Jaipur, the Pink City, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and planned on a grid, which makes it unusually easy to explore. Its old walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its forts, palaces and bazaars are among the most visited in India. Three days gives you time to enjoy it without rushing.

Day 1: The Old City

1. Morning: City Palace. The palace complex is still partly the home of the former royal family and holds museums of textiles, weapons and art.
2. Jantar Mantar. Just next door, this 18th-century observatory is a UNESCO site and features enormous stone instruments used to measure time and the movement of the stars.
3. Hawa Mahal. Built in 1799, this five-storey façade of small windows is best photographed from the road opposite in the morning light.
4. Afternoon and evening: Bazaars. Walk through Johari Bazaar for jewellery and Bapu Bazaar for fabrics, footwear and souvenirs.

Day 2: Hill Forts and Lakes

1. Morning: Amer Fort. Begun in 1592 under Raja Man Singh I, this red sandstone and marble fort rises above Maota Lake. Do not miss the Sheesh Mahal and the courtyards. Consider walking or taking a jeep rather than an elephant ride.
2. Jal Mahal. Stop at the roadside viewpoint for photographs of the palace that seems to float on Man Sagar Lake.
3. Afternoon: Nahargarh or Jaigarh. Nahargarh is famous for evening views over the city, while Jaigarh holds a vast cannon and strong defensive walls.

Day 3: Culture and Craft

1. Morning: Albert Hall Museum. A grand building that houses a broad collection of art and crafts.
2. Panna Meena ka Kund. A beautiful stepwell near Amer, popular with photographers.
3. Afternoon: Block printing. Visit Sanganer or Bagru, villages known for hand block printing, and try a short workshop if you can.
4. Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a rooftop restaurant in the old city.

What to Eat

• Pyaaz kachori and mirchi vada for breakfast.
• Dal baati churma for a classic Rajasthani meal.
• Lassi in a traditional clay cup.
• Ghewar, a honeycomb-shaped sweet associated with the monsoon festival season.

Practical Tips

• Start early. Forts get crowded and hot by late morning.
• Ask about composite tickets. Some monuments offer combined tickets that save money, so check current details.
• Dress comfortably. You will walk a lot on stone and uneven ground.
• Bargain politely in bazaars and compare prices before buying.
• Best season: October to March.

For help with timing, read our season-by-season guide, and for a longer route, see the 7-day Rajasthan itinerary.