Why Honeymoon in Jaipur
Jaipur packs more variety into a short stay than anywhere else in northern India. Within a day you can climb the ramparts of Amber Fort, wander the astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, haggle for silver in Johari Bazaar and finish with a gin and tonic in a palace bar.
The hotels are a draw on their own. Several are former royal residences. Staying in one means breakfast on a terrace, afternoon tea on the lawn and staff who treat a honeymoon as an occasion.
It is also the easiest place in India to come home with something beautiful. Jaipur is a center for hand block-printed textiles, blue pottery, gemstones and jewelry. Even couples who hate shopping usually end up with a quilt, a scarf or a pair of earrings that will remind them of the trip for years.
When to Go
October to March is the season. November through February brings clear skies, highs in the 70s Fahrenheit and cold early mornings that make a balloon flight or an Amber Fort visit crisp rather than sweaty. Late January is busy with the Jaipur Literature Festival, so book early if your dates overlap.
March is warm but still pleasant. Holi in early spring is celebrated with color everywhere. By April, daytime temperatures pass 100°F and stay there until the monsoon. Sightseeing is still possible at dawn, but most couples would not choose it.
July and August bring humid heat and heavy showers. September is a transition month with greener hills and rising hotel rates. Diwali in October or November lights up the bazaars with lamps and decorations, which makes it one of the most atmospheric times to visit.
Where to Stay
Jaipur's palace hotels are the reason many couples come. Rambagh Palace, the former home of the Maharaja of Jaipur and now run by Taj, sits in large gardens south of the old city. Samode Haveli is a smaller, more intimate option inside the walled city with painted rooms and a courtyard pool. The Oberoi Rajvilas, on the eastern edge of town, is a low-rise resort with private villas and a spa.
Mid-range heritage hotels and converted havelis in the Civil Lines and C-Scheme areas give you character and gardens without palace prices. They are also close to good restaurants and away from old-city noise.
If you want countryside, Samode Palace (about an hour north) and Alila Fort Bishangarh (a restored hilltop fort roughly 90 minutes out) both make a dramatic overnight. Factor in driving time before booking them as your only Jaipur base.
Romantic Things to Do
Arrive at Amber Fort when it opens. You walk up through the Sun Gate before the tour buses, see the mirror work of the Sheesh Mahal in quiet and look down at Maota Lake while the light is still soft. Skip the elephant rides; animal welfare groups have long criticized them.
Book a sunrise hot-air balloon flight in the cooler months. Flights drift over villages, forts and mustard fields with the Aravalli hills behind.
At sunset, drive up to Nahargarh Fort, which sits on the ridge above the city. Its café terrace overlooks Jaipur as the lights come on.
In the old city, see Hawa Mahal from a rooftop café across the street, where you get the full honeycomb facade. Then spend an hour in the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, which are side by side. Stepwell fans should stop at Panna Meena ka Kund near Amber.
Getting There and Around
Jaipur International Airport has domestic flights from most Indian cities, plus some international links to the Gulf. From Delhi, daytime express trains take about four and a half hours. The drive on the expressway takes about five hours, depending on Delhi traffic. Agra is roughly four to five hours by road, often with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
A car and driver is the easiest way to see the city, since sights are spread out and the old city is congested. Most hotels can arrange one by the day. Uber and Ola work well for short trips. Auto rickshaws are fine for a few blocks if you agree on the fare first.
Walking the bazaars is a pleasure in the morning, but crossing the main roads takes nerve. Follow a local's lead and move steadily.
Food and Drink
Jaipur's signature snack is pyaaz kachori, a flaky fried pastry stuffed with spiced onion. Rawat Mishthan Bhandar near Sindhi Camp is the famous place to try one hot. Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB) in Johari Bazaar has been serving Rajasthani sweets and vegetarian thalis for decades. For a thick lassi in a clay cup, the stalls on MI Road have a loyal following.
For a special dinner, palace hotel restaurants serve royal Rajasthani dishes such as laal maas and safed maas, a creamy white mutton curry. 1135 AD, inside Amber Fort, offers a candlelit meal in painted rooms after the day crowds leave.
Bar Palladio, inside the Narain Niwas Palace hotel, is a jewel box of blue walls and lanterns that has become one of Jaipur's favorite spots for a cocktail. Dress up a little.
Honeymoon Tips
- Buy the composite ticket that covers Amber Fort, Nahargarh, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and several other monuments; it saves time at each gate.
- Ask your hotel for trusted textile and jewelry shops. Drivers often steer couples to stores that pay them commission.
- Have gemstones independently certified before paying serious money and get a receipt.
- Take a block-printing workshop in Sanganer or Bagru villages for a hands-on afternoon together.
- The old city gets hectic between late morning and mid-afternoon. Plan pool time then.
- Two nights covers the highlights. Three lets you add a balloon flight, a workshop and a slower evening.
