Top 10 Things to See and Do in Jaipur, India's Pink City in 2026

If the northern region is on your list of places to visit in India, chances are Jaipur will be too. As one of the cities that form the famous Golden Triangle in India, along with Agra and Delhi, Jaipur serves as a hub for exploring Rajasthan. To help you India tour planning, we list some of the top things to do in Jaipur, India's captivating Pink City.

Admire Hawa Mahal With a Cup of Coffee

• Location: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 9 am - 5:30 pm daily
• Entry Fee: 200 rupees (about 2.5 US dollars)

Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of the Winds, is one of the best attractions to see in Jaipur, where the royal ladies used to watch the street celebrations and festivals below without being observed.

Top sightseeing spots include the rooftop Wind View Cafe, right opposite this red and pink crown-shaped building. Imagine your afternoon tea against this intricately beautiful five-story building contains rows of small windows with the sunset, or try to capture the palace illuminated with the early morning golden sunlight.

Another top thing to do in Jaipur is the simple climb up the pink "crown" (just like those ladies used to), catch the breeze flowing through the window, and enjoy splendid views of the City Palace and the Old City below.

Hawa Mahal

Watch the Amber Fort Sound & Light Show

• Location: Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 8 am - 5:30 pm & 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
• Entry Fee: 550 rupees (about 6 US dollars)
• Amer Fort Sound & Light Show Fee: about 300 rupees (about 3.5 US dollars)

Perched on the hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the 16th-century-built Amber Fort is only around a half-hour's drive from the city center, making sightseeing the majestic palace one of the top things to do in Jaipur.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this magnificent, opulent fort, made from marble and sandstone, was home to Rajput kings until the construction of Jaipur city. Apart from admiring its Hindu and Mughal fusion architecture styles, it's worth a night visit here for the spectacular sound and light show - one of the best ways to revive the glorious days of the Kachwaha Dynasty.

Amber Fort

Feel the History of the City Palace

• Location: Tulsi Marg, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 9:30 am - 5 pm daily
• Entry Fee: 500 rupees (about 6 US dollars) & additional fees for photography (about 200 rupees)

The impressive City Palace sits in the city center, once the residence of some of India's richest royal families. Though first constructed in the early 18th century, the complex has buildings from different eras - a top place in Jaipur to immersive in the perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, from courtyards to gardens, pavilions to temples.

Also inside the City Palace Complex with a museum where you will find an interesting collection of costumes, ornaments, paintings, and weapons of Kachwaha rulers. Here you can see two huge silver jars, each 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) tall, which are believed to be the largest silver objects in the world.

Note: the royal family still lives here in the Chandra Mahal, and it's possible to arrange a visit to the private rooms for an additional fee.

City Palace

Explore the Celestial Wonders at Jantar Mantar

• Location: Malve Nagar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 9 am - 7 pm daily
• Entry Fee: 200 rupees (about 2.5 US dollars)

Sitting just next to the City Palace is Jaipur's Jantar Mantar, the biggest and best-preserved observatory of the five observatories constructed by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II.

Jantar Mantar literally means "calculating instrument", where you can find an intriguing collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments, each serving a specific purpose from measuring time to predicting eclipses to tracking stars.

Witnessing the unique phenomenon of the Sundial is definitely the top thing to do at this ancient observatory. Capture the shadow cast on the Samrat Yantra, and learn how time is measured with the world's largest stone sundial - hiring a knowledgeable local guide is highly recommended, or consider your private India trip with Odynovo.

Jantar Mantar

Take a Boat Ride Around Jal Mahal

• Location: Amer Rd, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 6 am - 6 pm daily
• Entry Fee: Free (viewing from the lakeside promenade, since entry inside the palace is currently not open to the public)

Beautifully situated in the middle of the peaceful Man Sagar Lake, nestling among the Nahargarh hills, Jaipur's Jal Mahal (Water Palace) is one of the most charming and mysterious palaces in India.

This dreamlike palace was built with red sandstone and has 5 stories, 4 of which are underwater when the lake is full, making a leisurely boat ride through the lake the best way to enjoy the palace, especially in the evening with stunning light-up reflections.

A stroll along the shoreline is also recommended, where the floating palace is your perfect memory photo backdrop.

Jal Mahal

Catch Jaipur City View From Nahargarh Fort

• Location: Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 10 am - 5:30 pm daily
• Entry Fee: 200 rupees (about 2.5 US dollars)

The majestic Nahargarh Fort is a castle that has never been attacked, sitting high on the Aravalli Hills that overlook the city of Jaipur.

This fortress expanded the most famous part, Madhavendra Bhavan, in 1880, with 12 identical rooms linked by corridors for each of the 12 queens. You can stroll through its beautifully decorated halls and rooms and imagine what it is like to be a queen living in such a stunning place. Also, you can visit the interesting wax museum that sits next to the fort or dine in a fine local restaurant.

As for the top thing to do here, head up to the roof terrace and enjoy the stunning panoramic view of Jaipur city, best visited at sunset or at night when it's lit up.

Nahargarh Fort

Make Your Stroll Through Jaipur's Old City

The walled Old City, where the top attractions of Jaipur are located, can be easily explored on foot. Step inside the wall and wander through the narrow streets and bustling bazaars to take in the unique ambiance of this amazing pink city.

When you walk through the lanes and bazaars, you have the chance to see chai sellers making and selling spiced tea, watch cows, goats, or even camels roaming the street, and stop by a food stall and sample some local street food. It's a rewarding trip that offers you an insight into the local way of life. It's best to take the walking tour in the early morning or evening, as the temperature will rise high at midday.

Experience Rajasthani Culture at Chokhi Dhani

• Location: Sukhdeopura Nohara, Jaipur
• Entry Fee: from 750 to 1200 rupees (about 9 to 14 US dollars)

If you are looking to have a unique and completely Rajasthani cultural experience, Chokhi Dhani, a village-themed resort in Jaipur, is where you should go.

At Chokhi Dhani, you can enjoy an amazing variety of cultural experiences, including traditional Rajasthani folk dances, snake charming, boating, archery, puppet shows, magic shows, acrobatics, etc. If you are feeling hungry, there are several restaurants you can go to for a taste of authentic Rajasthani food.

Chokhi Dhani

Visit the Elefantastic Elephant Farm

• Location: Delhi Highway, Kunda, Amer, Jaipur
• Opening Hours: 8 am - 6 pm

If you love elephants and want to have an ethical, up-close experience with them, experience the Elephantastic Elephant Farm is the top thing to do in Jaipur.

At this sanctuary, you can learn how to make a proper meal for elephants and then feed them. You can also wash and walk an elephant assigned to you and learn how to communicate with it. The entire experience, which also includes a home-cooked lunch or dinner at the owner's home.

A nighttime camp stay with those long trunk friends is also available here if you are interested in a longer stay.

An elephant in Elefantastic

Find Rajasthani Souvenirs at a Local Bazaar

When it comes to shopping, Jaipur is a real treat as there are some excellent places for you to hunt for very special and high-quality items such as silver jewelry, precious gemstones, bangles, clothes, blue pottery, and textiles.

There are several fabulous bazaars in the Old City of Jaipur. You can pick up some gold and silver jewelry, inexpensive costume jewelry, and bangles in Johari Bazaar, which is located right opposite Sanganeri Gate, outside Hawa Mahal.

Nehru Bazaar, located on the road between Ajmeri Gate and New Gate, is a wonderful place for women to buy brightly colored fabric, shoes, trinkets, and perfumes.

The bustling Tripolia Bazaar is where to look for antiques, carpets, and brassware. It is located between Chhoti Chaupar and Manak Chowk.

For traditional lac bangles, head to the small Maniharon ka Rasta Lane, just around the corner. Don't forget to bargain for the best price.

Local Bazaar in Jaipur

Create an Incredible India Tour With Odynovo

There are always many top things to do in Jaipur. To explore more about Jaipur or the whole of India, or wandering personalized advice and a customized India itinerary, contact us or write to our specialists via [email protected].