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Red Fort Complex

Delhi · India

Background

World Heritage since
2007
Type of site
Cultural
Built
1639–1648

The palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, named for its massive red sandstone walls. It stands beside the older Salimgarh fort of 1546, with which it forms the complex.

Its pavilions are joined by a water channel called the Stream of Paradise, mixing Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions; UNESCO calls it the zenith of Mughal creativity. Since 1947, India's prime minister has raised the flag over its Lahori Gate on Independence Day.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1546Salimgarh fort built by Islam Shah Suri
  2. 1639Shah Jahan commissions the fort
  3. 1648Completed
  4. 1739Plundered by Nadir Shah
  5. 1947Nehru raises India's flag over the Lahori Gate
  6. 2007Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Lahori Gate
    The main entrance, where the flag is raised each Independence Day.
  2. 2
    Private Apartments
    A row of pavilions linked by the Stream of Paradise.
  3. 3
    The Gardens
    Kept green even in midwinter.
  4. 4
    Salimgarh Fort
    The older fort beside the Red Fort.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Closed on Mondays
As the GoGo Delhi guide notes.
Two Gates Open
Enter by the Lahore Gate on the west or the Delhi Gate on the south.
Security Checks
Bags are X-rayed and visitors patted down.
By Metro
Lal Quila metro station is by the fort.
Expect Heavy Crowds
The fort gets very crowded and hectic, so visitors are advised to take care while exploring.

A Morning in Old Delhi

From the GoGo Delhi guide · Open the Delhi Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    Red Fort90 min
    The red sandstone palace fort.
  2. 11:15
    Jama Masjid45 min
    The great mosque nearby.
  3. 12:15
    Rickshaw Through Chandni Chowk1 hr
    The old market street.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Nov–Feb. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Apr–Sep. Rainy season Jul–Aug.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Jul (178 mm), driest Nov (4 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Humayun's Tomb is 7 km away and the Qutb Minar 15 km, so all three Delhi World Heritage sites fit in two days.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 231 · Wikipedia: Red Fort · Wikivoyage: Delhi/Old Delhi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Delhi guide · UNESCO listing