The main forts of Punjab worth visiting are Lahore Fort, Rohtas Fort near Jhelum, Derawar Fort in Cholistan, Sheikhupura Fort and Rawat Fort near Rawalpindi. Two are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Lahore and Rohtas), one is best done with a 4x4 and a guide (Derawar), and Multan's old fort has largely disappeared. Most are easy to reach from Lahore or Islamabad by road.
This guide gives a short profile of each, how to reach it from the two big cities, and which to choose if you only have a day or two.
| Fort | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore Fort | Walled City of Lahore | Mughal palaces; UNESCO (1981) |
| Rohtas Fort | Near Dina, about 16 km northwest of Jhelum | Scale and stonework; UNESCO (1997) |
| Derawar Fort | Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur district | Desert setting; needs planning |
| Sheikhupura Fort | Sheikhupura | A short trip from Lahore |
| Rawat Fort | About 17 km east of Rawalpindi on the GT Road | Easy stop from Islamabad |
| Multan Fort | Central Multan | Its history rather than its ruins |
Lahore Fort
Lahore Fort was founded by Akbar in 1566 and added to by Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It covers more than 20 hectares and was inscribed by UNESCO in 1981 together with the Shalimar Gardens. The sights include the Sheesh Mahal (built 1631 to 1632), the Naulakha Pavilion, the Alamgiri Gate built by Aurangzeb in 1674 and the long Picture Wall decorated in glazed tile and frescoes.
It is the easiest fort in Punjab to visit, because it sits in the middle of the city beside the Badshahi Mosque. Read our guide to Lahore Fort ticket prices before you go, as fees and hours change and differ for foreign visitors.
Rohtas Fort
Rohtas is the most impressive fort in Punjab by scale. Sher Shah Suri commissioned it in 1541, with Raja Todar Mal supervising the work, and it was unfinished when he died in 1545. It sits on high ground about 16 km northwest of Jhelum city and 8 km south of the Grand Trunk Road, and covers about 70 hectares inside roughly 4 km of walls. There are 68 bastions and 14 gates, including the Sohail, Kabuli and Shahi gates. UNESCO listed it in 1997.
Allow a good part of a day, since the walls and gates are spread over a large area. Our Rohtas Fort guide has more on the visit.
Derawar Fort
Derawar stands in the Cholistan Desert, about 20 km south of Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur district. It has forty round bastions, ten on each side, about 30 m high, and its history goes back to the 9th century, though the present fort dates mainly from the 18th century. The fort is still held by the family of the former Bahawalpur rulers, and Wikipedia notes that entering may need the Amir's permission. The interior has deteriorated badly.
Go for the setting, not the interior, and go in the cooler months. Wikipedia describes the last stage as a three to four hour four-wheel-drive journey led by local guides. Our Derawar Fort guide has the practical detail, and forts of Cholistan covers the others in the desert. The desert lies towards the Indian border, so check current government advice for the area before you set out.
Sheikhupura Fort
Emperor Jahangir commissioned the fort in about 1607, and it was rebuilt under the Sikhs. Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted it to Datar Kaur in 1811. It has been a protected monument since 1967 and is run by the Department of Archaeology. It is a short trip from Lahore, and you can pair it with the nearby Hiran Minar. Our Hiran Minar guide explains the second stop.
Rawat Fort
Rawat Fort is about 17 km east of Rawalpindi on the Grand Trunk Road. It began as a 15th-century caravanserai and was turned into a fort by the Gakhar clan in the 16th century. It is roughly 93 by 106 m, with a domed tomb attributed to Sarang Khan Gakhar and a three-domed mosque. It is small but easy, and it makes a sensible stop on a drive between Islamabad and the Jhelum side. See our Rawat Fort guide.
Multan Fort
The Mughal walls at Multan once had 46 bastions, but the fort was largely destroyed in the 1848 to 1849 siege by British forces. Very little remains of it as a fort. It matters for the history of Multan, so read our Multan Fort guide for what you can still see.
Which fort should you choose?
- One day from Lahore: Lahore Fort, with Sheikhupura Fort and Hiran Minar if you want a second stop.
- One day from Islamabad: Rohtas Fort, with Rawat Fort on the way.
- A desert trip: Derawar, but only with planning, a guide and a 4x4.
- A quick look at something small: Rawat.
Practical tips
- Rohtas and Derawar involve a lot of walking or rough tracks, so wear proper shoes.
- Summers are hot across the plains. From October to March is more comfortable for all of these.
- Fees and opening hours change. Where we have not given a price, ask locally.
For help planning a route across these places, see our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the UNESCO forts in Punjab?
Lahore Fort, inscribed in 1981 with the Shalimar Gardens, and Rohtas Fort, inscribed in 1997.
What is the biggest fort in Punjab?
Rohtas is among the largest, covering about 70 hectares within roughly 4 km of walls.
Can you visit Derawar Fort?
Yes, but the fort is held by the former ruling family, so entry inside may need permission, and the desert approach needs a guide and 4x4.
Which fort is nearest Islamabad?
Rawat Fort, about 17 km east of Rawalpindi, is the nearest. Rohtas is further, near Jhelum.
Is anything left of Multan Fort?
Very little of the fort itself. It was largely destroyed in the 1848 to 1849 siege.
