Bani Park

Good choice for first-time visitors - safe, central, mix of budget and mid-range places to stay. Quiet but connected, with plenty of dining options and a backpacker scene.

Bani Park sits just outside the Old City walls - tree-lined streets, colonial buildings, and most of Jaipur's hostels. City Palace and Hawa Mahal are 15-20 minute walks, but the neighborhood itself feels calm and residential once you're off the main roads. You'll see other backpackers around, which makes eating alone or walking to dinner less awkward. Cafes and shops speak English since they're used to international guests. Things stay fairly active until 11 PM or so with people heading to restaurants or bars. Street lighting is good throughout. Local restaurants serve huge portions for very little money - better food for half the price of tourist areas. Police patrol regularly and you'll see hotel security on most blocks. The area has an almost suburban feel compared to the chaos elsewhere, which makes it a decent base if you want somewhere quiet to come back to at night.