Quick answer: Amer Fort (also called Amber Fort) is the hilltop palace-fort of the Kachhwaha rulers, about 11 km north of Jaipur. Raja Man Singh I began it in 1592, and it’s part of the UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan. It opens daily at about 8 AM, with evening entry and a light and sound show. Entry is approx. ₹200 for Indians and ₹1,000 for foreigners (2026). Allow 2.5 to 3 hours.
You see Amer first from the road: honey-coloured walls climbing the hill above Maota Lake, with Jaigarh’s ramparts on the ridge behind. Inside, the courtyards get more private and more ornate as you climb, ending in the mirror-work of the Sheesh Mahal. Come early: by mid-morning the tour buses arrive.
Amer Fort at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Amber Fort, Amer Palace, Amber Palace |
| Built by | Raja Man Singh I (from 1592); expanded by Mirza Raja Jai Singh I and later rulers |
| Location | Amer town, on a hill above Maota Lake, about 11 km north of Jaipur |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site (Hill Forts of Rajasthan, 2013) |
| Day timings | Approx. 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, daily |
| Evening visit | Separate night ticket, roughly until 9 PM (check locally) |
| Entry fee (2026) | Approx. ₹200 Indian, ₹1,000 foreign; lower student rates |
| Light and sound show | Evenings, Hindi and English, about 50 minutes, separate ticket |
| Time needed | 2.5 – 3 hours (plus the show if you stay) |
| Managed by | Government of Rajasthan (Department of Archaeology & Museums) |
Is Amer Fort the Same as Amber Fort?
Yes. Amer and Amber are two spellings of the same town and fort, and “Amer Palace” or “Amber Palace” is the palace inside it. The name is usually linked to the nearby Ambikeshwar Shiva temple or to Amba, the mother goddess.
History of Amer Fort
Who built Amer Fort?
Amer was the Kachhwaha capital long before Jaipur existed. The palace you visit was begun in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I, a leading general at Akbar’s court; his section was largely complete by 1599. Mirza Raja Jai Singh I expanded it in the 17th century with Ganesh Pol and the Sheesh Mahal, and later rulers kept building for over a century.
Why was it built here?
The site is a natural stronghold: a steep hill, a lake for water and the Jaigarh ridge above, linked to Amer by a passage that served as an escape route. In 1727 Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital to the newly planned Jaipur.
Who owns Amer Fort now?
The Government of Rajasthan owns and runs the fort, with conservation work by the Amer Development and Management Authority.
What to See Inside Amer Fort
Most visitors follow the courtyards in order, from public to private:
- Suraj Pol (Sun Gate): The east-facing main gate at the top of the ramp from the lake.
- Jaleb Chowk: The first courtyard, where troops assembled. Ticket counters and guides are here.
- Sila Devi Temple: A small temple off Jaleb Chowk. Tradition links its goddess to Man Singh’s campaign in Bengal.
- Diwan-e-Aam: The Hall of Public Audience, an open pavilion of carved columns where the ruler heard petitions.
- Ganesh Pol: The painted three-storey gateway into the private palace, with Lord Ganesh above the arch and latticed screens from which royal women watched below.
- Sheesh Mahal (Jai Mandir): The highlight. Walls and ceilings are covered in mirror pieces and coloured glass, so a single flame becomes a sky of stars. Ask your guide to show you the carved “magic flower” panel on a pillar base.
- Sukh Niwas: Across the garden, a hall once cooled by water channelled through the walls.
- Palace of Man Singh I: The oldest, plainest section at the back, around a central pavilion.
From the terraces you look down on Maota Lake and the geometric Kesar Kyari garden.
Amer Fort Timings
| Session | Approx. timings |
|---|---|
| Day visit | 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry around 5 PM) |
| Evening / night visit | Separate ticket, roughly from early evening until about 9 PM |
| Light and sound show | First show around 6:30–7:30 PM depending on season |
- Open every day, though Amer can close at short notice for VIP visits, events or repairs.
- How early to arrive: Be at the gate by 8 AM. Groups build up from about 9:30–10 AM.
- Can you visit at night? Yes, on the evening ticket, with the courtyards lit up. Not every part is open after dark.
Amer Fort Ticket Price (2026)
Rajasthan revised fees at state-run monuments from 1 January 2026, and Amer’s day ticket roughly doubled. Many websites still show the old ₹100 and ₹500 rates, so check before you go.
| Visitor | Approx. day entry fee |
|---|---|
| Indian adult | ₹200 |
| Indian student (with ID) | ₹50 |
| Foreign adult | ₹1,000 |
| Foreign student (with ID) | ₹500 |
- Is Amer Fort free? No. The state occasionally announces free entry on special days, but don’t plan around it.
- Where to buy: At the counters in Jaleb Chowk or on the Rajasthan government’s online booking portal.
- Night ticket: Sold separately from the day ticket.
- Composite ticket: Covers Amer with Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh, Albert Hall and other state-run sites, but not City Palace. The price and validity changed in 2026, so ask at the counter. It pays off if you’ll see four or more of these.
Amer Fort Light and Sound Show
The evening show is staged below the fort, with the walls lit in colour while the narration tells Amer’s story.
- Languages: Separate English and Hindi shows, one after the other.
- Start time: Around 6:30–7:30 PM for the first show, later in summer. Times shift with the season.
- Duration: About 50 minutes.
- Ticket: Separate from fort entry. Reported prices vary by language and source, roughly ₹100 to ₹300, so check the current rate.
Is it worth staying for? If you’re already in Amer late in the day, yes, especially on cool winter evenings (bring a shawl). Short on time? A sunset at Nahargarh may suit you better.
Getting There, Parking and the Downhill Area
Amer is about 11 km from the old city, usually 30–45 minutes by road.
Car parking: Private cars generally park in the lots at the base of the fort, near Maota Lake. From there you have three ways up:
- Walk the stone ramp to Suraj Pol, roughly 15–20 minutes at an easy pace.
- Take a jeep up the back road to the fort. Jeeps run from the base; agree the fare first.
- Elephant ride (see below), where it is operating.
Parking on the upper, rear approach is small and often full at peak times.
The downhill area: Amer town below the fort is worth an extra hour, especially Panna Meena ka Kund, a geometric stepwell. The roadside viewpoints along Maota Lake give the classic photo of the fort.
The Elephant-Ride Debate
Elephant rides up to Suraj Pol have run at Amer for decades and are still advertised, but they’re controversial. Animal-welfare groups have long campaigned to end them, citing the elephants’ health and working conditions, and rides have been paused at times, including after a wall collapse in 2025.
Our view: walking or a jeep gets you to the same gate, often faster, and many of our guests choose not to ride. If you’re considering it, check whether rides are running on your date (usually mornings only) and decide for yourself.
Amer Fort vs Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Mehrangarh
| Fort | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amer Fort, Jaipur | Palace interiors, mirror work, history | Most complete palace; busiest |
| Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur | Military history, cannon, views of Amer | On the ridge above Amer; separate ticket |
| Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur | Sunset over Jaipur city | Lighter visit; see our Nahargarh Fort guide |
| Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur | Museum galleries, sheer scale | A different city; see our Mehrangarh Fort guide |
If you can do only one Jaipur fort, make it Amer. With a full day, Amer in the morning, Jaigarh at midday and Nahargarh at sunset is the classic combination. Fort lovers heading south can compare it with Kumbhalgarh.
Tips for Visiting Amer Fort
- Be at the gate by 8 AM for cool air and quieter halls.
- Wear good shoes. The ramp and courtyards are uneven stone.
- Carry water and a hat from March to October.
- Hire licensed guides near the ticket counters; ask to see their ID and agree the fee first.
- Combine smartly. Stop at Jal Mahal on the way back, then do the old city and Hawa Mahal another morning. For the full list, see places to visit in Jaipur.
Plan Your Amer Fort Trip
We drive guests to Amer as part of our Jaipur fort sightseeing tour, with early starts to beat the crowds. Our drivers know where to park and where to drop you.
Call or WhatsApp our Jaipur office on +91-9983889373, or Udaipur on +91-8619315547.
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Amer Fort famous?
Amer Fort is famous as the old Kachhwaha capital and one of India’s finest Rajput palace complexes. The Sheesh Mahal mirror hall, painted Ganesh Pol and lakeside setting make it one of Jaipur’s busiest monuments, and it’s part of the UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
2. Who built Amer Fort, and when?
Raja Man Singh I began the present palace in 1592, on a site the Kachhwahas had ruled for centuries. Mirza Raja Jai Singh I expanded it in the 17th century, and later rulers kept adding to it until the capital moved to Jaipur in 1727.
3. What are the Amer Fort timings?
The day visit runs from about 8 AM to 5:30 PM, with last entry around 5 PM. An evening visit on a separate ticket runs until roughly 9 PM, and the light and sound show starts around 6:30–7:30 PM depending on the season.
4. What is the Amer Fort ticket price in 2026?
After the January 2026 revision, day entry is approx. ₹200 for Indian adults, ₹50 for Indian students, ₹1,000 for foreign adults and ₹500 for foreign students. Many sites still show older rates, so confirm at the counter or on the government booking portal.
5. Can we visit Amer Fort at night?
Yes. Evening entry on a separate night ticket lets you see the courtyards lit up when the air is cooler, and you can pair it with the light and sound show. Not every part of the palace opens after dark, so see the Sheesh Mahal by day if you can.
6. Is Amer Fort closed on any day?
Amer is normally open every day. It can close or restrict entry at short notice for VIP visits, events or repairs. If your visit falls around a major holiday or state event, check local news or ask your driver the evening before.
7. Where do cars park at Amer Fort?
Most cars park in the lots at the base near Maota Lake. From there, walk the ramp to Suraj Pol in about 15–20 minutes or take a jeep up the back road. The small upper parking fills fast at peak times.
8. Is the Amer Fort composite ticket worth it?
Yes, if you’ll visit four or more state-run Jaipur monuments such as Amer, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh and Albert Hall. City Palace isn’t included. Prices and validity changed in 2026, so compare the composite rate with single tickets at the counter.
9. Is Amer Fort better than Nahargarh Fort?
They suit different plans. Amer has the richest palace interiors and history, so choose it if you can see only one fort. Nahargarh is a lighter visit, best for sunset over Jaipur. Many visitors do Amer in the morning and Nahargarh in the evening.
10. How much time do you need at Amer Fort?
Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the courtyards, Sheesh Mahal and Man Singh’s palace at a relaxed pace. Add an hour for Amer town and the stepwell, and another if you stay for the light and sound show.