Have you seen the 2007 movie called The Bucket List? If you have then you will know how fulfilling and extraordinary it feels to be striking things off of it. Travelling and bucket lists are obviously interlinked. And, the most fun kind of bucket list is always the one that lists travel experiences! Have you ever thought about your travel bucket list and where do you want to go next?
And speaking of travel, the vibrant and richly historic city of Jaipur is one of the best places to have exciting experiences. Whether you want to experience royalty at the historic forts or just take a stroll through the vibrant markets, there are ample of things to do in Jaipur. All you need to do is pack a backpack and whistle at a nearby tuk-tuk! Once you are out the door, we can guarantee you won’t be coming back without crossing at least half a dozen things off your Jaipur travel bucket list.
Picture – Unplash
Here are 20 best things to do in Jaipur that you can cross off your bucket list:
1. Visit the forts
Jaipur is the home to some of the most extraordinarily built palaces and havelis. The blend of old-world charm and the legacy of long-lost royal generations makes visiting the forts in Jaipur a thrilling experience. Jantar Mantar and Amer Fort are also recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This ‘pink city’ of India has many majestic forts like Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh fort and Jaigarh fort, each unique and special in their own way. These forts are best visited at sunset for breathtaking views and to witness their full glory.
Picture – Unplash
2. Explore Chokhi Dhani
If you want to experience a glimpse of Jaipur in all its forms and colours then Chokhi Dhani is the place to be. It is one of the fun things to do in Jaipur. It gives visitors a peek into the cultural and rural background of Rajasthan and intertwines several different unique experiences into a single rustic location. There are acrobats and street performers doing stunts and musical pieces, souvenir shops selling traditional arts and crafts, many mini-game stalls and food counters of lassi, rabri, kulfi, chaat etc.
3. Visit Chand Baori
Located an hour away from the city, Chand Baori Jaipur, an ancient stepwell is one of the most visually appealing structures around Jaipur. Built between 800 CE – 900 CE, it consists of over 3500 steps. Chand Baori Jaipur is one of the deepest and largest step wells in India and hence, one unmissable place to go to when in Jaipur.
Stunning architecture of Chand Baori stepwell in Jaipur
4. Cycling at Nahargarh fort
For all you travellers who are bored of walking around huge forts – Nahargarh Fort offers cycling tours of the entire complex. Feel the fresh Jaipur breeze on your face as you course through giant archways, serene fort compounds and long pathways. You could also pay Aamir Khan homage and strike a pose in the Nahargarh fort stepwell, featured in the celebrated Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti.
5. Go to the haunted Bhangarh fort
Is the Bhangarh fort haunted? Built in the 17th century, the Bhangarh Fort is steeped in eerie mysteries and paranormal stories. Legend says that the village of Bhangarh was cursed by a crooked wizard and has been invaded by restless spirits ever since. Many wonder, is the Bhangarh Fort haunted or just a tale of the past? Well, we cannot guarantee whether you will see ghosts or not but we can definitely say that watching the sunrise from the top of the royal Bhangarh palace is one of the best things to do in Jaipur.
Haunted Bhangarh fort near Jaipur
6. Tour the museums
Museums are treasure troves of a city that can reveal a lot about its past. The City Palace museum is placed in Mubarak Mahal and holds a rich archive of silks, textiles, prints and jewellery worn by the royal figures residing in the palace. The Albert Hall Museum is another such gem which displays a variety of items ranging from metal works, sculptures, paintings, crystal ornaments, old coins, artefacts etc. The most exciting thing is still probably the Egyptian mummy on display, surely an interesting thing to do in Jaipur.
7. Try camel milk
This is one of the most intriguing things to do in Jaipur. The Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation has a very unique dairy initiative in the state. In all the Saras Milk Parlours, packaged camel milk is available on sale. Basically, known to cure disorders like cancer and diabetes; camel’s milk is extremely popular in the region. After all, when in Rome be a Roman.
8. Jaipur aaye aur Patrika gate na gaye?
Probably the most splendidly colourful and creatively designed structure in Jaipur, the Patrika Gate is the 9th gateway of Pink city. In other words, one visit to this monument can ensure that your Instagram post needs are taken care of at least for a week or two. The mind-blowing pattern work and intricacy of this gate cannot be described in mere words – it is truly a visual-only experience!
9. Watch a puppet show
Jaipur is famous for its Kathputli naach (Puppet dance). Skilled puppeteers manoeuvre colourful handmade puppets of past kings, queens, princesses and animals. Moreover, through song and (puppet) dance, they tell stories of Jaipur’s rich and troubled past. These puppeteers can be found performing in many local restaurants and even on the streets of the bustling city.
10. Experience gliding
Adventures sports are surely a thrilling activity to do in Jaipur. This particular experience is a bit on the pocket-heavy side, but truly a one-of-a-kind affair. Gliding slowly over the majestic forts, quaint Rajasthani villages and rocky Aravalli ranges will definitely make for a vlog-worthy day. Lastly, maybe you could even catch a few locals looking up to you in the big blue!
Experience the thrill of paragliding over sandy dunes
11. Visit the Galtaji temple Jaipur
A humongous temple complex built into an Aravalli mountain pass, the Galtaji temple Jaipur is thronged by visitors from all over the globe. You would think it is because of the beautiful architecture and the divinity surrounding the entire temple. But in fact, it is the hordes of monkeys that attract most to this place. Hand on our hearts, the temple complex is filled with Rhesus Macaques monkeys of all shapes, sizes and genders.
12. Taste the local cuisine
What is Jaipur without its cuisine? The pink city indeed offers its visitors an awe-inspiring array of savoury and sweet dishes. From world-famous street stalls to exquisite restaurants built inside actual steam engines – Jaipur can never disappoint in terms of delicacies. Some of the most unmissable treats are Dal Bati Churma, Laal Maas, Lassi, Mirchi Pakore, Pyaaz parantha and the sweet Ghevar.
Traditional Rajasthani thali
13. Shopping at the vibrant markets
From embroidered clothes and oxidised jewellery to traditional juttis and handcrafted bags, Jaipur is truly a shoppaholic’s paradise. Some of the Jaipur’s famous markets include Johri bazaar (for jewellery and precious stones), Nehru Bazaar (For traditional juttis), Kishanpole Bazaar (for fabrics and textiles) and Bapu Bazaar (for all things Jaipuri). The variety of colors, designs, and patterns these markets offer is endless. Practice your bargainging skills beforehand to get the best deals here.
14. Visit an elephant farm
Located around 15 km away from the main city of Jaipur, the Elefantastic elephant farm is a must-visit for all animal lovers. Furthermore, if you are sick and tired of elephants being used for rides at touristy places; then a visit to this elephant farm will surely raise your spirits. Founded with the motto of elephant and human interaction, the farm ensures that the animals are treated with the utmost respect and care.
Elephant enjoying the bathing session
15. Zipline over the landscapes
The zip-lining experience in the Neemrana fort is something a bit out of the box and a good choice for all you thrill junkies. Moreover, Flying Fox offers 5 different zip lines in the Neemrana fort which cover the total distance of a whopping 1250 metres of zip flight. What can be better than zipping across a 15th-century fort and absorbing the gorgeous views of the giant Aravallis?
16. Visit the oldest theatre
Quite well known for its distinctive meringue-like shape and breathtaking interiors, the Raj Mandir movie theatre is also the oldest movie theatre in Jaipur. Needless to say, watching one masala flick in this age-old but technologically updated structure is a bucket list must!
