How to spend 48 hours in Jaipur
Jaipur: The so called “pink city” and capital of the royal state of Rajasthan. The view of magnificent forts and magical palaces, surrounded by beautiful pink tones on the walls and gorgeous backdrops, is surely an experience that transports you back in time.
I had seen so many beautiful pictures of Rajasthan and knew that this was a place I had to visit. When I arrived, I began hunting for the beautiful spots I’ve seen earlier on pictures. And let me tell you this: Pictures cannot compare to the true beauty that Jaipur has to offer!
I just spent two nights in Jaipur, worrying that might not be enough, but to my surprise two nights was exactly what I needed to visit all the sights that I wanted to see.
How to get there:
The best way to get to Jaipur is to fly to India’s capital city of Delhi and hop on one of the many affordable domestic flights for your connection to Jaipur.
India has a number of domestic Airlines flying to almost every city in India you can think of. Therefore I would always suggest taking the plane from Delhi to Jaipur instead of the train or car. Another reason being that the prizes are quite reasonable and you avoid the exhaustion you would usually feel after a long car ride.
We booked our tickets with Indigo Airlines, which I can recommend. The flight duration from Delhi to Jaipur was about 55 minutes.
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Where to stay:
To get the full experience while exploring the land of the Maharajas, book your stay at the Samode Haveli. Yet another facility that takes you back in time. This beautiful urban oasis is located in the historic walled city of Jaipur.
Coming to Jaipur, I knew I wanted to stay in a charming hotel that reflects the architecture and culture of Rajasthan.
After taking your first step into this beautiful hotel I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed. You will find yourself wanting to capture the beauty of every little hand painted detail that you can find. It surely is an indescribable experience on its own.
Exploring new places can be exhausting at times, therefore I always recommend booking a cozy place to come back to after a long day of exciting activities.
Coming back “home” to an oasis like the Samode Haveli is pure bliss. I especially loved the pool area which was surrounded by beautiful oriental details.
If you are the kind of person that likes to spend time at the Spa area, do treat yourself to a massage at the Spa located right above the pool building.
What to see:
The best way to get around in Jaipur is by Uber! Make sure to get a local SIM card or subscribe to an ideal roaming package back home. I personally loved how flexible I was in using my mobile phone. Also, being able to get a ride whenever needed eliminates the hassle of having to bargain with every driver that comes your way.
1.Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, also called the Palace of Winds, was the first sight I was so eager to visit. I had seen so many beautiful images of this lush pink palace and couldn’t wait to have a look at it for myself.
TIP: MAKE SURE TO HAVE LOCAL CURRENCY ON YOU, THE APP SHOWS YOU THE ESTIMATED COST WHICH HAS TO BE PAID IN CASH TO THE DRIVER!
If you are wondering why Jaipur is called the pink city, you should know that it was a symbolic sign of hospitality to Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal, also served as a place where the ladies of the royal household could observe everyday life without being seen themselves. The unique structure of Hawa Mahal comes with a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, and shouldn’t be missed when visiting Jaipur.
For the best shot, make sure to find the café that is located opposite of Hawa Mahal.
You’ll find a little staircase with a signboard pointing upstairs. Climb up and just a few steps before the café you will have the best view overlooking this beautiful pink palace.
TIP: VISIT THIS MOST ICONIC ATTRACTION OF THE CITY IN THE EVENING WHEN IT LIGHTS UP BEAUTIFULLY IN THE DARK.
2.City Palace
The City Palace is located within the walled city of Jaipur. It is still home to the last ruling royal family that lives in a private section of this palace.
Inside the City Palace, I had two major attractions to cross off my list: The famous blue room and the beautiful detailed doors.
Please keep in mind that you will have to pay an entry fee to have a look at the aforementioned parts of the palace. You will be assigned to a tour guide who will walk you through the palace and give you enough time to take your photos. The best thing is that the tour guide even points out from which point you can take the best shot.
GOOD TO KNOW: You will find four different types of doors that represent the seasons and Hindu gods. Only one door will be open, depending on the season we find ourselves in at that particular moment.
The first stop on the guided tour takes you to the exteriors of the walled palace.
The architecture of the exterior walls reminded me of the Hawa Mahal with all its white and dusty pink tones. But once you enter the patio of the palace, you will be amazed by how many details you can find on the four beautiful hand painted doors.
After you have seen the patio of the palace the guide takes you behind the palace on a stairway that passes beautiful balconies and breathtaking views until you reach the famous “blue room”.
Make sure to tell your guide, that you would love to take your photos while avoiding the crowds. He will take you through the palace a step ahead of everyone else (especially group tours). A generous tip for the guide’s extra effort surely won’t hurt as well.
3.Patrika Gate
After visiting the City Palace I would recommend you drive to the Patrika Gate.
Patrika Gate is located outside of the city, yet still very close to the airport of Jaipur. Driving by car from the City Palace to Patrika Gate should take you about 30 minutes. Ideally, I would suggest you visit Patrika Gate straight when arriving in Jaipur.
You can visit the Gate without paying an entry fee. Moreover it can be visited at any time, as it is open 24hrs a day. Nevertheless, I would advise you to visit each major site before sunset.
After seeing the gate for myself, I quickly understood why the Patrika Gate is one of the most instagramable sites. The vibrant colors make this monument a dream come true for any photographer out there.
Jaipur truly is a bustling capital with a mixture of rustic age-old charm.
4.Amber palace
The Amber Palace (pronounced Amer) counts as one of the top tourist attractions in Jaipur.
This magnificent fort can be spotted from afar by its distinctive beautiful yellow and pink tones embellished with hints of marble.
Once you arrive you will see elephants transporting tourists to the Amber palace. I can imagine that there is a majestic feeling that comes with riding an elephant. But the truth is, in my opinion riding elephants should be avoided due to the abuse the animals undergo when they are taught to carry people, as well as safety concerns. Hence, please do not support this! Rather have a look at these beautiful animals from afar. After all, the walk up to the palace really isn’t a though one.
Visiting the Amber Palace was another amazing experience during my trip to Jaipur and I can safely say that Jaipur won’t fail to surprise anyone who decides to visit, especially if you are a curious traveler as I am.
TIP: IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME ON YOUR HANDS I would RECOMMEND YOU VISIT JAIGARH FORT, ITS A 15 MINUTE DRIVE FROM AMBER PALACE AND HOUSES THE WORLDS LARGEST CANON.
5.Stepwell
(PANNA MEENA KA KUND)
Panna Meena ka Kund is a square-shaped stepwell, with adjoining stairs on all four sides. These were used for religious ceremonies and popular festivals.
Panna Meena ka Kund is one of many stepwells in Rajasthan, for picture lovers definitely a place worth visiting! If you want your Insta worthy shot make sure to visit early and avoid using the main entrance. It’s not permitted to walk down the stairs anymore so make sure to visit when the guards are not on duty.
6.jaipurs streets
I often see people just rushing from one sight to the other, trying to avoid busy and crowded streets. I however find the beauty of street life, wherever I go, to be one of the most exciting things to observe.
In order to experience the ultimate feeling of the vibrant and colorful city of Jaipur, make sure to roam the streets of Jaipur instead of avoiding them.
Bear in mind that some locals are very curious therefore don’t misinterpret people staring as something bad. It is not meant to make you feel uncomfortable.
Whiles on the streets of Jaipur do not leave without tasting some authentic street food.
Whether you are a Meat-lover, Vegetarian or Vegan the Indian cuisine has something to offer for everyone. I had a simple, yet very tasty dish with chickpeas and tomatoes wrapped into a piece of flat bread.
Just as in other parts of India, don’t forget to put together an outfit that covers your legs and shoulders while strolling around neighborhoods.
TIP: I ALWAYS CARRY A LIGHT SCARF WITH ME SO WHENEVER I WANT TO TAKE PHOTOS IT’S EASY TO TAKE IT OF AND COVER UP AGAIN ONCE I AM DONE.
if you have never been on a Tuk-Tuk, which is also called auto-rickshaw I’d recommend you should experience a ride on this 3-wheeler at least once.
I know it might sound like a typical cliché but whiles on a Tuk-Tuk watch out for the cows and elephants passing on the streets and capture your perfect picture.
Don’t be surprised it happens more than I’d expected.
Jaipur at a glance
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