The Taj Mahal is the first thing that most people think of when they think of Agra. The grand marble mausoleum is undoubtedly the city’s main feature and what brings the majority of visitors to this region of Uttar Pradesh, but those prepared to stay for more than a day will find that the city has a lot more to offer.
Honestly, Agra is a city that you can pretty much see in just one, or two days. So, if you follow my guide below, you will be sure to hit all the key destinations.
- When is the best time to visit Agra?
- How to reach Agra?
- Where to stay in Agra?
- Things to do in Agra
- Where to eat in Agra?
- How to travel in Agra?
- Agra beyond the Taj Mahal
- FAQs
When is the best time to visit Agra?
The only seasons in Agra’s climate are the winter, summer, and the rainy season. In Agra, the three-month summer season runs from March to June, and then there is a wet season from June to September, followed by the subsequent winter from October to February of the next year. The best time to visit Agra is from September to March. Visitors to Agra can check in without feeling uncomfortable because it is not too hot or rainy during this time.
How to reach Agra?
Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and many other Indian cities are all easily accessible from Agra.
Train: It’s not difficult to go to Agra by train, but you should check where station your train arrives at and departs from because Agra has several. The majority of trains arrive and depart at the largest, Agra Cantt (Cantonment). The 12050/12049 Gatimaan Express, travels from Hazrat Nizamuddin in South Delhi to Agra Cantonment and is the finest train to take to or from Delhi.
Air: Most Indian cities have flights to Agra’s airport, which is 13 kilometers from the city.
Road: The 185 km Delhi-Agra Yamuna motorway connects Delhi and Agra in just a few minutes to an hour or so. You can book a taxi, use Uber between cities, or board one of the numerous buses that travel between Delhi and Agra.
Where to stay in Agra?
Being a major tourist attraction, Agra has numerous hotels and hostels that you can stay at. This city has got a place to stay for every budget.
Since there are so many hotels here, you have to be careful while booking a hotel because some hotels are cheap and don’t even have the basic amenities. I suggest you check the past reviews on Tripadvisor or Google.
Here are a few of my recommendations for good places to stay in Agra:
Luxury hotels:
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra
- ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra
- Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Centre
- The Oberoi Amarvilas
Mid-range Hotels:
- Crystal Sarovar Premiere
- Holiday Inn Agra MG Road, an IHG hotel
- Trident, Agra
- Courtyard Agra
Budget Hostels:
- Zostel
- GoStops
- Moustache Hostel
- Madpackers
Things to do in Agra
With an itinerary of 3 days and 2 nights, I will share with you the places that I think are really beautiful and worth going to in Agra.
1. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal’s beauty has been attempted to be described many times. Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal claimed that “it caused the sun and the moon pour tears from their eyes.” It is the epitome of everything pure, according to Rudyard Kipling, while Rabindranath Tagore called it a “teardrop on the face of eternity.”
The vast majority of the 3 million people who visit the Taj each year will assure you that none of this is hyperbole, despite the fact that it may seem that way.
Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a monument in honor of his third wife, who passed away in childbirth in 1631. The emperor was so devastated by her death that he started construction on the Taj Mahal in her honor. It only took 8 years to create the main mausoleum, but it wasn’t until 1653 that the complex as a whole received its finishing touches. It is frequently referred to as the greatest monument to love in the world as a result.
Except on Fridays, when only mosque attendees are permitted access to the site, it is open from sunrise to sunset every day.
Entrance fee: 40 rupees for Indians, 1100 rupees for foreigners.
Sunrise is the greatest time to visit the Taj Mahal because there are fewer people there and it’s still cool enough to walk around. If you want to be near the front of the line, I would suggest arriving 30 minutes before the store opens.
Make sure to purchase your ticket before getting in line. When you move along Taj East Gate Road in the direction of the east gate, the ticket counter will be on your right.
Although you can enter through the South, East, or West gates, the South gate typically has shorter lines due to fewer tour groups using this entry and the fact that the ticket office is almost a 1-kilometer walk away.
Once you’re inside, you’ll notice that the majority of the other visitors have gathered in front of the main reflecting pool and are vying with one another to take pictures of the mausoleum. I advise you to proceed directly past them and towards the mosque on the western side of the complex. You might be the first one there, giving you the chance to take pictures of the Taj alone.
2. Mehtab Bagh
The Mehtab Bagh gardens on the north bank of the Yamuna river offer one of the most captivating views of the Taj Mahal. Beautiful Mehtab Bagh is a long, rich green lawn filled with floral shrubs that was created to resemble the Taj Mahal’s own ornamental gardens. According to legend, Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, had long planned to construct a tomb for himself there that would be an identical replica of the Taj, but made completely of black marble. The concept comes from the fantastical writings of European traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who visited Agra in 1665. It was alleged that Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb overthrew him before the structure could be constructed.
Entry fee: Rs. 100
The best time to go is right before sunset, when you can settle in for a view of the Taj as the sun sets and the marble dome of the structure takes on an orange-pink hue. I spent a lovely evening staring in awe at history’s greatest memorial to love while sitting in utter stillness with scores of other people.
Although though it is only a few hundred metres from the centre of Agra, travelling there and back requires 16 kilometres, 20 minutes, and maximum 150 rupees in a tuk-tuk. The Taj Mahal viewpoint must be reached by travelling a few kilometres west of the city, crossing the Ambedkar bridge, and then returning by travelling back east.
3. Itimad-Ud-Daulah
Because to the similarity in the stonework and carvings between the two, the Tomb of I’timd-ud-Daulah has earned the name “The Baby Taj” through time. Many people are unaware that Itimad-ud-Daulah was the first mausoleum to be constructed from white marble as opposed to red sandstone, and that it was actually constructed before its more well-known cousin. It is just as stunning even if it is not as large as the Taj Mahal.
4. Agra Fort
This remnant of the Mughal era made of red sandstone is Agra’s most spectacular building except the Taj. Emperor Akbar started building it in 1565 along the Yamuna River’s banks, and his grandson Shah Jahan later added white marble decorations. Under his rule, what had been a vast military castle was changed into a palace.
The fort’s size will be what most impresses you. The walls occasionally reach a height of 20 metres across its 2.5 kilometre diameter. The interior is just as spectacular as the exterior once you enter. The Shish Mahal (mirror palace), Khas Mahal, Diwan-e-khaas (hall of secret hearings), Moti Masjid (pearl mosque), and Nagina Masjid (gem/jewel mosque) are just a few of the magnificent buildings you can find here. To get the most out of your visit, my recommendation is to meander around the numerous buildings for a whole morning or afternoon. Be sure to catch a distant sight of the Taj Mahal by looking out the rampart windows.
5. Kinari Bazaar
Agra is not the type of place where there aren’t enough retail options. There are gift stores and emporiums trying to sell you all kinds of stuff all across the old town, the Taj, and in Sadar Bazar, including bags, garments, marble ornaments (beware, as these are frequently not real marble), diamonds, and tiny models of the Taj itself. Even though the city has never had snow, I saw several shops selling Taj Mahal snow globes.
But if you’re seeking for a more authentic experience, go to Kinari Bazar. Beyond Jama Mosque lies a wild maze of lanes and chowks that is a colorful treat on the senses.
Open Wednesday – Monday, 11 am – 9 pm.
6. Take a boat ride on the Yamuna River
The majority of hostels in and around Agra offer this excursion (Rs. 200–250 per person), but I’ve discovered that doing it yourself from Dusshera ghat is the best option. From Taj East Gate Road, go to the Taj Mahal’s east gate. After passing the ticket office, turn right and continue along the Taj’s outside wall till you reach Dusshera ghat. It is better to ask around at the jetty to see if someone will take you because boat rides are not advertised. Visit the Taj at dusk or dawn for the greatest views.
7. Taj Nature Walk
This lush parkland area is a short distance from the Taj Mahal via the East Gate Road and is crisscrossed by walking trails, picnic areas, and lookout points. If you’re seeking for a little peace & quiet, you can anticipate it to be rather peaceful compared to the rest of Agra because the nature reserve is 70 acres in size and stretches from the road towards the banks of the Yamuna. While I was there, I only saw two other couples using the route.
While it’s fantastic for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, the Taj Mahal can be seen from a variety of vantage points within the park, which is the major draw. The various pathways can be explored for an entire morning, but I found that an hour was plenty.
Entry Fee: 20 Rs for Indians, 100 Rs. for foreigners.
8. Sikandra/Akbar’s Tomb
Another stunning example of the exquisite Mughal architecture in Agra is Sikandra, the Emperor Akbar’s final resting place, which is located 10 kilometres to the west of Agra. The main cenotaph’s exquisitely painted ceiling and walls, coupled with the entrance gateway to Sikandra with its four towers, are what stand out the most.
The entranceway leads to a large lawned garden (presumably the traditional Persian style was present here before the British lawn-ified them). There are deer roaming around, and the grounds are a tranquil place to unwind.
Where to eat in Agra?
I would recommend trying the local stalls or restaurants for authentic local food. The sweets in Agra are very famous so definitely try a sweet shop! I will write a detailed blog on tips for Agra which you can check out later!
If you are looking for rooftop restaurants, here are a few recommendations:
Taj Ganj Rooftop restaurants
If you want to sip a coffee while taking in the scenery, visit one of the many rooftop eateries in the city’s Taj Ganj neighborhood. I ventured to the Hotel Saniya Palace’s rooftop, and the view of the Taj Mahal was breathtaking. Just know that the meal most likely won’t match the view.
For a luxury feeling, I recommend:
Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel
After spending a long morning exploring the Taj Mahal, treat yourself to a magnificent but expensive breakfast at the Oberoi, widely regarded as the greatest hotel in Agra. Although they may feel a little out of place, backpackers should still enter to enjoy the absolute grandeur. They also offer a stunning bar and a patio with views of the Taj Mahal.
One of the most popular spots in Agra:
Sheroes Hangout
Sheroes Hangout is not just a coffee shop. It stands for bravery and the struggle against prejudice and injustice. Run by five acid attack survivors, Rupa, Neetu, Ritu, Geeta, and Chanchal, the Stop Acid Attacks Campaign’s initiative offers women who have suffered disfigurement in heinous attacks a chance to recover from the crippling blows to their self-esteem by integrating and being in public rather than leading a life of obscurity. Sheroes is a laid-back and vibrant place with graffiti art and pictures of acid attack victims all over the walls. It is one of the most well-liked restaurants in Agra, so be sure to reserve a table.
How to travel in Agra?
Even though the roads are rather crowded, an autorickshaw (tuk-tuk) is still the most affordable and practical alternative for getting between the attractions.
If you arrive by train, you can take an autorickshaw (tuk-tuk) back to the hotel from the Agra train station after leaving the station gate.
Agra Cantt lies southwest of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, which are both just a short ride away by car or an autorickshaw (tuk-tuk). There is a pre-paid taxi stand at the station that charges a flat rate of Rs. 150 to any hotel in the city but it may be possible to bargain for a cheaper ride on an autorickshaw.
- Autorickshaw (tuk-tuk)/Hand-pilled rickshaw:
As there is no Uber in Agra, we only used the autorickshaws and walked a few short distances. When using an autorickshaw or a hand-pulled rickshaw, keep in mind that:
To determine the right cost, preview the distance from the point of departure to the destination in advance. I believe that tuk-tuks are more expensive in Agra than in a major metropolis like New Delhi.
- Hire a taxi for the day:
If you plan to travel a lot in one day, you can bargain for a package deal that includes the cost of the entire day’s activities, transportation, and other factors.
Agra Beyond the Taj Mahal
Agra is famous for the Taj Mahal. Unexpectedly many tourists only stay for the day, which means they don’t spend much at hotels or restaurants or have time to fully experience the culture, which is a problem for the tourism industry similar to the flood-in-flood-out phenomenon. The benefits of tourism are boosted by acting in opposition and encouraging smaller lodging establishments, eateries, and the employment of local tour guides. So if you can, come for at least a few days, ideally not over the weekend.
I honestly had a great time in Agra, even though the city is small and crowded, it’s beautiful and full of colours. There is a charm here and never a dull moment in this city!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What should I wear in Agra?
The most well-known Indian ethnic clothing comes from Agra, the city of tradition. Great alternatives for women are kurta and pajamas, Punjabi dresses, churidar, ethnic tops, and jeans. Guys can also look stylish with a simple shirt or T-shirt paired with pants or trousers. Men’s casual clothing options include kurtas and pajamas.
2. Which days is the Taj Mahal closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed every week on Fridays for general viewing. Other days it is always open.
3. Which month is best for Agra?
October to March: Autumn and winter are the finest seasons to visit Agra because by then the heat has subsided and the weather is mild and ideal for sightseeing.
4. Is Agra a day trip from Delhi?
From Delhi to Agra, the train travel takes roughly two hours. Agra can surely be visited in a single day thanks to a train that leaves early in the morning at around 6 am and returns around 8:30 pm.
5. How much time is required to see Taj Mahal?
It’s advised that you stay for at least 2 hours so you may take some amazing pictures and take your time appreciating its beauty.