Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in India. Also called the pink city, it never fails to charm travelers & explorers, every time. There are enough options for every traveler in the pink city. I have been asked many times to share a Jaipur itinerary for two days on the blog. People often inquire if 2 days is enough in Jaipur? Yes, two days is enough if you are short on time. More details about the 2-day Jaipur trip can be found in the section of the Jaipur travel plan in this travel blog. This Jaipur 2 days travel itinerary has been charted taking into consideration the ease of travel. This Jaipur travel guide blog will help you plan a trip and explore Jaipur in two days including things to do in the pink city, day-wise.

Jaipur Travel Plan – Frequently Asked Questions

These are frequently asked questions on the Jaipur travel plan by travelers and tourists.

How many days in Jaipur?

How many days for a Jaipur trip is a routine question in the minds of most travelers. Ideally, a two to three day trip is sufficient for a first-time traveler.

Is one day enough for Jaipur?

Yes, it is possible to see Jaipur in 1 day, however, places to visit in Jaipur are best explored in 2 days. Must-visit tourist places in Jaipur are high on the list of first-time travelers rather than offbeat places unless their interest dictates otherwise.

Is two days enough for Jaipur?

Two days are enough to explore must-visit Jaipur tourist attractions if planned well. If someone intends to cover Jaipur in a relaxed manner, it is best to explore Jaipur for three days

2 Days Jaipur Itinerary | Places To Visit

This Jaipur itinerary blog will help you optimize your two-day trip to the Pink City as a first-time visitor. It offers quite some variety in terms of the list of places to see and things to do in Jaipur.

Jaipur Places to Visit on Day 1

Day one in Jaipur focuses on exploring the heart of the pink city, the walled city area. The explorations are centered in and around Johari Bazaar. What are the recommendations for Jaipur Itinerary on Day One? The best day one Jaipur itinerary would be to start with Darshan at Govind Devji Temple, followed by a Jaipur Heritage Walk, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and City Palace. All these places are within walking distance. Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are the most popular places to shop & are within walking distance from Hawa Mahal. If you would like to explore more places, you can add Galta Ji temple but you will need an extra 2-2.5 hours including the transit time. I don’t recommend visiting this temple after sunset as you won’t be able to experience its true beauty.

Explore the Old City Area of Jaipur or the Walled City 

The walled city area of Jaipur is the original settlement founded by Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II. Earlier, the city was contained within a 9-meter high wall but over the years with rapid population growth, the city outgrew the walled city. There are two ways in which you can identify the walled city area. Read Jaipur Walled City blog – Why Jaipur Walled City Is The Heart of The Pink City

First, the buildings follow the pattern of a single color which confers it the name of the pink city. Here is a picture of the walled city area.

Secondly, there are Old City Gates of Jaipur. These gates serve as a great reminder of a bygone period.

The walled city area of Jaipur is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here’s how to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site in Jaipur with a Jaipur heritage walking tour. Read: Heritage walk in Jaipur | Secrets of the walled city and How to do an amazing self-guided heritage walking tour in Jaipur

Route & Plan for Day 1 in Jaipur-You can cover the following places on this day

• Govind Dev Ji Temple
• Walking Tour Jaipur
• Jaipur City Palace
• Hawa Mahal
• Jantar Mantar
• Jaipur bazaar-Johari Bazaar

Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur

An excellent way to set out a day in India is customary with a visit to the temple; a custom followed by the locals is a visit to Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur’s patron deity.

Even though the temple is open throughout the day, one can have Darshan of Lord Govind Devji only during the pre-designated slots. You can check the current slots for the day online on their website. Mangala Aarti is definitely the best option but this might be extremely early for you since it starts at 4.30 AM. You can either opt for Dhoop at around 7:30 AM or Shringaar at 9:30 AM. Please note that these timings change as per season. Jhanki period is half an hour. The worthiest thing to do here is soak in the atmosphere. Many people claim that the atmosphere at Govind Devji temple is magical. I will leave this for you to decipher. There is a fascinating story about how the idol of Govind Devji reached Jaipur from Vrindavan in UP.  You can follow this story here-The devotees at Govind Dev Ji Temple and Why Jaipur Loves Govind Dev Ji?

The prayer hall of Govind Devji temple is one of the oldest and biggest pillar-less temple halls in North India.  Also, the temple building is spire-less. Here are a few pictures that depict the mood at the temple.

Walking Tour in Jaipur

I thoroughly recommend undertaking a heritage walking tour of Jaipur’s walled city area at the start of the day. If you prefer a guided walking tour, read: Heritage Walk in Jaipur. To do a guided Jaipur walking tour contact – Jaipur Retold. 

Which one do I recommend between a guided walking tour in Jaipur and a self-guided free walking tour in Jaipur? 

• Self-guided free walking tour in Jaipur is best suited for people who like carrying things out at their own pace.
• A guided walking tour in Jaipur is for people who love discovering places beyond the norm. An insider can assist you in exploring a city from a unique perspective. For more information on a walking tour in Jaipur, you can connect via Instagram @arv_jp

Hawa Mahal

The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal looks stunning in the morning with the mellow sunlight illuminating the structure.

The area around Hawa Mahal is congested, it witnesses traffic snarls throughout the day. Previously, the mornings offered a good respite from the noise and traffic pollution but these days it is not the case. The stopover of tourist buses results in utter chaos during the tourist season. It is customary for the buses heading to Amer Fort to make a pit stop so tourists can capture the sight of the Hawa Mahal. Here is a picture from one such morning.

If you are in the mood for exploration, it’s a good idea to check out the building behind the Hawa Mahal facade.

You will find the entrance to Tripolia Bazar near Badi Chaupar. Highly recommended for those who love architecture, exploration, and photographic opportunities. Moreover, it is an exclusive way you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire area.

Another alternative is to visit Wind’s Cafe opposite Hawa Mahal.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar, a 300-year-old solar observatory has fully functional instruments. The readings from these instruments match closely with modern gadgets. Out of three Jantar Mantar built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in numerous cities, the one in Jaipur is still intact and well-maintained. Although each instrument has an information board, hiring a guide is highly recommended as he can explain how each instrument functions in a more practical way. Another alternative is an audio guide. Here is the complete Jantar Mantar travel guide – Sawai Jai Singh’s Celestial Marvel

Jaipur City Palace

Jaipur City Palace is in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar. What are the things to do and see in City Palace? There are a couple of museums, Instagram-worthy gates to get yourself clicked, and interesting architecture. Take a look at this famed peacock gate in Pritam Chowk in Jaipur City Palace.

Check out the two huge silver urns used by the Maharajah to carry Ganga-Jal during his trip to England, more than a hundred years ago.

Read What makes a walk with the Museum Curator of Jaipur City Palace unique?

Shopping in Jaipur Markets

Shopping in Jaipur is incomplete without a visit to Johari Bazar or Bapu Bazar. The city is famous for its handmade art, crafts, fabrics, and jewelry among other things. For a detailed Shopping Guide to Jaipur Markets, check out the travel blog Shopping in Jaipur Markets Travel Guide

What Can I buy in Bapu Bazar?

Bapu Bazar is famous for hand-blocked printed fabrics, bedsheets, and dresses. It is also a popular place to buy handmade Jootis and Mojari in Jaipur.

Alternatively, you can try shops in front of Hawa Mahal but they are generally pricey being a tourist place.

What can I buy in Johari Bazar?

Johari Bazaar is famous for jewelry, Astro stones, and Sari. It is best to buy from shops that sell to locals and not tourists. This can save you from being swindled.  There are many upmarket stores in Jaipur but none of them are in the walled city area. You can find them in areas like C-scheme, Civil Lines, and MI Road; I have reserved to write about them in another post.

Jaipur Places to Visit on Day 2

Itinerary for Day 2 in Jaipur focuses on forts in Jaipur.

• Amer Fort
• Nahargarh Fort
• Albert Hall Museum

Jaipur is famous for its forts and palaces. You can reach them via Amer Road and they are best covered together in one day, saving you significant time. You will be visiting Amer Fort which is a palace, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort. On your way, you can also enjoy the great view of the water palace – Jal Mahal from the promenade running parallel to the road. Once you are done with these forts you can club with either the Albert Hall Museum or Chokhi Dhani depending on your energy level and time availability.

The Forts In Jaipur

Start your sightseeing with a visit to Jal Mahal or Water Palace on the way to the Amer fort. Entry to Jal Mahal is currently not permitted because of a long-pending court case over the Jal Tarang project. However, you can surely enjoy a stroll along the promenade running parallel to the road and get your pictures clicked with the Water Palace or Jal Mahal. If you want to see pictures of how Jal Mahal or the water palace in Jaipur looks inside, read this post – Inside Jal Mahal

Amer Fort

Amer Fort is one of the most sought-after experiences in Jaipur. Many tourists like to undertake the Amer Fort elephant safari and consider it a prime attraction of Amer Fort. Lately, many people are demanding an end to the elephant ride at Amer Fort because of animal cruelty. I have a full post on things to see and do in Amer which is an exhaustive guide.

Read  Amer Fort Heritage Water Walk.

Jaigarh Fort 

Many foreign tourists give Jaigarh a miss because visiting all three forts can get overwhelming. However, Jaigarh Fort is popular among Indian tourists. It is massive and was built to give security to Amer. Things to see here include Jaivaan, the world’s largest cannon and armory museum. I would like to add that one should not miss the cannon foundry, which is India’s first & oldest and the stunning views of Amer from the Jaigarh observation point. Read the detailed Jaigarh Fort travel blog – The Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort is one of the most popular places among the locals. It offers a great drive through the winding hill road. Everyone loves the panoramic and expansive views of Jaipur City. Here is a picture of Jaipur City from a Nahargarh Fort viewpoint.

Nahargarh & Jaigarh Forts are on different ends of the same hill. Nahargarh Fort provides a great view of Jaipur city; Jaigarh Fort offers stunning views of Amer Town.

Nahargarh Fort has a palace section which was added later at the end of the 19th century – Madhvendra Bhawan. You can enjoy some stunning sunset views from Nahargarh Fort. I recommend visiting Nahargarh Fort in the end. Read my post on Sunset from Nahargarh Fort. A couple of new additions have been made by way of a wax museum and modern sculptures in the Madhvendra Bhawan. Padao restaurant is a popular place to have a beer among the locals. An upmarket restaurant called “Once Upon a Time” occupies part of Madhvendra Bahwan.

Read more about Nahargarh Heritage Walk 

Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum is located close to Johari Bazaar in Ramniwas Garden. The foundation stone of this building was laid on 6 February 1876 by the Prince of Wales, King Edward VII, which is why it is named after him. The decision to convert this building into a museum was taken much later. It was converted into a museum in 1886 AD. It is not a huge museum, but it boasts some unique collections. Among the most prized is the Egyptian mummy. It is one of six Indian museums with an Egyptian mummy, a privilege very few museums across the world have. Therefore, Albert Hall is considered one of the prominent ones. I suggest you opt for the night tourism plan as it saves you the daytime to explore other monuments. Under the night tourism initiative, the Albert Hall Museum is open from 7 PM to 10 PM. The building is beautiful as it is built in the Indo-Saracenic architecture style which is a blend of Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic styles.

Chokhi Dhani is a replica of an ethnic Rajasthani village, so one can say it is theme-based dining in a local village setting. They also run a resort in this complex. It is best to visit this place from 7 pm to 10 pm. Chokhi Dhani is 22 KM from the city center and it takes 45 minutes to reach.

Jaipur Two-Day Visit Itinerary

Here is an itinerary of places to visit in Jaipur in 2 days.

• Govind Dev Ji Temple
• Jaipur Heritage walk in the old city
• Hawa Mahal
• Jaipur City Palacer
• Jantar Mantar
• Amer Fort
• Nahargarh Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Albert Hall Museum
• Galta Ji Temple

What is the best way to explore Jaipur on a two-day plan?

Don’t hire a cab for day 1 when you will be exploring sites in and around Jaipur City Palace. Opt for either Uber or Ola cab as you only need to drop at the City Palace Complex. Alternatively, you can hire a tuk-tuk/ auto-rickshaw or drop facility by way of a taxi from your hotel. On day two, you will need a dedicated taxi. Taxi is usually available for a full day, 80 km plan. Even Ola and Uber also offer a similar option. Many even prefer hiring a scooter or bike to cover their Jaipur 2-day itinerary. I have no suggestions to make here. There are many 2 wheeler rentals in Jaipur, in case you prefer doing so.

Jaipur Trip Suggestions and Tips

Here are some more information, suggestions and tips for your Jaipur trip. This will help you plan your Pink City trip in a smooth way.

Tourist Scams in Jaipur

Stay away from sweet-sounding deals thrown in by tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. The talk begins by tempting you to take to one of the gemstone factories or carpet factories and so on. You will be tempted by cheap prices. At times, the “dealer” will force you to “just have a look” if you refuse. Most factories are tourist emporiums and sell inferior products at astronomical prices. These “dealers” earn hefty commissions on sales to the tourists that they fetch. Drivers are often paid handsome amounts just to fetch prospective buyers. There is no point in “having a look” and wasting your time. Many emporiums have skilled salesmen to convert non-buyers into buyers. You can find many such stories on TripAdvisor forums. People have paid hundreds of dollars for something that costs US$ 1 or 2!! It is better not to get swindled when you don’t understand quality. Some emporiums in Jaipur have even sold replicas as antiques and have been reported in the newspaper. Tourism is a big business and some people really know how to fleece money from gullible tourists. This is true for every tourist city in the world, be it Istanbul, Paris, Rome, or Barcelona.

Jaipur Food Places

Places to eat in Jaipur’s Old Walled City 

There are many popular places to eat in Jaipur’s old Walled City. On day one, you can opt to eat at LMB in Johari Bazaar, which is popular among tourists, or at Baradari in Jaipur City Palace. A large number of people have provided a mixed review for the former. Personally, I would prefer neither because there are better places to eat in Jaipur old city.

One of the best places I recommend for people to eat near Hawa Mahal or City Palace Jaipur is Agora Cafe. It is a great place to enjoy food from their curated menu; it is hard to find a peaceful atmosphere in the busy Walled City of Jaipur. Here is a picture of Agora Cafe near Hawa Mahal. The cafe is situated on the mezzanine floor of Agora, a store dedicated to curated handmade items.

Places to eat outside Jaipur’s Old City 

If you prefer anything beyond these two places, the nearest options are MI Road and the C Scheme. Note that this will involve significant time and you may have to rework your itinerary. Surya Mahal is a popular fast-food joint on MI Road.

Another popular option to try street food is Masala Chowk which is barely a few minutes away from Johari Bazaar and has some very prominent & old names of Jaipur. You can sample some of the most popular street food in a centrally located place. Now can you beat that?

Read: What Makes Masala Chowk So Popular?

On day two, there are limited options for places to have lunch. Few tourist-oriented restaurants on Amer Road are the most sensible option, but I can’t recommend any. Apart from these, you can find a few shack-style local food joints near Amer Fort.

If you want to try an authentic experience, how about trying a few Chai Bars? Jaipur has cool places that serve Chai – Indian-style tea. Tapri Central and Chaisa are both popular among the locals.

Read: What tea cafes are popular in Jaipur?

Bar Palladio and Shikaar Bagh are some of the most popular places to unwind after a hectic day in Jaipur. Narain Niwas Hotel near the Police Memorial is where you will find both.

Bat Palladio is a place like no other.  Read Bar Palladio|Chic Bar of Jaipur

Shikaar Bagh recreates the days of Raj during the colonial years. It definitely is a great place for food and drinks. Read Shikaar Bagh | Hunting & Yore

Missing your daily dose of caffeine?

Try Curious Life Coffee Roasters, the best place for coffee in Jaipur. You can choose the origin of your coffee beans and the method of the brew. The owner has a reputation for being picky and their selection is one of the best in India.

In the mood to experiment with food?

Try the vegetarian fine dining experience at Meraaki Kitchen. The menu is curated by Master Chef India winner Neha Deepak Shah, who is also one of the owners. They serve fusion food – popular dishes with a twist. Read Meraaki Kitchen | The best fine dining restaurant in Jaipur.

Also, try Frazi Cafe. Though not exclusive to Jaipur only, Farzi Cafe has created a big name over a short period with its chain of restaurants having a novel menu and cosmopolitan & stylish interiors. They made the word molecular gastronomy popular in India. Read Farzi Cafe | Farzified

Update 2024 – Farzi Cafe Jaipur is closed

Where to stay in Jaipur?

I have already answered this query in one of my previous posts – Your essential guide to picking the best area for a hotel in Jaipur

The preference for bed and breakfasts or Airbnb has increased tremendously. If you are considering whether to stay in a hotel or Airbnb in Jaipur, read Hotel vs Homestay

Why is Jaipur called The Pink City?

It was during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II that Jaipur was painted pink. There is a popular story behind it. Declaration was made that the Prince of Wales, King Edward, was to visit Jaipur in 1886 AD. The king decided to welcome the visiting dignitaries by painting the town with a single color. Some people say that experiments were conducted by painting different colors in different markets and ultimately terracotta pink was chosen. When the Prince of Wales noticed the color scheme, he exclaimed – Ah! Pink City.  This color scheme was chosen permanently, and that’s what Jaipur was called The Pink City!

Best time to visit Jaipur

November to February is the best season to visit Jaipur due to suitable climate conditions.

How To Reach Jaipur

Jaipur is well connected by trains, buses, and flights with the most notable cities in India. Most travelers arriving in India typically choose to fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. From Delhi, you can opt for train, flight, local or more comfortable AC buses, or hire a taxi to reach Jaipur. The distance from Delhi to Jaipur is approximately 240 KM. The train takes between 4-6 hours. The road journey will take 5-6.30 hours depending on traffic conditions.

How to reach Jaipur by train

Delhi to Jaipur is best covered by either of these two trains – New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi (train number 12015) and Delhi Sarai Rohilla Double Decker Express train (train number 12986). Both these trains have limited stops and are known for running on time. The best way to book tickets for a train is online via the Indian Railways train booking site – IRCTC. Avoid booking tickets via agents unless you are booking through your hotel or leading agencies. There have been instances of scamming tourists while booking tickets through agents. Make a note that New Delhi has four railway stations and there are many trains that depart from a specific station. Most trains stop at Delhi Cantonment station for a minute or so. This is closest to the airport but can be tricky due to the short stopover.

How to reach Jaipur by Bus

There are many local buses plying between Delhi and Jaipur. You can cover this journey for as low as Rs 200 using Rajasthan & Haryana state-run buses. There are many private operators as well. If you prefer a more delightful journey, RSRTC operates a fleet of Scania/Mercedes Benz/Volvo buses. Check out more details on the RSRTC website.

How to reach Jaipur by Flight

There are a few flights between Delhi and Jaipur. Although the actual flight time is around half an hour, considering the lead & travel time, it takes around 3-4 hours in total. Unless you want to avoid shifting between different modes of transport, flying doesn’t save you time. However, at times, the cost of a flight is quite low making it an attractive option. If you wish to travel by train, check out the airport link metro train which connects the airport with the New Delhi railway station. It is the fastest and cheapest way to travel to the New Delhi train station. This train doesn’t connect with Sarai Rohilla, Old Delhi, and Delhi Cantonment railway station.

How to get an Indian SIM Card

The best place to buy an Indian SIM card in Jaipur for a foreign traveler is at the mobile operators’ outlets. Passport is mandatory for procuring a prepaid SIM card in India. Getting one at these outlets is the most convenient and hassle-free in comparison to private-run small shops. Prepaid connections are quite cheap in India and are bundled with calling and 4G data. Some of the convenient places to buy Airtel SIM cards in Jaipur are at Ganpati Plaza on MI Road and a Vodafone store. Both of these outlets can be reached easily.

Which mobile operator to choose for buying a prepaid SIM card connection?

Airtel is one of the leading service providers followed by Vodaphone. JIO and BSNL are also important mobile operators but the former has a limited network across India and the latter doesn’t offer 4G connectivity. However, BSNL is the best option if you are also traveling to the Himalayan region. BSNL customer support is not worth writing about.

Download the Jaipur Travel Guide PDF

I’m sharing an abridged version of this Jaipur itinerary blog in PDF format for those who wish to download the same on the Jaipur 2-day itinerary. You can find it here.

Download the Jaipur Travel Guide PDF for a two-day itinerary

I am sure the Jaipur 2 days itinerary blog for your trip will help you to explore the pink city in the best way. The Jaipur travel guide is quite exhaustive. If you need any more information, kindly leave a comment or connect with me via the contact form on this blog.

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