As the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is filled with amazing monuments, dynamic cultural entertainment and unique attractions for everyone from adrenaline junkies to art fanatics.
Albert Hall Museum
This is one of those places that is as fantastic on the outside as it is on the inside. This magnificent building serves as the state museum of Rajasthan. It attracts attention with its massive façade and intricate artistic touches. The museum houses incredible exhibits, including weapons and antique furniture, as well as clothing that belonged to the royal family. It also houses a unique collection of miniature paintings that show historical scenes with lots of fine detail. Right next door to the museum is the Ram Niwas Garden and the Jaipur Zoo. This is the ideal place to discover the rich history of the region.
Amber Fort
This complex is filled with fascinating structures. It was originally built in the late 1500s as the residence of the royal family. The complex houses the Sila Devi Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of war and motherhood, as well as the stunning Sheesh Mahal, almost entirely decorated with small shiny mirrors. You can stroll through the picturesque courtyards and spacious audience halls that once hosted visitors from the royal family.
City Palace
This palace was built as an administrative and ceremonial center. Later the building was used as the residence of the royal family. Today it remains an extremely popular tourist attraction due to its heritage and remarkable range of buildings. Here you can wander through huge halls with exquisitely painted columns and walls that have been preserved for centuries. On the territory of the palace there is a museum that houses interesting artifacts from the past of the monarchs, including weapons, thousands of photographs and paintings.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal was originally built as a place where royal women could observe public events on the streets. Inside the palace you can see the impressive marblework and visit the archaeological museum. At the top of the building you can enjoy the beautiful views that its former residents once enjoyed. Near the palace are the Albert Hall and the Govind Dev Ji Temple.
Birla Mandir Jaipur
This Hindu temple has many magnificent designs and carvings that have been inspired by mythology. One of the most unique features of this temple is its commitment to religious equality. Here you can see quotes from Jesus Christ, Confucius and Socrates next to quotes from the Bhagavad Gita.
Jaigarh Fort
Jairgarh Fort was built to protect the palace and Amber Fort from external threats. It quickly became a military stronghold, and its cannon factory supplied the empire with a huge amount of weapons. Today it is possible to visit the fort as part of a larger palace complex and view its individual attributes, including a small museum and arsenal. Here is the Jayvan cannon, which was made in local workshops.
Smriti Van
Smriti Van is a wonderful destination for couples, nature lovers and families looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. This beautiful space was originally created after a major flood and was later turned into a park. Today it offers several scenic walking paths through a series of gardens with a wide variety of native plants and birds for visitors to enjoy. You can stroll through lush kingdoms of medicinal trees, cacti, bougainvillea beds and hundreds of flowers. The park has a reservoir with beautiful ponds filled with lotus flowers. This quiet area is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and learn more about the local ecosystem.
Jal Mahal
This magnificent building played an important role in the history of the region. It is believed that this structure once served as a hunting lodge for the Mararaja of Jaipur. Its simple yet elegant façade includes many striking views of the surrounding area. When the lake is full, the lower floors of the Jal Mahal are completely submerged under water, giving the place a fabulous look.
Jantar Mantar
This magnificent observatory has been a local landmark since the 18th century. It has a remarkable collection of astronomical instruments that were used to map the cosmos. Here is a stone sundial 22 meters high, which is the largest on the planet. These wonderful instruments can still be used to track the movements of the stars, moon and sun throughout the year.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park offers wildlife viewing. This stunning landscape was once a royal hunting reserve. This is a great place to find blue bulls, leopards, hyenas, wild boars and the famous Bengal tiger. Nature lovers can go on an unforgettable safari to catch a glimpse of these remarkable species in their natural habitat.
Sisodia Rani-ka-Bagh
This is another great place for nature lovers, with a perfect blend of beautiful artwork and abundant vegetation. This place was originally built by the Maharaja in 1728. You can stroll through the magnificent grounds and then explore some of the nearby buildings, which are replete with beautiful frescoes. This is a great way to experience the influence of the Mughal Empire on the region.
Galta Ji Temple
The Galta Ji Temple offers breathtaking views of the hilltop and encounters energetic primates. This beautiful pilgrimage site is filled with elegant religious buildings. There is also a natural spring that fills a number of water tanks. Cheerful flocks of langurs and Bengal macaques frolic around the temple all day long.
Nahargarh Fort
This complex was originally built as part of the city’s defense system. Here you can visit some of the elegant rooms that were once home to the city’s queens. Nature lovers will enjoy gazing at the mountains and forested areas around the fort, while art lovers will enjoy the beautiful works that are scattered throughout the halls. There is a wax museum on the fort grounds.
Village Choki Dhani
At Choki Dhani village you can learn more about life in Rajasthan. This delightful museum takes guests on an immersive tour of a traditional Rajasthani village with live performers, art exhibitions and food stalls. Here you can stroll through beautiful buildings that imitate life in the countryside. You can enjoy a variety of performances, from dancing to magic shows. This dynamic space has something for everyone.
Pushkar
Just three hours’ drive west of Jaipur is the city of Pushkar. Here you can walk around many holy buildings, admiring fantastic views of the lake along the way. The city has a Brahma temple, which is dedicated to the god of creation. The most unique feature about this region is its arid landscape. This is an ideal place to study animals that live in dry climates.
Well Chand Baori
This striking structure is located in the neighboring town of Abhaneri. It was designed to collect rainwater and also serves as a great place for swimming in warm weather. Here you can enjoy a fascinating combination of engineering and art with intricate stone carvings. This stepwell is also part of a darker story. It is located in the Bhangarh Fort, which along with the surrounding city was mysteriously abandoned centuries ago.
Nahargarh Biological Park
This fantastic reserve offers visitors the chance to see magnificent native animals, including hyenas, crocodiles, wild boars and sloth bears. It is also a great place for bird watching because it is home to about 285 species of birds. This dynamic park is sure to please animal lovers of all ages.
Jalana Leopard Sanctuary
Among the many different animals found in this region, leopards are among the most colorful and most elusive. To see these big cats in their natural habitat, you need to visit the Jalan Leopard Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to over 35 leopards, including several cubs. Other local animals can also be seen here, from foxes to jackals and porcupines.
Puppet Museum
Jaipur has many wonderful cultural institutions, but the doll museum is one of the most unique. It features an impressive collection of figurines from around the world, many of which are dressed in traditional costumes.