Image courtesy of Kay Hart
You may have heard of Jaipur, otherwise known as the “Pink City” of India. (Perhaps you’ve seen the oft-Instagrammed pink building with small windows.) But Jaipur isn’t truly understood until it’s felt — in the early morning flower markets, where your hands feel the wet roses and bright marigolds; in the delicate strokes of the City Palace murals, each peacock feather of paint telling a story; in air thick with spices; in the pour of coffee at Curious Life or a Masala Chai vendor at the bazaar. You’ll feel it in the variations of pink-hued clay buildings and ornamental windows that give Jaipur its soul.
Jaipur is an essential stop on any India itinerary — it’s a city with deep roots and a vibrant pulse that reminds me, in many ways, of the energy you find in CDMX, which I consider one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
There’s a cultural revival underway. Ancestral homes are being transformed into intimate design-forward hotels, creative coffee shops are taking root and cocktail bars are emerging with a flair that evokes Miami’s Wynwood District — yet always grounded in Rajasthani heritage and hospitality.
There’s beauty in the chaos, and the city offers something for every kind of traveler. I especially love Jaipur as part of an India itinerary — for a girls’ trip, a honeymoon, a couples’ vacation, a solo creative trip or even a family adventure (but only for kids mature enough to embrace late nights, architectural tours and a bit of spontaneity).
Jaipur basics: when to visit, for how long and what to expect
Images courtesy of Kay Hart
The best time to visit Jaipur is between September and April, with late September and late March/early April being especially nice for avoiding the biggest crowds. (If you want the party, let’s get you here during Holi, in mid-March.)
It’s tough to pin down the perfect number of nights in Jaipur. I could spend a full week+ there, and pair it with a more off-the-beaten-path destination or nature safari. But for a first-time visitor, I recommend at least three nights, which allows for two full days of exploration and a little room to unwind.
If you’ve traveled in Asia, you might be familiar with the feeling of visiting yet another golden temple — and in Europe, it can sometimes feel like every stop is just another castle or garden. But in Rajasthan, and particularly Jaipur, the palaces and sites are truly distinctive. They’re layered with rich history and cultural complexity that makes every visit feel fresh and meaningful. Nothing feels designed for tourists. Nothing feels mundane. Along the way to each destination is a wall that has intricate artistry of peacock features, or floral-lined highways.
Things to do in Jaipur to ignite your senses
Images courtesy of Kay Hart
For the creative, conscious and curious traveler, here are some recommended experiences for a Jaipur itinerary, the perfect blend of heritage and culture:
Amer For (also referred to as Amber Fort): This is substantial. The scale of the walls and the intricate detailing blew my mind — it’s a dreamy mix of soft color palettes and rich craftsmanship. It's impossible not to be in awe.
Hawa Mahal: Skip the Instagram crowd of selfie tourists and get the best view (and story) from across the street. Have your guide explain the symbolic purpose of the tiny windows — it was once a glimpse out, not in. As a woman, that meaning lingered.
The Gyan Museum: View a private jewelry and art collection and explore antique textiles, rare jewelry, manuscripts, hookah mouthpieces of the royal families and other historical objects that showcase India’s cultural heritage in the most precious way. The museum is designed by architect Paul Mathieu, who did a fantastic job playing with light and modern minimalism to let the ornamental objects and detailed textiles of the past be the center pieces. (Let me arrange this for you — it’s available upon private reservation only and is also great for authentic shopping.)
Visit Gem Palace: Walking into Gem Palace felt like walking into the jewelry box of my wildest dreams. I highly suggest you come with a vision and get something custom-made; you sit with a master jeweler, sketch your vision together and watch it come to life using techniques once reserved for maharajas. This is where to shop like the queen you are! But it's also fun to just window shop and learn about the precious stones.
Images courtesy of Kay Hart
Block-printing class (and shopping) at the Carpet and Textile House: A hands-on block-printing class felt essential once completed. Block printing is more than just a textile art — it's a living heritage in Jaipur, kept alive by artisan families and workshops that welcome visitors to learn and participate.
The Great Exotic Flower Tour: Explore the cultural significance of flowers in the city (symbolic to me in the form of growth and life) by visiting a local flower market, where you'll learn about their role in daily life, temple rituals and activities designed to support the recycling of the flowers to create textiles or decadent deserts. (We made rose-petal protein balls afterward, and they were delicious.)
Shri Govindev Ji Gems: There is no shortage of wholesaler precious gems in Jaipur. It’s definitely all about whom you know to help you navigate the direct sourcing of the stones. But this shop was special, welcoming and had an excellent collection of quality stones and rare cuts.
Gift shopping and endless wandering at Bapu and Johari Bazaar: It feels overwhelming to know what to shop for here among all the stores filled with shoes, jewels, scarves and gems. It’s chaotic and fun, especially while sipping chai and watching brides and grooms shop for their big day.
Where to eat in Jaipur
Dera Amer: After checking out of your hotel, consider stopping en route to your next destination for lunch and a special visit with Laxmi and Rangmala, two rescued elephants now living peacefully at Dera Amer, a farm and boutique glamping retreat just an hour north of Jaipur. The property grows everything from pomegranates and sweet mangoes to wheat and peas. Lunch is a highlight: charcoal-warmed roti, millet and white rice. It’s simple, flavorful and exactly what my stomach needed. Honestly, you don’t even need dips — the flavors are subtle and speak for themselves.
Curious Life Coffee Roasters: Head here for a late afternoon latte and snack, because India is all about snacking all day.
Baradari Restaurant & Grill: Go for sunset cocktails and small bites, all in the iconic City Palace.
Bar Palladio: I judged it as “too Miami” — then quickly changed my mind. Locals love it, and so did I. Sit outside (with bug spray!) and enjoy a cocktail and some surprisingly good pizza. It’s a chic pre-dinner vibe and a nice break from traditional Indian cuisine.
The Johri: If you don’t stay at this boutique hotel, you should certainly dine here. The ambience is perfect and the vegetarian dinner makes even meat-eaters' heads turn. The menu changes by season based on the freshest produce they can source. Don’t miss a bread sampling, though, because the tandoori roti, naan and palak are all worth trying.
Where to stay in Jaipur
Rajmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur & The Oberoi Rajvilas
Where to stay in Jaipur is contingent on how long you will spend in the city, where else you are traveling and your vibe. Picking a hotel based on aesthetics would be a catastrophic mistake here, as the locations and Instagram vs. reality of the hotels is a real thing to decipher. Please be sure to contact me to help you plan and make arrangements suitable to your overall itinerary and vibe. Here are a few hotels worth highlighting:
The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur: Waking up here feels like a dream: Peacocks roam the grounds and morning prayers in the temple are open to all guests. (If you are on your honeymoon, ask me to arrange a private blessing ceremony for you.) You're just a short drive from Jaipur’s thriving food scene. The breakfast buffet has every pastry and every yogurt your heart could desire, and the ambience is truly regal, with options for outdoor or indoor dining. But I loved that breakfast could also be enjoyed in your room at no additional cost; most all rooms have a cute nook with a bench. If you’re a couple, book the luxury yurt room.
Fora Perks include a complimentary three-course dinner for two, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Rajmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur: First things first, the iconic wallpaper. Not one room alike. It has that old-school glamour like The Beverly Hills Hotel, but set in Jaipur's rich royal past. Once home to Rajasthan’s royals, everything here feels lavish. It’s easy to access Jaipur’s main sites, and the suites are perfect for families wanting a lot of extra space and style.
The Johri
Raffles Hotel, Jaipur: A new hotel for the Raffles collection (the Singapore one sent the benchmark high for me), and this hotel meets the same standards. Located in Kukas, about a 30-minute drive from Jaipur city center, this is certainly going to be the new luxury hotel on everyone’s radar. It’s designed like a queen’s palace, where soft silvers, warm whites, gentle pastels and of course a lot of peacocks all come together with delicate floral details. The grounds are not as substantial as that of the Oberoi, but the hotel itself is really charming and a great option for families or honeymooners wanting comfort outside the city center.
Fora’s Accor Preferred partner perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Laalee, Jaipur: I didn't have the honor of staying here, but I did have the honor of taking a painting class with one of the owners. I love this boutique hotel. Laalee is named after the Hindi word for love. For a boutique stay in a slightly quieter neighborhood of Jaipur, the guesthouse is a true labor of love — each wall is hand-painted by the owners, making every corner feel like a piece of living art. With just a handful of rooms, it’s an intimate stay perfect for travelers looking to experience Jaipur in an inspired and genuine way. It’s ideal for couple and solo travelers alike. It’s the type of place where you will be greeted by your first name and you will leave feeling inspired.
The Johri, Jaipur: This five-room restored haveli in the heart of the bazaar is a true creative jewel. Each suite tells its own story with exquisite design and thoughtful touches (you’ll want to take the robes and quilts home and you, which you can do, because they have a hotel shop, which is just so smart). It feels like La Valise in San Miguel — a place where detail and heart meet. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to City Palace, 15 minutes’ walk to Gem Palace and pretty much in the thick of it all. I like The Johri best for adults and those who don't mind a city stay (no peacocks outside your window here, just honking and street hustle).
