Best Places To Visit Near Jaipur - Weekend Getaways

The Pink City, of palaces and Raja-Rajwadas, of Maharani Gayatri Devi’s unmatched beauty and Hawa Mahal’s sky-kissed height - Jaipur is a royal paradise. But of course, the heat, sometimes the noise and chaos, and even too much royal throwback can tire a soul. So for those who are looking out to explore what is beyond Jaipur, to try out weekend getaways that are different from its aura, here’s a list of best places to visit around Jaipur. From Ranthambore to Agra, Delhi to Vrindavan, you will have a wide variety of activities and landscapes to explore.

Ajmer is the capital of Prithviraj Chauhan, his birthplace that later was invaded by the first Turks. One of the strongholds of Chauhan Dynasty until 12th Century CE. Ajmer is today a significant heritage city that draws in massive crowds from all over the country. Ajmer is only 132 km from Jaipur and you can easily make a weekend out of it. Visit the famous Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Narelia Jain Temple and Adhai Din Ka Jhopra Mosque, sit by the Anasagar Lake and Foy Sagar Lake, and don’t forget to check out the Clock Tower.

The only place on this earth where Lord Brahma, one of the holy Hindu trinity is worshipped. Pushkar is renowned for this and much more. But mostly for this, the 14th Century Brahma Temple that is dedicated to the creator of the world. You can also visit the Pushkar Lake and the many ghats surrounding it, where incense of worship and chants of yagyas create a beautiful aura. Located 147 km from Jaipur, Pushkar is a massive tourist haunt during the winter month of Kartik when Pushkar Mela or the great Pushkar Camel Fair is held.

One of the three dots of India’s Golden Triangle, Agra is famously touristy for its Taj Mahal. Located 240 km from Jaipur, it also makes for a quick Indian heritage tour along with Delhi and Jaipur. If you are desperately in need of some romance therapy then it is best to take your car early one morning and drive four hours down to the symbol of love. There is Fatehpur Sikri Fort nearby too so you can easily make a weekend out of it.

The third and most prominent point of the Golden Triangle, Delhi is another great place to visit from Jaipur. If you want some city fun, really huge malls, metro train rides and lip-smacking Chandni Chowk food then head to Delhi with family and friends. Other than these, you of course have the option of visiting heritage delights like Lal Qila, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and more.

A heritage city known for its unique architecture, from the lotus styled pavilions made out of pristine marble to latticed walls and window balconies, from museums to manuscripts. Alwar is beautiful to soak in all that Rajasthani aura. Visit the Alwar City Palace, Moosi Maharani Chhatri, Bala Quila Fort and Bhangarh Fort. If you are lusting after some nature then Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is not that far from here either. Alwar is 154 km from Jaipur.

One of the most prominent cities of the Shekhawati region, Fatehpur falls between Jaipur and Bikaner and is famous for its havelis and temples. The distance of Fatehpur from Jaipur is all of 166 km, and you can easily make this into a short weekend getaway. Visit the Goenka Haveli, tour the Nadine Cultural Center and pay your respects at the Dholi Sati Dadi Temple.

One of India’s premiere national parks and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Ranthambore National Park is a nice safari trip out of Jaipur. It is located around 166 km away from the Pink City and makes for a rather thrilling winter outing over a long weekend. The reserve has some guest houses and lodges to accommodate you, as well as the Ranthambore Fort, Jogi Palace and Padam Lake for sightseeing.

A city of Eastern Rajasthan, renowned because it was one of the few provinces that British could not capture and rule, Bharatpur is rather beautiful. It is also known for its moat-surrounded Lohargarh Fort, the Government Museum, Ganga Mandir, Keoladeo National Park and Bird Sanctuary, and Laxman Mandir. It is situated 187 km away from Jaipur and hence is easy to reach via a relatively short road drive.

The place of divine leelas of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan is part of the Vraj region in Uttar Pradesh. It is close enough to Jaipur for taking a road trip, located 238 km away. Vrindavan is home to numerous temples and sites, gardens and forests, some newly built while others as ancient as time. Nidhivan is a forest of human-sized trees that are said to turn into gopis at night and dance the raas with Krishna. You can visit the Banke Bihari Mandir, Prem Mandir and Sri Sri Krishna Balram Temple to see some of the newly constructed temples.

Not too far from Jaipur is the city of Kota. It is located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh and is recommended for a little change-in-routine kind of weekend getaway. The city is home to quite many gardens, palaces and monuments, so start with the famous Seven Wonder Park, then visit the Jagmandir Palace followed by Kishore Sagar lake and palace. Kota Barrage is another great site to visit, lush and full in monsoons.

A temple town near Udaipur, Nathdwara is located on the banks of Banas River. It is home to the deity of Nikunj Nayak Shrinathji, the adolescent form of Shri Krishna. This deity manifested from the depths of Govardhan Hill in the 15th Century and is the great master of Vallabh-Vaishnav community and Pushti Margiya followers all over the world. You can take a trip to this town over a festive weekend like Holi or Janmashtami or Diwali, shop from its markets for amazing minakari jewellery, leheriya and mothra saris and pichhwai paintings, and eat the best local street food at Chowpatty.

Sariska is a coveted adventure spot to visit from Jaipur. It is around 133 km away, and is home to nature, wildlife and some adventure sports. Also referred to as the ‘abode of Royal Bengal Tigers,’ this place also gives you sightings of other exotic species like jackals, stripped hyenas, leopards, deer and monkeys. Winter and early summer is great for a visit and you can do a lot here, from safaris in the Sariska Tiger Reserve to touring the Sariska Palace, Kankwari Fort and Bhartrihari Temple.

168 km from Jaipur, Mandwa is a small hamlet lying in the district of Jhunjhunu. It is touted as an open art gallery, because the streets and havelis, the temples and buildings, they all look like pieces of art that come together to form a masterpiece. The Shekhawati influence is visible in the grand architecture and you should make sure to see the Mandawa Palace, Harlalka Well, Chokhani Haveli and Snehi Ram Ladia Haveli.

The most haunted place in India and probably the world, Bhangarh Fort in the Bhangarh region of Alwar is a must-visit if you are into the paranormal and spooky stuff. Located only 85 km from Jaipur, this place has very high paranormal activity and is prohibited for tourists to enter at night. From film crews to exorcists, researchers to scientists, everybody has come here and failed to point out what is so spooky and why. But they all agreed on one thing - something or someone is haunting the fort.