Jaipur, India

DAILY TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of Rajastan, India. Founded in 1727, it’s nicknamed the Pink City due to the distinctive pink colour used in the buildings in the old town. The city surrounds an impressive royal palace, which is still the official residence of the Maharajah. Some rooms of the palace are open to visitors as well as several museums and pavilions in the gardens. A mix of Indian, Islamic and Western architectural styles, the palace is a must see.

For more distinctively Indian buildings, head over to the Hawa Mahal. Built to house the ladies of the court, it contains 953 latticework windows, allowing the women to observe festival processions and daily street life without themselves being seen. The incredible honeycomb turrets are stacked five storeys high. Recent restoration works have seen the Hawa Mahal returned to its original glory.

Two other buildings stand out amongst the usual hustle and bustle of Jaipur. The minaret of Iswari Minar Swarga Sal offers a panoramic view of the city, while the Jantar Mantar complex is actually a giant astronomical observatory. Hire a guide to explain how all the strangely sculptural buildings actually measure the universe.

Read more on Jaipur below with flight options, current weather, maps, and activities to try while you are there.

Jaipur is just one of many featured destinations part of our Daily Travel Inspiration series. Discover more at Daily Travel Inspiration or add it as part of your flash briefings on your Amazon Alexa device. Search 'Daily Travel Inspiration' on your alexa app or check out our Alexa page for more information.