The Pink City has long been on the list of every wide-eyed traveller, not least because it’s home to some of the most culturally significant buildings in the country. But Jaipur is so much more than its forts — it’s also its bustling bazaars, hidden-gem boutiques, and unbeatable experiences made even better by friendly locals.
Have a weekend in Jaipur to spare? We’re super envious. Here’s a round-up of some of our favourite spots in the city to do, drink, or eat things at. And so we can live vicariously through you, do tag us on Instagram @urbanaut_.
28 Kothi merges typical mod cons with thoughtful design to create a resplendent boutique hotel to wake up at. They have just five rooms to let out — and each is delightfully furnished and serviced by friendly staff who overflow with insider recommendations. The experience is an enticing blend of traditional and contemporary, which sets the tone for the rest of your day in this royal city.
Walk into the smell of freshly ground coffee that’ll wake you up instantly. If that doesn’t work, then the coffee will do it — the roasters brew coffee to your preferred flavour profiles. Anything off their food menu will turn your breakfast into a well-rounded one, but a little birdie told us you can’t go wrong with the Nutella waffles.
This stunningly detailed series of arches are even better to look at than they are in real life. Pay close attention to the individual arches to see the fine detailing; every arch depicts one part of the story of Rajasthan, in many of its traditional art styles. We’d recommend giving yourself a few hours here, especially if you choose to visit the Jawahar Circle Park (good decision!).
Popularly known as LMB, this real local eatery in Johri Bazaar is beloved for its vegetarian Rajasthani Thali. It’s best had at lunch-time and, with Jaipurites thronging about and enjoying their dishes, you’ll feel at home in no time. We’d recommend going as early as possible to avoid the queues.
This lifestyle and apparel store makes for a lovely post-lunch jaunt to learn about the world of indigo dyeing. It’s one of the best places in Jaipur to immerse yourself in traditional textile crafts. If you’d like to do more than just explore, then you could ask the staff to explain the dyeing process in deeper detail or pick up some lovely clothing items to take home as a souvenir.
Who would’ve thought this unpretentious bolthole served up the best lassi in all of Jaipur? Well, it’s true, according to Jaipurites and regular visitors alike. Catch your breath with a fresh glass of lassi with malai, served in unassuming clay tumblers that make the experience all the more authentic.
Hawkers, buyers and sellers congregate at Johri Bazaar, which is arguably Jaipur’s busiest areas. It’s best known for its colonnade of jewellers, but its also home to textile shops that sell gorgeous fabric and bed linen (many of which make their way around the world). Move away from the main roads to find bolthole shops with unique finds.
If Jaipur is pink, then Bar Palladio is blue — it’s also a polar opposite of LMB, so that’ll strike a great balance, meal-wise. The stunningly designed interiors are matched by the delicately prepared Italian fare, which includes classics such as spaghetti and minestrone. And given that Bar Palladio introduced Jaipur to the Italian aperitivo, it only makes sense that you end the night here.
There’s nothing like waking up in a luxurious bed while the sounds of life and laughter spill in from the streets — and that’s pretty much what staying at The Johri feels like. The 19th-century building isn’t far removed from the real Jaipur outside in terms of history. But the luxurious interiors and great hospitality take the exclusive experience up quite a few notches. The open in December 2020 and we’d love to be amongst their first guests.
City palace is a breathtaking piece of architecture that is historically and culturally significant. We’d recommend heading there are early as possible to beat the crowds and give yourself enough time to explore the sprawling courtyards. If you manage to get special permission, you must visit the Chandra Mahal (the Royal Family’s official residence) — it’s an example of splendour like no other
This sophisticated café is also a lovely spot to enjoy a leisurely late breakfast. The bagels, with their multitude of toppings, get rave reviews from regulars. Oh, and if you’re the type to start your day with dessert, we’d say this is the best place to do that.
This is a great place to explore the history and culture of Rajasthan from the point of view of some very extravagant jewellery, artefacts and relics. Granted, the prices are super steep — they were jewellers to kings and queens, no less — but we’d still recommend looking around because it’ll give you a sense of history and Jaipur’s place in the world that you might not get at other attractions.
This regal edifice is home to quite a few gastronomic gems, and the atmosphere is quite fitting for the last night of your weekend in Jaipur. We’d recommend Polo Bar, as it’s legendary in the Pink City and is helmed by an Executive Chef who has swayed the who’s who of politics and stardom with his culinary delights.
We know, we know, this isn’t half of what Jaipur has to offer, but it’s a great start. The weekend in Jaipur itinerary is a little bit of everything if you will — quite like the Pink City itself!
Want to map out some other gems to visit? The handy Urbanaut app is brimming with insider tips on the best things to do during a weekend, or more, in Jaipur.
Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash
