foreigners.

ALBERT HALL MUSEUM

The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur is Rajasthan’s oldest and best museum.

Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob designed this building as a public museum. But Maharaja Ram Singh wished to convert it to a town hall. However, his successor, Madho Singh II, used it as a museum for the arts of Jaipur.

If possible, try to come here early in the morning and at night. It looks historical in the morning and shimmery in the evening.

Albert Hall Museum is stunning both inside and outside. It houses collections from Persia, Japan, Egypt and more. One could easily spend more than an hour walking around the galleries.

Albert Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and reopens from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

I didn’t know it reopened in the evening, or I would have visited it. Someone told me it closed at 5 p.m., so I took photos from the outside and left. 😐

I unknowingly skipped the Albert Hall Museum.

So, try not to repeat my mistake and visit this state museum.

GALTA JI TEMPLE

Galta Ji temple is beautiful and has a rich history.

According to legend, a saint, Galtav, spent years doing tapasya, which pleased the gods. They blessed this place with sacred water.

The Galta Ji temple was built and named in his honour.

Galta Kund is the most photographed section of the temple complex.

The reviews of Galta Ji temple are a mix of positive and negative experiences. Some people enjoyed it, whereas others thought it was dirty.

It is another instagrammable place in Jaipur.

I didn’t know about the Galta Ji temple until a few years ago when it became popular on Instagram.

I later learnt that a minister was arriving in Jaipur the following day. So, the roads were closed for a practice run.

It was past 5:30 p.m. when the traffic cleared. I didn’t want to visit this remote temple filled with monkeys in the evening.

Galta Ji temple is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. I’m unsure if there’s an entry fee or not.

TRAVEL TIP:- The temple complex is home to unruly monkeys, so be careful.

CONCLUSION

That concludes the list of must-visit places in Jaipur.

You need at least three days to explore these 13 places leisurely. I had to squeeze all the sightseeing within two days because of lack of time.

If that’s you too, refer to my busy 2-day Jaipur itinerary.

Before I conclude this blog post, here’s a summary of the must-visit places in Jaipur.

• Hawa Mahal
• Panna Meena Ka Kund
• Jagat Shiromani Temple
• Amer Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Nahargarh
• Jal Mahal
• Gaitore ki Chhatriyan
• Patrika Gate
• Marble Gate
• City Palace
• Albert Hall Museum
• Galta Ji temple

I hope this was helpful. If I missed something or you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.

jack kerouac