Red Fort, Delhi — Guide, History & Visiting Tips

Red Fort at a glance

• Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan; construction was completed in 1648.
• Part of the Red Fort Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from its ramparts on Independence Day, 15 August.
• It stands in Old Delhi, a short walk from Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid.
• The nearest Delhi Metro stations are Lal Qila (Violet Line) and Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line).
• The Red Fort Complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
• The Red Fort has usually been closed to visitors on Mondays. Check the current schedule before you go.
• A typical visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What a local guide shows you at Red Fort

Book a guide by the hour or for a day. See tour guides for Red Fort.

• Lahori Gate and the covered Chatta Chowk bazaar
• The Naubat Khana (drum house) and the Diwan-i-Aam, the hall of public audience
• The Diwan-i-Khas, the hall of private audience
• The royal pavilions and gardens on the Yamuna side
• How the fort was used after the Mughals, including its role on Independence Day

Photography at Red Fort

Rules on tripods, professional equipment, commercial shoots and drones differ between sites and can change. Check them before a professional shoot.

• The red sandstone walls and Lahori Gate in early light
• The arched Chatta Chowk arcade
• The marble pavilions and gardens inside

Visiting tips for Red Fort

• Go early to avoid the busiest hours.
• Old Delhi is crowded, so keep valuables safe.
• Combine it with Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk on the same day.
• Timings, ticket prices and entry rules change, so check the official source before you go.

Nearby: places to combine with Red Fort

• Jama Masjid (Delhi) — Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India, built by Shah Jahan in Old Delhi. Its courtyard, domes and minarets face the Red Fort.

More about Red Fort

• Tour guides for Red Fort
• Photographers for Red Fort
• Delhi: tour guides, photographers & stays
• All monuments

Become a tour guide or photographer at Red Fort

If you know Red Fort and Delhi well, you can post your tour on Myna24; if you shoot, you can post your photography service. Set your own hourly and per-day price and get booked. Guests pay a 10% booking fee online and the remaining 90% directly to you.

These buttons open the Tours or Photography section of the Myna24 home page, where you can post your service. More: tour guide jobs in Delhi · photography jobs in Delhi · part-time jobs in Delhi.

Related reading

• An Old Delhi Day: Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid

Red Fort — frequently asked questions