Rajasthan
Land of kings, forts and deserts
Rajasthan, India's largest state by area, is dominated by the Thar Desert in its west and a string of hilltop and hill forts built by Rajput dynasties, six of which, including Chittorgarh and Amber Fort, form a single UNESCO World Heritage Site recognising Rajasthan's hill forts collectively. Jaipur, the state capital and part of India's Golden Triangle tourist circuit with Delhi and Agra, is known as the Pink City for the terracotta-pink wash applied to its old-city buildings in 1876.
Jaisalmer's sandstone fort rises directly from the Thar Desert, a rare still-inhabited fortress city, while Udaipur's palace-lined lakes have earned it the nickname City of Lakes. Rajasthan's Rajput and desert Marwari cultural heritage, camel-safari tourism, and colourful annual fairs such as the Pushkar Camel Fair make it one of India's most-visited states by international travellers.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in India.
Categories
Points of Interest
16 places
Attraction
Amber Fort
Amber Fort is a hilltop Rajput fort-palace above Maota Lake, 11 km from Jaipur, begun by Raja Man Singh I in 1592.
Attraction
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort is a 15th-century Rathore fortress on a rock high above Jodhpur's blue old town, with a fine palace museum.
Attraction
Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Lake Pichola is the 14th-century artificial lake at the heart of Udaipur, lined by the City Palace and set with two island palaces.
Attraction
Chand Baori Stepwell
Chand Baori is a 9th-century stepwell in Abhaneri village, Rajasthan, with about 3,500 steps zigzagging down 13 levels.
Viewpoint
Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
Jal Mahal is an 18th-century palace in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, Jaipur, that seems to float when the lake is full.
Attraction
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
Hawa Mahal is a five-storey pink sandstone palace facade in Jaipur, built in 1799 with 953 latticed windows.
Attraction
City Palace, Jaipur
The City Palace, Jaipur, is the royal palace of the Pink City, begun in 1727, part museum and still part royal residence.
Attraction
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, is a UNESCO-listed observatory of 19 giant stone astronomical instruments completed in 1734.
Viewpoint
Patrika Gate
Patrika Gate is a modern painted gateway at Jawahar Circle, Jaipur, whose murals show the regions and history of Rajasthan.
Attraction
Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan
Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan is the royal cremation ground of Jaipur's Kachhwaha rulers, with carved marble and sandstone cenotaphs.
Viewpoint
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort is an 18th-century hilltop fort on the Aravalli ridge above Jaipur, known for its sunset views over the city.
Market / Shopping
Johari Bazaar
Johari Bazaar is the jewellers' market of Jaipur's walled Pink City, known for gemstones, kundan and meenakari jewellery.
Market / Shopping
Bapu Bazaar
Bapu Bazaar is a busy market in Jaipur's Pink City for block-printed textiles, mojari slippers and affordable souvenirs.
Natural Wonder
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is a tiger reserve in eastern Rajasthan, one of the best places in India to see wild Bengal tigers.
Attraction
Ranthambore Fort
Ranthambore Fort is a hilltop fortress inside Ranthambore tiger reserve, part of the UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
Activity / Adventure
Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani is a recreated Rajasthani village resort on Jaipur's Tonk Road, with folk shows and a traditional thali dinner.
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
October–March
Other Districts in India
Stories from Rajasthan
All guides