The Red Fort, Delhi
The mighty Mughal fortress of Old Delhi - vast red-sandstone walls enclosing marble palaces and gardens, the seat of empire and the stage of India's independence, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
The Red Fort is the mighty Mughal fortress at the heart of Old Delhi, its vast red-sandstone walls, stretching over two kilometres, built by Shah Jahan as the palace-fort of his new capital. Within lie marble audience halls, royal apartments and gardens, once the seat of Mughal power. A UNESCO site, it is where India's flag was first raised at independence, and the prime minister still addresses the nation from its ramparts each year.
What you actually see
- The Lahori Gate and walls - the great red-sandstone ramparts and main gate.
- The marble halls - the Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas audience halls.
- The royal apartments - the marble palaces along the river side.
- Chandni Chowk - the bustling old bazaar street outside the fort.
When to go
October to March for the coolest weather; go early to beat the heat and crowds. It is closed on Mondays. Combine it with the nearby Jama Masjid mosque and the chaotic, colourful Chandni Chowk bazaar.
Honest expectations
It is closed on Mondays, and much of the interior is stripped of its former riches, so it takes imagination to picture the Mughal splendour. Old Delhi around it is intensely crowded and chaotic. It is best combined with the Jama Masjid and a walk or rickshaw through Chandni Chowk.
Nearby
The Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Humayun's Tomb are in Delhi; Agra and Jaipur complete the Golden Triangle.
What to pack for The Red Fort, Delhi
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
