Jaipur is one of the few cities in India offering many places to explore and things to do. It is not uncommon for people to revisit Jaipur. For first-time travelers, places to visit in Jaipur are quite sorted with Amer Fort, Jaipur City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Nahargarh Fort, to name a few. Check out this Jaipur travel guide for first time-visitors – Jaipur In One Day. Travelers revisiting Jaipur after a decade or more don’t mind a revisit to all these above popular tourist places. However, for frequent travelers, the pink city offers so much more.
Offbeat & Unique Things To Do In Jaipur
Here is a Jaipur travel guide with offbeat & unique things to do. This is a 2-day Jaipur itinerary. The below places or activities can be undertaken in an order based on suitability.
Jawahar Kala Kendra
Jawahar Kala Kendra remains a well-recognized hub for art, craft & theatre in Jaipur. It is popularly called JKK. It was designed by the famous architect Charles Corea. He was inspired by the 9-square layout concept of the walled city of Jaipur. It is a unique building constructed with red sandstone.
JKK is always buzzing with the creative souls of the city. If you are an art, craft, photography, or theatre lover, you must visit JKK. Events like art exhibitions or photography exhibitions or workshops are hosted regularly. Check with the JKK website for updated information.
One of the unique spaces in JKK is Shilpgram. It recreates the Indian village set-up and is an exhibition site. Read an in-depth guide on Jawahar Kala Kendra |The Artists’ Station
Heritage Walking Tour In Jaipur
The heritage walking tour in Jaipur offers a whole new possibility of gaining a more thorough look at the history & culture of the city. While forts and palaces feature high on the list of travelers, many are choosing to replace a few of these with walking tours. Walking tours are extremely popular in Europe, and lately, interest in this part of the world is also rising at a rapid pace. Since it is a personal experience, it is imperative to select the walk leader carefully. Before you enroll for any tour, make sure you have a brief interaction with the walk leader rather than the front-end person. Good communication skills and knowledge of the walk leader are vital for a great experience. The walking tours in Jaipur take place in the UNESCO World Heritage site area- the walled city. There is a lot to see and experience in the walled city.
Read more about what to expect & how to undertake the Heritage walking tours in Jaipur
Jhalana Leopard Safari
It surprises how Jhalana Leopard Safari has become enormously popular in less than 5 years. It is rated as a leading place to sight leopards in India. While Jhalana has always been home to numerous leopards, it was closed to the public a few years ago. The area is accessible only by booking a safari tour. Jhalana is located not far from the heart of the city; very close to Jaipur airport. It is safer to book the tour in advance as the tickets get sold out very fast. Even though leopards are the top attraction in the Jhalana forest, there are many more things to witness. There are a variety of birds like Rufous Treepie, peacocks, and swallows. One of the most notable trees in the Jhalana forest is the Anogeissus Pendula tree. Read Hunting Lodge in Jhalana
Gaitore
Gaitore has been gaining prominence due to Instagrammers. It has still not become popular among most tourists. Gaitore contains magnificent tombs of the erstwhile rulers of Jaipur. Some of the structures built in white marble are incredibly beautiful. A few dates back more than 275 years.
Gaitore attracts many solo female travelers. It is however considered a secret place since it is tucked away from popular tourist attractions. Read an in-depth guide on Royal Gaitore
Central Park
Despite being in the heart of the city, Central Park in Jaipur is not well-known among travelers. It is a vast green space in the C-Scheme area encompassing a polo and a golf club. Central Park is situated north of Rambagh, an iconic hotel in Jaipur.
If you love jogging or running, this is the best place to be. Central Park remains an excellent place to unwind in an open green space after a hectic exploration in the pink city. Grab a coffee from Curious Life Coffee Roaster located close by before you head to the park. Read an in-depth Central Park Guide
Nahargarh Zoological Park
Nahargarh Zoological Park took shape a couple of years ago as the plan to shift the old Jaipur zoo to the present-day location. The old zoo in Ramniwas Garden near Albert Hall did not have enough space to accommodate new species. There is a big focus on spacious, large enclosures; something lacking in the old layout of the zoo. The new zoo is situated in Amer Kukas. If you are visiting Jaipur with kids, they will definitely enjoy a visit to Nahargarh Zoological. Read Nahargarh Zoological Park Travel Guide
Sanganer Hand Block Printing
Until a few years ago, Sanganer represented a small village or settlement situated around 20 km from the heart of Jaipur city. At present, it is part of Jaipur city, located close to the airport.
Sanganer has been a significant center for block-cutting and printing units; some estimates suggest there are more than 5000-6000 block printers or more than 200-300 units. Vibrant floral and geometric patterns imprinted on the white & off-white cotton fabric is a distinct Sanganer style block printing. It is fascinating to witness this process and buy this fabric, furnishing, and clothes in Sanganer.
Kishan Bagh Sand Dunes
Kishan Bagh is an interesting eco-restoration project spearheaded by Pradip Krishen in association with the Jaipur Development Authority. It is one of its kinds of places in Jaipur.
The only other similar project is Rao Jodha Desert Park in Jodhpur. The ticket cost includes charges for naturalists. There are so many fascinating aspects of nature unknown to us revealed in this guided tour. A great place for nature lovers and inquisitive minds. Here is an in-depth guide for Kishan Bagh Sand Dune
Hot Air Balloon ride
Hot air balloon rides in Jaipur are operational for a couple of years. Operated by Sky Waltz company, these rides operate in the vicinity of the city. These are popular among international travelers. However, due to the steep prices, it is yet to become popular among Indian travelers. It is one of the few adventure activities in Jaipur. Read Hot air balloon ride in Jaipur
Visit Quaint Places & Villages Near Jaipur
There are many less explored and quaint places. I have written about a few in my blog. Places like Naila village are great for explorers who love the small-town experience. It is merely 18-20 km from Jaipur.
Read Naila village tucked in time
Similarly, the Taj Ramgarh Lodge in Jamwa Ramgarh is an outstanding weekend getaway in Jaipur. The serene rustic landscape in this boutique property is highly recommended during the monsoon and winter seasons.
If you enjoy driving, Sambhar Salt Lake is a good day trip from Jaipur during the winter season. Check out an in-depth post Sambhar Salt Lake | A great day trip from Jaipur?
Volunteering With NGOs
Not so popular among Indian travelers until now, the concept has found a home in the minds of slow travelers. There are many NGOs in Jaipur requiring volunteers. I have written about one such in one of my posts on the blog – The resilient childhood
Watch A Sunrise In Jaipur
Witnessing a sunrise is one of the most spiritual experiences. There are many places to experience a sunrise in Jaipur. Read Local’s guide to the best sunrise places in Jaipur
Nahargarh Fort is one of the most popular places for sunrise in Jaipur. A good alternative is to watch the sunrise over Jal Mahal in Mansagar lake, Jaipur.
This is not an exhaustive list; there can be many more places to visit and things to do in Jaipur. If you are a first-time visitor to the pink city, check out How to explore the best of Jaipur in 2 days, an in-depth Jaipur travel guide. If you don’t have two days to explore the pink city, check out Jaipur in one day.
Bird watching Near Jaipur
While Jaipur is certainly not a top bird-watching place in India, the city has many birding groups and communities. Many of these groups go on birding trips near Jaipur. There are a variety of birds one can spot in and around Jaipur. Many migratory birds from Siberia, Mongolia, and China can be spotted near Jaipur. There are many water bodies & forests in and around Jaipur that are suitable for bird-watching. Some of these are Mansagar Lake, Chandlai, Barkheda, Kanota, Nevta, to name a few.
Among the forests, Jhalana Hills and Nahargarh Hills are popular. One of the most popular birding spots in Jaipur is Smriti Van. Smriti Van is located in the city and the best time to visit is in the morning. It is a rustic forest land with a few walking paths.
One of the sections of Smriti Van has been beautifully landscaped. The last one that I would like to mention is Dravyawati Bird Park. Depending on the time of the day and the season, you can spot many local birds in Dravyawati Bird Park. Also worth mentioning is the World Forest Arboretum in Jaipur. There are entry restrictions but if you do manage to get an entry permit from the forest department, it is a beautiful rustic forest land. Read my post World Forest Arboretum
Unexplored places in Jaipur
Are there hidden & unexplored places in Jaipur? Yes and no. In my opinion, there is nothing hidden in the age of social media. There are certainly lesser explored places. Most blogs and websites with the headings like unexplored places in Jaipur or hidden places in Jaipur are click baits. If you were to run through the places mentioned in those posts it will be evident.
JaipurThruMyLens 
I was going to start by saying I would love the leopard safari, but then I wanted to say how beautiful the architecture is. However, I also want to watch how they make handcrafts that have been around for centuries and go in a hot air balloon. I see there is a ton of things to do here.
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Haha…I know there is far too much to choose for a short saty. Have you been to this part of the world, Donna?
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Jaipur has plenty to do and also a place to just unwind by going with the flow. I recently did the Jhalana Leopard Safari and luckily saw one. I have heard about Taj Rambagh from a friend too. But the recent crowded pics of Kishan Bagh frighten me. …. It’s that popular 😂
A good info post Arvind.
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I’m glad you have ticked off a few places. Yes kishan bagh is not popular. Thanks to the social media. People are more interested in getting themselves clicked themselves instead of understanding all that is curated. But that’s how it is. 😐 Keep me posted whenever you are next in Jaipur, Monica
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I am glad I could begin travel after 2 years 😊✨💫 It was a whirlwind 1D trip. Will ping you when there for good few days.
I agree ….its sad how people only look for insta photo value in a place. The entire thought and effort behind a place is lost.
Let’s hope their craze lessens or gets sensible 😀😀
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I can understand since we have talked about it, a few months ago. I guess everyone seeks something that they value. The trouble is nature lovers feel out of place with cacophony.
Keep me posted, Monica.
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I always like to explore a city beyond the obvious tourist sights. So this guide is really a great find. Good to know that there are modern art galleries and some nice local parks to explore.
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Increasingly people are seeking not so popular places during travel. I’m glad you found this guide useful, Natasha.
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A great list for our next trip! We did visit Gaitore tombs and thoroughly enjoyed, in part because it was not busy. Love the sunrise pictures. Maggie
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I’m glad you enjoyed the trip to Gaitore. It is such a charming place. Partly because of beautiful structures and the rest because it is devoid of tourists and crowd. Sunrise is always incredible. Isn’t it, Maggie? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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It’s quite a list, Arv. I could only visit Jhalana though I have the other places on your list in my mind too as I have read to respective posts on these places. On my last visit, I had to choose between Jhalana or Sanganer and I chose the previous one so missed the other. It is always a wait for the next time. Let’s see when I can make it again.
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Considering all the options, it is impossible for anyone to add any of these activities for the first-timer. Jhalana is definitely gaining popularity among wildlife lovers. I will strongly suggest Kishan bagh, a block-printing experience, and a heritage walk considering your interests. Hope you will get to visit Jaipur, soon, Sarmistha.
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Yes Arv, even I wish too. 🙂
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🙂
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It’s almost overwhelming how much there is to do in Jaipur – and all those activities are so different and inspiring. Especially this traditional printing is very interesting. We are lucky that wonderful techniques like this survive our globalized world of H&M and company….
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I agree preserving our heritage and culture is important. Someday you must visit Jaipur and attend a hand printing workshop. It is these techniques that provide variety in a world dominated by global companies & brands as you rightly pointed out.
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Among the places I visited in and around Jaipur, was Sanganer, about 6 years ago, back than it seemed to me like such an untouched place, where visitors were kind of more rare. Years ago I published a post about Sanganer.
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Cornelia, yes, things have changed a bit over the last 6 years. The number of tourists visiting the city has gone up during this period. Sanganer is still a good place to explore. I hope you will visit Jaipur soon.
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I didn’t think Jaipur have so many attractions to offer. It’s great to plan time with your guide. I would love to go on a Jhalana Leopard Safari, and I dream about Hot air balloon rides over the area. It’s a great guide with things to do in Jaipur.
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I’m sure you will love exploring all the options, Agnes. I agree hot air balloon ride have their own charm. The view from up above is awesome. Hope you will visit Jaipur, soon!
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Wow Jaipur has so many treats: leopard safari, instagrammable Gaitore and so many more!
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I’m sure you will love visiting Jaipur, Carol.
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I love when we find unique and offbeat things to see and do in a new spot. Thanks for sharing your list for Jaipur. A leopard safari and the Nahargarh Zoological Park would definitely be draws for us. But a hot air balloon ride would be at the top of my list!
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Most travelers and explorer enjoy seeking offbeat and unique things to do in any city. I’m sure you will enoy the experiences of all that you have mentioned above. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Linda.
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I love that there are so many outdoor options and ways to commune with nature and wildlife in Jaipur. I could spend a week here enjoying all of these activities. Sprinkle in some culture at the JKK and I would love this trip!
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If you like nature and outdoor, Jaipur has many things to offer. I’m sure you will love a visit to Jaipur, Melinda.
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I haven’t been to Jaipur, but this definitely inspires me to go. There are so many things to do! The leopard safari and Gaitore are especially interesting to me.
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You must visit Jaipur someday. If you haven’t been here before, try must visit places too.
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That’s a list with real offbeat stuff. I have been to Jaipur umpteen times and yet to explore any of this. I am all for hot balloon ride and can visualize how good it would be to see Jaipur from above. And yes, golden hour photography too.
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I’m happy to know you have been to Jaipur many times. Yes, hot air balloon is always a good idea. Golden hour photography works everywhere across the world. This draws many travelers especially photographers to many popular locations. Thansk for sharing your thoughts.
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It’s cool that you highlighted the things to do in Jaipur for people who’ve been a few times and seen the touristy spots. Jawahar Kala Kendra looks intriguing, and I’m surprised Gaitore is still mostly under the radar of many travelers given how pretty it is!
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I’m sure you will love JKK. Isn’t it nice that some places have managed to stay low and therefore avoid the touristy crowd?
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I’ve followed your blog for many years and have always been amazed by the amount of things to do in Jaipur. Really enjoyed this post on offbeat and unique things to do in Jaipur. The leopard safari really does sound unique, and you can see birds too. How wonderful. The block printing activity also caught my eye. It’s amazing how much detail and work goes into it, and how it translates to patterns on prints and clothes. Always love a good sunrise…and sunset too 😀
Hope you are doing well, Arv 🙂
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I agree Mabel. Not every city offers a variety of things to do and experience. Are you a wildlife lover? Or you prefer a quiet sunrise or sunset? I’m doing well. Hope things have settled down and everything is back to normal in your country.
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I actually like both wildlife and sunsets. Sunrise not so much since I am not a morning person. When I visit a city or a new place I tend to like doing a variety of things and not just one activity. I feel the more I do and especially visiting where the locals go, I get the most of out of such experiences. Things are pretty much back to normal here in Australia. Hope it is pretty normal over there.
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Sunises and sunsets both are good. Sunrises are more spiritual because of the silence in the morning. Otherwise, they are quite similar. 🙂
Certainly, if you want to see another side of a city, offbeat things are always a good way. Good to know things are back to normal in down under! Things are okay at the moment, Mabel. 🙂
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That’s a good observation, silence with sunrises are spiritual – a new beginning each day in a sense. Keep exploring, Arv. I’m sure you got quite a few more offbeat things to do to share with us at some point. Good to hear things are okay over there 🙂
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Certainly, will keep you posted, Mabel. I hope you visit Jaipur sometime soon. 🙂
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Jhalana leopard safari is new for me.
Rest of the places are definitely a must visit for tourists. Somehow visitors stay only for a day or two in Jaipur and out of these two days half a day goes into shopping only.
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A lot of new places have come up in the last few years. Well, for many people a visit to Jaipur is synonymous with shopping, so I feel it is fair for them to fall for it. Are you visiting Jaipur any time soon?
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I was there for 20 days in March. But as usual, stayed mostly with my parents and sisters. Had gone after 3 years so wanted to spend time with family only.
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Okay. I guess we spoke about it last year. I’m sure it must have been awesome.
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Visit at parent’s house is always memorable ☺
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Absolutely. 🙂
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Wow…..I love Jaipur……
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You should visit…someday
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I’ve been there…..but would love to visit again:)
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I’m sure you will love it 🙂
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Just love all the interesting tourist attractions that you’ve provided.
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I’m glad you liked it, Ramani
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Nice itinerary! So many ideas for places to visit and things to do. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Jhalana Leopard Safari is my favorite from the time I discovered it first, which was last year. 🙂 And ‘Rana’ might just continue to be my favorite big cat!
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Are you a regular visitor to the pink city, Yamini?
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