Fatehpur Sikri is 37 km west of Agra — about an hour by car. The emperor Akbar built it in the 1570s as his new capital, in thanks for the birth of a son foretold by the Sufi saint Salim Chishti. Within fifteen years the court had moved on. What remains is a complete royal city in red sandstone, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Mughal sites in India.
Two halves: the palace and the mosque
The site has two parts. The royal complex — the palaces, courts and audience halls — is ticketed. The Jama Masjid and the tomb of Salim Chishti, next door, are a living place of worship and free to enter.
In the royal complex
- Diwan-i-Aam, the hall of public audience
- Diwan-i-Khas, with its single carved pillar where Akbar is said to have debated with scholars of every faith
- Panch Mahal, a five-storey open pavilion stepping up like a wedding cake
- Jodha Bai's palace, the largest of the residences, mixing Hindu and Islamic design
- The Anup Talao pool and the Pachisi court, laid out like a giant game board
In the mosque complex
- Buland Darwaza, the 54-metre victory gate — one of the tallest gateways in the world
- The white marble tomb of Salim Chishti, where visitors tie threads to the screens with a wish
- The Jama Masjid courtyard, one of the largest in India
Fatehpur Sikri ticket price and timings
The ASI's published rate for the royal complex is ₹50 for Indians and ₹610 for foreign visitors, with children under 15 free. It is open from sunrise to sunset every day, including Fridays — which makes it a good Friday plan when the Taj Mahal is closed.
How to fit it in
Most people see Fatehpur Sikri on the road between Agra and Jaipur — it sits right on the route, so it costs very little extra time. Our Golden Triangle tours and the same day Agra tour from Jaipur stop here. From Agra itself, a half-day trip works well in the morning before the heat.
3 days
Delhi · Agra · Jaipur
3 days Golden Triangle private tour
The classic route at its briskest: Delhi's monuments, a sunrise Taj Mahal and Jaipur's forts in three well-planned days.
1 day
Jaipur · Agra
Same day Agra tour from Jaipur
A one-way day: start in Jaipur, see Agra properly on the way, and finish in Delhi — useful if you are moving cities anyway.
8 hours
Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · Baby Taj · Mehtab Bagh
Agra local sightseeing tour by car with guide
A full day of Agra sightseeing from your Agra hotel or the railway station: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, the Baby Taj and sunset at Mehtab Bagh, with a private car and a licensed local guide.
