Akbar's Tomb (Sikandra)
Agra, Uttar Pradesh · monument
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹310
Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra, 10 kilometres north-west of Agra city on the Mathura road, is one of the most architecturally distinctive sites in the Mughal world. Begun by Akbar himself before his death in 1605 and completed by his son Jahangir in 1613, the tomb reflects Akbar's philosophy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) and his eclectic embrace of all artistic traditions. The result is a five-storey structure unlike any other Mughal monument: the lower four levels are red sandstone carved in both Hindu (chhatris, bracket corbels, geometric patterns) and Indo-Islamic (pietra dura panels, calligraphic bands) styles, while the topmost level — where the actual cenotaph sits open to the sky — is white marble with a distinctly pavilion-like form.
Where to Eat Nearby
The Local Flavor Pillar
Panchi Petha
Heritage InstitutionSince 1955 — Agra's most trusted petha institution
Agra's most trusted petha institution since 1955 — the definitive source for original, kesar, anguri, and pan petha varieties.
Original Plain Petha · ₹100
Avg. for two ₹300 · ★★★★★
Bhikharam Chandmal
Heritage InstitutionSince the 1880s — Agra's dalmoth institution
One of Agra's oldest sweet and namkeen shops — the undisputed champion of dalmoth, Agra's signature crunchy spiced lentil snack.
Original Agra Dalmoth · ₹200
Avg. for two ₹400 · ★★★★★
Pinch of Spice
Casual DiningTravellers' Choice — Agra's best value Mughlai veg thali
Agra's most reliable sit-down address for Mughlai vegetarian thali — paneer, dal makhani, saffron pulao, and tandoori bread in copper katoris.
Mughlai Veg Thali · ₹390
Avg. for two ₹700 · ★★★★★
- ✦Dhabas on Mathura highway outside Sikandra gate – simple dal, roti, sabzi, and chai; good for a quick post-visit refuel.
- ✦Pinch of Spice (Agra, Taj area) – a 20-minute drive back into the city for a full Mughlai vegetarian thali lunch.
- ✦Panchi Petha at Sadar Bazar – buy vacuum-sealed petha boxes on the return to Agra city; the iconic edible souvenir.
About
Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra, 10 kilometres north-west of Agra city on the Mathura road, is one of the most architecturally distinctive sites in the Mughal world.
- Begun by Akbar himself before his death in 1605 and completed by his son Jahangir in 1613, the tomb reflects Akbar's philosophy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) and his eclectic embrace of all artistic traditions.
- The result is a five-storey structure unlike any other Mughal monument: the lower four levels are red sandstone carved in both Hindu (chhatris, bracket corbels, geometric patterns) and Indo-Islamic (pietra dura panels, calligraphic bands) styles, while the topmost level — where the actual cenotaph sits open to the sky — is white marble with a distinctly pavilion-like form.
- The main gateway (Buland Darwaza of Sikandra) is arguably more elaborate than the tomb itself: a massive red sandstone arch flanked by four white marble minarets, its surface covered in geometric inlay of contrasting stone with calligraphic inscriptions and floral panels that blend Persian and Hindu decorative traditions seamlessly.
- The large garden enclosure (440 metres square) is populated by hundreds of deer, langurs, and peacocks that wander entirely freely — a serene wildlife encounter unlike anywhere else in the Agra monument circuit.
- Watching a peacock fan its tail against the backdrop of the gateway arch is among Agra's most striking photographic moments.
- For vegetarian travellers, Sikandra is a pleasant half-day excursion from Agra city.
- Simple dhabas cluster outside the main gate on the Mathura highway.
- Most visitors combine Akbar's Tomb with a morning Agra Fort visit, arriving at Sikandra for the late-morning quiet before tour groups come through.
- Official guides are less available here than at the Taj — a good guidebook or audio guide adds considerable depth.
- Mariam's Tomb is located within the Sikandra area and can be visited as a natural pairing.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: June 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Sikandra, Agra–Mathura Road (NH-19), Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 282007
How to Reach: On National Highway 19 (Agra–Mathura road), 10 km from Agra city centre. Auto-rickshaw from Agra Cantonment Station costs ₹150–200 (20 minutes). Taxi costs ₹200–300. Many Agra tour packages include Sikandra as a half-day add-on with Agra Fort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Akbar's Tomb, and is it open every day?
Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is no fixed weekly closing day, so it can be visited any day of the week. An early-morning arrival is best — the resident deer and peacocks in the garden are most active in the cool dawn hours, and tour groups generally arrive only later in the morning.
How much is the entry fee for Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra?
Akbar's Tomb is a ticketed ASI monument; budget roughly ₹310 for entry. Actual ASI rates differ by visitor category (Indian nationals pay a small fee of around ₹20–50, foreign visitors pay more), and online tickets are cheaper than buying on-site. Please confirm current fees at the gate or on the official ASI ticketing site before you go, as rates are periodically revised.
How do I reach Akbar's Tomb from Agra city?
Akbar's Tomb sits on National Highway 19 (the Agra–Mathura road) at Sikandra, about 10 km north-west of Agra city centre. An auto-rickshaw from Agra Cantonment Railway Station costs about ₹150–200 and takes around 20 minutes; a taxi runs ₹200–300. There is no metro to Sikandra, so auto-rickshaw or taxi is the standard way; many Agra tour packages also bundle Sikandra as a half-day add-on alongside Agra Fort.
What is there to see at Akbar's Tomb?
The highlight is Emperor Akbar's unique five-storey mausoleum — four lower levels in red sandstone carved in mixed Hindu and Indo-Islamic styles, topped by an open white-marble pavilion where the cenotaph sits beneath the sky. Don't miss the grand main gateway (the Buland Darwaza of Sikandra) with its four marble minarets and intricate inlay, and the vast 440-metre walled garden where deer, langurs, and peacocks roam freely — a rare wildlife-and-monument experience in Agra. Nearby Mariam's Tomb (about a 10-minute walk) pairs naturally for a Sikandra half-day.
When is the best time to visit Akbar's Tomb?
Visit between October and February, when Agra's weather is cool and comfortable for exploring the open garden. Within the day, dawn is the most rewarding window — the light is soft for photography and the deer and peacocks are at their most active. Late morning, before the tour groups come through, is the next-quietest stretch. Allow roughly two hours for the tomb, gateway, and garden.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Akbar's Tomb?
Simple vegetarian dhabas cluster on the Mathura highway just outside the Sikandra gate, serving dal, sabzi, roti, and chai — handy for a quick refuel before or after your visit. For a fuller meal, drive about 20 minutes back into Agra city to Pinch of Spice (Taj area) for a Mughlai vegetarian thali. On the way back, stop at Panchi Petha in Sadar Bazar to pick up vacuum-sealed boxes of petha, Agra's iconic edible souvenir.
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