Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is a ruined Mughal capital about 37 km from Agra. Emperor Akbar built it in 1571, and it was empty by 1610.
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Fatehpur Sikri is a town in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India, known for its red sandstone Mughal buildings and its ruined imperial city. Emperor Akbar founded it in 1571 as his Mughal capital. He used it until 1585, and by 1610 the city was completely empty. The usual reasons given are a failing water supply and Akbar losing interest. The palace city sits on a rocky ridge. A wall about 6 km long encloses it on three sides, with a lake on the fourth. UNESCO listed the site in 1986.
The town is about 37 km from Agra by road, and regular UPSRTC buses, tourist buses and taxis run from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri railway station is about 1 km from the town centre, and Agra Airport is about 40 km away. The main sights are the Jama Masjid and the palace. Buland Darwaza, the gate on the mosque's south side, is about 280 feet tall and the town's most recognizable landmark. Inside the mosque courtyard, the white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti draws childless women who come to pray for children. Remove your shoes before entering the courtyard, and cover your head at the tomb.
Fatehpur Sikri in five
- Go early and stay half a dayThe complex sits on a ridge with little shade, and midday sun on red sandstone is harsh. Start in the morning, finish by early afternoon and continue to Agra or Jaipur.
- Dress for the dargahSalim Chishti's tomb is a working shrine inside the mosque complex. Cover shoulders and knees, bring a scarf for your head, and expect to remove shoes at the entrance.
- Be wary of touts at the gateUnofficial guides and hawkers cluster near the parking area and the stairs. Agree any price before you start, or use the guides arranged at the ticket counter.
- See Buland Darwaza from belowStanding inside the courtyard and looking up at the huge gateway is the best view. It is one of the tallest gateways in the world, and photographers should arrive early for soft light.
- Combine it with Agra, not DelhiFatehpur Sikri is about an hour west of Agra on the road toward Jaipur and Bharatpur. As a day trip from Delhi it is too long, so link it with the Taj stay.Agra and the Taj Mahal
Need to know
- Airport
- Agra (AGR) is closest, with few flights; most arrive via Delhi
- Getting there
- Road about 1 hour from Agra; trains stop at Fatehpur Sikri station
- Getting around
- On foot inside the complex; shuttle or auto from the parking area
- Best base
- Stay in Agra or Bharatpur; the site is a half-day stop
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours, a half day with a guide
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Cool, fogJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fog
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Clear, mildFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low18°Warm, clearMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh39°Low24°HotAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh41°Low28°Very hotMayClear
Poor
- High
- 41°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh40°Low31°Very hotJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 31°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°MonsoonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 276 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°MonsoonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°HumidSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°Warm, hazyOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hazy
- NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low16°Clear, coolNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, cool
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low11°Cool, fog riskDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fog risk
Average daily high and low in Fatehpur Sikri, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Fatehpur Sikri
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Fatehpur Sikri
02:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°18°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed30°17°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri31°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat31°18°0%Saturday: Clear. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun31°17°0%Sunday: Clear. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:58 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Before you go to Fatehpur Sikri
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Rules for Fatehpur Sikri, checked
- Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa; check e-Visa eligibility on the official portal before you book flights.Source
- Remove your shoes before entering the Jama Masjid courtyard and the saint's tomb, and cover your head at the tomb.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance anywhere in India.
Plan around Fatehpur Sikri
Where most Fatehpur Sikri trips start
Read the guideAgra city guideHotels, food and Agra Fort
Read the guideEastern RajasthanBharatpur birds and Ranthambhore tigers next
Read the guideJaipurThe Pink City on the road west
Read the guideAll of IndiaRegions, seasons and routes
Read the guideIndia e-VisaApply online before flying to Delhi
Read the guideFatehpur Sikri FAQ
How long do you need at Fatehpur Sikri?
Three to four hours, longer with a guide who explains the palace layout. It is easy to combine with Agra in the morning and an afternoon departure, or with Bharatpur on the road west.
Why was Fatehpur Sikri abandoned?
Akbar built it in the 1570s and moved the court within about fifteen years, commonly explained by water shortages and shifting politics. The sandstone city survived largely intact because it was left empty.
Is Fatehpur Sikri worth visiting?
Yes if you enjoy Mughal architecture and want a quieter site than the Taj. Skip it if you only have one day in Agra, and spend the time at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Can you visit Fatehpur Sikri from Delhi in a day?
It is possible but long, since you pass Agra on the way. A better plan is to sleep in Agra and add Fatehpur Sikri on the day you continue toward Jaipur.
What should you wear at Fatehpur Sikri?
Light, modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a scarf for the dargah and sturdy sandals you can slip off. Carry water and sun protection, because there is little shade.