Weekend getaway from Delhi · #2 of 10
Jaipur
Rajasthan's Pink City - Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace bazaars and rooftop cafes, about 4 hours from Delhi by expressway or train.
Ready for a legendary weekend? The Pink City fits gorgeous palaces, bustling bazaars, and three epic hill forts into a quick escape, just 4 hours from Delhi via NH48. Hit the walled city on Saturday, catch the Nahargarh sunset, then conquer Amber Fort on Sunday before driving home.
Getting there
A smooth, divided highway. Beat the traffic by starting early and you will cruise there in under 4 hours. Plus, there are plenty of solid food courts along the way to fuel up!
Skip the driving and hop on a comfy AC Volvo. They run about every 30 minutes, but remember to grab your seats up to 6 days in advance.
Saturday
Dive into the vibrant old city, hunt for bazaar treasures, and catch a stunning sunset from the fort.- 16:00 AMDrive
Depart Delhi on NH48
Beat the Delhi snooze button and zoom through Gurgaon. It is a quick, under 4 hour cruise to Jaipur on a good morning, complete with essential piping-hot chai stops at the Behror midway hubs.
Tip · Hit the road by 6:00 AM so you can grab brunch before the afternoon heat sets in!
- 210:30 AMFood
Pyaz kachori at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar
The ultimate spot for Jaipur street food, right opposite Polo Victory. Treat yourself to their legendary pyaz ki kachori, then wrap it up with a sweet mawa kachori or rich ghewar.
📍 Rawat Mishthan Bhandar, Station Road, Jaipur
- 311:45 AMSight
Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799, this spectacular five-storey Palace of Winds has over 950 windows where royal ladies watched street life unseen. For that postcard-perfect honeycomb view, stand on the bazaar side.
📍 Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Tip · Snapping a photo from the street costs nothing, but grabbing a seat at the rooftop cafes across the road gets you the best head-on angle.
- 412:45 PMSight
City Palace
A royal wonderland in the old city center. Explore Mubarak Mahal's textiles, marvel at the world's two largest silver urns inside Diwan-e-Khas, and peek at the still-inhabited Chandra Mahal.
📍 City Palace, Jaipur
- 52:15 PMFood
Thali lunch at LMB, Johari Bazaar
A legendary, hundred-year-old vegetarian spot right in Johari Bazaar. Come hungry for their famous aloo tikki, paneer ghewar, and authentic, mouth-watering Rajasthani sweets.
📍 LMB, Johari Bazaar, Jaipur
- 63:30 PMSight
Jantar Mantar
Step into Jai Singh II's quirky 1720s stone observatory, a cool UNESCO site next to the City Palace. Its massive, mind-boggling sundial still measures time with two-second accuracy.
📍 Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Tip · Snag the composite ticket (Rs 300 for Indians) to cover this, Amber, Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh, and Albert Hall over two action-packed days.
- 75:00 PMActivity
Bazaar walk: Johari to Bapu Bazaar
Stroll under pink arches to find gorgeous lac bangles, mojris, and block-print quilts. Bapu Bazaar is your absolute best bet for hassle-free souvenir shopping with fair deals.
📍 Bapu Bazaar, Jaipur
Tip · Don't let rickshaw drivers steer you into specific shops; they are just chasing commissions. Stick to your own path!
- 86:15 PMSight
Sunset at Nahargarh Fort
Jaipur's cozy little fort sits high on the Aravalli ridge, serving up unmatched panoramic views of the sprawling city and Man Sagar lake as the evening lights begin to twinkle.
📍 Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
- 98:00 PMFood
Evening at Chokhi Dhani
Experience a lively Rajasthani village recreation on Tonk Road. Enjoy energetic folk dances, fun camel rides, and an endless, traditional dal-baati-churma thali served with royal hospitality.
📍 Chokhi Dhani, Tonk Road, Jaipur
Tip · Do yourself a favor and buy the AC dining hall ticket to avoid the massive outdoor lines. Keep in mind it is a 30-40 minute drive from the old city.
Sunday
Conquer the majestic Amber Fort, cruise the scenic lake road, and head back home.- 107:00 AMFood
Lassi and breakfast at Shrinath Lassiwala
Fuel up with a satisfying clay kulhad of rich, creamy lassi at the original MI Road spot, widely loved as the oldest lassi shop in the city.
📍 Lassiwala, MI Road, Jaipur
- 118:00 AMSight
Amber Fort
This breathtaking UNESCO-listed Kachwaha fortress lies 11 km north of town. Get there right at opening to wander the Ganesh Pol, the sparkling Sheesh Mahal, and the high ramparts before crowds land.
📍 Amber Fort, Jaipur
Tip · Choose the scenic walk up instead of riding the elephants; their welfare issues are well documented and your feet will thank you.
- 1210:30 AMSight
Panna Meena Ka Kund
A stunning 16th-century stepwell tucked right behind Amber Fort. Its mesmerizing criss-cross steps are a playground for photographers and a cool hangout spot for locals.
📍 Panna Meena Ka Kund, Amer
- 1311:15 AMSight
Jaigarh Fort
Walk a steep 1 km up from Amber to this undefeated fortress. It houses Jaivana, the largest wheeled cannon on Earth, and boasts mind-blowing vistas across the entire valley.
📍 Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
Tip · Totally fine to skip this if you are running behind; note that the uphill path from Amber ends right at a ticket window.
- 141:00 PMSight
Jal Mahal photo stop
Watch this gorgeous Water Palace float in the center of Man Sagar Lake. While the inside is closed, pulling over by the promenade makes for a quick and spectacular five-minute photo shoot.
📍 Jal Mahal, Amer Road, Jaipur
- 151:45 PMFood
Lunch at Niros, MI Road
A beloved 60-year-old landmark on MI Road serving fantastic Indian and Indo-Chinese classics. It is the perfect, air-conditioned pit stop to fill your belly before hitting the highway.
📍 Niros, MI Road, Jaipur
- 163:15 PMSight
Patrika Gate
A wonderfully colorful, hand-painted archway at Jawahar Circle near the airport. Built in 2016, this massive Instagram favorite is a super-quick two-minute detour off the road back to Delhi.
📍 Patrika Gate, Jawahar Circle, Jaipur
- 174:00 PMDrive
Return to Delhi
Zip back up NH48 past Kukas and Behror. Grab a bite on the way and you will be walking through your front door by about 8:30 PM.
Where to eat
Insanely flaky onion-stuffed kachoris right near the station. Don't leave without tasting their decadent mawa kachori and sweet ghewar!
Classic vegetarian thalis, crispy chaat, and traditional desserts in the busy bazaar. Definitely ask for the signature paneer ghewar.
Rich, sweet lassi served in traditional clay cups. Try to arrive before noon, and make sure you are at the real deal at Shop 312.
An all-you-can-eat Rajasthani feast paired with colorful folk dances. A bit touristy, but an absolute blast for families and first-time visitors.
When to go
The absolute sweet spot with sunny, cool days for exploring. Wrap up warm, though, as winter nights up at Nahargarh get chilly!
Catch the colorful Gangaur festival starting right after Holi, bringing 18 days of lively City Palace parades and mountains of ghewar everywhere.
Super hot and sunny on the ramparts. Be sure to hit Amber Fort by 8:00 AM sharp, and plan your afternoon escapes in air-conditioned comfort.
The monsoon rains paint the Aravalli hills in lush greens and fill the ancient stepwells. Be prepared for some afternoon humidity.
Good to know
- Grab the 2-day composite ticket (Rs 300 for Indians / Rs 1000 for foreigners) to seamlessly visit Amber, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh, and Albert Hall.
- Always negotiate a flat, all-inclusive rate (around Rs 500) before jumping into a rickshaw for the day to avoid sneaky fuel or parking extras.
- Catch the evening sound-and-light show at Amber (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Rs 200) featuring Amitabh Bachchan's famous voice. Bring some bug spray!
- Book a stay in a charming heritage haveli in Bani Park for the perfect home base near both the railway station and the old city walls.
