Jaipur having been the capital city of so many kings and queens of Rajasthan has an abundance of beautiful palaces. Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal are two that are incredibly famous all over the world for their beauty and architecture. Others like Rajmahal Palace and Rambagh Palace are known for being 2 of the best royal heritage hotels in India. The 7 royal palaces in Jaipur mentioned in this article are some of the most beautiful examples of Indo-Mughal architecture and reflect the rich history of the Kachwaha kings of Rajasthan.
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Palaces in Jaipur
- City Palace
- Hawa Mahal
- Jal Mahal
- Rajmahal Palace
- Rambagh Palace
- Narain Niwas Palace
- Samode Palace
1. City Palace
This architectural beauty is one of my favorite palaces in Jaipur and rightly so. Vidyadhar Bhaatacharya was a genius who brought the vision of the then king of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II into a blooming reality that stuns visitors to this day. The palace complex has gardens, courtyards, museum and old buildings built with an architectural style that blends Rajasthani and Mughal features.
Situated in the middle of the Old City of Jaipur this palace in Jaipur remains the home of the royal family to this day. The main points of attraction inside City Palace are the Mubarak Mahal, the armoury, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam and the Pitam Niwas Chowk. Pitam Niwas Chowk is the most beautiful of these courtyards with four hand painted gates.
The four gates each depict a season in India. The Peacock Gate signifies autumn, the Lotus Gate embodies summer, the Green Gate represents spring, and finally the Rose Gate embodies winter. This courtyard is buzzing with people all day long hoping to get a picture in front of the gates. We went here early and had to wait 10 minutes to get a clear shot.
The rest of the palace is still the private residence of the royal family but for an extra cost you can tour the Chandra Palace. This is absolutely worth it because you get to see the stunning blue room that is famous all over IG. City Palace is one of the main attractions in Jaipur so get here early before the crowds otherwise it gets too crowded to properly enjoy the place.
- Address: Jaleb Chowk, Opp Jantar Mantar
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (all days of the week)
- Entry Fees: INR 75 for Indians, INR 100 for Foreigners and INR 40 for Children
2. Hawa Mahal
The “Palace of Winds” needs no introduction. It is one of the most famous palaces in Jaipur. The honeycomb tiered structure rises up as a force of pink sandstone. Craftsmen were instructed to carve out delicate lattice windows that were then set with colored glass. Built for the ladies of the court to spy on the market below, this structure has 953 so they could watch processions go by without the crowd seeing their faces which was considered bad behavior.
Each window has a small chamber where they could sit and view the street below. The palace was built keeping in mind the Venturi Effect which causes the wind to keep flowing continuously during the devastatingly hot summers in Jaipur. The backside of the palace is an incredible courtyard and curving staircases that are complete fire hazards in today’s age. The best place to view Hawa Mahal is a small cafe on the opposite side of the road on the third floor. Ask any shopkeeper and they will point you in the right direction.
- Address: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Chopad, J.D.A. Market, Kanwar Nagar
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed on Friday)
- Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indians and INR 50 for Foreigners. Free on Monday.
3. Jal Mahal
Out of all the palaces in Jaipur, Jal Mahal is the most awe inducing. Floating atop a glittery blue lake it’s easy to see why. Jal Mahal or The Water Palace was built by Maharaja Madho Singh in 1750 in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake to be his hunting lodge.
From the shore you can spot the 4 beautifully carved chattris on each of the corners and trees poking atop the walls of the terrace garden. The king used to enjoy dance performances in this garden in the olden days. Interestingly enough, only the top level of the palace is visible above the water now, while the 4 levels below are submerged.
It is forbidden to visit the palace but this doesn’t stop the crowds from coming to the shores of the lake every evening to stare at it. At sunset, Jal Mahal is lit up from inside and looks so beautiful that it has become one of the most photographed historical places in Jaipur. It’s one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic palaces in Jaipur.
- Address: Amer Road
4. Rajmahal Palace
Out of all the palaces in Jaipur this is the one that you would never expect to exist. From brightly colored wallpapers, a hot pink colored restaurant and an ambiance that reminds you more of Europe than India, it leaves you wondering…what happened here?
Rajmahal was a sleepy property that no one cared about until Princess Diya Kumari took it upon herself to restore it. Consequently an architect with a vision that included lots of color (I imagine) restored it to be one of the finest and most luxurious properties in India. The drawing room walls papered with popping green Indian patterns and fuchsia velvet chairs are one example of the sincere devotion the architect had to Indian culture while boldly incorporating modern ideas. 51 Shades of Pink, a restaurant inspired by pinkness is otherworldly. This palace in Jaipur does not let you down.
You can expect the same popping wallpapers, crystal chandeliers and soft silk cushions on every corner, bed, table and chair in the room. Oddly enough, I absolutely adore the whole palace. If I ever lived in a palace, this is probably what it would look like.
- Address: Sardar Patel Marg, C Scheme
5. Rambagh Palace
Embodying the historical wealth of the royal family is one of the most luxurious palaces in Jaipur – Rambagh Palace. The palace began its humble journey as a garden house for the wet nurses of King Ram Singh but soon became famous after being converted into the royal residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his queen Maharani Gayatri Devi. Now known as ‘The Jewel of Jaipur’ it is a boutique hotel that many famed guests such as Lord Mountbatten, Jackie Kennedy and Prince Charles have stayed at.
The property is huge and guests can be found lounging in the sprawling gardens having high tea or gazing at the peacocks. The restoration has only enhanced the beauty of the palace. You can see the hand carved marble latticework, sandstone balustrades, stone cenotaphs and the lush gardens. If you have the time I recommended spending a couple nights here. With the smartly dressed guards escorting you in the back of a vintage open aired car you will fit right into the part of a royal guest.
To visit Rambagh Palace you can either book a reservation for high tea or take a guided tour by one of the reputable companies like Cleartrip.
- Address: Bhawani Singh Road
6. Narain Niwas Palace
Walk through an unassuming little alleyway to the side of a little road in Jaipur and you will come upon one of the most beautiful palaces in Jaipur. Narain Niwas Palace was built for the families that served the royals in 1928. Designed in the Anglo-Indian style that was popular during the British rule, the palace is filled with Rajasthani furniture, flourishing and a palate of bold colors.
The mango groves outside the palace adds to the charm and tranquility. Peacocks roam the lush gardens and birds are heard chirping away in the trees.
Bar Palladio is another gem tucked away in one corner of the palace. The incredibly difficult job of creating a relaxing space that brought in modern elements while proudly showcasing the heritage of the state was given to Dutch designer Marie-ann Oudejans. The result was an incredible bar that is one of the hottest places in Jaipur right now.
- Address: Kanota Bagh, Narayan Singh Road, Rambagh
7. Samode Palace
The walls at Samode Palace are so striking that it’s hard to draw your eyes away from them. Painted in shades of red, blue and yellow the delicate patterns and handiwork is gorgeous. Set 20 miles from the city amidst the rugged Aravali hills, Samode Palace is a quiet escape from the hustle bustle of Jaipur. Constructed by the Rawals of Samode over 225 years ago, Samode Palace is the perfect amalgamation of Indian and Mughal design.
Serving as a boutique hotel to those lucky enough to get a booking here during the tourist season, it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself into the culture and heritage of Rajasthan. The palace has retained the traditional Jaipuri furniture and aesthetics which gives it an authentic feel. Out of all the palaces in Jaipur that you can stay at, this one is the best if you want to get away from the city and enjoy the nature amidst the hills.
- Address: Samode taluk, Tehsil Chomu
The palaces in Jaipur are both an architectural wonder and a relic of the monarchs of Rajasthan. Some of the most famous attractions are the palaces in Jaipur like Jal Mahal and Hawa Mahal. These are great additions to any itinerary for Jaipur. Let me know which ones you end up visiting in the comments below!
