The red-sandstone Mughal fort where emperors ruled —. Where Shah Jahan gazed at the Taj.
Agra Fort is in Agra. Entry is ₹50 for Indian visitors. It opens open daily, about 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Open all week. The best time is Late afternoon light suits the red walls. Pair it with a Taj sunrise.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1565–1573 |
| Built by | Emperor Akbar; palaces added by Shah Jahan |
| Style | Mughal (red sandstone & marble) |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Location | Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
Agra Fort is a walled city of red sandstone beside the Yamuna. Akbar rebuilt it from 1565 as the seat of Mughal power. Later emperors, especially Shah Jahan, added white-marble palaces inside.
From the Musamman Burj tower. An ageing Shah Jahan is said to have gazed. At the distant Taj Mahal during his final years. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sits about 2.5 km from the Taj.
Sources: Agra Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Agra Fort · ASI ticketing.
What makes it special, and what to look for.
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Present fort built | 1565–1573, under Akbar | Wikipedia |
| Area | 380,000 m² (94 acres) | Wikipedia |
| Wall height | up to 21.4 m (70 ft) | Wikipedia |
| Wall length | 2.5 km | UNESCO |
| Builders | ~4,000 daily, for 8 years | Wikipedia |
| Material | Red sandstone, brick core | Wikipedia |
| Gates | Four (Delhi, Amar Singh) | Wikipedia |
| UNESCO listing | 1983 (Ref. 251) | UNESCO |
| From the Taj | 2.5 km north-west | Wikipedia |
| Captured by Mughals | 1526, after Panipat | Wikipedia |
| Marble palaces | added by Shah Jahan | Wikipedia |
| Core | brick, sandstone-clad | Wikipedia |
| Managed by | ASI | UNESCO |
| Diwan-i-Khas | held the Peacock Throne | Wikipedia |
| Humayun crowned | here in 1530 | Wikipedia |
| On | the Yamuna's bank | Wikipedia |
| Seat of | the Mughal empire | Wikipedia |
| Shah Jahan | imprisoned here 1658–66 | Wikipedia |
| Also called | Lal Qila / Qila-i-Akbari | Wikipedia |
The fort covers about 380,000 square metres. That is roughly 94 acres. Red sandstone walls ring it.
The walls rise up to 21.4 metres. They run for about 2.5 kilometres. Around 4,000 builders worked for eight years.
Akbar rebuilt the fort from 1565. Shah Jahan later added marble palaces. He died here, imprisoned, in 1666.
Four gates pierce the walls. UNESCO listed the fort in 1983. It sits 2.5 km from the Taj.
Babur's Mughals took the fort in 1526. Akbar then rebuilt it grandly. Shah Jahan added the marble later.
The fort mixes strength and beauty. Red walls guard white palaces. Each emperor left his mark.
The fort was a walled royal city. Courts, mosques and gardens filled it. The Yamuna guarded one side.
Emperors once ruled India from here. The fort held the court and treasury. It was the empire's heart.
From a marble tower, Shah Jahan gazed out. The distant Taj filled his view. He died here, a prisoner.
Sources: Agra Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Agra Fort · ASI ticketing.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Agra Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Agra Fort · ASI ticketing.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1565–1573 | Akbar rebuilds the fort in sandstone. |
| 1628–1658 | Shah Jahan adds marble palaces. |
| 1666 | Shah Jahan dies here, imprisoned. |
| 1983 | UNESCO inscribes Agra Fort. |
| 1526 | Mughals capture the fort. |
Sources: Agra Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Agra Fort · ASI ticketing.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Indian | ₹50 |
| SAARC / BIMSTEC | ₹90 |
| Foreign tourist | ₹650 |
| Children under 15 | Free |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily, about 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. |
| Weekly closing | Open all week. |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon light suits the red walls. Pair it with a Taj sunrise. |
| How long to allow | One to two hours suits most visits. |
Sources: Agra Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Agra Fort · ASI ticketing.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Nearest station | Agra Fort railway station |
| From the Taj | ~2.5 km; a short auto ride |
| Metro | Agra Metro is expanding; check current lines |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Agra from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
Plan around India's seasons. Late afternoon light suits the red walls. Pair it with a Taj sunrise.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Agra to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Agra guide for the best areas.
They sit close together — do both in one day.
The layered history is easy to miss without one.
Arrive at opening time. You beat crowds, and heat.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | ₹50 |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | Free |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Agra Fort with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
Indian visitors pay ₹50 and foreign visitors ₹650. Children under 15 are free.
It is open daily from about 6 AM to 6 PM.
Yes. It is a vast. Well-preserved Mughal fort and a UNESCO site. Close to the Taj.
About 2.5 km, a short auto-rickshaw ride away.
Around one and a half to two hours.
Nearest station: Agra Fort railway station; From the Taj: ~2.5 km;. A short auto ride; Metro: Agra Metro is expanding; check current lines.
Late afternoon light suits the red walls. Pair it with a Taj sunrise.
You can also visit Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra guide.
Stay in Agra. See our Agra guide.
Keep exploring around Agra.
