Colourful, enthralling and flamboyant, Jaipur has an old-world charm to it that is unparalleled. From its chaotic streets and majestic mahals to the encompassing arid hills, the splendour of the glorious past of this historic city is visible in everything here. The star attraction of the city, however, is its stellar architecture that its palaces and forts flaunt. A regal blend of Mughal and Rajasthani styles, historical monuments in Jaipur tell a story that is rare and one-of-a-kind.
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A visit to this royal city is incomplete if you haven’t spent some time exploring its past that is conspicuous in its monuments, forts and museums. Here’s the ultimate guide to the best historical places in Jaipur that should be on your itinerary if you’re visiting the city.
Historical Palaces In Jaipur You Must Visit
Get a peek into the secret lives of the maharajas and their ranis at the many rajmahals in the city. Most of them have been turned into heritage resorts that give the guests a regal experience with all the modern amenities. Check out the best historical palaces in Jaipur.
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City Palace
A melange of the stunning Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, this 18th-century mahal is one of the major attractions of Jaipur. The lavish Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam, the Sileh Khana (the Queen’s Palace) and the Pritam Niwas Chowk (the courtyard with four massive gates), all make the City Palace one-of-a-kind.
Timings: 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 130
Best Time To Visit: November-February
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Hawa Mahal
True to its name, Hawa Mahal is a five-storeyed structure built at the edge of the City Palace with over 900 windows (called jharokhas) acting as a conduit for pleasant breezes! It is also accorded as one of the most famous tourist places in Jaipur. The palace was originally built for the royal women to get a glimpse of the city as they weren’t allowed to step outside.
Timings: 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 50
Best Time To Visit: October-February
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Jal Mahal
Standing tall in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal was originally constructed by Maharaja Madho Singh to hunt ducks. Out of the five floors, only one is above the water surface, the remaining four are hidden underwater!
Timings: 11:00 am-10:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 10
Best Time To Visit: October-January
Rambagh Palace
Now turned into a heritage resort, the Rambagh Palace once served as the abode of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Everything about the palace, right from the colossal verandahs and ornamental gardens to the large corridors, is an epitome of luxury and royal lifestyle. Expect to spot groups of peacocks in the lavish front lawns!
Timings: 24 hours
Entry Fee: Rs 30
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Best Historical Forts In Jaipur
One of the main highlights of Jaipur is its many forts. The architectural beauty of these monuments make them a grand addition to the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Here are the most popular places to visit in Jaipur
Amer Fort
This is the same place where movies like Jodha Akbar, Mughal-e-Azam and Veer were shot! The iconic fort from the 16th century is made up of sandstone and marble and mirrors the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.
Timings: 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 25
Best Time To Visit: November-February
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Jaigarh Fort
Standing atop the Aravallis and overlooking the Maota Lake is the rugged Jaigarh Fort, popularly called the Cheel Ka Teela. The fort is famous for being the home to the world’s largest cannon on wheels, Jaivana. An 18th-century weapon, the canon weighs 50-tonnes and was cast in 1720 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur. Don’t forget to see the royal garden, courtrooms, watch room, and the museum while you are at Jaigarh Fort.
Timings: 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 15
Best Time To Visit: November-February
Nahargarh Fort
Remember the Masti Ki Pathshala song from Aamir Khan’s Rang De Basanti? It was shot in one of the baoris (stepwell) at this fort! One of the major attractions of the Nahargarh Fort is the Mahendra Bhavan, that was used as a retreat by Raja Sawai Madho Singh and his 9 wives!
Timings: 10:00 am-5:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 50
Best Time To Visit: November-February
Museums In Jaipur That You Cannot Miss
If you have a penchant for rare historical items, drop by at these museums in Jaipur. Home to royal artwork, paintings, jewellery and costumes, these museums perfectly throw light on the glorious past of the city.
Albert Hall Museum
Located inside the Ram Niwas Garden, the Albert Hall Museum is the oldest museum of Rajasthan that was opened to the public in 1887. You can catch a glimpse of rare artefacts including paintings, jewellery, metal and wood crafts belonging to different Rajasthani tribes.
Timings: 9:00 am-5:00 pm, 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 40
Best Time To Visit: November-March
Anokhi Museum
Another fabulous place to explore the oldest forms of Rajasthani art is the Anokhi Museum. Housed inside the Chawar Palkiwalon Ki Haveli, this was once the residence of the royal palanquin bearers. The museum exhibits more than hundred hand-printed and block-printed garments.
Timings: 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 30
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Temples In Jaipur That’ll Mesmerize You
Just like its forts and palaces, the temples of Jaipur also hold a significant place in its rich cultural heritage. The architecture and craftsmanship of these temples make them so much more than just places of worship.
Birla Mandir
Located at the foothills of Moti Dungri, is this Lakshmi Narayan temple made of white marble. The highlights of the temple are the idols of Lakshmi and Narayan carved out of a single piece of marble. The walls of this Hindu temple are adorned with images of Socrates, Buddha and Jesus Christ!
Timings: 6:00 am- 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm-9:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 150
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Galtaji Temple
Surrounded by the majestic Aravalis, the famous Galtaji temple consists of several shrines, kunds, pavilions and natural springs. It is made of pink sandstone and is located inside the City Palace. Be aware of the army of monkeys here, though.
Timings: 5:00 am-9:00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time To Visit: February, March, October, December
Moti Dungri Temple
Built on a hill above the Birla Temple is the Moti Dungri Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple is enveloped from all sides by the Moti Dungri Mahal, an imitation of a Scottish Castle. Built in a fort complex, you can enjoy stunning views of the city from here.
Timings: 5:30 am-1:30 pm, 4:30 pm-9:30 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time To Visit: November-March
Jagat Shiromani Temple
This 17th-century temple is a perfect blend of the Hindu and Jain styles of architecture. Made of marble, sandstone and granite, the temple is one of the oldest temples in Rajasthan dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Timings: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Best Historical Gardens In Jaipur
A trip to Jaipur is not complete without a visit to lush green gardens. Built by the maharajas of Jaipur, these gardens have a royal touch that can’t be missed. Here are the best historical gardens in Jaipur:
Sisodia Rani Bagh
What was once the personal retreat of Sisodia Rani, the second wife of Sawai Jai Singh II, is now a popular picnic spot in the city. The walls of the garden are adorned with beautiful mural paintings of Radha and Krishna and the garden is dotted with gorgeous trees and water fountains.
Timings: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 30
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Ram Niwas Garden
Built in 1868, this royal garden is spread over an area of 30 acres and houses the famous Albert Hall Museum. Plenty of appealing fountains and pools make the garden a must-visit place when you are in Jaipur.
Timings: 5:00 am-8:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 10
Best Time To Visit: October-February
Kanak Vrindavan
Kanak Vrindavan, or Kanak Ghati as it is popularly called, was built by the Raja of Jaipur more than 200 years ago. The manicured lawns, series of fountains and Govind Dev Ji temple inside the premises of the garden can leave anyone spellbound.
Timings: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time To Visit: November-March
Other Historical Monuments In Jaipur
Apart from the forts, palaces, temples, museums and gardens, here are a few other historical monuments in Jaipur that you should not miss:
Chhatris Of Gaitore
Though not in the main city, the Chhatris of Gaitore is a major tourist attraction on the outskirts of the town (15 km from the main city to be precise). The structure is a resting place of the royals. People come here in huge numbers to see the marble cenotaphs with intricate carvings.
Timings: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 30
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Chand Baori
Chand Baori or the Abhaneri Stepwell in the outskirts of the city constitutes of 13 storeys and 3500 steps. Though this architectural gem was used to store water during droughts, its spectacular beauty now makes it a must-visit attraction in Jaipur.
Timings: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time To Visit: October-April
Jantar Mantar
-Right next to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the largest stone astronomical observatory of the world where one can map the sky, position of stars and other celestial objects through naked eyes. This was how the people in the past calculated time!
Timings: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 50
Best Time To Visit: October-April
So the next time you are in Jaipur, don’t forget to visit these historical places to explore the city in its full glory.
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