Jan
20

24 hours in: Jaipur

January 20, 2016
Urban Adventures

Headed to Jaipur and looking for some great things to fill your day? We’ve got you covered for experiencing the ultimate 24 hours in Jaipur, from sites to see, to bazaars to shop, to meals to eat.

Early morning: 7 – 9am

Start your day with an authentic Rajasthani breakfast and a relaxing morning stroll. Visit the local favourite, Lassiwala, and order up a lassi, sweetened curd served with chopped-up fruit. It’ll give you a tasty energy boost so you can wander through the Central Park of Jaipur, located at Prithviraj Road. The park is a beloved spot for locals, so you may see other early risers exploring the lush green garden along the Rambagh Golf Club.

Alternately, you could head for the skies! An early morning hot-air balloon ride is just the thing to wake you up! Rides start from Nahargarh Fort, and are an awesome opportunity for getting a bird’s eye view of the city. Fly past the majestic monuments and experience Jaipur like never before.

Morning: 9am – noon

Hop aboard a rickshaw for a 30-minute ride over to the Birla Temple and Albert Hall Museum. Both sites speak volumes about Jaipur’s history and culture, and since they’re located less than two kilometres away from one another, you can easily wander from one to the other. At the beautiful Birla Temple, you can learn about Hindu rituals, or maybe even catch a religious ceremony. Albert Hall will give you plenty of education on the history and heritage of Rajasthan. It’s also a good respite from the scorching heat that will start to pick up as you approach noon.

Midday: 12 – 2pm

Rajasthan, apart from its ancient grandeur, is also famous for its exquisite food, a delicate mix of Mughal and Rajput culinary arts. And since Jaipur city is flooded with restaurants and local eateries, you’ll have plenty of options for lunch. Our three favourites are City Palace Café, LMB, and Niro’s.

City Palace Café is located at the City Palace in the Johri Bazaar. The restaurant is famous for its authentic Rajput-Mughal food and also boasts pretty spectacular interiors. LMB, short for Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar, is also situated at Johri Bazaar, in the heart of the city. It’s an authentic little spot perfect for devouring the street flavours of Jaipur. LMB serves amazing shakes, juices, Indian chaat (savoury snacks, such as samosas and aloo tikkis), kachori (spicy deep-fried balls stuffed with a bean mixture), parathas (flatbreads), and much more. Niros, established in 1949, can be found in the golden lanes of Jaipur’s M.I. Road area. Escape the chaos of the city and relish in their offerings of classic Chinese, continental, and Indian dishes.

Afternoon: 2 – 6pm

Spend the afternoon searching for souvenirs in the city’s many local bazaars. Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, M.I Road, Johri Bazaar, and Badi Chaupar are few of the most famous and traditional marketplaces of Jaipur. Within the bazaars, you’ll be able to find Rajasthan’s age-old handicrafts and artwork, such as paintings, trinkets, curios, mojris (shoes) and Bandhani textile prints. The bazaars are usually flooded with visitors and an equal number of vendors, selling the most sought-after Rajasthani souvenirs.

Evening: 6pm until late

Grab dinner in one of the local restaurants that offer both food and light entertainment. For a great-tasting Indian meal accompanied with traditional Indian dance and entertainment, head over to Indiana Classic Restaurant. The food is authentic, but a bit less spicy from some other establishments (making it a good pick if you’re struggling with India-level spice!). To pair with your meal, they offer astrology sessions and Rajasthani dancers in traditional Jaipuri dress. You could also visit the Chokhi Dhani resort, which offers a cultural celebration honouring the heritage and vibrant colors of Rajasthan. There is wrestling, camel riding, dancing, music, and authentic food.

Shorter stays

Don’t have time for a full 24 hours in Jaipur? No worries, we’ve got the speedy version for a shorter layover.

If you’re in Jaipur in the morning or early afternoon, head to World Trade Park (WTP) or Guarav Tower. Both sites are only 5 and 8 minutes, respectively, away from the Jaipur International airport, and are shopping complexes with plenty of restaurants to fuel you up during your stop. Note that monuments and local markets are usually closed in the morning hours, so it would be best to skip them before midday. You’ll need about two to three hours to explore.

If your layover has you in Jaipur in the evening, head to a local restaurant like Spice Court or Indiana Classic Restaurant, where you can get some entertainment along with your dinner. At Indiana, you can can get a tasty meal alongside a show of traditional Rajasthani dance, and get your fortune told with an astrology session. Alternately, you could catch a Bollywood movie at Raj Mandir Theatre, located in the famous M.I. Road area. You’ll need about two to three hours for dinner.