Capital of Rajasthan, the Jaipur we know today dates back to the early 17th century. There is a wide choice amongst our picks of the best places to stay in Jaipur - from the regally opulent Raj Palace, and no-frills modern hotels aimed at business travellers to smaller, more authentic properties and boutique hotels.
Some of our Jaipur Collections:
The very name Jaipur is synonymous with glamorous tales of Maharajas and their palaces. One such example is Rambagh Palace, which went from a hunting lodge to a royal residence and today is a 5* hotel.
Old Jaipur
The old city, in the northeast quarter, became The Pink City in 1897 when the Maharaja Jai Singh decided to paint it a welcoming pink for a visit by the then Prince of Wales. Still largely walled, there are four main gates and the bird’s eye view is of a neat grid laid out with wide streets and rectangular plots.
Modern Jaipur
Closer to the ground Jaipur isn’t quite so tidy. The roads are frantic, noisy and congested with cars, rickshaws, lorries, buses, bikes and animals.
It has a population of nearly 4 million and there are 15,000 licensed auto-rickshaws. But the city still has great charm. It is a popular destination for tourists in the winter months and a great place to shop.
What Not To Miss
- You'll love the Elefantastic experience where you not only head off trekking on an elephant but also feed, wash, massage and truly get to know them! A lovely day out that'll leave you in awe of these wonderful creatures.
- You can also take an elephant ride up the hill to the Amber Fort, a wonderful 16th century building with magnificent architecture and gorgeous views of the city.
- Visit the Sheesh Mahal Hall of Mirrors, with its beautifully tendered gardens and ornate interiors. This lovely spot is also often featured in Bollywood movies so you may in fact recognise it!
- Wander around the impressive Nahargarh Fort and spend some time in its wax museum, featuring waxwork models of a (mostly Indian) variety of celebrities.
- Of course shopping for textiles is a must!
Transport in Jaipur
- Taxis can be booked from hotels. For short rides, hail an auto-rickshaw. Ask the price and expect to haggle though they aren’t expensive. If the driver speaks no English, find one who does. The modern airport is close to the centre of town (to the south) and Jaipur is well connected by rail and bus services.
Be sure to book ahead early to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Jaipur. This city is extremely busy during the winter months, especially during the Literature Festival which is held every January.
