What to Do in Jaipur: Our Insider Guide to the Pink City
There’s something about Jaipur that stays with you long after you’ve left—the colour, the chaos, the quiet magic hidden in between. We’ve spent years travelling through India, finding our rhythm within its beautiful contrasts, and Jaipur is a place we keep coming back to.
If you do it right, it’s not overwhelming but rather unforgettable.
Here’s how to experience the Pink City in a way that feels grounded, magical, and truly your own.
Start Before the City Wakes
India moves differently and in Jaipur, the day doesn’t really begin until after 10am. By then, the traffic is heavy, the streets are buzzing, and the pace can feel intense.
So we do the opposite.
We rise early, around 7am or even before and step into a version of the city that feels almost untouched. The streets are quieter, the air is softer, and the light… golden and dreamlike. It’s in these early hours that Jaipur feels slow, spacious, and deeply beautiful.
It’s also the best way to explore the city’s iconic sites. Before the crowds arrive!
A Lassi Worth Waking Up For
Our first stop is always Lassiwala! Open from 7am and serving what we can only describe as life-changing lassi. A MUST try when in India.
Thick, creamy, perfectly sweet. It’s the kind of simple ritual that becomes a core memory. Sitting roadside with a clay cup in hand, watching the hustle and bustle of the city wake up around you… it’s everything.
Where to get coffee!:
Blue Tokai
Half Light
Slow Mornings, Then Brunch & Coffee
After a morning of exploring, we lean into a slower pace.
A late brunch is essential—something nourishing and grounding after an early start. And yes, good coffee in India can take some effort to find… but it’s there, and it’s worth seeking out.
This is your time to pause. Take it slow. Let the city settle around you.
Anokhi Cafe
Tapri
TO DO LIST IN JAIPUR
Jaipur is layered with history, colour, and quiet moments of wonder. These are the places we keep coming back to—iconic, atmospheric, and best experienced slowly (and early, if you can).
What to see:
Hawa Mahal
City Palace
Amer Fort
Stepwell
Flower Market
Shopping Alleys
Hawa Mahal — The Palace of Winds
Hawa Mahal is one of Jaipur’s most recognisable landmarks.
Arrive just after sunrise for a quieter experience, when the light hits the facade in the most beautiful way. From the outside, it’s breathtaking but stepping up and wandering up through its narrow corridors gives you a completely different perspective over the city.
Delicate, detailed, and surprisingly peaceful.
City Palace — Royal Details & Quiet Beauty
Set in the heart of the city, the City Palace feels refined and thoughtfully preserved.
Expect ornate doorways, soft pastel courtyards, and a sense of calm that contrasts the buzz outside. It offers a glimpse into royal life, with spaces that feel both grand and intimate at once.
Take your time here it’s all in the details and where you'll get you 'shot' for your gram!
Amer Fort
This fort is expansive, cinematic, and deeply atmospheric.
Go early to catch the golden morning light washing over its walls. Inside, you’ll find vast courtyards, intricate mirror work, and winding passageways that invite you to wander.
It’s one of those places that feels as big as its history. You'll want to give yourself time to explore.
Panna Meena ka Kund — The Stepwell
Quietly tucked away, this stepwell is one of Jaipur’s most striking hidden gems.
Geometric, symmetrical, and almost hypnotic, it’s a place that feels still and grounding. The patterns of the steps create a visual rhythm that’s both simple and powerful.
It doesn’t take long to visit, but it leaves an impression.
P.S. Exploring nearby, you’ll discover active places of worship.
Jaipur Flower Market — A Sensory Morning
Best experienced early, the flower market is vibrant, fragrant, and full of life.
Piles of marigolds everywhere! It’s a beautiful kind of chaos. Locals move quickly, hands busy threading garlands and preparing for the day ahead.
It’s less about sightseeing and more about feeling being immersed in a real, everyday moment in Jaipur. More great photo opportunities here too.
Bapu Bazaar — Shopping Alleys & Hidden Finds
For textiles, treasures, and a little bit of magic, wander the shopping lanes of Jaipur.
Bapu Bazaar is one of the most loved ~ filled with colourful fabrics, handcrafted pieces, and those unexpected finds you didn’t know you needed.
It can be busy, but lean into it. Take your time, explore side alleys and all the textiles and treasures of the world around you.
Afternoon Reset
Jaipur afternoons can be warm and full, so we always build in time to rest. Head back to your stay, have a nap, journal, or simply exist for a moment.
You don’t need to rush here ~ Jaipur rewards those who soften into it.
Where to stay:
+ 47 Jobner Bagh - Once part of the Maharaja of Jobner's gardens, today it stands as a timeless haven where every stone tells a story of friendship, love, and craftsmanship.
+ Narain Niwas - A heritage hotel built in 1928, a journey into Rajasthan's regal past.
+ Samode Haveli - A boutique collection of intimate centuries-old heritage properties and an immersive jungle lodge.
+ Alsisar Haveli - indulgent moments and regal charm with the majestic mansion of the Thakurs of Alsisar at Alsisar Haveli. A heritage hotel in Jaipur.
Sunset Drinks Over the City
As the day cools, the city shifts again and this is your moment to head upward.
Rooftops and courtyards come alive at sunset, offering sweeping views over the Pink City as it glows into evening. One of our favourite spots is Padao Restaurant, where you can sip something slow and watch the light fade over the hills.
It’s peaceful, cinematic, and quietly unforgettable.
Where to drink:
The Native Room – Smooth sunset beats, sophisticated cocktails, and delicious gourmet bar food.
Rambagh Palace – Dress up to the 9's for this one! Come for the history and luxurious atmosphere.
Padao – Unbeatable views over the city at sunset.
Dinner When the Buzz Begins
Dinner in Jaipur is best a little later on around 8pm. Before then, many places feel still and empty, but as the evening settles in, the energy builds and the city comes alive again.
Follow the feeling. Find somewhere that draws you in. Stay a while.
Where to eat:
Classic Italian and Indian food in what is now the iconic Bar Palladio.
Great food and fun decor with a lively crowd.
Intimate and spectacular dining room with high-end food.
Getting Around Jaipur
Getting around is part of the experience.
We tend to use Uber as it’s affordable and reliable. Opt for the XL option where you can; it’s only slightly more and often means a more comfortable ride.
For shorter distances, jump into a rickshaw. They’re a little wild, undeniably chaotic but also a lot of fun and another part of the true India experience.
A gentle tip: drivers are often on their phones while driving, so don’t be afraid to ask them to focus on the road.
A Note on Money & Perspective
Jaipur, like much of India, can be confronting at times especially if you’re not used to seeing poverty so visibly.
If someone taps on your window, it’s okay to gently ignore it as they will move on. If you do choose to give, do so thoughtfully and discreetly.
When it comes to shopping and transport, it’s natural to negotiate but keep perspective. What feels like a small difference to you can have a meaningful impact locally. Putting money into the local economy isn’t a bad thing, it’s part of travelling consciously.
Navigating the Noise
Jaipur is a well-loved destination, which means touts and scammers can be part of the experience, especially around major sites.
The simplest way to avoid it? Go early.
And remember, this is just one layer of the city. Beneath it, you’ll find warmth, generosity, and kindness. The people of India are, more often than not, incredibly welcoming, open, and full of heart.
Jaipur isn’t a place to rush.
It’s a place to wake early, move slowly, and let the moments unfold—one cup of chai, one chaotically beautiful street and one sunset at a time.
Stay open. Stay curious. And let the Pink City work its magic.
