The Ultimate Guide to Jaipur’s Best Viewpoints, Forts & Sunset Spots
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Jaipur sits within the rugged Aravalli hills and is full of impressive, historical architecture. Visiting tourist hotspots like the City Palace or Hawa Hahal are absolute must-dos, however climbing up to the city’s high points offers a completely different side of the Pink City.
Whether you want to watch the sun set over the Old City, or walk along an ancient stone wall, this guide breaks down Jaipur’s five best viewpoints – complete with tips, costs and more.
Contents
Jaipur's Viewpoints at a Glance
| Viewpoint | Best Time to Visit | Entry Fee | Effort Level | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Wall of Amer | Early morning or late afternoon | Free |
High
(Steep, uneven steps) | Uncrowded panoramic views over Amer Fort and Maota Lake |
| Nahargarh Fort | Sunset | ₹50 (Indian) ₹200 (Foreigner) |
Low - Moderate
(Depending on if you walk or drive to the top) | Sunset lighting glows the city below |
| Surya Mandir | Sunset | Free |
Moderate
(20 min incline walk from city level) | Elevated, peaceful sunset view of Jaipur |
| Jal Mahal | Early morning or sunset | Free |
Very Low
(Street level walking) | A floating palace illuminated on Man Sagar Lake |
| Isarlat Sargasooli | Morning to midday | ₹50 (Indian) ₹200 (Foreigner) |
Moderate
(Climbing the internal spiral ramp) | Highest 360º viewpoint over the Old City |
1. The Great Wall of Amer
Stretching across the Aravalli hills directly opposite Amer Fort is this unexpected ancient stone fortification wall. Originally built for defensive purposes, these elevated walls offer an uninterrupted view of Amer Fort, Maota Lake, and the valley below. This was my personal favourite and gets bonus points for the fact that they are a lot quieter than other viewpoints.
How to Get There:
There’s multiple ways to get onto the walls as they are incredibly long. The most common way is to go to Kheri Gate and take the steps up from there. I personally followed google maps to Varahi Mata Temple and found a set of steps up from there. Both are viable options and there’s plenty more but they do put you on completely different points on the wall to offer different views.
What to Expect:
A steep, non-touristy hike up hundreds of uneven stone steps. You can walk as far as you wish for as long as you have time for. The evaluated view offers an open panorama with no vendors, scammers or crowds.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Safety: The steps are uneven, old, and crumbling so watch your footing closely, you don’t want to slip off the edge.
- Weather Warning: Never climb during thunderstorms or rain as the exposed ridge has a history of lightning strikes.
- Best Light: Visit at sunrise for soft golden light hitting Amer Fort’s yellow walls without the daytime heat.
2. Nahargarh Fort
This 18th-century fortress is perched high on the edge of the Aravalli hills, known as the ultimate sunset spot in Jaipur. It offers an impressive view of the Pink City’s urban grid layout and historical skyline.
How to Get There:
You can either walk up an old pedestrian footpath from the city centre or hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi to take you up the winding mountain road to the top.
Beware: When attempting to get up to the fort for sunset, we requested an Uber ride where the driver demanded an extra 1000INR for the ride before setting off. After getting out and requesting another, this driver didn’t ask for anything until we were half way there to which he locked the doors, stopped the car and asked for 1500INR extra. Bare in mind the original ride was 200INR. We said no and forced our way out and having missed the sunset after all the commotion, had to go back the next day – we chose to walk this time!
What to Expect:
The fort offering stunning views of the view below, historic stone ramparts, and a lively evening atmosphere. If you head inside the fort, there is a restaurant and an open-air terrace where you can sit right along the cliff edge with a drink above the illuminated city.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Return Transport: Uber will rarely accept rides picking up from Nahargarh so it’s best to arrange a round-trip price with your driver upfront, including wait time.
- Timing: Arrive around 4:30 PM to give yourself enough time to wander around and secure a good viewing spot on the ramparts before the evening crowds roll in.
- Entry Fee: Free to walk the outer ridge views or 600INR to entry inside the fort.
Note: Entry is included in the 2-day Jaipur Darshan Composite Ticket.
3. Surya Mandir (Sun Temple)
Located on the route to the Monkey Temple, this 18th-century Hindu temple is dedicated to the Sun God. It sits around 300 meters above the city on a hill above Galta Gate. It’s a local favourite for views over Jaipur’s eastern valley.
How to Get There:
Starting at Galta Gate on the east side of Jaipur, head up the road for around 15 minutes. Alternatively, pair it with a trip to Galta Ji (Monkey Temple) and ask your driver to stop at the Sun Temple after.
What to Expect:
The temple offers a peaceful, uncrowded vantage point with mountains behind you and the vast views of Jaipur are in front. You’ll find locals, monkeys and few tourists here at sunset.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Best Time: Sunset is beautiful here as the sun dips over the horizon behind the city buildings.
- Monkeys: Rhesus macaques roam the stone platforms around the temple. Make sure to keep water bottles, food, and loose items zipped inside your bag.
- Entry: There is no entrance fee to visit the temple or viewpoint.
- Modest Clothing: As an active religious site, be respectful and wear modest clothing – even if you’re just there for the views.
4. Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
This is a unique, striking 18th-century red sandstone palace floating serenely in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, surrounded by the Aravalli hills. Unfortunately you cannot visit the palace, but you can admire the palace from the lakeside promenade.
How to Get There:
The promenade is located directly along the main Amer Road which connects Jaipur Old City to Amer Fort. It is easily reached by auto-rickshaw, Uber, or local bus heading north toward Amer.
What to Expect:
As the palace interior is closed to the public, people admire the palace and it’s water reflection from the paved lakeside promenade area.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Best Time: Visit at sunset for the most impressive lighting, or at dusk for the best palace water reflection.
- Local Vibe: Along the lakeside there are plenty of street food stalls and souvenir vendors making it very busy.
Honest Opinion: I think it’s absolutely worth stopping by here, especially as it’s conveniently located between other sights. However, I found the atmosphere around the promenade not very inviting. It is dirty and smelly, with waste built up along the edge where people just throw more over. There’s a lot of vendors who target foreigners, persistent kids selling magnets and Indian tourists asking for photos. It didn’t feel the very peaceful, and sadly made us want to leave rather than sit and enjoy it.
5. Isarlat Sargasooli (Victory Tower)
A historical minaret built in 1749 by Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh to commemorate the triumph of the Battle of Rajamahal . Standing at 140 feel tall in the heart of the Pink City, it is Jaipur’s tallest historic structure.
How to Get There:
Located right next to Tripolia Gate and Aatish Bazaar, the tower is within walking distance of the City Palace and Hawa Mahal. It stands out above all of the buildings so you’ll locate it easily, and the entrance is behind the main street shops.
What to Expect:
After a climb up to the top, you’ll find a 360-degree view directly down into the busy Old City bazaars, courtyards, and rooftop terraces. The walk up is a smooth, internal spiral ramp originally built so supply animals could carry materials to the top. The space at the top isn’t very, large enough to fit 8 people comfortably.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 9AM to 4:30PM.
- Entry Cost: For international tourists, entry is 200INR.
- Crowds: It doesn’t get too crowed as it is a fairly quick stop for visitors.
Note: Entry is included in the 2-day Jaipur Darshan Composite Ticket.
Bonus: Tattoo Cafe & Lounge
A popular rooftop cafe that sits directly across the street from Hawa Mahal (Palace of Wind). While it isn’t a mountain fort or nature viewpoint, it offers a perfect view of the palace’s 953 intricate windows.
How to Get There:
Hawa Mahal is located right in the heart of the Old City. Directly opposite the road you’ll find a few cafes offering views of the palace from their rooftops. Follow the signs or ask the locals for directions.
What to Expect:
A simple cafe set up, with slightly inflated prices. You can enjoy something as simple as a cold coffee, like I did, or a full sit down meal. The cafe has an inside seating area and an outside terrace with a section specifically for taking photos with the Hawa Mahal in the background, away from the chaotic roads below.
Practical Tips / Need to Know:
- Minimum Spend / Cost: You pay 250INR per person to get into the cafe, and this amount is taken from your bill at the end. Drinks are fairly priced with a cold coffee costing exactly the 250INR.
- Best Time: Early morning (8AM-9AM) offers the best sunlight on the palace and at this time, the streets are quieter and less chaotic than later in the day.
Personal Experience: I visited in the early afternoon and almost every table was full as well as people were pushing through to get photos so it’s best to avoid this time.
- Seating Strategy: Front-row balcony tables fill up very fast so arrive early if you want a good pick of your own seat.
Summary
The absolutely best part of these viewpoints and sunset spots in Jaipur is that you can easily add them on to your existing Jaipur itinerary. You can explore inside Amer Fort and then climb the Great Wall of Amer right after to catch incredible views of the fort you’ve just even into. You can explore all the Old City has to over on ground level and then climb up the Isarlat Sargasooli for a panoramic view of the busting streets below.
If you’re heading to India soon, be sure to explore some of my other guides below.
Hi, I'm Kelly!
Welcome to The Untold Journeys, a travel blog with a focus on raw, authentic travels and finding those exciting hidden gems.
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