10 Places To Visit Near Red Fort For A Kaleidoscope Of Adventures

Red Fort in Old Delhi is a historic fort commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan that served as a residence for the Mughal rulers and is one of the city’s most visited attractions. Also called Lal Qila, it attracts hundreds of visitors everyday owing to its impressive architecture. There are also several places to visit near Red Fort which are in both Old Delhi or New Delhi. In fact, there are a number of great attractions near this fort that you mustn’t miss out on to be able to experience the most of what Delhi has to offer!

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10 Places To Visit Near Red Fort, Delhi

Whether you’re looking for attractions in Old Delhi or New Delhi, here is a list of places to visit near Red Fort to help you plan your visit:

1. Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is the oldest mosque in Delhi that is one of the places to visit near Red Fort

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Only a kilometre from Red Fort, Jama Masjid is the oldest mosque in India that was constructed under the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid 17th century. It is big enough to accommodate about 25,000 people in its courtyard and welcomes large crowds on special occasions like Eid. The edifice features a massive dome, three entryways, two minarets as well as four towers and is spread out over an area of about 1,200 square metres. Keep in mind that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Jama Masjid during Namaz.

Timings: 7 AM –12 PM, 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 1 – 3 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Jama Masjid Metro Station

Suggested Read: Popular Places To Visit Near Chandni Chowk

2. Chandni Chowk

A food shop in Chandni Chowk is a delight to behold with several goods and food items

Photo: Bahnfrend / Wikimedia Commons

Chandni Chowk is a bustling marketplace in Old Delhi and also one of the city’s oldest markets that makes you feel as though you are in a mediaeval bazaar! Full of vendors selling all kinds of goods and food items, this historic market was established in the 17th century under Emperor Shah Jahan and lies opposite the Red Fort. You can find a myriad of products here including ethnic jewellery, handicrafts, fabrics, idols of deities, incense sticks, fragrances and more. Don’t forget to try out the delicious street food here.

Timings: 9:30 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Kashmere Gate

3. Fatehpur Masjid

Fatehpur Masjid is a historic mosque and is one of the attractions near Red Fort

Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons

Fatehpur Masjid is another mosque located near Red Fort and one that you must visit when in Old Delhi. It is situated on the oldest road in Chandni Chowk, opposite the fort, and was constructed on the orders of Fatehpuri Begum who was one of Emperor Shah Jahan’s wives. Built using red sandstone, this mosque features a fluted dome with a kalash and mahapadma on top. Its prayer hall has seven-arched openings and within its courtyard lies the grave of Maulana Abdul Qadir Ludhianvi’s wife. Next to the mosque is Khari Baoli which is the biggest spice market in Asia.

Timings: 6 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station

4. Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is one of the top places to see near Red Fort with a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Raj Ghat in Delhi is a memorial complex, with its first memorial being dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. His grave is marked by an elevated black marble platform with an eternal flame on one end; it is within a walled enclosure. Raj Ghat translates to “Royal Steps” and is also home to other memorials dedicated to prominent figures from Indian history including Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi. Besides visiting these memorials, you can also attend the special prayer meet that is organised here every Friday evening.

Timings: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Gate Metro Station

5. Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is a UNESCO world heritage site in Delhi with Islamic style

Photo: Puneet Kumar / Wikimedia Commons

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi’s Mehrauli locality, Qutub Minar is one of the top places to visit near Red Fort. It is situated within the Qutub complex and was built between the 12th and 13th centuries under the Delhi Sultanate. It’s known for its architecture which is a mix of the Islamic and southwestern Asian styles. This towering minaret features about 399 steps but owing to limited room inside, visitors are not allowed to enter the structure. There are other historical edifices around the tower including a 12th century mosque.

Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee:₹30 (Indians), ₹500 (Foreign nationals), Free (Children below 15)
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar Metro Station

6. Connaught Place

Connaught Place is a mega shopping arena with several shops and eateries in Delhi

Photo: Vladislav Bezrukov / Wikimedia Commons

Whether you want to go shopping or grab a bite to eat, Connaught Place is where you should go! It happens to be one of the city’s financial and commercial centres and is known for its countless shops and eateries. A massive marketplace of sorts, Connaught Place was built in the 18th century in the Georgian architectural style. Moreover, Connaught Place is also a great place to visit if you want to spend a fun night out since it has many bars and even clubs!

Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Rajiv Chowk Metro Station

7. Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib is one of the top tourist attractions near Red Fort

Photo: KomalParmar1108 / Wikimedia Commons

Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib near Connaught Place is one of the most prominent gurudwaras in Delhi that was initially built in the 18th century and then renovated in the 20th century. It is associated with Guru Har Krishan who was the 8th Sikh Guru. The gurudwara has golden domes and its complex also features a holy pond known as the Sarovar, a kitchen, an art gallery and a school. Don’t forget to sit for the langar in the kitchen hall since it is a major component of Sikhism.

Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Rajiv Chowk Metro Station

8. Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s tomb is a Mughal edifice in Delhi that is one of the top places to visit near Red Fort

Photo: Ravi Pahwa / Wikimedia Commons

One of Delhi’s most frequented monuments, Humayun’s Tomb is a Mughal edifice that houses Emperor Humayun’s tomb and was commissioned by his first wife Bega Begum. The complex is India’s first garden-tomb and was built sometime in the 16th century; it is predominantly made using red sandstone and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many visitors flock to Humayun’s Tomb not only for its beautiful Mughal architecture but also to see the many other tombs and houses besides that of Emperor Humayun. This monument is not too far from Nizamuddin Dargah.

Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee:₹30 (Indians), ₹500 (Foreign nationals)
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh Metro Station

9. Janpath Market

Pick up a plethora of goods at the Janpath Market in Delhi near the Red Fort

Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons

Janpath Market is the perfect place to visit in Delhi if you wish to buy unique local souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. This marketplace is renowned for its plethora of vendors selling all kinds of goods including jewellery, clothes, electronics, paintings, artefacts and handicrafts, furniture, leather goods, spices and much more. You would also find a number of sellers selling export rejects for well-known global brands at highly discounted rates. And of course, don’t forget to stop at one of its eateries to try out some delicious street food.

Timings: 11 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Nearest Metro Station: Janpath Metro Station

10. Agrasen Ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli is a classic stepwell near Red Fort that is a protected monument

Photo: Supreet Sethi / Wikipedia

Agrasen ki Baoli is a historical stepwell less than 5 kilometres from Red Fort and is also a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. Many believe that it was built during the 14th century under king Agrasen, during the Lodi or Tughlaq periods. It has 108 steps and only 3 levels of the stepwell are visible, with each level featuring arched niches on two sides. What’s interesting is that the stepwell is associated with numerous urban legends, with the most well-known one being that it is haunted.

Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry Fee:Free
Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Nearest Metro Station: Barakhamba Road Metro Station

There is plenty for you to discover in Delhi, no matter which part of the city you are in, and you are sure to have the trip of a lifetime! When it comes to places to visit near Red Fort, there are many in both Old and New Delhi and visiting them is made quite easy with the city’s excellent metro system. So whether you are a local or a tourist looking for attractions to visit near this historic monument, TripXL will surely be of great help in curating your itinerary.

Cover Photo: Hemant banswal / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

How important was the Red Fort for the Mughals?

The Red Fort was of very high importance during the rule of Shah Jahan and was made the capital of the Mughal kingdom during the Mughal Rule until 1857.

What kind of a design does the Red Fort follow?

The Red fort is a kind of a mix between traditional Persian architecture as well as Indian tradition. The construction of the Red Fort signifies the pinnacle of the creativity of the Mughals under Shah Jahan. The Fort is well-known for its large sandstone walls that are red in colour. The Diwan-i-Am has a total of 60 red sandstone pillars while the Diwan-i-Khas has a unique white marble pavilion.

When was the Red Fort built and who built it?

Construction of the Red Fort began during the sacred Islamic month of Muharram. The exact date when the construction started is 13 May 1638. The construction was supervised by Shah Jahan, who commissioned the building to be built, and all work on the Fort was completed by 6 April 1648.

What are the forms of local transport available in Delhi?

The metro is perhaps the most convenient public transport in Delhi but you can also rely on local buses, rickshaws and auto rickshaws to get around. Moreover, Uber and other such services are also easily available here.

What is the fastest way to go from Delhi to Agra?

The fastest way to travel from Delhi to Agra is by flight which is about an hour long. On the other hand, taking the train or driving there would take somewhere about 4 hours.

10 Places To Visit Near Red Fort To Experience The Architectural Wonders