Being home to the famous Taj Mahal and a stop on India's Golden Triangle of tourist cities, Agra is not missed off any classic India trip. No one should leave India without visiting this lovely city.
Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, beyond the iconic Taj Mahal, you can visit five more places to discover Agra's glorious history: Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (the "Baby Taj"), Akbar's Tomb, and Fatehpur Sikri. Apart from the Mughal monuments, don't miss Wildlife SOS if you are an animal lover.
Among our suggested seven places, the first four places (The Taj, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Baby Taj) could be visited in one day. For a longer visit to Agra, Akbar's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, and Wildlife SOS are great excursions, which are just 1 hour's driving from the Taj Mahal.
7 Places to Visit in Agra1. The Taj Mahal: a Majestic Monument to Love
Taj Mahal in AgraThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal is the icon of Agra, even India. Its alluring reflection in the long pool is shown in most photo albums and travel brochures. As a symbol of love, it's the best place to visit for couples. You will see newly-weds taking wedding photos there.
With its fame, you might meet crowds there. So, an early morning visit is helpful to avoid the crowds and heat. The Taj usually opens 45 minutes before sunrise. When the Taj is lit up by the early morning light, you'll capture incredible pictures of the glow!
You might hear of popular moonlight tours before. As per most reviews, they're not as enjoyable or worth the money. Paying 1.5 times the daytime price, you just get 30 minutes to see the Taj from the gateway on a platform (quite a long distance from the Taj). Without the help of floodlights, you can't see it clearly. If you would like a night view (that is just as good), booking a hotel with Taj Mahal views or going to the Mehtab Bagh is much better value. Read more details about how to explore the Taj Mahal from different perspectives.
See more travel guides about Visiting the Taj Mahal>>> and seek the best places for night views of the Taj >>>
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2. Agra Fort: Home to Mughal Emperors
Agra Fort in AgraYour Agra itinerary is not complete without the marvelous Agra Fort. Once the palace of royal families of the Mughal Empire, Agra Fort is the epitome of Mughal buildings. Mighty fortifications, ornate decorations, and a glorious history make Agra Fort impressive.
Like the Red Fort in Delhi, Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort of Agra) shares some similarities in architecture. Both are red sandstone walled cities with gardens, palaces, audience halls, etc. inside. But Agra Fort is more recommended as it is larger, better preserved, and more accessible. It is "wheelchair friendly".
You can see the Taj Mahal at a distance from a pavilion in Agra Fort. When the emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort for his final 8 years, gazing at the Taj Mahal was his only way to relieve his loneliness and depression until his death.
Recommended Private India Tours to explore Taj Mahal and its love story:
3. Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb (Baby Taj): Inspiration for the Taj Mahal
Baby Taj in AgraIf the Taj Mahal shows the love of a husband, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb is the proof of a daughter's love of her father.
Although Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb was built earlier than the Taj Mahal, it is always called the Baby Taj Mahal due to its smaller size. As a model for the Taj Mahal, it was the first marble monument in India.
Despite the similarities, Itmad's Tomb has more details in its hand-carved marble covering exterior walls.
Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb is a perfect oasis to immerse yourself in artwork and exquisite decorations without The Taj's crowds. Step back into Mughal history, walk around the gardens, and enjoy the river views behind the tomb.
Different from other attractions, local guides are not available on the spot. If you want to get a deep insight into the Tomb, book a guide before (we can help you book one of the best English-speaking guides in Agra).
4. Mehtab Bagh: Sunset and Moonlight Views of The Taj Mahal
See the Taj from the Mehtab BaghThe Mehtab Bagh, or Moonlight Garden, is a beautifully-landscaped garden located alongside the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal.
Perfectly aligned with the gardens of the Taj Mahal, it is the perfect place to snap sunset pictures of the Taj. Away from the crowds, you can enjoy the Taj (from a distance) in relative peace.
It is said that Emperor Shah Jahan intended to build himself "the Black Taj" there to mirror the Taj Mahal, his wife's mausoleum, so that he could still look upon his wife's monument across the river after death. However, he failed to do this as he was placed under house arrest by his son.
5. Fatehpur Sikri: the Abandoned Capital of the Mughal Empire
Fatehpur Sikri in AgraFatehpur Sikri is closed on Fridays.
For a history buff, Fatehpur Sikri is a must-see in Agra. You can visit it on your way to Jaipur as it is located on the Jaipur–Agra highway.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the red sandstone ruins are still viewed by many as the finest showpiece of Mughal architecture.
The highest gateway in Asia (about 15 floors high) stands majestically under the clear sky and welcomes you in. The domes, winding corridors, and intricate carvings put you in a time tunnel. The diverse styles of buildings tell you of the love of Akbar the Great, the third Mughal emperor, for his three wives of different religions (Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity).
Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned 14 years after being built due to a shortage of water. Then it was a ghost city for hundreds of years. It witnessed the Mughal Empire's rise and fall.
Explore Fatehpur Sikri during your 14-Day Classic Rajasthan Tour: Explore the Land of Kings>>>
6. Akbar's Tomb: The Resting Place of the Greatest Mughal Emperor
Akbar (r. 1556–1605) was one of the most famous Mughal emperors and innovative builders. Designed by himself, his tomb presents his ideas of cultural fusion. You can find Arabic, Persian, and Hindu features in his tomb.
Different from other monuments built in red sandstone only, he used a deep red sandstone mixed with marble. Unlike other Mughal tombs, Akbar's Tomb faces towards the east instead of west, towards Mecca.
You're suggested to enter from the south gate, the largest one. Walk through the garden, meet the lovely monkeys, peacocks, and deer, and then enter the tomb. Despite the passing of the centuries, the impressive geometrical patterns and floral designs are still shining on walls inside.
7. Wildlife SOS: Close Contact with Sanctuary Animals
the Agra Bear Rescue FacilityIf you are an animal lover, don't miss Wildlife SOS. It houses two wildlife projects: the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and the Elephant Conservation and Care Center. The elephant sanctuary is just 15 minutes' drive from the bear sanctuary.
You'll get to know the stories behind every rescue, and see how staff take care of the animals. Visiting the sanctuary is a way to support the work and can be life-transforming. The volunteer project was suspended due to COVID-19. Check its availability with us if you'd like to experience it.
To protect the animals from being disturbed, every visit has to be assessed and approved beforehand.
What to Visit with 1 Day in Agra
A full day in Agra is enough to explore the main city highlights, including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Most travelers arrive in the early afternoon from Delhi or Jaipur. So, they will go to Mehtab Bagh and admire the mesmerizing sunset view of the Taj Mahal on the arrival day.
Next day, you are recommended to visit the Taj Mahal early in the morning (at around 5 a.m.) to avoid crowds and heat. Then, return to your hotel for breakfast. Then, continue by exploring Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb.
Tips:
- In the evening, you might like to enjoy the night show Mohabbat the Taj at the Kalakriti Culture and Convention Center.
- A guided tour (usually US$ 100 - 200 per person per day) is recommended for a deep insight into the monuments and worry-free ticketing and navigation. Your guide will not only share history and stories, but also help to enrich your contact with local culture.
What to Visit in Agra with 2 Days
Based on our experiences, Agra is most popular as a stop between Delhi and Jaipur. To make use of another day in Agra, you could go on the following popular itinerary for 2 full days in Agra.
Day 1: Departing from Delhi by road, you could stop at Akbar's Tomb or Wildlife SOS on the way to Agra, then take in the sunset views from Mehtab Bagh on arrival.
Day 2: Do the classic day tour of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb.
Day 3: Have a half-day visit of Fatehpur Sikri, then head to Jaipur.
Find out the transport guide about Delhi to Agra. For more planning guides of India tours, you can see How to Plan a Trip to India>>>
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