How to Spend 1 Day in Jaipur

The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is full of historic palaces and forts, with great shopping and gorgeous architecture to boot. While travelers could easily spend weeks in the city, one day is enough to hit up the highlights. Here’s how to make the most of a 1-day stay in Jaipur.

Morning: Pink City Highlights

Start your morning off with a visit to the Pink City of Jaipur, the old part of town, which was painted a salmon hue in honor of the 1876 visit of future King Edward VII. Start with a quick trip to the honeycomb-shaped Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, a red sandstone structure built with tiny windows to allow women of the royal court to observe life below without themselves being seen. From here it’s a quick walk to the City Palace, a huge palatial complex that houses a museum displaying royal artifacts and costumes; the royal family of Jaipur still lives in part of the complex to this day.

Afternoon: Astronomy and Amber

Grab lunch at the on-site Palace Café before continuing on to the Jantar Mantar, a 1726 astronomical observatory filled with gargantuan instruments used to track and predict stellar occurrences. From here, head out to Amber Fort, an enormous 16th-century palace fort that features a fantastic blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural elements, with labyrinthine interiors and intricately detailed courtyards and royal halls. After your visit, make your way back to central Jaipur, stopping for a photo at the Jal Mahal, a 5-story palace situated right in the center of Man Sagar Lake.

Night: An Evening at Chokhi Dhani

After night falls, head out to Chokhi Dhani, designed to re-create a traditional Rajasthani village of sorts, situated about a half-hour drive south of the city. The park features a slew of amusements, from palm readers to miniature Ferris wheels, along with handicraft demonstrations, dance performances, camel rides, and craft sellers. Have dinner at one of the restaurants offering all-you-can-eat buffets of regional Rajasthani delicacies. While it’s nothing like visiting an actual village, it’s a great way to learn about local culture in comfort.