3 daysAgra Fort
Agra · UNESCO World Heritage
Agra Fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors for much of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its massive red sandstone walls enclose a small city of palaces, audience halls and mosques, built over three generations by Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
It stands about two and a half kilometres along the river from the Taj Mahal, and most tours visit both on the same day. Allow at least an hour and a half to see the main palaces.
What to see
- Amar Singh Gate. The visitor entrance, a steep ramp built to slow down attacking elephants.
- Jahangiri Mahal. A large palace built by Akbar for the women of the court, mixing Hindu and Central Asian styles in red sandstone.
- Khas Mahal and Musamman Burj. Shah Jahan's white marble pavilions overlooking the river. The octagonal tower is where he spent his final years, looking out at the Taj Mahal.
- Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas. The halls of public and private audience, where the emperor met his subjects and his ministers.
A short history
Akbar rebuilt the fort in red sandstone from 1565, and his grandson Shah Jahan later added the marble palaces. After Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb in 1658 he was kept here under house arrest until his death. Agra Fort became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Much of the fort is still used by the Indian army and closed to visitors, so the area you can see is the southern part with the palaces.
Multi-day tours that visit Agra Fort
Every tour here includes Agra Fort in its itinerary. Best rated first.
3 days
5 daysNew Delhi
Golden Triangle Agra Jaipur with Lalit Private Drivers India
5.0(83)Free cancellation
from$286
3 daysNew Delhi
3-Day Delhi, Agra & Jaipur Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour
5.0(80)Free cancellation
from$130
5 daysNew Delhi
Five Day - Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra & Jaipur From New Delhi.
5.0(70)Free cancellation
from$230
6 daysNew Delhi
6-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur
5.0(70)Free cancellation
from$537
4 daysNew Delhi
3 Nights 4 Days Golden Triangle Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour By Car
5.0(58)Free cancellation
from$405
Combine it with
Taj Mahal
UNESCOThe white marble tomb Shah Jahan built for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and the reason almost every first trip to India passes through Agra.
Visitor guide →Fatehpur Sikri
UNESCOAkbar's abandoned red sandstone capital on a ridge outside Agra, often visited on the drive to Jaipur.
Visitor guide →Rather have a trip to India made just for you?
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Agra Fort: questions
How much is the Agra Fort entry fee?
Foreign visitors pay around INR 650, and Indian visitors much less. Fees change from time to time, so check at the ticket office.
Is Agra Fort open on Fridays?
Yes. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort is open every day, which makes it a good choice for a Friday in Agra.
Is Agra Fort the same as the Red Fort?
No. Both were built by the Mughals in red sandstone and are sometimes confused, but the Red Fort is in Delhi and Agra Fort is in Agra. Both are separate World Heritage sites.