Amer (also spelled Amber) was the capital of the Rajput kingdom for six centuries before Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built Jaipur and moved the capital in 1727. Today it is a town 11 km north of Jaipur, dominated by the massive Amber Fort on the hill above the Maota Lake, with Jaigarh Fort on the ridge above that, and an interesting old town at the base.
Most visitors come only for Amber Fort, but the area repays more time. The narrow lanes of old Amer have temples, havelis, and a weekly market. The Panna Mian ka Kund (stepwell), the Jagdish Temple, and the Akbari Mosque are all within walking distance of the fort base. The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing is also here.
Amer is also where the Jaipur Pink City's defensive system begins — the long wall snaking along the ridge connects Amer to Jaigarh and eventually down to Nahargarh. Walking sections of it is possible with good shoes and a sense of direction.