Why the Northern Indian City of Jaipur Is Brighter Than Ever This Year

The Pink City, as Jaipur is known for its colorful historic buildings, celebrates the 300th anniversary of its founding in 2027. Its majestic architecture ranges from imposing sandstone forts to elaborate palaces and colourful havelis—or heritage mansions—designed in a fusion of Indian and Islamic styles. Jaipur is also a cultural hub, home to centuries-old traditions of fabric printing and jewelry-making, as well as more recent ones, like the Jaipur Literature Festival, an annual event bringing together international authors.

(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)

When to Go

Jaipur’s subtropical climate and arid surroundings make fall and winter the best times of the year to visit. Between November and March, cooler temperatures and mild sunshine make it more comfortable to explore its forts and monuments. Several important festivals take place during this time, including as the Kite Festival in mid-January, when the skies are filled with a colorful sails, and Gangaur, a March harvest celebration that brings citywide processions and music and dance performances.

What to Do

Tour the Old City:

The historic core, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was India’s first planned city. Jaipur's founder, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, an avid astronomer, divided the city into nine squares based on celestial bodies from Vedic astrology. Explore the city’s alleys on a heritage walk, learn about its 300-year history at the City Palace Museum, and dive into its diverse street food scene with a food tour.

Explore a Historic Palace:

Known as jharokhas, the 953 latticed windows of Hawa Mahal, combine to form the building’s distinctive five-story honeycomb façade. The windows once allowed ladies of the royal family to observe the busy markets without being seen. They also create a natural ventilation system that keeps the palace cool and gave it its name, which translates to Palace of Wind.

Climb to an Old Fort:

Commissioned in 1592, the Amber Fort towers on a hill over Jaipur. It has six entry gates, from the imposing Suraj Pol at the front to the lavishly frescoed Ganesh Pol inside, which leads to the royals’ private quarters. The Diwan-i-Aam is a colonnaded hall of red sandstone and alabaster with floral inlay designs where the king met his subjects, while the zenana, or women’s quarters, is a maze of passageways lined with lace-like screen windows. Most striking is the Sheesh Mahal, a chamber adorned from floor to ceiling with tiny mirrors that refract light into a kaleidoscopic display.

Consider the Cosmos:

Built in the early 18th century, Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 19 massive astronomical instruments built of stone and marble to calculate positions of celestial bodies. The Samrat Yantra is the world’s largest sundial, and the Ram Yantra was used to measure star positions.

Shop the Markets:

Jewelry lovers will love Johari Bazar, known for its kundan and meenakari shops selling traditional styles made with gold and glass enamel, while Tripolia Bazar sells intricately designed lac bangles, handcrafted bracelets made from tree resin. Bapu Bazar is famed for its handcrafted leatherwork, while Chandpol Bazar is a hub for handicrafts and colorful textiles.

Getting Around

Jaipur International Airport is connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, as well as Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Abi Dhabi, and Oman, where you can catch connecting flights from Europe and the U.S. Taxis are affordable and can be booked through ride-hailing apps such as Uber and the local favorite Ola. Auto rickshaws are often used for short distances and navigating narrow alleys; hailing them through the apps lets you know the prices upfront. Public buses are plentiful, but often crowded and slow. Private car charter services are inexpensive and a good idea for longer journeys or customized itineraries.