Jaipur · Heritage

The Walled City

The Pink City

The Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory and bangle bazaars, all inside walls painted pink by decree in 1876.

The walled city painted pink for the Prince of Wales in 1876 and kept that way: the screen-facade of Hawa Mahal, the living City Palace, the Jantar Mantar observatory (UNESCO) and craft-sorted bazaars (Johari for jewels, Bapu for textiles, Tripolia for brass). The 18th-century vastu grid still reads clearly: pleasant to get lost in, easy to get out of.

Who it suits

Hawa Mahal and the palace bangle bazaars first time in Jaipur

Staying here

Inside the walls, haveli guesthouses with Hawa Mahal rooftops; loud but unforgettable.

In the evening

The facades glow at night; Johari Bazaar trades till dark.

Getting there

Ⓜ Badi Chaupar (Pink), right by Hawa Mahal

What to see

Isarlat (Sargasuli) TowerA spiral ramp to the only balcony that shows the pink grid from inside it

Raj Mandir CinemaThe film matters less than the room and the crowd; book the ticket online before you goDetails →

Museum of LegaciesA cool, near-empty haveli of Rajasthan's crafts, halfway along the bazaarDetails →

Old CityForts, palaces and bazaars

Hawa MahalThe Palace of Winds, Jaipur's most recognisable buildingDetails →

Jantar MantarA historic open-air observatoryDetails →

City PalaceThe Maharaja's active residenceDetails →

Where to eat

LMB (Laxmi Misthan Bhandar)

Soul Brewing CompanyWidely regarded as Jaipur's best microbrewery for genuinely fresh, brewed-on-site craft beer and a lively-but-comfortable vibe.

Ganesh RestaurantA decades-old, cooked-to-order rooftop veg gem hidden in the old city's bazaars, long a local and traveller favourite.

ParoA modern Indian bar

Grand ChanakyaA long-standing MI Road name for authentic vegetarian Rajasthani food, praised by veteran food writers for staying true to its roots.

Handi RestaurantA clay-pot institution on MI Road where the kitchen is meat-led, which is worth knowing before you plan dinner.

Natraj RestaurantConsistently named among Jaipur's best thalis by Outlook Traveller and local food lists. A reliable, clean, all-in-one introduction to Rajasthani cuisine.

NirosA 1949 MI Road institution, the safe classic sit-down for Rajasthani and Mughlai fare.

LassiwalaJaipur's original and most famous lassi, three generations deep since 1944; seek out the original leftmost shop.

Shopping

Chandpol BazaarWatch marble being carved, then buy it from the carver (pieces from about ₹200)Details →

Kishanpole BazaarTie-dye cloth and wood carving at old-city prices, plus a haveli museum midway

Nehru BazaarJaipur's jooti market: embroidered slippers from about ₹300, best walked in the eveningDetails →

The Gem PalaceJewellers to the Rajput courts since 1852, worth entering even just to lookDetails →

Rajasthali Government EmporiumRead the labels here first, then bargain everywhere else with a number in mind

Johari BazaarThe precious stones marketDetails →

Tripolia BazaarLac banglesDetails →

Bapu BazaarJuttis, block prints and quiltsDetails →

Souvenirs from Jaipur

Where to stay

Zostel JaipurColourful social hostel in the heart of the Pink City

Alsisar HaveliAtmospheric 19th-century haveli with peacock-filled gardens

The JohriAward-winning five-suite boutique haveli inside Johri Bazaar

Other areas of Jaipur

Amber Nahargarh C-Scheme Albert Hall & Ram Niwas Jal Mahal

Areas on the map

In the app: the city's areas on the map, the places inside and a route.

Open in India GO

All of Jaipur in the app Open