Jaipur and the Amber Fort – The Pink City of Rajasthan

Nature
The wow factor for nature - does it show nature at its best? Doesn't need to be the wildebeest migration or diving with hundreds of hammerheads. Rather make you pause as you realise just how awesome the natural world can be
2
Culture
How much does this experience showcase some of the better and finer things that us humans can offer? Sure, it can be ancient ruins and renaissance churches, but it can also be festivals or soaking up some of the great modern cities of the world
7
Fun factor/activity
Very simple - was it fun? This is usually linked in with doing some kind of activity - i mean, walking along some cliffs is nice, but paragliding from them, now that is fun. Its a vastly underrated factor in a truly great experience
4
Avoid the crowds
Big tour groups and being surrounded by loud fellow tourists can sap the life out of even the greatest of travel experiences. This score is to reflect just how much you can avoid this. But. . . The score also takes into account if the crowds actually add to the experience, such as with a party town or a bustling local market
1
World famous
How world famous is the experience?
5
unique
How hard is it to have a similar experience in other places round the world?
6
Overall TE Score
The overall travel experiences score:  fun factor + avoid the crowds + (best of nature or culture) + (best of world famous or unique). Then convert into a score out of 100
45 *What the scores mean and where do they come from
RANKING
How this travel experience ranks compared to all the other experiences on this site, based on the travel experience (te) score
399th/454
Bottom 20%
continent
Asia
country
India
Length of time
1-2 days
Typical daily price
This gives you a rough idea of the daily price based on 2 people travelling where they can split costs like accommodation. It excludes travel there and back, and factors in inflation the numbers in brackets show the price range for the full time of the experience (so not necessarily daily). It is a range to reflect different budget vs higher end
$30 ($30-$90 in 2024 prices)
Time of year visited
November
Primary Tags
Click on any of the tags to see all travel experiences with the same tag
Castles / Fortresses Old town Wildlife - Monkeys
All Tags
Cooking Market Palaces UNESCO world heritage site Wildlife - Elephants
Wow Factor
The wow factor reflects just how much you’re likely to say “wow”. As there’s a lot of experiences in the world, and a lot of wows, i’ve gone with a simple ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ to ⭐️ score, and a separate category for the truly "gash"
Gash

Summary

Jaipur is part of India’s classical Golden Triangle route and represents the natural gateway into the gem that is the state of Rajasthan.  For sure its sort of fun walking through the chaotic pink city with monkeys jumping everywhere and visiting in particular the magnificent nearby Amber Fort.

But, and I’ve been visited twice now, I would honestly suggest missing it as part of your Rajasthan itinerary.  The city itself is super dirty, mega busy and with little in terms of that bright pink city-vibe you’re expecting.  The fort is indeed magnificent, but its only at best on par with what you will see in the likes of Jodphur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer that often make up a Rajhastan itinerary.

I’ve listed below which destinations to prioritise.  But if you do visit, I’ve added some tips as well.

 

Jaipur and the Amber Fort - dancers in the evening at

 

Things to do in Jaipur and the Amber Fort

Jaipur and the Amber Fort - #1 The Hawa Mahal - iconic and aligns with many of the ornate buildings within the Pink City itself

#1 The Hawa Mahal - iconic and aligns with many of the ornate buildings within the Pink City itself

Jaipur and the Amber Fort - #2 Views down onto the magnificent Amber Fort from the Jaigarh Fort, only 20mins walk further up the hill

#2 Views down onto the magnificent Amber Fort from the Jaigarh Fort, only 20mins walk further up the hill

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #3 The Chand Bawdi Step-well on your way to Jaipur - its 1.45hrs outside of town but is the world's deepest Step-well at 30m / 100ft, 3500 steps across 13 stories and is magnificent

#3 The Chand Bawdi Step-well on your way to Jaipur - its 1.45hrs outside of town but is the world's deepest Step-well at 30m / 100ft, 3500 steps across 13 stories and is magnificent

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #4 An Indian cooking class - there is so much to learn about Indian cuisine and we really enjoyed it as a change to the classic sight seeing.  I highly recommend Chef Lokesh

#4 An Indian cooking class - there is so much to learn about Indian cuisine and we really enjoyed it as a change to the classic sight seeing.  I highly recommend Chef Lokesh

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #5 Seeing the hundreds and hundreds of monkeys that call the Pink City their home . . . and are more than happy to relieve you of your items

#5 Seeing the hundreds and hundreds of monkeys that call the Pink City their home . . . and are more than happy to relieve you of your items

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #6 Bracing yourself for some of the local markets - prepare to be hassled!

#6 Bracing yourself for some of the local markets - prepare to be hassled!

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #7 The first views of the Amber Fort across the lake. Pretty dramatic

#7 The first views of the Amber Fort across the lake. Pretty dramatic

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #8 The Jal Mahal palace in the Man Sagar Lake is worth seeing for the walk - be sure to walk clockwise around to the Jal Maha Paal area as the crowds drop and for a brief moment you feel like you're not in modern manic India!

#8 The Jal Mahal palace in the Man Sagar Lake is worth seeing for the walk - be sure to walk clockwise around to the Jal Maha Paal area as the crowds drop and for a brief moment you feel like you're not in modern manic India!

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #9 The intricacies of the artwork within the Old City Palace

#9 The intricacies of the artwork within the Old City Palace

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #10 Popping into one of the smaller temples in central Jaipur. We wandered into the Temple of Lord Krishna right by the main bazar and we warmly welcomed with tea and a view of the city from the roof.  Really added to the experience

#10 Popping into one of the smaller temples in central Jaipur. We wandered into the Temple of Lord Krishna right by the main bazar and we warmly welcomed with tea and a view of the city from the roof.  Really added to the experience

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #11 Staying in one of the pertty havelis. In this case the Alsisar Haveli

#11 Staying in one of the pertty havelis. In this case the Alsisar Haveli

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #12 Seeing the elephants making their way back and fort between the forts near the Amber fort. Actually quite cool

#12 Seeing the elephants making their way back and fort between the forts near the Amber fort. Actually quite cool

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #13 The walk up to the Jaigarh Fort from the Amber Fort with the. views and the the crowds melting away

#13 The walk up to the Jaigarh Fort from the Amber Fort with the. views and the the crowds melting away

Jaipur and the Amber Fort. #14 Popping to one of the luxury hotel for afternoon tea. The Samode Haveli was nice, as was the Raffles Jaipur (pictured)

#14 Popping to one of the luxury hotel for afternoon tea. The Samode Haveli was nice, as was the Raffles Jaipur (pictured)

Tips for Jaipur

 

The Amber Fort really is magnificent, so don’t miss that, but walk to the Jaigarh Fort as well.  Walk a bit further up the hill to the Jaigarh Fort, which is all part of the same broad complex.  Its only an extra 20mins or so, yet the crowds drop off dramatically and the views are wow.

Do a cooking class – there is so much to learn about Indian cuisine and we really enjoyed it as a change to the classic sight seeing.  I highly recommend Chef Lokesh who you can easily find online, or direct on +91 99280 97288.

Try to visit the Chand Bawdi Step-well on your way to Jaipur – its 1.45hrs outside of town but is the world’s deepest Step-well at 30m / 100ft, 3500 steps across 13 stories and is magnificent.

See if you can get invited into one of the smaller temples – we for example wandered into the Temple of Lord Krishna right by the main bazar and we warmly welcomed with tea and a view of the city from the roof.  Really added to the experience.

The Jal Mahal palace in the Man Sagar Lake is worth seeing for the walk – be sure to walk clockwise around to the Jal Maha Paal area as the crowds drop and for a brief moment you feel like you’re not in modern manic India!

How long to stay?  We stayed for 4 nights because it was Christmas, but I only think you need a night . . . again, I would give it a miss.

Be prepared for pretty horrible traffic getting into the main part of the city.  Yes the tuk tuk is fun, but a closed car more relaxing.

We stayed at the Alsisar Haveli and would recommend.

A stay in Jaipur will almost certainly be as part of a trip round India’s Golden Triangle.  For tips, see the entry for India’s Golden Triangle; getting the most out of it.

 

If trying to decide where to go in Rajasthan

 

As a long term Indian traveller, I see Rajasthan as the clear highlight of India.  Exotic deserts, magnificent forts and a feeling of adventure.  Plus the highest concentration of wow highlights anywhere in India.

 

If first time visitor and assuming you fly into Delhi, I would prioritise this way:

#1 Jodhpur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The Blue City: a maze of indigo houses beneath one of India’s greatest forts.  Magnificent and the highlight of Rajasthan.  See the travel entry for tips – Jodphur’s Blue City.

#2 Taj Mahal (Agra) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The most beautiful building in the world, and surprisingly emotional to see in person.  Lives up to the hype. The Taj Mahal.

#3 Udaipur – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ India’s most romantic city, all lakes, palaces and sunset views. A boat trip along the lake is magical. The Lakeside and Palaces of Udaipur.

#4 The Chand Bawdi Step-well ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – the world’s deepest step-well at 30m / 100ft, 3500 steps across 13 stories and is magnificent.  Visit as part of the drive through to Jaipur.

#5 Jaisalmer ⭐️⭐️ – A golden desert fortress and camel safaris into the Thar Desert.  Jaisalmer and camel desert safari.

Delhi – give yourself half a day as you will fly into here, but don’t prioritise. Delhi.

Jaipur – GASH.  The Pink City is a big disappointment and not in the same league as the above. Don’t bother.

 

Experiences Nearby

The below map shows experiences nearby with a colour that reflect the Overall Score of those experiences

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Score Detail

The scores above are the real point of this site.

Over 20+ years and 100+ countries, I’ve tried to rank the world’s best travel experiences — from genuinely mind-blowing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to the properly gash.

Every one of the 500+ places on this site has both a Wow Factor rating and a more analytical Travel Experience (TE) score based on the things that actually make travel memorable.

If you're curious about the thinking behind it, head to the About page.

Otherwise, explore the map above or on the Home page and see which places truly deliver maximum wow.

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