𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑱𝒂𝒊𝒑𝒖𝒓

It’s hard not to feel welcome in such a beautiful and bustling city! If you came here for a taste of local culture, shopping, sightseeing, and of course, incredible photos, you will not be disappointed. Colourful, chaotic and brimming with history, Rajasthan’s capital of Jaipur has been enthralling visitors for centuries. It is every bit as chaotic as India’s other major cities; traffic-clogged streets awash with auto-rickshaws, only here and there are the added obstacles of lanky camels and plodding elephants dawdling through the serpentine streets of the Pink City.

Jaipur, India is known as The Pink City. But why is it so pink? To impress the visiting Prince of Wales during his 1876 tour of India, the then Maharaja (Sawai Ram Singh) decided to paint the whole city a shade of terracotta pink. Even today, 145 years later, a law still stands that makes it illegal for buildings to be painted in any other shade. This may be why Jaipur is becoming an increasingly popular destination for those hoping to capture the perfect Instagram shot. So here are my top picks for your next vacation to this royal city.

1. City Palace

The City Palace in Jaipur is an absolute must-see. The palace is a vast complex and includes several buildings, courtyards and gardens. It is a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. A portion of it is still used as a residence by the current royal family. According to me, the third courtyard holds some of the best photo-ops. Located towards the palace’s inner courtyard is Pitam Niwas Chowk. Here four glorious gates represent the four seasons – the Peacock Gate depicts autumn, the Lotus Gate signifies summer, the Green Gate represents spring, and finally, the Rose Gate embodies winter. However, the striking blue room that you often must have encountered on various Instagram posts is part of Chandra Mahal. However, be ready to shell an eye-watering INR 2500 extra to visit this part of the palace's most impressive rooms.

2. Jawahar Circle/ Patrika Gate

I’m pretty sure that the Patrika Gate Jaipur will be the number one spot on your list. You may have seen photos of this breathtaking multicoloured archway on Instagram, but did you know that it’s part of a traffic circle garden and park? Believe it or not, this isn’t an opulent palace, tomb, or one of Rajasthan’s many magnificent forts but the inside of Jawahar Circle Garden’s entrance gate. Although this gate has been based on the seven original heritage gates that used to provide access to the walled city of Jaipur, this gate is a relatively new attraction. As you walk under the gate, you’ll find a row of fabulous archways. Each one has been decorated with Rajasthani culture in mind. It will be quite a challenge for you to find this place empty and avoid people photobombing your perfect captures. My top tip would be to visit this place as early in the morning as possible, I would say 7-8 am.

3. Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal is right in the centre of the actual Pink City part of Jaipur. This facade pictured here faces the main road, but it’s actually the backside of the Hawa Mahal Palace. One of Jaipur’s most iconic and distinctive landmarks, the Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as a way to allow ladies of the royal household to watch life on the streets below without being seen themselves. I would recommend heading across the street to the rooftop of the Tattoo Cafe or Wind View Cafe where you can sip a coffee with an uninterrupted view of the Hawa Mahal.

4. Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal is one of the most splendid architectural palaces sitting in the centre of Man Singh Lake on the outskirts of Jaipur. This masterful creation was earlier a shooting lodge for the Maharajas, but now it has become the most famous spot for sightseeing in Jaipur. It is worth stopping off on the road between Jaipur and Amer to take a look and capture a few photographs.

5. Amer Fort

Amber Fort is the most famous fort just outside of Jaipur City. With sweeping views of the mountains, the fort is made from red sandstone and white and marble and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best photographs can be taken from the winding road up to the main entrance and from Jaleb Chowk (Main Courtyard) where you can pose in front of the imposing silver doors on the staircase leading to the main palace.

6. Bar Palladio

Five years after Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans revealed the elegant interiors of Bar Palladio, the restaurant is celebrating its status as a global design icon and the epicentre of Jaipur’s social world. Bar Palladio sits beside the Narain Niwas Palace Hotel and spreads out into the daringly restored garden belvedere. Bar Palladio’s brand of blue stands out against Jaipur’s predominantly pink and brown landscape.

It has picked up immense popularity, thanks to the plethora of bloggers who made this an iconic place. You have to pay to click pictures in this particular room, which is called Bar Palladio Jaipur Delicatessen, which is just at the entrance of Bar Palladio. The other parts, which are equally stunning are however free.

7. Nahargarh Fort

Standing tall overlooking the city of Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is a monumental edifice built by Sawai Madho Singh in the eighteenth century. The fort is situated on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) and Nahargarh means “abode of tigers”. The fort complex has two restaurants that offer breathtaking views of the city below and serves zesty Indian cuisine.

8. Maharani ki Chhatriyan

Maharaniyon ki Chhatri is basically a funeral area for the Royal ladies or Maharanis of Jaipur. It is famous for its magnificent cenotaphs which were built in the memory of various ladies of the Royal families. These beautiful and grand cenotaphs are the symbols of the status and importance of women in the royal family. It is a lesser-known and visited monument compared to Gatore ki Chhatri but that also means absolutely zero crowd and ample of good photo-ops.