agra tourist story

Agra Travel Guide | The Best of Agra Beyond the Taj

Agra needs no introduction to most visitors to India, but there is plenty to see beyond the Taj – read my Agra travel guide for all my top Agra travel tips for getting the most out of your time here, enjoying your stay, and discovering the best of Agra beyond the Taj (and crowds!)

This post contains compensated affiliate links. For more info and my full disclosure, please  read here . 

Agra Travel Guide – An Introduction

If there’s one place in India that every traveller eventually makes it to, it has to be Agra.

For some – it’s the highlight of a long awaited India trip. For others, it’s with more reluctance or version of I can’t really leave India without seeing the Taj kind of sentiment.

My own story with Agra was fairly simple. Having seen the major tourist sights in Agra on my early trips to India – and witnessed a fair amount of the over-tourism and hassle, I wasn’t really in any hurry to return. It’s not for nothing that Agra has something of a bad reputation among tourists to India for the number of touts and scams that prevail(ed) here.

That was until I came across Ekaa Villa in Agra and their work to show visitors a different side of Agra – one with fewer crowds, less focus on the Taj Mahal, and more focus on culture, community-centric tourism. Reason enough to tempt me back to see how Agra had changed over the years, as a result of the Pandemic, and to find out if my opinion of Agra would fare better a few years on (spoiler – it did)!

In this Agra travel blog I’ll cover where to visit, my top travel tips for visiting Agra, advice for female travellers and much more – read on for what you need to know while planning your trip to Agra!

The Best Time to Visit Agra

Set in the heart of northern-central India, Agra sees similar weather to Delhi, but with more variation in heat and cold. At time of writing this blog in May, temperatures in Agra are up to almost 50 degrees celsius at the height of summer, as India is experiencing a heat wave. Suffice to say, I do not recommend visiting Agra in April, May or June as these are when temperatures soar.

The most popular (and best weather-wise) time to visit Agra is between late October and early March. In December & January, Agra gets cold (as in you’ll need a coat cold) and this is when Agra also sees a lot of morning fog. For ideal misty morning Taj viewing conditions, you want both sun and morning mist (seeing the mist rising and evaporating over the Taj is something quite special), which can be more likely to happen with warmer weather in February than in January, when the mist can hang about.

Visiting Agra in monsoon (July – late September) is another option, but weather can still be very hot and sticky (high humidity), when it’s not raining.

Whichever time of year you choose to come to Agra, I recommend avoiding weekends , as this is when the majority of Indian domestic tourists travel, and the city and major sights get very crowded. Note that the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, and special fees and conditions apply if you want to see the Taj during the full moon.

Where to Stay in Agra

For me, this time one of the highlights of my Agra trip was where I chose to stay.

When it comes to choosing between Agra hotels, unfortunately the options are not always inspiring. There’s a dearth of large (and mostly bland) chain hotels that cater to the wedding and conference market in Agra, and there’s the backpacker hostels of Taj Ganj (some with some great rooftop views it has to be said).

But there’s not much in-between, that has character, represents Agra’s culture, or has the real warmth of hospitality that makes travel in India so special. So I was so happy to stumble upon Ekaa Villa Boutique Hotel & Kitchen which is Agra’s first boutique hotel.

Located in the Taj Nagri phase 2 area just 10 drive minutes from the Taj itself, Ekaa Villa is a peaceful retreat away from the tourist throngs and busy streets of Agra. With just 13 beautifully designed rooms, this boutique hotel reflects the city around it in its design and decor, with a contemporary twist. Rooms feature huge comfy beds, Taj frames on the walls and rain showers. There’s a library on the top flor with some great books and photography of Agra (perfect for unwinding on a hot afternoon or after a busy day), and the restaurant area includes a courtyard area for al fresco dining.

The hospitality here is second to none, with the staff seeming to know exactly when you really need one of their thirst quenching iced-teas, a winning formula when combined with the knowledge and passion for Agra that is infectious from its owners.

I highly recommend staying here if you can – and try out one of their Experience packages (see more below in getting off the beaten path in Agra).

Click here to check rates & availability for Ekaa Villa Boutique Hotel

Top Tips for Visiting Agra

As a popular tourist destination in India, Agra needs some pre-planning, especially if its one of your first stops in India. Unfortunately as a place that sees a lot of visitors on whistlestop tours who haven’t done their research, over-charging is common practice, and scams are not uncommon.

Here are some of my tips for seeing the better side of Agra. You can find additional considerations for (solo) female travellers below, too.

• Stay longer than a day . There’s so much more to see in Agra than just the Taj Mahal and the fort, I really recommend staying 2-3 days here if you possibly can to get a real sense of Agra.
• Pre-book your Agra accommodation . The usual rackets operated by rickshaw drivers who will try to take you to hotels that pay them commission is a problem here, which can be avoided if you pre-book and insist on being taken there.
• Negotiate with rickshaw drivers – the prices quoted at popular tourist sights and at railway stations on arrival will be high, so barter them down ( by at least 50% ). I recommend organising a pickup through your hotel from the train station or airport to cut down on hassle.
• Check the weather and dress accordingly – Agra has very seasonal weather, so you’ll need a decent coat/jacket in winter, and light cotton in hot months. If in doubt, pack layers you can peel off as the weather warms up during the day.
• Ignore people who approach you offering to be your guide / show you around / show you a better view, take your photos, claim to know you (eg from your hotel), or just start following you and telling you about things – in all of these cases people are trying to either hire themselves as your guide (will expect payment) or are unfolding some kind of scam.
• Agra is not the best place for souvenir shopping. Because of the high tourist footfall, souvenirs are overpriced here – try to buy in other parts of India from local crafts (wo)men directly if you can.
• Do enjoy the amazing local food . Agra is famous for its mithai (sweets) and milk produce – Lassi, rabri & hot milk as well as for its non-veg (meat) based food. Pick restaurants and stalls that are busy and have a high turnover of customers, or book a food tour with a local guide who can take you the the best spots. If you stay at Ekaa (above) they can take you for delicious local treats.
• Factor in some down time . As with so many of India’s top destinations, there’s so much to see and do here it can be tempting to pack your days solid with sightseeing – but for best results I find some downtime is helpful to reflect on all you’ve experienced and seen, or just catch an afternoon nap – especially important if you’re travelling to Agra during hotter months!
• Buy your monument tickets in advance, online – see more on how to do it below.

Places to Visit in Agra

Agra is dotted with beautiful monuments, the old city, gardens, sunset spots – far more than you might think on an initial glance! As the former capital of Mughal India (from 1501 until 1638 when Shah Jahan built a new capital in Delhi) , there is arguably nowhere better in India to see stunning Mughal architecture.

One thing to note when planning your visits to the various monuments in Agra and around (including Fatehpur Sikri), is that tickets now have to be bought online and are not available at the monuments themselves (you’ll find signs with a QR code that you can scan). Head to this website to buy your tickets – they can be booked up to a week in advance. If you have trouble with your card being accepted, you could ask your hotel to try and book tickets for you on an Indian card and add them to your bill (foreign cards seem to be hit and miss if they are accepted or not).

Y ou can also buy skip the line tickets here which include an English-speaking guide

The Taj Mahal

There may be far more to see in Agra beyond the Taj, but you still won’t want to miss it. No matter how many photos you’ve seen (and even if you’ve visited before), there’s nothing that quite prepares you for the first shining white glimpse of the Taj Mahal through the entrance gate, glinting in the misty morning light.

The best time to visit the Taj Mahal, without question, is for sunrise. The monument is open sunrise to sunset, Saturday to Thursday ( the Taj is closed every Friday ). Sunrise is a little loose as a time… so it’s worth getting there a bit before. In late march, we arrived at the Taj at 06.30 and were a little late, 6am would have been the perfect time to arrive. The reason why sunrise is the best time is a) for the beautiful morning light and b) it’s the only time of day you’ll see the Taj with fewer crowds.

There are three entrances to the Taj Mahal – South (closest to the budget hotels at Taj Ganj), West, and East (closer to the higher end hotels located in the south east of the city). Note that regular auto-rickshaws are not allowed within 500m of the Taj due to pollution, so you’ll have to walk the last stretch or take an e-rickshaw. At Shilpgram (east entrance) the e-rickshaw cost is included in foreigner ticket prices.

The Red Fort

Second only to the Taj Mahal when it comes to top places to visit in Agra, the Agra Fort is one of the finest Mughal forts in India, and a step up on Delhi’s very similar version. Construction of the fort was begun in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, and then finished by his grandson, Shah Jahan, who transformed the military fort into a palace, adding his signature touch of plenty of white marble.

Rising above the Yamuna river, you can easily spend hours wandering around the massive fort. The best time to come is very early morning to avoid the tour groups, preferably while they’re still at the Taj. The fort opens at sunrise. Another bonus for sunrise visitors are the photo ops back over towards the Taj Mahal (you’ll need a decent zoom lens), where if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the sun rising behind the Taj.

Click here for Red Fort skip the line tickets & guided tour options

Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)

Probably my favourite monument in Agra, the tomb of Persian nobleman, Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather, the “Baby Taj” is a treat for the eyes as well as the crowd-weary. The intricate designs and carved marble lattice screens are impressive examples of Persian architecture, and the river-side location makes for a peaceful spot to take in the Yamuna views of Agra.

Best of all, the traditional Persian style gardens are being restored to their former glory – traditionally these contained cypress trees, roses and flowers according to the Persian traditions around gardens. Cypress trees were used to represent life and death, a figure pointing towards the heavens bridging the life and the afterlife. The gardens follow the traditional ‘char Bagh’ style, divided by four water streams.

There’s an interesting display on the restoration of these gardens to the traditional Persian style with trees and flowers, from the British style grass ‘lawns’ that were imposed during colonial times which destroyed the rich diversity of these and other Mughal gardens in Agra.

Sikandra / Akbar’s Tomb

The resting place of Emperor Akbar, Sikandra lies 10km to the west of Agra, and is another incredible example of the beautiful Mughal architecture in Agra. Most impressive are the entrance gateway to Sikandra with its four towers, along with the beautifully painted ceilings and walls of the main cenotaph.

The gateway opens out onto expansive lawned gardens (presumably the traditional Persian style was present here before the British lawn-ified them). Deer can be seen wandering around, and the gardens are peaceful spot to relax in.

Unfortunately the tomb itself and several of the outbuildings are a shadow of their former glory, having experienced multiple raids by the local Jat warrior rulers that preceded the Mughal kingdom (the bones of Akbar were removed during one of the Jat raids) – and despite restoration work undertaken by the British during the early twentieth century. But, raids aside, this is still one of the most impressive Agra attractions, which receives a fraction of the visitors compared to other Agra must see sights.

Mehtab Bagh & Taj Viewing Point

The park across the river from the park (Mehtab Bagh) has long been a favourite sunset viewing point for the Taj, and the gardens provide for a pleasant stroll however a new sunset viewing point has now been put in which runs in front of the park directly next to the river – so your view from the park may be obscured by people in front of you.

The viewing point is paid access (with heavy surcharges for visiting at the full moon), and additional camera charges apply.

In my view, there are much better viewing points for the Taj – as these days the Yamuna river flow is far reduced, with the effect being you are rather looking across damp grass up at the Taj, rather than the sunset river reflection you have in your mind. It’s also worth noting that boat trips to view the Taj are now banned.

Agra off the Beaten Path & Responsible Tourism in Agra

As home to the Taj Mahal, Agra, unsurprisingly sees a huge influx of tourists (especially in winter, and on weekends) and the volume of footfall has an impact including over-crowding and over-commercialisation. One of the simplest ways to create a better impact on your trip to Agra, is to stay longer and support local businesses.

A surprisingly high percentage of visitors just come for the day, meaning that they don’t spend at hotels, or much at restaurants, or have time to absorb much of the culture, creating a kind of flood-in-flood-out tourism challenge. By doing the opposite and supporting smaller hotels, restaurants and hiring local guides, the positive effects of tourism are magnified. So, come for at least a couple of days if you can, preferably not at the weekend.

Along with Agra’s “big hitters” (above), there are several lesser known monuments around the city to fill your days with and take in on heritage walks – but, beyond a doubt, my favourite way to experience Agra beyond the crowds was on the experiences (short tours) that Ekaa Villa arranged for us.

A highlight was walking through rural villages on the outskirts of Agra, complete with chai-stops at villagers’ homes, and wandering to the edge of wheat fields for what turned out to be some of the most stunning views of the Taj I’ve seen – with no-one else around.

You also do not want to miss out on Agra’s food scene, and by that I don’t mean sticking to tourist-focused restaurants at hotels. Take a trip to the halwaais and sweet makers in old Agra on a food tour, and make sure there’s room in your stomach for plenty of lassi .

Here are a few responsible tourism related organisations to support on your trip to Agra:

• Sheroes Hangout – This cafe is run by local women survivors of acid attacks and domestic violence. Located behind Go Stops Hostel in Taj Nagari Phase 1.
• Agra Heritage Walks – Specialise in walks run by local artists and off the beaten path in Agra
• Ekaa Experiences – Secret Taj walks and excursions for those staying with Ekaa Villa
• Wildlife SOS – The award-winning Indian wildlife conservation group has a nearby sloth bear rescue centre outside of Agra as well as its Elephant rescue centre at nearby Mathura (2 hours drive from Agra). Both are open to visitors on prior arrangement.

Agra for Solo Female Travellers

Located in western Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of India’s more conservative parts of the country, and although many solo female travellers (including me) visit Agra with absolutely no problem, it’s advisable to think and plan ahead to get the best experience out of your trip.

Here are a few tips:

• You probably know this already, but Agra is not Goa. Leave the shorts firmly in your bag, and see my what to wear in India post here. The advice for ‘conservative India’ applies here
• You don’t need to cover your hair to enter most monuments here, but dressing respectfully is appreciated (no bare limbs)
• Book hotels / homestays with reviews from other solo female travellers ahead of time (Ekaa is a great choice which gets lots of solo female travellers)
• For some of the larger Agra sights such as Sikandra, I recommend hiring a guide – as grounds can be big and there can be groups of men loitering. Book a guide through your hotel or through a pre-booked tour, not someone who claims to be a guide outside sight entrances. (You don’t need a guide for the Taj Mahal which is always busy)
• If you’re going to Fatehpur Sikri, you definitely do need a guide, as sadly the place is full of scammers and touts (and for this reason has been removed from many tour itineraries). I recommend pre-booking a trip and transfer online such as this one or via your accommodation in Delhi or Agra.
• Avoid heading out at night on your own in Agra as a solo woman. If you do want to go out at night, use Uber, or better book a trusted driver through your hotel who will wait for you and get dropped door-to-door. If you’re in a mixed group, going out is no problem, but don’t wander late at night un-necessarily.
• It’s not recommended to go down to the river or remote sunset spots on your own for safety reasons (think groups of men loitering).

Getting to and from Agra

Agra is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi and many other Indian cities.

Train : Agra is very easy to reach by train – but be aware that Agra has several train stations so do check which yours comes into and leaves from. Agra Cantt (Cantonment) is the largest with the majority of trains arriving into and out of. To or from Delhi, the best train to get is the 12050 / 12049 Gatimaan Express – currently one of India’s fastest trains – which runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin in South Delhi to Agra Cantonment.

Book your Delhi-Agra train tickets here

Or – if you like the sound of going to Agra by train from Delhi but would rather someone else did the planning, you can book this Agra day trip by train tour .

Air : Flights from major Indian cities connect to Agra’s airport, which is located 13kms from Agra city.

Road: Agra is a quick 2-3 hour drive of around 185kms from Delhi along the Delhi-Agra Yamuna expressway. You can book a taxi, inter-city Uber, or take one of the many buses serving the Delhi-Agra route.

Agra Travel Guide FAQ’s

When is the best time to visit agra.

October – March is the best time weather-wise. December and January are the coolest months, but also attract the most crowds, so times like late October and late February are a great idea. Whenever you visit, try to avoid weekends if you can.

What should I wear as a Female Traveller to Agra?

Agra is located in one of the more conservative areas of India, so I recommend covering your legs down to at least your knees, shoulders and avoid any strappy, low cut revealing clothes. Leave the shorts in your bag for Goa. Maxi dresses (no big slits) are a good option, as are maxi skirts with a t-shirt or top (plus they’ll look good in your photos). Scarves are super-useful for covering up when need be.

What do I need to know about visiting the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is open daily except Fridays, and tickets need to be bought in advance, online, using the Architectural Survey of India payment portal (link above). At time of writing (April 2022), the rate for foreign visitors is 2500 rupees. There are 3 entrances (west, south and east), with the most useful depending on where you are coming from (see above). The best time to visit the Taj is at sunrise, for beautiful light and fewer crowds. Separate pricing applies for visiting the Taj during the Full Moon and days surrounding it.

Editorial note: Thank you to Ekaa Villa for hosting my stay with them – as usual this doesn’t affect my thoughts, ideas and recommendations!

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Inside Agra Fort: Your Detailed Guide To Explore

• February 8, 2021
• January 27, 2024
• Uttar Pradesh , India

Agra Fort is a red sandstone fort and was originally an expansion of a brick fort built by King Badal Singh. The grandeur and the credit for its construction are given to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Agra means Taj Mahal and Taj Mahal means Agra.

This notion arises in our hearts when we think of Agra. Albeit, the city is also famous for the sweet Pethas which no traveler goes back without tasting.

Our recent visit to Agra has been a special one. We didn’t visit Taj but everything beyond Taj. So in this post, we’ll introduce you to some hidden gems of Agra which are generally ignored or visited less frequently.

What’s Down The Line?

Video travel guide.

After exploring Fatehpur Sikri , in the same sequence, we reserved the next day to visit Agra Fort.

Since our hostel was near to the Agra Fort, it took us a few minutes taxi ride to reach the Agra Fort. 

As we walked near the entry gate, Vipin started booking the ticket online. Suddenly, one of the sahibs called himself a formal guide and said to me, “I’ll show you the fort for just 200 rupees.”

“No, I will do that myself, thanks for asking,” I answered.

“There are 16 palaces inside the fort, you won’t be able to identify! Well, let’s agree on 100 rupees for 2 people,” he insisted.

“Brother, this is my third visit to Agra Fort, I know things,” Vipin said confidently.

We reached the security cordon and then a guard said, “You cannot carry this tripod,” showing us our tripod. On requesting a little, he agreed that we can take it if we promise we will not use it at all.

The Grand Amar Singh Gate

Although the palace mainly has four entrances, three gates are closed to tourists (acquired by the army), and the door through which you enter is the Amar Singh Gate, which is on the south side. Another gateway, located on the north side, is known as Delhi Gate.

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After entering through the Amar Singh Gate, another entrance stands ready to welcome you. Fine workmanship and colorful tiles add to its beauty.

Here the gatekeepers were stationed on elephants, so it is also called the Elephant Pole. As you keep going, high walls on both sides start to emerge, at the end of which stands another gate.

History: Agra Fort Dates Back The Mughal Rule

Historians believe that in the 11th century, a Rajput king named Badal Singh built this fort out of bricks named it after his name as ‘Badalgarh,’ which remained so until Akbar’s arrival.

In 1180 AD, Ghaznavi’s army captured it. After that Alexander Lodi was the first emperor of Delhi who lived in this fort. Since then, Agra has become the second important capital after Delhi.

The fort was inhabited by Ibrahim Lodi, son of Alexander Lodi until he was defeated by Babur in the Battle of Panipat in 1526 AD. Babur also lived here for a few years and his son Humayun also lived in the palace till 1540 AD. He built some noticeable buildings and the Baoli .

Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri in Bilgram and lived in the fort until Humayun regained it. And finally, this fort came under Akbar with victory in the Battle of Tughlakabad in 1555 AD.

Akbar understood the importance of this fort and he shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra and converted this simple-looking fort from red sandstone to a plush fort. The fort which is seen today is the result of 8 years of construction and the hard work of ~4000 workers.

From Akbar to the last Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, all lived in this fort. Shah Jahan built many white marble buildings in his era in the fort. 

The historian Abul Fazal claimed that the fort encompasses 500 buildings and described it as a marvelous piece of architecture.

It was invaded and captured by the Marathas in the 18th century and eventually the British took control of it in the Anglo Maratha War in 1803. It also played an important role in the Indian mutiny of 1857.

Buildings Inside Agra Fort

This fort once had many buildings, but over time the buildings were destroyed. 

Today, 70% of the entire fort is under the control of the Indian Army and only 30% is open to the general public. 

In 1983, this fort was included in the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Jahangiri and Akbari Palace

As you pass through the emerging wall, just before the gate, Jahangiri and Akbari Palace can be seen on the right side.

The Akbari palace is in a demolished state and only a few walls still stand. We started exploring this palace first before going to Jahangiri palace.

Having clicked a few good pics, we started moving towards the Jahangiri Palace. At the front gate, you will see a big pot. The inscriptions tell us that this was the bathing pot of Jahangir.

The palace is made from red sandstone with beautiful sculptures. It was the harem of Akbar where more than 500 women lived. It is one of the largest buildings with considerable expansion.

Since Jahangir’s childhood was spent here, it is named Jahangiri Mahal. Akbar and Jahangiri palace are jointly called Bengali Mahal, because like Bengali architecture it had small courtyards and flat terraces.

As soon as you enter the palace, you come into a square-shaped courtyard. The palace is of Rajputana and Persian architecture, along with hanging-carvings, stone beams, and plaques. Along with the carvings, the lime embellishments add sparks to its beauty.

Can you imagine the making of this fine architecture without the aid of modern machinery and tools?

Shahjahani Palace and Ghazni Darwaza

The next stop is the Shahjahani Palace, which was the first building built by Shah Jahan by demolishing the old building in this fort. It has rooms with a spacious hall. Shah Jahan made white lime plaster over it and made some flower leaves and other figures, due to which it started glowing.

In the verandah of Shahjani palace, you’ll see a 16.5 feet high and 13.5 feet wide gate put in a small room. It is the Ghazni Darwaza believed to be overthrown by the Britishers from the mausoleum of Mahmud Ghaznavi. 

Once an English official had said that this is the same door of sandalwood which Ghazni looted from Somnath in 1025 AD and hence also known as Somnath Gate. Later, it was found that it is a normal door of cedar with Arabic inscriptions on it.

Khaas Mahal (Special Palace)

After passing through Shahjani Palace and Ghazni Gate, you will arrive at a square-shaped, white marble palace with two palanquin-like buildings alongside.

This fine marble edifice used to be the residence of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Its windows are forged in such a way that you can see the Taj Mahal from here.

On both sides, you see palanquin-like buildings. These were inhabited by the daughters of Shah Jahan, Jahanara, and Roshanara. The architecture appears to be of Rajput style.

Right in front of the Khas Mahal, there’s a small royal pond and Angoori bagh.

Musamman Burj and the Chain of Justice

Aurangzeb captured his own father, Shah Jahan, and held him captive in Agra Fort for 8 years. The place where he was held is Musamman Burj. 

You will see Musamman Burj on the left side of Khaas Mahal as you pass through the palanquin-like building.

Shah Jahan used to stare at the Taj Mahal from here. 

Akbar built this building with red sandstones where he used to perform Suryopasana. Jahangir also used this place as Jharokha Darshan. 

You see a stylized belle and flower leaves studded on its margins and a mix of yellow in white marble.

Next to the Musamman Burj, you see Jahangir’s Chain of Justice. 

It was an ~80 feet long chain with bells attached, connecting Agra Fort to a post by the nearby riverbank. It weighed about one quintal and was also called Adal-e-Jehangir.

It was an innovative method forged by Jahangir to hear complaints of the common public. Anyone who had a complaint could ring the bells and the emperor would address his/her issue.

Sheesh Mahal – Palace of Glass

On the west side of the Musamman Burj and near the Khaas Palace, there is another unique specimen that offers an amazing view of the artwork – Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Glass. 

This palace is closed for tourists but you can peep and admire its beauty through a see-through door.

The glass ornamentation has been done on all the walls and roofs. The vials were imported from Syria. Due to the presence of glass all inside the Sheesh Mahal, it used to reflect light illuminating every corner,

Outside, you’ll Angoori Bagh with 2 fountain pools with saffron-colored and green grass.

Diwan-e-Aam

In front of the Khas Mahal and at the end of Angoori bagh, you cross a small door to arrive at Diwan-e-Aam.

The Diwan-e-Aam is an open, large rectangular building standing on beautiful columns and has a large open space in front. The emperor used this place to listen to the problems of the general public and give solutions to them.

Just in front of it is the tomb of an English officer named John Ruskell who was killed here in the revolution of 1857. During the revolution, the British made it a storehouse of ammunition.

Machhi Bhawan and Nagina Mosque

On the left of the emperor’s seat in Diwan-e-Aam, you will see stairs taking you towards the Macchi Bhawan and the Nagina Mosque next to it.

Macchi Bhawan is a square courtyard with green grass. Once it had a small pond with golden fishes in it. Eavesdropping a guide standing near me, I came to know that there used to be a market at this place which was known as Meena Bazaar.

The Nagina Mosque, built-in 1635, was a private mosque. It was used to offer prayers by Shah Jahan and ladies of haram. You can see white domes of this mosque even from the open space of Diwan-e-Aam

Important Points To Keep Mind

• Cameras are allowed inside the premises for free, however, there’s no provision to take camera accessories.
• Food items are strictly prohibited too.
• You can take a water bottle with you.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you have to walk a lot.
• If you have to, take official guides by ASI. Ask at the ticket counter for the same.
• Please wear face masks and follow social distancing.

Ticket Rates

Due to COVID-19, physical ticketing is banned and you’ll have to buy tickets online by scanning a QR code near the ticket window. You can also book tickets using the Monuments of Agra app.

Commonly Asked Questions About Agra Fort

Who built the agra fort.

The credit for the construction of the Agra fort is given to Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Historians believe that in the 11th century, a Rajput king named Badal Singh built this fort out of bricks named it after his name as ‘Badalgarh,’ which remained so until Akbar’s arrival.

How far is Agra Fort from the Taj Mahal?

The distance between Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal is approximately 4.5 km.

How to reach Agra Fort from the Taj Mahal?

You can travel between these Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal using e-rickshaw, tuk-tuk or taxi service like Ola, Uber etc.

When was Agra Fort built?

The construction of Agra Fort was started in 1565 by Akbar and completed by his grandson Shah Jahan in 1573.

Closing Words

I regret that I couldn’t see Diwan-e-Khas and the Jahangir’s throne due to some unavoidable reasons.

My visit to Agra fort has surpassed my expectations. This grandeur fort can’t be missed. You’ll especially like it if you love to admire the architectural beauties and loves history.

Hope this in-depth travel and exploration guide to Agra fort has met your expectations. 

Tell us your views in the comment box below – have you been to Agra fort? How did you like it?

An appeal: Please do not throw litter around. Use a dustbin and if you can’t find one, take the trash with you and throw it when you find it. Your small steps like this one can make the world clean and green.

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its a great way to explore our historical knowledge .by your post i get the knowledge of indian heritage site which is recorded inthe world heritge.

We’re very glad to know you liked the post and learned something from it. Thanks 🙂

Had visited Agra Fort years before. Had wanted to show it to my children the last time we went to Agra, unfortunately since we visited in summers we had to skip it. I do think Agra Fort rivals the Red Fort of Delhi in terms of workmanship and grandeur

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• Agra Tourism
• Travel Guide
• Uttar Pradesh Tourism
• Tour Packages
• Things to Do
• Popular Places to Visits

Agra offers a glimpse into India’s rich history and architectural heritage. It is renowned for its iconic monument, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, visitors can explore the grand Agra Fort, Mehtab Garden, and shopping markets.

Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, Agra offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and timeless beauty. Agra, a city steeped in history and grandeur, is a prominent destination in India. This city has incredible heritage sites, a testament to the Mughal era’s architectural brilliance. With its vibrant markets, delectable cuisine, and warm hospitality, Agra offers a truly immersive experience for travelers. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra boasts magnificent structures, tombs, and gardens that narrate the story of its glorious past. Beyond the Taj Mahal, Agra is a treasure trove of historical and cultural gems that attract travelers worldwide. Moreover, the nearby city Fatehpur Sikri is also a must-visit destination to get an extra layer of heritage to your vacation.

Agra Historical Significance

Agra’s historical significance is primarily associated with the Mughal Empire, where it served as the capital during the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. This Indian city flourished as a center of art, culture, and architecture, leaving an enduring legacy. The city’s well-preserved architecture and historical importance make it a notable site.

Facts About Agra

Festivals in Agra

• Taj Mahotsav: This ten-day festival is held in February and March to celebrate the heritage of Agra. It features a vibrant showcase of Indian art, culture, and cuisine. Visitors can enjoy traditional dance and music performances, art exhibitions, and regional dishes. 
• Bateshwar Fair: The Bateshwar Fair is a significant cattle fair held near Agra. It attracts farmers, traders, and cattle enthusiasts from across the region. Visitors can witness the buying and selling of livestock, participate in traditional competitions, and enjoy cultural performances.
• Kailash Fair: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s holy union, this festival offers a glimpse into Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.

Travel Tips To Visit Agra

• Purchase tickets for the Taj Mahal and other monuments in advance to avoid long queues.
• Respect the rules and regulations at historical sites, such as photography restrictions.
• Dress modestly when visiting religious places.
• Stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.
• Be cautious of touts and unauthorized guides. Hire licensed guides if needed.

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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AGRA

Panch Mahal

The magnificent Panch Mahal is located in Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. The Panch Mahal is an elaborate and pillared five-story building which was built by King Akbar in the memory of the great Sufi saint Salim Chisti. The palace was used to relax and also for entertainment. Built on an open sided theme, each floor of this palace is smaller than the lower floor and each floor stands on asymmetrical pillars.

Panch Mahal, Agra Timings: 9:00A.M – 6:00 P.M

Panch Mahal, Agra Entry Fees: Nil

Buland Darwaza

Buland Darwaza is one of the most popular monuments in India establish in Fatehpur Sikri. The meaning of this place is “great” or “high” gate in Persian. The Buland Darwaza is a symbol of Emperor Akbar’s victory in Gujarat in 1573. It is considered as the highest gateways in the world. The Buland Darwaza is also known as the “Gate of Magnificence”.

Visiting time of buland darwaza is from morning 6:00 A.M to evening 6:00 P.M

Entrance Price of Ticket for Indian Tourist is INR 10.

Entrance Price of Ticket for Foreigner Tourist is INR 750.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is the pride of the Mughal Empire. This city was founded by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri is a medieval Indian city in Uttar Pradesh. It is the finest example of Mughal architecture and now has become a UNESCO world heritage site.

It is the home to the Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Buland Darwaza and many more popular monuments and each monument is an integral part of the Indian heritage. It is the perfect place for the history buffs, thus, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri Tour is the best combination for them.

Tourist can visit from morning 6:00 A.M to evening 6:00 P.M and closed on Friday.

For Indian Tourist- INR 40

For Foreigners Tourist- INR 550

Agra Red Fort

Agra Fort is one of the finest forts built by the Mughal rulers in India. This 16th-century Mughal monument situated nearby the gardens of Taj Mahal. Besides, Taj Mahal, this fort is also an important monument in Agra. This amazing fort is made up of red sandstone and white marble. It stands majestically on the banks of River Yamuna and it is popularly known as the Red Fort Agra.

Agra Fort location is just 2.5 km away from the famous Taj Mahal and is easily accessible from any part of the city. On all days of the week, plan a trip to Agra and explore Agra Fort with Indian Visit and make your trip a memorable experience.

Agra Fort Entry Fee: INR 40 for Indian adult, INR 550 for foreign adult and entry is free for children below the age of 15.

Red Fort Agra Timings: 6 A.M to 6 P.M

Agra is a reflection of the marvelous Mughal dynasty and its astounding history attracts many tourists. Many splendid places exist in Agra but the Taj Mahal marks the identity of Agra city all over the world.

Tourist visiting time is from moring 6:00 A.M to evening 6:00 P.M (Except Friday)

Night Visiting time of taj mahal is from 8:00 P.M to 12:30 A.M mid night only on full moon and before and after of full moon.

For local toursit is INR 50

For International tourist is INR 1100

INR 510 for Indian and INR 750 for foreigner.

UTTAR PRADESH TOUR PACKAGES

5 Nights & 6 Days

Golden triangle vacation package: delhi jaipur agra.

7 Nights & 8 Days

Golden triangle vacation package with ranthambore.

6 Nights & 7 Days

Golden triangle with varanasi vacation package.

10 Nights & 11 Days

Golden triangle vacation package with udaipur.

15 Nights & 16 Days

Golden triangle vacation package with rajasthan & goa.

Rajasthan Wildlife Vacation Package

Things to do in agra, visit local bazaars.

Agra is known for its vibrant markets, where you can find everything from souvenirs to handicrafts to clothes. Some of the popular markets in Agra include Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, and Tajganj Market.

Mehtab Bagh

Mehtab Bagh is a garden located on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. It is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset over the Taj Mahal.                                                                                                         

Cycle Tours

Consider a bicycle tour to explore the city and its less-visited gems. Cycle tours are a great way to explore Agra at your own pace and see the city from a different perspective.                                                                                                        

BEST TIME TO VISIT AGRA

SUMMER SEASON

(April to June)

Summer can be extremely hot in Agra, so it’s advisable to plan indoor activities and stay hydrated if you visit during this season. Agra hosts festivals like the Taj Mahotsav in February or March, which may extend into early April, providing an opportunity to experience local culture and crafts.

MONSOON SEASON

(July to September)

Monsoon brings relief from the heat, but occasional heavy rainfall may disrupt outdoor plans. Agra sees fewer tourists during this time, allowing for a quieter and more budget-friendly visit. Despite the rain, it’s a unique time to experience the city and its historical sites.

WINTER SEASON

(October to March)

The best time to visit Agra is during the winter months when the weather is pleasant for outdoor exploration. Clear skies offer excellent visibility for viewing the Taj Mahal and other historical monuments. Agra hosts various festivals and cultural events during this period, such as the Taj Mahotsav in February.

HOW TO REACH AGRA

Agra is well-connected through various modes of transportation:

14 Nights & 15 Days

Rajasthan vacation package with agra & varanasi.

Golden Triangle Vacation Package with Khajuraho & Varanasi

Popular places to visit in uttar pradesh, faqs about agra travel guide, are there any dress code requirements for visiting the taj mahal.

There is no specific dress code for the Taj Mahal, but it’s advisable to dress modestly out of respect for the site’s cultural significance.

Can I visit the Taj Mahal every day, or are there specific closure days?

The Taj Mahal is typically open every day except for Fridays. It is closed on Fridays for routine maintenance.

Can I visit the Taj Mahal during a full moon night?

The Taj Mahal is open for night visits during full moon nights and two nights before and after the full moon. This provides a unique and ethereal experience of the monument.

Kingdom of Travelers

2 Days in Agra: The Perfect Agra Itinerary

Are you planning to spend 2-days in Agra, India? This 2-day Agra itinerary will help you plan your trip to visit all the most famous places with ease and joy.

Agra is an ancient city and one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its rich culture and vibrant history. Plus, The city is the home to the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Taj Mahal attracts people from all around the world who want to see it with their own eyes. Tourists visit Agra to see the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort, Mehtab Garden, Akbar Tomb, and many other famous tourist attractions.

However, I have put together a 2-days in Agra itinerary to help you in planning your perfect 2-day tour of the city, so you have enough time to explore all the monuments, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants, and indulge in some shopping on your way back home.

You’ll also get detailed information about each monument or location, so you’ll be ready for the next step.

Let’s Start.

Table of Contents

How Many Days For Agra?

If you want to visit all famous destinations with ease then 2 days are sufficient. However, if you only want to see the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, you can do so in a single day.

I strongly advise you to spend at least two days in Agra to learn about the city’s culture and history, as well as to spend a bit more time inside the Taj Mahal.

Note:- I’m assuming you reach Agra in the afternoon.

Things to do in Agra

Agra itinerary day 1.

The Red Fort, located 2 kilometres from the Taj Mahal, was constructed between 1565 and 1573. This magnificent structure is made of red sandstone and is a Unesco World Heritage site.

This grand structure is a symbol of the Mughal reign in India and remains one of their most important monuments to this day. The Fort contains magnificent palaces made of white marble and red sandstone, and also offers a stunning view of the Taj Mahal.

Inside the red fort, you’ll find Jahangir Mahal, Macchi Bhawan, Diwan-I-Am, Kas Mahal, and Diwan-I-Khas. For me, Jahangir Mahal is the most beautiful two-story building in the fort, because of its excellent carving and architecture.

Timing : 6 AM to 6 PM.

Duration of Visit : 1:30 Hours

Next Destination : 4 kilometres, Walking takes 50 minutes and taking a taxi or auto rickshaw (tuk tuk) takes 10 minutes.

Baby Taj /Itimad-ud-Daulah

Itimad-ud-Daulah is Mirza Ghiyas Beg’s tomb, also known as the Baby Taj due to its small size and white marble construction. Furthermore, this is the first Mughal monument constructed of white marble rather than red sandstone.

The Baby Taj’s walls is made of white marble with semi-precious stone decoration. As a result, the monument is also known as a box of jewels. The carving and painting on the wall were the most appealing aspects of the mausoleum to me.

This magnificent structure was built before the Taj Mahal between 1622 and 1628, and it is believed that the Taj Mahal was influenced by Baby Taj. So don’t forget to include this unique structure in your two-day Agra itinerary. 

Timing :- 6 AM to 6 PM.

Duration of Visit: 30 Minutes

Next Destination :- 2.5 kilometres, Walking takes 30 minutes and taking a taxi or Auto Rickshaw (tuk tuk) takes 8 minutes.

Mehtab Bagh 

Mahtab Bagh is a garden complex located on the other side of the river from the Taj Mahal. In the evening, The Garden is an excellent place to enjoy the Taj Mahal’s breathtaking view in the evening..

The incredible view of the Taj Mahal from garden astounded me, and seeing the Taj domes change colour as the sun set was mesmerising. If you are a photographer or enjoy taking stunning photographs, you will adore this location.

Mahtab Bagh also includes fountains, pools, sandstone domes, and a large pond. This is the best place to spend some time observing the Taj Mahal.

Timing : 6 AM to 6 PM

Duration of Visit: 1 Hour

Agra Itinerary Day 2

The Taj Mahal is not only an architectural wonder but also an enduring symbol of eternal love. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653 to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This stunning monument took 21 years to complete, with the help of over 20,000 workers. 

The structure is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, made from marble and red sandstone with inlay work in semi-precious stones. Not only that, but the monument is one of the world’s wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also, this is the most beautiful masterpiece built by the Mughals.

Most first-time visitors to India include this incredibly beautiful masterpiece on their itinerary. The Taj Mahal attracts more than two million visitors each year through its doors.

Inside the Taj Mahal, you will see a completely beautiful carving and colourful flowers made of semi-precious stone.

I’ve visited the monument several times and never get tired of it; every time I saw Taj for the first time was a wow moment. I recommend going early in the morning because it looks stunning.

Note :- You are not allowed to carry: smoking items, tobacco products, liquor, eatables (Toffees), headphones, knives, wire, mobile charger, extra battery, electric goods (except camera), Arms, ammunition, fire, and tripods are also prohibited.

Inside the Taj Mahal, eating and smoking are strictly prohibited, and large bags and books may cause the security check to take longer. So keep with you only your mobile, camera, and passport, along with money and water. 

Timing :- 6 AM to 6 PM. Friday close .

Duration of Visit: 2 Hours.

Next Destination : 15 kilometres, 40 minutes by taxi.

Akbar Tomb ( Sikandra)

Akbar’s tomb, also known as Sikandra, is a beautiful Mughal Emperor Akbar’s tomb located approximately 13 kilometres from Agra. And constructed between 1605 and 1613. Akbar built this tomb by himself but died before it was completed. The mausoleum was completed by his son Jahangir.

This is one of Agra’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 4 million visitors each year.

The entrance gate to the tomb is brilliantly decorated with white marble and red sandstone, and ceiling is beautifully designed with floral and geometric patterns in white and coloured marble.

The monument was built entirely of sandstone and marble. In addition, surrounded by a lovely garden. Akbar’s tomb is one of the best things to include in your 2 days Agra Itinerary.

Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM. Friday Close

Duration of Visit : 45 Minutes

Next Destination : 46 kilometres, 1 hour by taxi.

Fatehpur Sikri 

Fatehpur Sikri, situated 40 km from Agra, is the largest palace complex in India and was constructed in 1571 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great. They call it “the city of victory”. 

The town used to be the capital of the Mughal Empire, but it was abandoned after only a decade. Because of a lack of water and being forgotten for hundreds of years. 

This city is now one of the most magnificent ghost cities in the world and a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

Fatehpur Sikri complex includes Jodha Bai Palace, Panch Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, the Archeological Museum, and many other structures. it’s filled with architectural beauty and stunning carvings.

For me, the most interesting aspect of this monument was that Akbar built three separate places for his favourite wives: one Hindu, one Muslim, and one Christian.

Fatehpur Sikri also has one of the largest mosques in India, and the Buland Darwaza (entrance door of the mosque) is the most impressive part of the mosque. 

Note: Please keep in mind that you must remove your shoes before entering the masjid.

You can either keep your shoes in your bag or there are people who will look after your shoes for a fee.

Prepare yourself both outside the Fatehpuri complex and inside the Jama Masjid. Many people or children will approach you and ask for money.

Timing : 6AM  to 6 PM.

How to Reach Fatehpur Sikri 

If you only have two days in Agra, taking a taxi to Fatehpur Sikri is the best option. I would recommend that you hire a taxi for the entire second day and begin with the Taj, then Akbar’s tomb, then Fatehpur Sikri, once you arrive at the Fatehpur Sikri Parking.

To get to the Masjid and the complex area, you’ll need to take a minibus. The bus ride to the attraction will take about 10 minutes. The bus service is free, but you can give the conductor some money if you want.

Map of Agra Attractions

To make your travel planning easier, this map includes all of the tourist attractions mentioned in this two-day Agra itinerary. The blue pointer represents Day One, and the green pointer represents Day Two.

What If You Have Only One Day in Agra

If you only have one day in Agra or arrive by morning train from Delhi, then you can visit these places.

Baby Taj /Itimad-ud-Daulah.

When Is The Best Time to Visit Agra

The weather in Agra is extremely unstable, with cold winters and hot summers. The best time to visit is from October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant.

However, if you want to visit Taj without crowds and save money, you can do so during the summer months of April to June, when temperatures range from 40°C to 48°C, and in the rainy season from July to August, when temperatures can range from 30°C to 35°C.

How To Reach Agra from Delhi

Agra is easily accessible by bus, train, or taxi. The train is, in my opinion, the best way to get to Agra. There are several trains that run from Delhi to Agra. The quickest one takes about 90 minutes to get there. The following are the best trains to take to get to Agra.

Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 8:10 ( Duration 1h 45m)

New Delhi Habibganj Shatabdi Express from New Delhi railway station at 6:00 AM (Duration 1h 55m)

Taj Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 7:06 AM. (Duration 2h 30m)

I recommend that you book your train ticket in advance. Two to three months in advance is the ideal time frame. Reservations for international travellers can be made through 12Go Asia . This is an easy and risk-free website for booking your train ticket.

The bus is the cheapest way to get to Agra, but it takes the longest, around 4 to 5 hours. Fares for buses and trains differ slightly. So I recommend taking the train, but if you have to take the bus because the train is full, you can book tickets on the RedBus website.

Book only Deluxe or Super Deluxe buses because regular buses take longer to arrive and stop more frequently.

Agra by taxi is the most convenient and hassle-free way to get to Agra. If you prefer the simplest mode of transportation, this is the best option for you. Your hotel can arrange a taxi for you and provide you with all the travel information.

Where to Stay

Hotel Amer on Fatehabad Road, where I quite often stayed with my Polish group.  I had a great time at this hotel because the rooms were clean and comfortable, and the food was delicious. The hotel has a pool, but I never use it.

More Budget Accommodation in Agra

The Coral Court Homestay

Taj Castle A Boutique Homestay

Hotel The Taj Vilas

How to Get Around in Agra 

Taxis and auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) are the best ways to get around in Agra. You can easily book an Auto Rickshaw or a taxi using the Uber or Ola App, or you can check the price on the app first to get an idea of how much you should pay to book an auto rickshaw without using an app.

I would recommend booking a taxi for the entire second day because Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kilometres away, and taking a taxi to all of the spots will be the most convenient option.

What to Eat in Agra

Petha, a sweet dish made from sugar syrup, pumpkin, and some spices with flavours, is the most popular food in Agra. In Agra, you can easily find incredibly delicious North Indian and Mughlai cuisine.

Below are the best foods to try while visiting Agra.

Petha :- Best Petha in Agra is from the Panchi Petha store. 

Mughlai food :- kakori kebab (minced lamb meat with spices), Gulnaar kebabs ( Chicken Kebab dish), Tandoori chicken are some best Mughlai foods to try in Agra. Pinch of Spice and Jahanpanah are the best restaurants to eat this delicious food.

Bedai :- Fried puffed bread served with spicy potato curry. Deviram Sweets & Restaurant is making the best Bedai in Agra.

Paratha :- A paratha is a flaky flatbread cooked with a sprinkle of oil and with different stuffing, such as potato, cauliflower, cheese, etc. Rambabu Paratha is the best place to eat Paratha in Agra.

Some more best restaurants.

Peshawri :- Most luxury restaurants in Agra

Dasaprakash Restaurant :- South India Restaurant.

The Salt Cafe: – Greece style cafe serves delicious food and drinks in a nice atmosphere.

Mama Chicken & Franky House :- Delicious chicken dishes. But no place to sit. 

What to Shop

Agra is home to some of the most famous markets in India, where you can find a wide variety of handicrafts, leather goods, and marble crafts.

The markets in Agra are best known for their leather goods. As the city has a long history of producing high-quality leather goods. You can find many shops that specialize in selling leather products like shoes, jackets, bags, and more at affordable prices.

The Sadar Bazaar is one of Agra’s most popular markets for leather goods shopping.

The other popular items that you can buy at these markets are marble crafts and handicrafts. Kinari Bazar is the right place to buy handicrafts, marble crafts and leather goods. It is common to see marble statues, carvings, and furniture being sold at these markets.

More India Travel Itineraries.

• Delhi Itinerary: 3 Days in Delhi: The Perfect Delhi Itinerary
• Jaipur Itinerary: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaipur in 2 Days.
• Pushkar Itinerary: 8 Best Things to Do in Pushkar in 2 Days.

Downloadable Image of Day by Day Delhi Itinerary.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them.

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Agra travel blog — the fullest agra guide, itinerary & what to do in agra for 3 days.

The city of Agra is located on the banks of the Yamuna river, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the fourth most populous city in the state and twenty-fourth in the whole of India. Agra is a popular tourist destination for its Mughal period architecture, among them, the most well-known ones are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So, what to do in Agra? — the city is famous for its magnificent Taj Mahal and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Agra for the first-time? Let’s check out our Agra travel blog (Agra blog) with the fullest Agra travel guide (Agra guide, Agra tourist guide, Agra city guide) from how to get there, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and things to do in Agra during my Agra itinerary 3 days to find out the answer!

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Agra travel blog: Overview of the City of Agra

Geographically, the city of Agra is located about 204km south of the Indian capital New Delhi. Agra is a metropolis of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Here you can explore the ancient culture and history of the city through its fortresses, palaces, mausoleums and royal gardens.

And, for many travelers, the purpose of visiting Agra is simply because it owns an extremely worldwide famous place on the list of wonders of the world, which is the Taj Mahal. However, you will also explore many other attractions that are equally unique.

I will write about the Taj Mahal to guide you in detail in a separate article, and within the scope of this article, I will generalize important destinations to help you have an overview and the most basic to know what to expect, things to do in Agra, what to do in Agra India when coming to this city.

Agra blog: When is the good time to visit Agra?

Agra’s climate does not have 4 seasons, but only 3 main seasons: winter, summer and the other season is the rainy season. Summer in India lasts 3 months from March to June, followed by a rainy season from June to September and the following winter from October to February of the following year.

September to March is the best time to explore Agra. During this time, Agra does not have rain and is not too hot, so visitors can comfortably check in without getting tired of the weather.

Agra travel guide: How to get to Agra?

Usually, you will go to Agra from New Delhi by express train, stay for a few days and then take the train back to New Delhi or continue to other cities.

Because it is about 204km from the capital, you can also choose to go to Agra early in the morning to visit the Taj Mahal and return in the evening. However, this way is very rushed and it is not possible to visit the Taj Mahal at the most beautiful time of the day, which is early morning.

To traveling between attractions, tuktuk is still the most economical and reasonable option even though the roads are quite dusty.

From Agra train station, exit the station gate and then take a tuktuk back to the hotel.

Agra city guide: How to get around Agra?

If you go with a large group, you should take Uber (in big cities like New Delhi or Jaipur, there is Uber service) or Tuktuk. The advantage of these two means over bus/metro is drop on/drop off at the place, no need to walk to the bus stop or station, don’t have to share with anyone. The price is also known in advance, going in a group so when share the cost, it’s not much.

There is no Uber in Agra, so we travel entirely by Tuk-tuk, walking for short distances. Taking Tuk-tuk, you should remember always have to bargain. Tips are:

• Preview the distance in advance from the place of departure to the destination to estimate the appropriate price. I feel that tuktuk in Agra or Varanasi is more expensive than in a big city like New Delhi.
• Remember to bargain hardly because the drivers are very challenging, if you can’t pay the price, just turn around. Tuk-tuk is a lot, do not afraid to find another driver, if you refuse this driver, another driver will rush over.
• If you travel a lot in a day, you can negotiate the combo price for that whole day, attractions to go, time,… Only pay after the end of the day.

Agra travel blog: Where to stay?

Agra is the 4th city in my journey, so when I come here, I give a lot of priority to the most attractive place to visit of this city, the Taj Mahal. Therefore, I chose the hotel closest to its entrance gate for convenience.

It can be said that the hotel in Agra is the worst hotel in almost 10 hotels I stayed in during my India trip. Terrible dirty room, without change bed sheet, no cleaning, no hot water… but always asking for a 5 star for rating after stay. And to avoid this issue, I recommend this tip: Just enter the name of the hotel you want to book into the Tripadvisor app to see reviews from previous guests. Pay attention to the good reviews from Indians, those reviews are not trustworthy because they are fake reviews to deceive you.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Holiday Inn Agra MG Road, an IHG hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Crystal Sarovar Premiere ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Trident, Agra ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Courtyard Agra ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Centre ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• The Oberoi Amarvilas ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels in Agra on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Agra travel blog: Where to go and what to do in Agra?

With an Agra itinerary 3 days 2 nights, I will share with you the places that I think are really beautiful and worth going.

1. Taj Mahal 2. Agra Fort 3. Fatehpur Sikri 4. Itimad-ud-daulah’s Tomb 5. Jama Masjid 6. Mehtab Bagh 7. Local market 8. Rooftop coffee 9. Chini Ka Rauza

A few notes:

• If you have been to, or plan to go to Jama Masjid in New Delhi, you should skip Jama Masjid in Agra because it is nothing special.
• Fatehpur Sikri is very far from the center, it takes a whole day to go here and return, so I also skipped it because I didn’t have too much time for Agra.
• I also skipped Agra Fort because I have visited too many forts in Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur… so this place is not very attractive to me. Instead I spent quite a lot of time for the Taj Mahal.

Address: Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India Construction started: 1631 Height: 73 m

Details on how to go, how to take beautiful photos and important information when visiting, I will dedicate another article to have more information for you refer to.

If you don’t have much time for the Taj Mahal, you can buy a day tour from your hotel in New Delhi. There will be a shuttle service to pick up and drop you off at the place. If you are familiar with train travel in India, you can also buy a express train ticket to go back and forth in the same day, although it is a bit difficult.

The Taj Mahal is very crowded, or in other words, extremely crowded from the very early morning, most of which, I think 80-90%, are Indian tourists. So queuing to buy tickets is also very difficult. So, you can also purchase tickets in advance through travel apps or through the official Taj Mahal website here:  https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/

Each ticket is only allowed to visit in the Taj Mahal for exactly 3 hours, if you return late, you have to pay an extra fee. Day tickets are not allow to access at night. On the ticket, there are very specific requirements, please remember to read carefully.

Important note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for general viewing.

Address: Agra Fort, Rakabganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003, India

Agra Fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge or Red Fort. Agra Fort is the second most important destination after the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is located in the northwest of Agra city, 2.5 km northwest of Taj Mahah. So, standing here you can see the Taj Mahal in the distance.

Originally Agra Fort was a brick fortress built by a family of Rajputs. However, the fort was later occupied by the Mughal dynasties and later rebuilt by the emperor Akbar. The inside of the fortress also includes mosques, halls, palaces, towers, and beautiful courtyards.

Itimad-Ud-Daulah

Address: Moti Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India Hours: 8AM–12AM

This mausoleum is located across the Yamuna River, also known as Baby Taj for short. The main structure of ​​the mausoleum is built of white marble and is famous for its elaborate and sophisticated carvings. Many people consider it to be a small version of the Taj Mahal because of its very similar architecture.

This mausoleum was built in honor of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, a bankrupt merchant who got lucky after his wife gave birth to their daughter Nur Jahan.

Thereafter, Ghiyas Beg became the great treasurer under the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and was conferred the title Itmad-ud-Daulah (The “pillar of the State”) while his daughter was married to the emperor.

His daughter, Nur Jahan, built this mausoleum for her father in the 1620s and his granddaughter, Mumtaz Mahal, was also built the Taj Mahal by her husband, the emperor Shah Jahan.

After visiting the Taj Mahal, you can catch a tuktuk to continue going to Itimad-ud-daulah which is reasonable because they are quite close to each other.

Jama Masjid

This mosque is a magnificent 17th-century Mughal masterpiece set amidst the bustling traditional markets of Agra. Jama Masjid with its impressive architecture stands prominently on a high platform in the center of a vibrant traditional market.

The Mosque is located in the middle of the lively Kinari market in Agra, near Agra Fort Station and about a 15-minute drive from Agra Cantonment Station.

While here, make sure to walk along the maze-like walkways of Kinari Market to discover shops selling a variety of colorful fabrics, jewelry, sari, spices and more.

Mehtab Bagh

Address: near Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Nagla Devjit, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India Hours: 6AM–9PM/Thursday: 6AM–5PM

Also known as Moonlight Garden, it is located on the north bank of the Yamuna River, opposite the Taj Mahal overlooking a river, and is a great place to see the Taj Mahal from afar.

The park Mehtab Bagh is not very special, apart from seeing the Taj Mahal from afar, especially in the afternoon is a very beautiful time. Admission is INR 100 but Indians will be free.

Craft workshops

These are also well-known places to visit of Agra  that is loved by many tourists. Here you can choose great souvenirs for relatives and friends. Agra’s famous products are stone sculptures. In which, the statue of the Mughal Emperor is considered the pinnacle of sculpture.

Mughal Heritage Walk in Kachhpura Village

The Mughal Heritage Walk was initiated by Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE India). This is a community-based tourism initiative in India to help local people get more income from tourism, thereby improving people’s lives.

Taj Mahal and Agra Private Tour with Kachhpura Village Walk from Delhi

People trained to be guides for tourists participate in a 1km walk, on the riverbank on the opposite side of the Taj Mahal, through the village of Kachhpura and the last stop is Mehtab Bagh. Along the way you’ll get to visit lesser-known ruins of the Mughal Age, admire the views of rural India, interact with locals, and of course admire the stunning beauty of the Taj Mahal.

What to do in Agra India: Local markets

A market in Agra that is mentioned by many people is Sadar Bazaar. This can be considered as the central local market because it is quite large, trading is very busy.

If you don’t have time, you can also visit the Kinari market located right next to the Jama Masjid.

Rooftop cafe

Many people whisper to each other to visit the rooftop coffee Hotel Saniya, because here, you can see the Taj Mahal from afar. Sipping a cup of coffee, sitting on the windy roof watching 1 of the 7 wonders of the world is a very wonderful feeling that you should experience.

Hotel Saniya serves drinks and meat dishes, mainly chicken. But looking at the piece of chicken dyed red with curry is not very attractive.

Address: 34/277 Chowk Kajziyan South gate of Taj Mahal, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India Hours: Open 24 hours

Chini Ka Rauza

This is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a scholar, poet and close-in-chief of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb was built in 1635. Chini ka Rauza is located just 1 km north of the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, on the east bank of the Yamuna River.

Therefore, after visiting Itmad-Ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) you can visit here very conveniently. The tomb is located in a spacious and airy ground, next to the windy, quiet Yamuna River, there were almost no tourists, so many locals come here to walk and read books.

Agra travel tips

• For me, Agra is not very special except the attraction of the Taj Mahal. Therefore, I just spent 3 days in Agra and then took the train down to Varanasi to continue my journey in India.
• You can visit Agra for 1-2 days then return to New Delhi or continue heading to Varanasi is the most convenient route.
• You should choose a hotel near the Taj Mahal so that you can get up early to take beautiful pictures.
• Agra is quite dusty, so always have a mask and outerwear ready.
• You should visit the Taj Mahal in the morning to avoid crowds. The afternoon is spent visiting one of the sites: Agra Fort, Akbar Tomb and the last stop is Mehtab Bagh to watch the sunset.
• You should check and bargain the tuk tuk driver. Tuk tuks and taxis here always say overcharge, always 2-3 times higher.
• Go to places of interest, just go to the ticket booth to buy tickets, don’t listen to fake tour guides.
• Some spots need to book tickets in advance to avoid crowds: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Agra you can refer to

• Taj Mahal Fast Track Entry Ticket
• Itmad-ud-Daulah Ticket in Agra
• Taj Mahal and Agra Private Day Tour by Express Train from Delhi
• Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour from Delhi
• Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Private Half Day Tour
• Walking Tour Of Agra City
• Sunrise Tour Of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort from Delhi
• Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour from Jaipur
• Private Sunrise Tour Of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort from Delhi
• Private Tour Of Taj Mahal + Agra Fort From Agra
• Agra Street Food Crawl

Read more: Taj Mahal blog — 10 Taj Mahal photography tips & tips for visiting Taj Mahal and more India guide here .

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A Backpacker’s Guide to the city of Taj Mahal, Agra

Agra, in the Indian province of Uttar Pradesh, is a top tourist attraction. The Taj Mahal is the sole thing that makes Agra famous, is a common fallacy. However, this place will leave you awestruck with its splendour and is perfect for aficionados. It is possible to come across a wide range of Persian-influenced architectural masterpieces in the region. Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal is the most famous building that tourists visit in India. The world has never seen anything like it. You may also visit other temples, tombs, and the Yamuna River, as well as participate in a variety of water-related activities while you’re in the area.

Agra has seen history across ages. The city of Agra was referred to as ‘Agraban’ and ‘Arya Griha’ in the Mahabharata , which means the abode of Aryans. It was then the capital under Mughal Dynasty for fifteen years. It saw Lodi’s downfall, Akbar’s reign, Jehangir’s generosity, Shah Jahan’s love and much more. 

How to reach Agra?

The closest major airport to Agra, domestically and internationally, is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. There are frequent flights to and from this airport across India and the world. Taxis, private taxis, and public buses are all readily available from here for visitors to reach Agra.

A variety of cities and towns, including Delhi, Gwalior, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jaipur, are easily accessible by road from Agra, and both state and commercial buses make the trip often. You can get a bus to somewhere of note in Agra from either the Idgah Bus Stand or the Indian Station Bus Terminal (ISBT). Jaipur-bound travellers may utilize National Highway 11, while Delhi-bound travellers can use National Highway 2. Thanks to the brand-new Delhi-Agra Taj Expressway, getting there is now a joyful experience in and of itself rather than a tedious one.

Agra’s central position makes it convenient to go there by train from anywhere in India. The city is immediately on the main railway lines linking Delhi to Mumbai and Chennai. Rail service connects Agra with many large Indian cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. The Bhopal Express, Punjab Mail, Malwa Express, and UP Sampark Kranti are just a few of the trains that leave Delhi daily to service the region. At the station, tourists may easily access various cabs, auto-rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws to take them to their final destination.

Visiting The Taj 

Taj isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage site, the seventh wonder of the world, or a tourist attraction – it is a piece of history and craftsmanship that Indians have treasured through centuries. It is an experience to cherish for the rest of your life.If you’re planning to visit the Taj, here are some tips and tricks that will come in handy.

Dress up in a rainbow of colours

Take a picture in front of the Taj Mahal wearing something vivid; it will pop against the white marble. If you’re looking for some lighthearted guidance, keep reading. Women worldwide, not just in India, will be sporting saris of dazzling hues. Taj Mahal has also seen a hundred pre-wedding photoshoots; so, NO! don’t shy away from going all out.

The Right Profile

Early in the morning, the east side of the Taj’s structure almost seems to be glowing. When you stop to think about it, you’ll see that the sun rises towards the east. Therefore, the light will come from that way. It’s essential to keep this in mind if you’re trying to identify lens flares and shadows.

The Serene West

To the west of the Taj Mahal is a mosque or mihrab that is oriented with its prayer area facing the direction of Mecca in the east. Ground-level prayer mats are tiled into the floor of this mosque. If you’re willing to wait for other tourists to get out of the way, you can take some interesting pictures of the inside of the Taj Mahal.

The Moonlight Garden

Mehtab Bagh or the Moonlight Garden, across the river, is a fantastic place to visit if you want to kill some time. The admission price is INR 200, but if you want to take pictures of the Taj Mahal when it’s not crowded, it will be worth it.

Things to do around Agra

Now if you’re in Agra to visit the seventh wonder of the world and it has satiated your vision enough, there are other things to do too near the Taj Mahal. In fact, there are many wonderful places around Agra too that you can visit.

Agra has several options for tourists since it aims to keep them entertained throughout their stay. The city’s various architectural marvels and magnificent gardens provide a unique source of stimulation unavailable in any other destination. Check out this comprehensive guide to what Agra offers regarding memorable experiences.

Kalakriti Dance Drama

Seeing a live performance is one of the best things to do in Agra at night if you appreciate the arts and are a hopeless romantic at heart. Every night at 8 o’clock, you may see the Kalakriti Dance Drama Show, a dance musical that retells an ancient love epic via dance and drama. The story of the Taj Mahal’s construction and the lives of its most famous owners, Shahjahan and Mumtaz Mahal, are told in this 80-minute drama. 

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bird watching is a unique pastime you can enjoy in Agra that will bring you closer to the miraculous works of nature. The location of this bird sanctuary, only an hour’s drive from Agra, makes it a veritable heaven for bird watchers and environment lovers. Since it is home to over 230 species of unique and exotic birds, this bird sanctuary is one of the fascinating places in Agra.

Nighttime at the Agra Fort is a must for everyone who considers themselves an art or performance aficionado. The light and sound show is one of the most popular evening activities in Agra and a great way to learn about the Mughal Empire. The more minor children and their accompanying adults will find this sound performance quite enjoyable. The utilisation of colourful lights projected onto various parts of the fort creates a visual representation of the whole Mughal era. 

Water Sports

Floating quietly along the holy Yamuna River as the sun sets and creating a kaleidoscope of orange hues all around you is another romantic experience awaiting you in the city of Agra. And the boat ride offers one of the most incredible, magnificent views of the Taj Mahal. Just picture yourself and your loved one relaxing in the presence of the Taj Mahal as the sun begins to set in the backdrop.

Water World Series

The Water World is an exciting destination for tourists in Agra. Covering an area of almost 4 acres, Water World is one of Agra’s most popular and entertaining tourist attractions. With thrilling attractions like water slides, roller coasters, and a children’s play area, it’s a top destination for families searching for adventure and fun. A fantastic way to beat the heat during Agra’s sweltering summers.

Best Places to Eat in Agra

Agra is famous not just for the stunning Taj Mahal but also for its delectable cuisine. Despite its massive population, the city is a magnet for foodies from all over the world. The restaurants on this list provide some of the best food in Agra.

Peshawri – https://goo.gl/maps/ZWWAxb3EH3ZxyGSr6

Agra’s Peshawri is the city’s version of the regal eateries in other major metropolises. Tajganj is home to some of Agra’s finest restaurants, including one of our favourites. Take hundreds of pictures to share on your travel blog or social media while you’re there. Dining at Peshawri is an experience unlike any other. 

Shankara Vegis – https://goo.gl/maps/61JePu5Y9cEJvrXS7

There is a restaurant on the roof called Shankara Vegis, and its menu will make any foodie go crazy. A variety of quick meals are available at this restaurant, and customers may enjoy them while gazing over the Taj Mahal. So, if you’re looking for a nice place to dine in Agra near the Taj Mahal, you should check out Shankara Vegis.

Pinch of Spice – https://goo.gl/maps/mhqYjBi2GSYYbiYz7

So you just arrived in Agra and are ready for your first major feast. If you’re looking for recommendations, Pinch of Spice will show up, and it’s as excellent a location as any to begin your culinary adventure. With Indian, Chinese and some Italian food, Pinch of Spice is one of those one-restaurant-serves-all fine dining venues that elicit nostalgia and hunger in equal parts. It also has a fully stocked bar.

Commuting in Agra/Delhi

Transportation throughout India may seem overwhelming, but a good train service with a reserved booking system makes it straightforward. You may visit Agra for a day and be back in New Delhi by sunset. The railway is the most common mode of transportation between Delhi and Agra. When departing from Delhi, the quickest trains will bring you to Agra in a little over two hours, making it feasible to spend a day seeing the Taj Mahal. 

Buses are cheaper but take longer, and the price difference is negligible. When you visit the website, you may see schedules from many bus operators and buy tickets with a single click.

Best time to visit 

Travellers agree that winter is the best season to view most of Agra’s sights. If you visit around these times, you won’t have to worry about sweating while taking in all the sights. It is possible to anticipate temperatures as low as 2 degrees Celsius and as high as 32 degrees Celsius during this season. During this time of year, a high of about 32 degrees is typical.

Accommodation

Planning accommodation in Agra is quite simple. Depending on your budget and need, you can explore a range of options. From luxury boutique suites to affordable backpacking hostels, you can find suitable accommodations.

If you’re planning a backpacking trip around Agra, something affordable yet comforting can come in extra handy. Let me take all of that legwork out of planning this beautiful trip.

*drumrolls*

Presenting to you, the goSTOPS Agra…

goSTOPS Agra

goSTOPS Agra is the perfect place to enjoy the luxury of ‘the view’ without it costing an arm and a leg. goSTOPS Agra has the beautiful Taj view from the rooftop while giving you easy access to all important locations in the town. All the famed monuments are close to the hostel; you can also access the array of bazaars and lip-smacking street food in Agra.

The vibrant and comfortable stay starts at only INR 350 for dorms. You can even book your own private room starting at INR 1999. You can book your stay here: https://gostops.com/book-rooms-in-agra-hostel/

Parting Thoughts

Agra is a city of culture and heritage. There’s always something interesting to see and then some. Honestly, one can never grow tired of visiting Agra – at least, I haven’t. The first time I saw the Taj, I was six. I am older now but Taj still stands timeless as ever. This article is a detailed guide for you to explore the beautiful city of Agra in all its glory. 

Hope it does that:)

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14 Famous Places In Agra That Are Worth Visiting

Relive the lavishness of a Mughal lifestyle with these top sightseeing places in Agra.

Sitting on the banks of river Yamuna, Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh state, in north India, known for its varying climate, topography, and rich culture. The region around Agra consists almost entirely of plains, with a range of hills in the extreme southwest. This famous city was founded by Sultan Sikandar of the Lodī dynasty in the early 16th century, meant to be the capital of the Delhi Sultanate. Since it served as the Mughal capital during some periods of the empire, it’s filled with stunning examples of Mughal architecture, making all the famous places in Agra must-visits. 

Although Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal, there is a world beyond this world-famous monument all worth sightseeing in Agra. From Akbar’s Tomb to Agra Fort and the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri, it is home to some of India’s most important monuments that tell the story of the country’s intensely colourful history. 

Also read: 5 amazing weekend road trips from Delhi

Here Is A Guide To 14 Famous Places In Agra That You Must Explore

1. widely known as the symbol of eternal love: taj mahal.

One of the world’s most well-known monuments and the most famous place in Agra, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the paragon of love constructed in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Her tomb rests right under the central dome of the monument. It took 22 years and over 20,000 workers to construct the monument, and it’s also the best example of the intricacy and brilliance of Persian and Mughal architecture, attracting approximately eight million tourists a year for sightseeing.

Verses from the Holy Quran are inscribed on it, gemstones once adorned its walls, and the intricate inlay work adds a touch of magnificence to the structure. A brilliant architectural feat is its symmetry—it looks identical from all four sides. It was originally planned to be constructed in Madhya Pradesh in Burhanpur because Mumtaz Mahal passed away there, but the plan was changed as they were unable to supply enough white marble required for its construction. You can visit the Taj Mahal from sunrise to sunset every day, except Fridays. The entry fee is INR 50 for Indians and INR 1,100 for foreigners. 

Also Read: Travel Hacks And Tips For Visiting The Taj Mahal

2. One Of The Finest Mughal Forts Ever Built: Agra Fort 

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, a famous place for tourism in Agra is the Agra Fort, one of the finest Mughal forts built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573. It took 4,000 workers and eight years to finish the construction. Attracting tourists from all over the world, this red sandstone and marble fort was once the seat of the Mughal Empire. Some of the most iconic structures in Mughal history are still a part of this fort, such as Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace), Diwan-e-Khaas (Hall for the royal audience), and Diwan-e-aam (Hall for general audience).

The Amar Singh gate, originally built to confuse attackers, is now the sole point of entry to the fort. Later, Shah Jahan renovated it by adding marble and transforming the raw red sandstone structure into a palace. Years later, he was imprisoned in the same fort at Mussaman Burj by his son Aurangzeb. The Fort is open for sightseeing from 7 am to 6 pm every day, with an entry fee of INR 40 for Indians and INR 550 for foreigners. You will need about two hours to explore the entire monument, as it is spread across 94 acres.

Also read: 8 of the most stunning forts in India

3. Get Your Best Shot Of The Famed Taj From Here: Mehtab Bagh

Known for being the best tourist place and translating to ‘moonlight garden’, Mehtab Bagh is a char-bagh (four-garden) complex inspired by the four gardens of paradise mentioned in the Quran. It was built by Babur, just opposite the Taj Mahal, and is described by Shah Jahan as the ideal spot for viewing the Taj Mahal. Due to frequent floods and extraction of building materials by the villagers, the garden lay in ruins by the ’90s.

However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) intervened and started work to restore the garden to its original state. They even made sure that the trees and flowers planted in Mehtab Bagh (guava, ashoka, jamun, neem, hibiscus) were all originally a part of the Mughal gardens. There were four sandstone towers too in the garden at its four corners; however, only one remains today. The garden, one of the famous places in Agra, is open from sunrise to sunset and is also considered a photographer’s haven, as you can take some unique photographs of the Taj from here. The entry fee for Indians is INR 30, and INR 200 for foreign nationals. 

4. Renowned As The ‘City Of Victory’: Fatehpur Sikri

Located at a distance of 37 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a city predominantly made of red sandstone. It was once the capital of the Mughal empire for fifteen years, built and established by Akbar in 1571 and later abandoned in 1610. Today it is a UNESCO world heritage site and a famous tourist attraction in Agra, home to Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai’s Palace, and Buland Darwaza, each an integral part of Indian history and heritage.

The city was built by Akbar to honour Sheikh Salim Chisti, whose prediction of the birth of a Mughal heir had come true. It is enclosed by an 11 km-long fortified wall which has various gateways. Akbar’s favourite minister Birbal too has a monument in Fatehpur Sikri, called Birbal’s house. Since he was Hindu, the architecture is different from the usual Mughal buildings. As one of the most famous places in Agra, it is available for sightseeing between 6 am to 6 pm every day except Friday, with an entry fee of INR 35 for Indians and INR 550 for Foreigners.

5. Often Described As A Jewel Box: Tomb Of Itimad-ud-daulah

Being the first tomb to be built in white marble from Rajasthan instead of red sandstone, Itimad-ud-Daulah is sometimes referred to as the ‘Baby Taj’, as it has been constructed with the same elaborate carvings and inlay techniques. The tomb is one of the most visited and famous places in Agra and is surrounded by a garden, criss-crossed by walkways and watercourses.

Commissioned by Noor Jahan, Jehangir’s wife, for her father Mirza Beg who was given the title of Itimad-ud-Daulah or pillar of the state, its construction began in 1622 and was completed in 1628. Mirza Beg’s tomb rests next to his wife’s, which was inspired by the Taj Mahal. Many of Noor Jahan’s relatives’ tombs are also kept in this monument. You can see this place on any day of the week between 6 am to 6 pm. The entry fee for Indians is INR 30 and INR 310 for foreigners. 

6. Experience Peace: The Taj Nature Walk 

Offering a different, more relaxing side to Agra, the Taj Nature Walk is located just 500 m away from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal, developed by the Social Forestry Division of Agra. It is one of the famous places in Agra where you can walk and enjoy some quiet time, especially in winter. You can enjoy amazing views of the Taj from various angles through the watchtowers along the trail. It’s home to unique varieties of flowers, shrubs, and trees, and you might also come across some exotic species of birds like parakeets and kingfishers. It is open for sightseeing from 7 am to 6 pm on all days with an entry fee of INR 20 per person for Indians and INR 100 for Foreigners.

7. Visit The Mughal Architectural Masterpiece: Akbar’s Tomb

The final resting place of the great Mughal emperor Akbar is in Sikandra. The emperor oversaw the construction of this tomb until his death. He even selected the site where he wanted to be laid to rest. The task of commissioning your own tomb is part of the Turkic custom that the Mughals adhered to. His son Jehangir completed the construction of his father’s tomb in 1613 and it was beautifully carved, made of red sandstone, making it one of the famous places in Agra in the present day. Just 1 km away from Akbar’s Tomb is Mariam’s Tomb, Akbar’s wife and Jehangir’s mother. The monument is open for sightseeing to visitors on all days of the week from 6 am to 6 pm with an entry fee of INR 15 for Indians and INR 110 for foreigners.

8. Leading Pilgrimage Destination For The Sikhs: Guru Ka Tal

A reservoir from the Mughal era, Guru ka Tal became a famous religious place in Agra when a gurdwara was constructed here in the 1970s. The place where it is built is where Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji voluntarily surrendered to Aurangzeb during his fight for freedom to practise his  faith. The fact that four out of the 10 Sikh gurus have visited this place in their lifetime makes it a site for holy pilgrimage as well as a famous place to see in Agra.

Being both a historical and religious site, it draws both tourists and pilgrims. It originally served as a reservoir of rainwater that was used for irrigation. It is also known for its stone carvings and towers that increase its beauty manifold. Even though it is a Sikh religious place, owing to its Mughal past, its architecture of red sandstone reminds us of both cultures. It’s open 24/7 for sightseeing with no entry fee.

9. A 17th Century Heritage Site: Jama Masjid

One of the biggest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid in Agra, popularly known as the “Friday Mosque” is famous for its astounding loftiness and its architectural richness. It is situated right across from Agra Fort and is one of the most well-known tourist places in Agra. This four-minaret Masjid, which can easily accommodate up to 25,000 people, has three gateways. This World Heritage site was built by Shah Jahan for his daughter Jahanara Begum, in 1648 CE. It sports inscriptions inlaid in gold against a royal blue background making it a massive tourist attraction in Agra. The beautiful designs on the tomb and the red sandstone construction of the mosque will leave you awestruck with the prowess of Islamic architecture. The mosque is open from 8 am to 6 pm and has no entry fee.

10. Get Mesmerised By The Sparkling Facade: Moti Masjid

Moti Masjid, also known as Pearl Masjid due to its spotless white facade that shines like a pearl in the sunlight, was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 CE on the banks of the river Yamuna, exclusively for the members of the royal court. A white marble tank is the center of attention in the courtyard. A sundial made of marble, placed on a pillar stands testimony to the architectural wonder of the past era, making it one of the best places to visit in Agra.

Multiple arches lead to the large prayer hall of the mosque while the main entrance to the mosque is located on the east. The reason it attracts many tourists is because it is built on a slope with several arched recessions and side arcades. You can visit the mosque between 6 am to 6 pm with an entry fee of INR 20 for Indians and INR 750 for foreigners.

11. An Integral Part Of The Royal Harem: Jodha Bai Ka Rauza

The abode of the first Rajput consort and a famous place in Agra, Jodha Bai ka Rauza, also known as Jodha Bai’s Palace, was built by Akbar for his favourite queen Jodha Bai. The Rauza or the Palace is at a distance of 6 km from Agra Fort. The monument stands as a symbol of religious tolerance between Hindus and Muslims, which makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Agra. The edifice is a strong example of the Indo-Mughal style of architecture. The plethora of mural designs depicting lotus, elephants, and peacocks are a symbol of unity between the religions. It is open between 7:30 am to 6 pm every day, with an entry fee of INR 35 for Indians and INR 550 for foreigners.

12. Preserving India’s National Heritage Since 1995: Wildlife SOS

A great initiative that was started by a group of individuals in 1995 to conserve India’s wildlife, Wildlife SOS is a rescue and conservation organisation in Agra. Although Wildlife SOS initially started by rescuing the ‘dancing bears’ of India, today it also runs projects to rescue and provide shelter to leopards, elephants, sloth bears, reptiles, and other animals. Their campus is located in the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The Education Conservation Walkway in this facility is the first ever in the country, which makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Agra. 

The organisation works tirelessly against animal cruelty, to rescue wildlife, and also collaborates with different communities to educate them about conserving and preserving wildlife. They offer a personal two-hour guided experience that needs to be pre-booked. This involves a guided tour of the facility, a documentary to explain the history of the dancing bears and activities to interact with the bears, such as feeding them fruits or porridge. The centre is open for sightseeing, seven days a week, from 8 am to 6 pm.

13. Celebrate Her Legacy: Mother Teresa’s Missionaries Of Charity

At the time of Mother Teresa’s death in 1997, Missionaries of Charity was operating in 123 countries, on approximately 610 missions to provide homes and care for the homeless, sick, and orphans across the world. One of these famous charity homes is based in Agra and it works towards the upbringing, well-being, and education of orphaned children, as well as care for the elderly and homeless.  You can spend some time with the unprivileged, share some smiles, as well as observe the unconditional love and nurturing that the nuns share with the kids and the elderly. This place is open to visitors from 8 am to 6 pm and has no entry fee.

14. Enjoy A Carefree Day: Dolphin Water Park

If you ever feel overwhelmed with all the Mughal architecture and monuments, this is one of the best places to see in Agra. Inaugurated in 2002, the Dolphin World Water Park is north India’s largest water park, spread over 14 acres. It houses a water park, an amusement park, a play area for kids, a locker room, and a fast food plaza. They also have height-based separate swimming pools. With slides like clusters, a wave pool, multi-lane water slides, a kids’ train, and a carousel shaped like a caterpillar, the park is a popular source of recreation and entertainment for city dwellers and tourists. They are open between  11 am and  6 pm, with an entry fee of INR 550 for adults and INR 400 for kids. 

How Can You Make The Most Of Your Trip To Agra?

Agra is on the bucket list of almost every adventurous traveller. And the famous places in Agra are mostly known worldwide. It is always best to visit Agra in the morning, starting with the primary attraction, the Taj Mahal, and then making your way to the Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Taj Nature Walk, and so on. It’s less crowded in the morning thus giving you ample opportunity to take photographs. The perfect months to travel to Agra are through winter and monsoon, as sightseeing becomes that much more enjoyable in more bearable weather. Agra has numerous luxurious hotels, as well as budget, stays that cater to all kinds of travel requirements.

First-time travellers should be careful about eating and drinking. Bottled water, such as Bisleri, is the safest form of drinkable water and is easily available in all hotels and shops. Sometimes, the food can come across as too spicy, especially for foreigners, so it is best to try food where the taste can be customised, such as restaurants in hotels. While you’re at it, you can take the opportunity to devour some authentic Mughlai food and some of the richest curries in the country. 

Agra attracts tourists not only for its historical and religious importance but also for its special sweet dish that is made with pumpkin known as petha . It comes in various flavours like kesar , angoori and much more. The petha is said to have been invented in the kitchens of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is so closely associated with Agra, that it is more popularly known as ‘Agra ka petha’.

A trip to Agra is incomplete without paying a visit to its markets and bazaars. While they might not be counted in the ranks of famous places in Agra they have a charm and vitality that shouldn’t be missed. Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs or simply walk around to soak in the atmosphere.

Also read: Iconic world heritage sites in India you have to see

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9 Places to Visit in Agra Besides the Taj Mahal

Agra is world-renowned for being the home of the iconic Taj Mahal and while many travelers will make the journey to this Indian city just to marvel at the marble walls and landscaped gardens of the country’s most instantly recognizable sight, there are many more great places to visit in Agra too.

After gazing in awe at the spectacular Taj Mahal, stay around in the city for longer to explore the rest of the sites in Agra.

This is a city with an incredibly rich history and in Agra, you can find sprawling forts, resplendent tombs and exquisite palaces alongside a vibrant culture, lively markets and excellent cuisine.

To help inspire you to venture beyond the Taj Mahal, here are the best places to visit in Agra.  

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet India (Travel Guide)

9 Best Places in Agra to Visit Besides the Taj Mahal

Table of Contents

The Taj Mahal aside, there are some great places to visit in Agra. Inside the city, you can find a huge array of sights that are equally as important as the Taj Mahal. Outside the city, you can find some impressive ancient attractions and wonderful wildlife reserves. 

1. Agra Fort

The second most famous of the many places to visit in Agra is Agra Fort. After the Taj Mahal, this is one of the most well known and visited attractions in the city.

The sprawling fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for centuries it was the residence of the Mughal Emperors, who ruled vast swathes of India from Agra and built many of the iconic sights that you see here today.

Most of the fort can be traced back to the 16th century, but there have long been fortifications in this strategic spot in Agra. The fort is known for its distinctive red walls, built high from sandstone.

The complex is enormous and you can easily spend hours exploring all of the hidden passageways and strolling through the grounds. There are several gateways into the fort, and the walls run alongside the river, offering sweeping views over the water.

Our top recommended tours of Agra Fort:

• Agra Fort Entrance Ticket
• Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Jahangir Palace Tour
• Sunrise Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car
• Private: Same day Taj Mahal And Agra Fort Tour By Car

2. Jahangir Palace

Within Agra’s red fort, you can find the beautiful Jahangir Palace. The ornate designs and intricate architecture are wonderful to see, while the history behind the palace is equally as intriguing.

The palace was built for Emperor Jahangir in the 17th century and this was where the Emperor’s wives would live and spend most of their time.

Perhaps the most famous resident was Nur Jahan, an Empress who wielded as much power as the male rulers themselves.  

Our top recommended tours of Jahangir Palace:

• A Tour of Orchha

3. Khas Mahal

Also found within the red walls of the vast Agra Fort is the Khas Mahal. This distinctive marble palace was where Shah Jahan, the ruler who ordered the design and construction of the Taj Mahal in honor of his wife, was held for years when he was overthrown by his own son.

From the tower, he would have been able to see the most iconic legacy of his rule in India, the minarets of the Taj Mahal itself. The Khas Mahal is a monument to both the opulence of the Mughal rulers and the strife of their power plays.

4. Mehtab Bagh

Mehtab Bagh is one of the most peaceful and serene gardens to be found in the city. It’s one of the best places to visit in Agra because from here, you can see the resplendent glory of the Taj Mahal without any of the crowds.

This wonderful green garden was built far before the Taj Mahal was designed, but from the almost symmetrical placement of the Taj Mahal across the river, you would think otherwise.

Get here early for great photo opportunities of the Taj Mahal in the morning light and mist over the wide river.

The gardens were initially built by the famous Emperor Babur before the Taj Mahal was constructed decades later by a successor to the throne.

Legend has it that Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal was also planning to build a second Taj Mahal-esque building in the Mehtab Bagh gardens where he would be entombed after his death.

The so-called Black Taj Mahal is one of Agra’s most enduring fables.

Our top recommended tours of Mehtab Bagh:

• Mehtab Bagh Admission Ticket with Optional Transportation
• Taj Mahal Private Sunrise & Sunset Tour
• Exclusive Agra Tour With Lunch
• Private Day Trip By Train: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Mehtab Bagh

5. Tomb of Itimad-ad Daulah

One of the best places to visit in Agra is the Tomb of Itimad-ad Daulah, the lavish resting place of the father of Nur Jahan, an important empress.

The mausoleum is also known colloquially as the Baby Taj because the resplendent marble facade and distinctive design are thought to be a preamble to the even more extravagant Taj Mahal which followed a few decades later.

It’s equally as impressive, and you will also find that the Baby Taj is much less crowded and a lot quieter to experience than the Taj Mahal.

Our top recommended tour of Tomb of Itimad-ad Daulah: Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah Baby Taj Admission Ticket with Optional Transportation

6. Akbar’s Tomb

Agra is a city of tombs and mausoleums and another impressive sight to see is Akbar’s Tomb. This grand, red, sandstone building is a stark contrast to the Taj Mahal.

Not only because of the color but because of the designs. It marks an architectural period that predates the opulence of the later tombs. Akbar’s Tomb was constructed before the Taj Mahal at the start of the 17th century.

Our top recommended tours of Akbar’s Tomb:

• Visit to Sikandra Mausoleum of Emperor Akbar the great
• Experience Agra (Land of Tombs) Built by Mughals
• Village Walk in Surroundings of Akbar Tomb
• Mughal Agra tour from Delhi

7. Kinari Bazaar

When you are tired of endless tombs and opulent pieces of architecture then head to the Kinari Bazaar to experience another side of life in the city.

This is one of the best places to visit in Agra, because at the Kinari Bazaar you can shop, haggle, eat and take in the vibrant, chaotic nature of day to day Indian living.

The Bazaar is a maze of colorful alleyways and shops which you can spend hours walking through. There is a huge array of goods to be found here and you might find yourself returning from the Kinari Bazaar with more than a few great value souvenirs.

Our top recommended tours of Kinari Bazaar:

• Old Agra Private Food and Walking Tour
• Extensive Agra Fort and colorful Kinari Bazaar Tour
• Agra Biking Tour: City Sightseeing and Traditional Markets
• A Walk Through Time: Touring Old Agra

8. Fatehpur Sikri

A day trip away from Agra is the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. This grand city was the mammoth project of the Mughal Emporer Akhbar, whose tomb is found in Agra.

He started the construction of Fatehpur Sikri in order to build a new capital for his empire. Within decades though, the new capital was abandoned.

The huge palaces fell into disuse after Akbar passed away and the site became unlivable due to lack of water. The British repaired many of the buildings as they realized the historical importance of Fatehpur Sikri and today it’s one of the best places to visit in Agra.

Our top recommended tours of Fatehpur Sikri:

• Fatehpur Sikri Admission Ticket with Optional Transportation
• Private 5-Night Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, and Agra Tour with Taj Mahal
• 5-Day Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour by Private Car
• Private Day Trip to Fatehpur Sikri And Abhaneri Stepwells From Agra To Jaipur

9. Keoladeo National Park

For a change of scenery when visiting Agra, head outside of the city to the stunning Keoladeo National Park. This protected wilderness is known as one of the best bird watching reserves in India and every year you can experience first hand some of the most incredible bird migrations in the world.

Species fly here from as far afield as Siberia during the winter to find warmer breeding grounds. The national park is one of the best places to visit in Agra as it’s just an hour down the road but a world away from the smog and chaos of the city’s streets. 

Our top recommended tours of Keoladeo National Park:

• Full-Day Private Tour to Bharatpur from Agra
• Ranthambhore Tiger Tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur
• Full-Day Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary with Fatehpur Sikri
• Experience Keoladeo NP & Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary From Agra

Best Time of Year to Visit Agra

Agra can realistically be visited all year round, as most of the major attractions are found within the city and not necessarily weather dependent.

The north of India experiences very little rainfall and you will find that it’s dry and dusty. The short monsoon season is from June to September but despite the rainfall, you may find the streets and sights to be much quieter this season.

The peak season for travel to Agra occurs from November to March when the weather is coolest.

Read reviews and check prices with our Hotel Search Engine , that gives you the best hotel deals found on the web. Our search engine pulls results from all of the major booking places, including Expedia, Hotels, Booking and more. All the options, all the deals, all in one place and just for you.

How to Travel to Agra

Agra is found in the north of India, in the diverse state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is one of the largest and most visited in the country and it’s well connected to the rest of India.

The small airport has few flights available, aside from domestic routes to other large Indian cities such as Delhi.

Most travelers will fly into the capital, Delhi, on international flights, as the city has flights to almost anywhere else in the world.

From Delhi, it’s just 150 miles south to Agra, a journey that can easily be completed by bus or train. Getting around Agra is best achieved by hiring a local rickshaw driver for the day, just ensure that you agree on costs and the route beforehand.

Search for Flights: Priceline or Skyscanner offers great deals to India.

More on India:

• Plan the Perfect Taj Mahal Visit in 7 Steps
• 9 Interesting Things to Do in Udaipur
• 9 Best Places to Visit in Pushkar
• 9 Epic Places to Visit in Varanasi
• How To Apply for the India E-Tourist Visa on Arrival
• Jodhpur – Blue City of India Planning Guide
• 15 Cool Things to Do in Jaipur
• Everything You Need to Know About the Pushkar Camel Fair in India
• 21 India Photos That Will Blow Your Mind
• How to Celebrate Holi in India like a Pro

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• Agra Travel Guide Unmissable Tourist Attractions For Your Bucket List

Agra Travel Guide: 9 Unmissable Tourist Attractions for Your Bucket List

Web Desk Updated: Mar 17, 2024 11:21 AM IST

The Top 9 Spots You Must Check Out in Agra

Agra is a city full of rich history and culture. It is most famous for the beautiful Taj Mahal, the white marble symbol of love, but there is so much more that you need to see and do over there! This guide will tell you about 9 awesome tourist attractions you shouldn't miss whenever you visit Agra.

1.Taj Mahal: An Icon of Love

The Taj Mahal is believed to be the most famous building in India. It is truly a wonder to see with your own eyes! Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built it in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and it took almost 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete it.

• Built in: 1632 to 1653
• Main material used: White marble
• Entry fee: Rs 50 for Indians, Rs 1100 for foreigners
• Best time for photography: Sunrise or sunset (avoid afternoons as it gets very crowded)

Don't miss taking that quintessential photo of the Taj Mahal from the Diana seat across the Yamuna River! Remember that the monument is closed on Fridays and open from sunrise to sunset on other days.

2.Agra Fort: The Stronghold of the Mughals

The imposing red sandstone Agra Fort is a testament to the might of the Mughal Empire in India. It has a rich history as the main residence of the emperors for over 200 years! The Amar Singh Gate leads you inside, where you can see the Jahangir Palace built by Shah Jahan.

• Built by: Akbar in 1573, additions made up to Shah Jahan's rule
• Main structures inside: Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, Diwan-e-aam
• Entry fee: Rs 50 for Indians, Rs 600 for foreigners
• Timings: From sunrise to sunset daily (closed for visitors on Fridays)

3.Fatehpur Sikri: An Abandoned Royal City

Perched on a rocky ridge about 40 km from Agra lies Fatehpur Sikri, a perfectly preserved fortified royal city built by Akbar in 1571 to serve as his capital. But the city had to be abandoned after just 15 years due to shortage of water!

• Main structures: Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Birbal's palace, Tomb of Salim Chishti
• Entry fee: Rs 50 for Indians, Rs 510 for foreigners
• Timings: Sunrise to sunset daily

You must not miss entering the highest gateway in India, Buland Darwaza, towering at 176 feet. And definitely make a stop at the dargah or shrine of Sufi saint Salim Chishti to see the marble canopy where Akbar had prayed for an heir!

4.Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb: Mini Taj of Agra

The first tomb in India to be built entirely in white marble, Itmad-ud-Daula's tomb is often called a "draft" of the Taj Mahal. Noor Jahan built this tomb for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who was the chief minister of Emperor Jahangir.

• Built in: 1622 to 1628
• Main features: Intricate jali designs, inlay work with semi precious stones
• Entry fee: Rs 30 for Indians, Rs 310 for foreigners

Be sure to admire the fine lattice work and mother-of-pearl inlay decorations on the walls in this Indo-Islamic architectural gem.

5.Mehtab Bagh: Perfect Viewpoint for Taj Mahal

Imagine having a private garden in front of the Taj Mahal for an exclusive view minus the crowds! That's what the 25-acre Mehtab Bagh literally "Moonlight Garden" allows you to experience. Built by Emperor Babur, it is one of eleven gardens along the Yamuna River offering uninterrupted views of the marble beauty across the water.

• Main highlight: Straight-on panoramic view of Taj Mahal
• Entry fee: Rs 20 for Indians, Rs 200 for foreigners

For that perfect photo of the Taj Mahal in all its glory, Mehtab Bagh is your go-to place. The best time for photography here is early morning or late afternoon when the slanting sun rays light up the Taj beautifully. Don't forget to carry your camera!

6.Tomb of Akbar, Sikandra: Blend of Architectures

The mausoleum of Akbar the Great in Sikandra is an architectural wonder incorporating styles from different faiths - Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity. Made of red sandstone with marble inlay work on the interiors, visiting this tomb gives you a glimpse into the emperor's secular worldview.

• Built by: Started by Akbar in 1601, completed by Jahangir in 1613
• Main features: Four red sandstone minarets, marble interiors with 99 names of Allah
• Entry fee: Rs 45 for Indians, Rs 235 for foreigners

Notice the four lofty minarets in Islamic style standing over a three-storied square plinth inspired by Hindu temples. Don't miss seeing the tomb's intricately carved stone jail screen as well!

7.Shopping Time: Kinari Bazaar

No trip to Agra is complete without hitting its colorful markets for shopping till you drop! Kinari Bazaar should definitely be on your list for buying keepsakes of your visit. From marble stone crafts to leather souvenirs, the "jeweler's market" has it all.

• Location: Just west of Agra Fort
• What to buy: Leather items, stone crafts, marble inlay items, scarves, fabrics, jewelry, etc.
• Best bargaining tip: Be polite yet firm. Start at 40% of quoted price, meet halfway.

Remember to put your bargaining skills to good use! That pashmina shawl isn't worth more than Rs 300, try getting it for Rs 250 or below. When you're tired with all the shopping, just grab a bite of Agra's famous sweet Petha from the Panchi Petha store nearby. Yum!

8.It's Showtime: Mohabbat The Taj Show

To experience the magical saga of the Taj Mahal through dance, music and drama, check out the spectacular show called "Mohabbat The Taj" at Kalakriti. Performed daily in the evening, the 1-hour show brings alive Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's romantic love story with colorful sets and costumes, along with an amazing fusion of Indian and Western dance performances.

• Duration: Approximately 1 hour
• Time: 8 pm daily
• Entry fee: Rs 600 to Rs 1500 per person
• Address: 10 / 363, Gahara Fatak, Sanjay Place, Agra

You'll come out feeling mesmerized, and dying to see the Taj Mahal again! Don't forget to carry some tissue papers, you might need them for the tears!

9.Local Cuisine: Taste Agra's Flavors

Agra is part of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, so you have got to try out the scrumptious Mughlai and Awadhi delicacies. From rich kormas to melt-in-the-mouth kebabs, epic breakfasts featuring stuffed parathas and delectable street snacks like bedai and ghugni...Agra will delight your taste buds at every corner!

• Famous sweet: Petha (white pumpkin sweet)
• Popular restaurants: Pinch of Spice, Tajview, Shankar Ji Parathe Wale
• Street food to try: Ram babu Paranthe Wale (parathas), Bedai (lentil stuffed poori)

Be sure to take back boxes of the delicious petha sweet for your friends and family! No foodie can leave Agra without trying pani puri at the century old Chaat Gali near Kinari Bazar either.

So that completes your list of top things to do and see to experience Agra beyond the Taj! Take a walk along history, connect with India's cultural roots and savor memorable moments as you explore these vibrant attractions in the city. From gastronomic delights to architectural brilliance, markets to monuments, Agra offers an unforgettable peek into the heritage of India.

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Tags : Forts & Palaces

Timings : Opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset Closed on Friday Every Friday Taj Mahal is only accessible to practising Muslims to attend the prayers in the afternoon

Time Required : 2 hours

Entry Fee : Indian Citizens and Visitors from SAARC countries: INR 50 Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries: INR 540 Foreign Visitors: INR 1100 (Additional INR 200 for every tourist who wishes to enter the mausoleum) Entry is free for all children below 15 years

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"A Monumental Ode to Love"

Taj mahal, agra overview.

One of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is located on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra . It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Constructed entirely out of white marble in the 17th century, Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. Every year visitors numbering more than the entire population of Agra pass through the magnificent gates to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking monument!

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal stands for the Crown of Palaces in the Persian language. The tomb is laid out in a rectangular shape and can be approached through a massive gateway which has an arch and alcoves on either side of it. There are water channels and fountains in the entrance which makes the monument even more spectacular. The reflection of this majestic spectacle in the Yamuna is almost poetic in its perfection! Covering an area of approximately 42 Acres, the construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and it took 17 years before it was completed in 1648! It was constructed using white marble obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan.

Must Know Before You Visit Taj Mahal

Built By : Shah Jahan

Built in : Between 1631 and 1648

Entry Gates : Taj Mahal can be accessed through three gates Tour groups enter through the east and west gates and independent travellers through the south gates The east gate has the shortest queues There are separate lines for men and women at all three gates

• Don't forget to retrieve your free bottle of water (500ml) and shoe covers which are included in the ticket price.
• You can store your luggage for free beside the ticket offices and also pick up an audio guide for INR 118.
• Visitors are allowed to use free Wi-Fi internet service inside the compound for half an hour, and then they will be charged at INR 30 per hour after the half hour is complete.
• Battery buses and golf carts are available from parking to Taj Mahal
• Drone is prohibited inside and around Taj Mahal
• Eating and smoking
• Mobile phones to be kept on silent or switched off mode
• Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum
• Mobile phone is banned for night viewing of Taj Mahal

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Agra tourism industry demands restoration of foreign tourist traffic to India

With the tourist season in agra having begun on october 1 and covid cases under control, the local tourism industry is now hopeful that foreign tourist traffic to india will be restored by the end of the month..

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A two-year record for the most number of daily visitors at the Taj Mahal in Agra was broken on Sunday, according to a senior official in the Archaeological Survey of India.

About 30,000-35,000 people visited the Taj Mahal in a single day on Sunday. In the past year, the Taj Mahal was shut for many months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

'LOSSES WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR YEARS'

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma said, “Even though the tourist season has started, till foreign tourists do not come to Agra, the tourism industry of Agra will not benefit much from the season. For the full restoration of the local tourism industry to its former self, it is necessary to allow foreign flights. The government should now allow the movement of a limited number of foreign tourists with Covid precautions because many Indians are vaccinated.”

HOTELS, GUIDES

Arun Dung, former chairman of the Agra Tourist Guild and a hotelier, said that the crowd that is visible at the Taj Mahal and other historical buildings is of domestic tourists who go back after seeing the monuments. Even if such tourists stay for a day or two, they live at small budget hotels, while three and five-star hotels remain deserted despite offering huge discounts. He said that most foreign tourists stay at these star category hotels but they are not coming yet.

Shamsuddin, president of the Guide Association, said that domestic tourists rarely take the services of guides. Without foreign tourists, those who work as guides are facing a tough time, he stated. He demanded that foreign tourists be allowed to come to India after observing proper Covid protocol.

ALSO READ: In boost to Ladakh tourism, Siachen base camp opens for domestic tourists

ALSO READ: Crocodile attacks 60-year-old wildlife tour operator in Australia. Read what happened next Published By: Tarini Mehta Published On: Oct 4, 2021 --- ENDS ---

Experience This Weekend With These 5 Places For Small Trips Around Agra

A gra, a city known for its dazzling Taj Mahal, is more than just that historical site. Here's a curated list of the best weekend getaways in Agra, India for those who want to explore more of this ancient city and its environs. These destinations guarantee one an exciting blend of history, nature and cultural heritage, thus making it a memorable holiday.

1. Fatehpur Sikri

Located about 35 kilometers from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage site serving as the capital of Mughal Empire during Emperor Akbar's reign. The City is famous for its architectural grandeur and historic past. Some popular spots are Buland Darwaza which stands at a height of 54meters high and Jama Masjid being one of India's biggest mosques; Panch Mahal, five storied palace has wonderful views from here about the area. For history buffs and lovers of Mughal architecture Fatehpur Sikri makes an ideal destination.

2. Mathura and Vrindavan

Mathura (the birthplace) and Vrindavan (where Krishna spent his childhood) lie approximately 60 kilometers away from Agra. These two towns are visited by millions every year for pilgrimage purposes within Hindus hence providing spiritual healing to many souls travelling there. Popular tourist attractions include Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura and Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. The ghats along Yamuna River provide visitors with an opportunity to experience religious fervor while witnessing the evening "aarti". During festivals like Janmashtami and Holi these cities become magical.

3. Keoladeo National Park

Located around 55 kilometers away from Agra), Keoladeo National Park formerly called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sanctuary attracts many bird watchers because it contains over 370 species of birds. It is famous particularly for its population of migratory birds such as Siberian crane, which are very rare. Visitors can take walks, ride bicycles or hire rickshaws to go through the park. With an array of ecosystems within the park sustaining various kinds of flora and fauna, nature lovers have no choice but to come here.

Located approximately 120 kilometers from Agra, Gwalior is home to an impressive fort and has rich cultural heritage. The Gwalior Fort situated on a hilltop offers panoramic views of the city and has numerous palaces, temples and museums inside it. Man Singh Palace within the fort displays Rajput architecture at its best while other landmarks include Jai Vilas Palace (presently serving as a museum) and Tansen's Tomb dedicated to that legendary musician. It is a great destination for the weekend due to the combination of culturally rich sites and historical places like this.

5. Sariska National Park

Around 180 kilometers away from Agra lies Sariska National Park which provides an amazing experience to wildlife lovers all year round. Bengal tigers, leopards alongside different varieties of flora and fauna can be found in this park which is part of Sariska Tiger Reserve. Safari tours allow visitors to track animals while venturing into dense woods present there as well. Moreover, ancient temples' ruins and Sariska palace are among some attractions within this forest region thus adding history element in natural beauty scenes here too; one can find peace by getting away from noise by embracing nature in serene locations where they will encounter animals living wild their usual habitats.

To conclude, there are many options for weekend getaways in Agra and its vicinity. In these destinations, you can find out different experiences if you love history, nature or just looking for spirituality thus making them an ideal break from your day-to-day life each having its own charm and appeal. So pack up your bags; go on a travel spree and make some memories for yourself around Agra-the ancient place.

Most tourists visit Agra only to see Taj, footfall low at other monuments: RTI

About the Author

Deepak Lavania is based in Agra serving as Principal Correspondent, covering districts of Agra and Aligarh division of western UP. An avid user of the RTI Act, he has been thrice awarded the TOI Scribe Tribe award for best news reports/series. Read More

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Florida’s official tourism website quietly removed a landing page for the state’s LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations sometime in the past four months.

The website for the state’s tourism marketing corporation, VisitFlorida.com, had an “LGBTQ Travel” section that no longer exists, according to archived versions of the site viewable on the Internet Archive. The landing page previously featured blog posts and videos related to the state’s gay-friendly beaches, Pride events and LGBTQ road trip ideas.

“There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance,” the landing page used to read. “Whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic getaway or a modern family searching for kid-friendly fun, here are some LGBTQ-friendly destinations for you, throughout the Sunshine State.”

The link where the LGBTQ Travel page had been (https://www.visitflorida.com/things-to-do/cultural/lgbtq/) now directs users to a general “things to do” landing page. It is unclear exactly when the landing page was removed, but it was available as recently as April 19, according to the Internet Archive. It is also unclear why Visit Florida, a nonprofit created as a public-private partnership by the Florida Legislature in 1996, removed the landing page and who was behind the decision.

The website does continue to provide travel information for destinations specific to other minority groups, including Black and Hispanic travelers.

Visit Florida did not immediately return a request for comment.

Rachel Covello runs OutCoast , a travel blog that promotes Florida as an LGBTQ-inclusive destination. Covello, a lesbian who lives in St. Petersburg, said the “LGBTQ Travel” landing page has existed on Visit Florida’s website since at least 2021. She said she first noticed that the landing page was missing last month.

“It really feels like we were just erased in a way,” Covello said.

“We want LGBT people to come here, we have really cool places to highlight and showcase,” she added.“But when the state-run platform removes any trace of us being in Florida, it sends a pretty strong message to our travelers, to our community in Florida.”

Not all references to LGBTQ people or LGBTQ-friendly places have been removed from the site. For example, if one types “LGBT” in the site’s search function, five results pop up, three of them for venues described as “LGBT Friendly.”

Maryann Ferenc, a small business owner who served as the chair of Visit Florida from 2017 to 2018, said there was a lot of LGBTQ-related travel information on the site during her time, including information about suggested itineraries and recommended beaches. She questioned whether stripping the site of its LGBTQ Travel section and other LGBTQ-related content s was a smart business move.

“To be a great tourism community, you need to be open and welcoming. That’s the basics of hospitality, right?” she said. “When I was chair, we talked about, ‘Could we be No. 1 in hospitality? How could we measure being the most hospitable state in the Union?’ This certainly wouldn’t qualify for that.”

Ferenc added that diversifying the state’s tourism industry was one of her main objectives when she led the organization.

“All of our diverse markets are important to us getting all of the business that is our fair share of the statewide, national and international tourism market,” she said. “It’s important that we have that diversity, not only because of the amount of money that will be spent by a diverse market, but by the diverse places in which that money will be spent.” 

The removal of the LGBTQ Travel section from VisitFlorida.com is the latest in a yearslong effort to restrict queer history and the expression of LGBTQ identities in the state.

Since 2021, Florida has enacted legislation to limit the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in its public schools, to limit the ability of trans minors from accessing transition-related health care or from participating on school sports teams and to defund diversity programs at Florida colleges. 

In recent years, Florida lawmakers also unsuccessfully attempted to limit drag shows, an artform that has decades-old roots in the LGBTQ community. Some of the state’s schools have also voluntarily removed or banned LGBTQ-related books or books with queer characters. 

Just last week, New College of Florida tossed hundreds of books in the trash , with many of the discarded titles appearing to be related to LGBTQ issues, race and women’s rights.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis notably waged a yearslong legal battle with Disney , which has a massive corporate footprint in the state, after the company came out against the state’s so-called “ Don’t Say Gay ” law. Disney settled with the state this year.

Last year, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, and the statewide LGBTQ nonprofit Equality Florida issued a travel advisory detailing the risks of traveling to the state and citing “the devastating impacts of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community.”

A recent survey of 2,300 LGBTQ Americans by the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) found that 52% of respondents indicated hesitancy or outright refusal to travel to Florida due to anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in recent years. However, about 66% of respondents also said that they would be willing to visit LGBTQ-friendly cities within states that have anti-LGBTQ laws. 

In 2017, within days of former president Trump’s inauguration, his administration similarly scrubbed nearly all mentions of LGBTQ people and issues from the websites of federal agencies and the White House. 

For more from NBC Out, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC Out.

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MOD: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings, January to December 2024

Data on gifts that ministers gave and received, their external meetings and any overseas travel.

MOD's ministerial gifts, January to March 2024

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MOD's ministerial hospitality, January to March 2024

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MOD's ministerial travel, January to March 2024

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Mammoth Cave pokes fun at study listing it one of the 'most disappointing US tourist attractions'

"Come experience what has disappointed millions of people for over 225 years!" declared Mammoth Cave National Park on social media on Friday.

The witty satirists behind the keyboards at Mammoth Cave National Park unloaded plenty of snark into the post, which pokes fun at a "study" that declared the park the third-most disappointing US tourist attraction.

Listed as second-most disappointing in the same study? Ohio's own Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The distinction of most disappointing location for tourists went to ... the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Not to be as disappointed in their ranking as tourists allegedly are with the park, Mammoth Cave officials instead took to social media to have a little fun.

"While we think the world's longest cave system and over 4,000 years of human history is AMAZING, others find that the cave is 'very dark' and there is 'nothing cool' here to see," reads the post from Mammoth Cave National Park.

The post goes on to encourage anyone hoping to be left unfulfilled to visit the park themselves, where they, too, can be disappointed by a "dry hole with very few stalagmites and stalactites" while they take in the scenery, full of nothing "other than trees."

So what sparked the witty post?

I dug through WCPO's newsroom email account to scope it out some: Every day, media outlets like us are sent dozens upon dozens of emails from organizations advertising "research" they've conducted. Usually these are sent based, in part, on the geographical location of the people, places or things they're claiming to have a poll on.

For example, we likely received this study declaring Mammoth Cave as so terribly dull because WCPO is close in proximity to Mammoth Cave and in the same state as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In some instances, the data from studies like this is compelling and well-sourced; in other instances, they aren't from a company with any expertise in the data set being collected, and data collection methodology is not always clear.

In this case, WCPO received an email on July 15 (though the same emails are sometimes sent multiple times) announcing "new research has revealed which tourist attractions in the US are the most disappointing."

The email claims the study was performed by a company called JeffBet — an online casino "experience" that says on its homepage that it's actually based in the United Kingdom.

So, what would they know about tourist attractions in the United States?

Well, the email says the study sourced from sites like Ranker, TripAdvisor, Google and other travel sites to aggregate each location's reviews.

"A seed list was created using Ranker, Time Out, World Travel Awards and TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards," reads the email. "1–3-star reviews were collected for each location on both Google and Tripadvisor, identifying and counting the reviews where users stated they were disappointed. Locations with fewer than 100 combined reviews were removed. A review was counted as ‘disappointed’ if it included one or more of the 58 terms listed below."

In many instances, emails like these that are promoting studies done by a company — often a for-profit one — include actual data, or links to a document that shows more information about the study. This time, though, that was not the case — JeffBet included no additional information.

They did, however, include that roughly 19.38% of those who left a review on Mammoth Cave National Park "left feeling underwhelmed."

"Many users on both Google and TripAdvisor said that they felt rushed through their tour and that it was overcrowded, with one user saying that they had waited most of their life to see the cave, but was left feeling 'so disappointed,'" reads the email from JeffBet's digital PR agency.

Whether you trust review data aggregated by an online casino based in the UK using specific phrase searches or not, Mammoth Cave National Park does boast over 80 miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding and water trails — in addition to it being the home of the longest cave system in the world.

Still, for those whose fingers itch to leave reviews online, the park warns that there are, in fact, bugs in the outdoors, cell service in the national park is spotty, and cave tours may include stairs.

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