Old city bazaars on foot
Jaipur's old city was planned as a grid of bazaars, each with its own trade, and many still keep it. We start near Hawa Mahal in the late afternoon, when the light softens on the pink facades, and walk through Johari Bazaar, where jewellers and gem cutters work above the shops, into the lanes where silversmiths, bangle makers and kite sellers have their workshops.
Your guide stops for what is good at that hour: spiced kachori, a glass of lassi, or ghewar, the honeycomb sweet made for Teej. Tripolia Bazaar has brass and lac bangles made in front of you; Bapu Bazaar has printed cotton, quilts and leather mojari slippers. We avoid commission-driven showrooms, and your guide will say so if a shop is one.
The walk ends as the lights come on along the main streets. Your car waits at a chosen gate so you do not walk back through the traffic. Street food is chosen for hygiene and freshness, and we steer you to stalls we trust. Guests who prefer not to eat on the street can stop at an old sweet shop with seating instead.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is street food in Jaipur safe to eat
At the stalls we use, generally yes: busy places cooking fresh food at high heat are the safest. Avoid raw salads, cut fruit and water-based drinks from carts. Your guide will choose places with a fast turnover and suggest skipping anything that has been sitting out.
What should I buy in Jaipur
Hand block-printed cotton and quilts, silver, semi-precious stones, blue pottery, lac bangles, mojari slippers and miniature paintings. Gems need care: buy only with a certificate and from a trader your guide knows. Prices are negotiable in the bazaars and fixed in the better shops.
Are the old city bazaars open every day
Most open daily from late morning to around 9 pm, though some markets close one day a week, often Sunday, and individual shops vary. Festival days such as Diwali bring longer hours and more crowds. We check closures when planning your day.
Also in Jaipur
More hours to plan around
