Do you know that Agra existed even before the Mahabharata period?
Yes, you read that right. Agra was once known as Agraban. It gets mentioned in the sacred Hindu texts dating back before the Mahabharata period.
And today, we’re going to tell you about the places to visit in Agra in one day and more. Once the strongest and world-renowned city still holds its position in terms of grandeur and architectural beauty.
Without further ado, let’s explore Agra.
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Although it’s hard to cover the whole of Agra in one day since there are many places to visit in Agra, you can get the gist of the city. We are assuming that you can spend a total of 8 hours traveling, excluding the time spent in commute.
So, on average, you can expect you’ll need at least 10-12 hours to cover the top places and experiences that we are suggesting here, including chores like commute, eating, etc.
Here are the top places that you can visit in Agra and the things you can do in Agra in one day:
Time Required: ~3 Hours
Do you know that more than 7 million people visit the Taj Mahal per year! This white marble mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife, will leave you in awe of its beauty.
The architecture is considered one of India’s finest, depicting its rich history, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hard work of 22k laborers overtime gave it today’s form.
People call it the epitome of love because it depicts the eternal love between Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. He built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife and used to gaze at it until his last breath.
There’s no question of not visiting the Taj Mahal, let alone be the reasons. If you love architecture monuments and have a knack for history, visiting the Taj Mahal is necessary. It is the #1 of all places to visit in Agra.
Time Required: ~2 Hours
Agra Fort is a massive red-sandstone fort of the Mughal Era. Only about 25-30% of the fort is accessible to the general public, and the rest is under the Indian Army. And it lies about 4-5 km apart from the Taj Mahal.
The grandeur and the credit for its construction go to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. However, its history dates back to the 11th century when 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.
It was just a basic brick structure back then, but now it is enough to entice your love for architecture. There are 16 palaces inside the fort, namely Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir’s Palace, Diwan-e-Aam, Macchi Bhawan, etc.
Inside the fort, you’ll come across a tower building named Musamman Burj. It is the same place where Aurangzeb kept his father, Shah Jahan, held captive under his last breath. And from this spot, Shah Jahan used to gaze at the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife.
The story, beautiful architecture, and thrilling history of Agra Fort make it one of the best places to visit in Agra.
Time Required: ~1 Hour
This white marble monument is yet another beautiful Mughal Architecture. Sometimes referred to as the “Baby Taj,” this jewel-box-shaped architecture is the mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife, Asmat Begum. They were the grandparents of Mumtaz Mahal and served in Jahangir’s court.
When you enter the monument complex, you’ll pass through a red-sandstone door and arrive in front of the tomb. With whites shining on the surface, it’ll hook you with its beauty. You’ll also see lush greenery around the architecture.
Further, you’ll see the holy Yamuna River flowing behind the architecture at the back. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some local kids cliff jumping into the river.
If you’re photogenic, be prepared with your creative poses, as this is one of the best places after the Taj Mahal to snap! Moreover, it’s an excellent place to pause in the bustling city of Agra.
Time Required: ~30 minutes.
Our next pick is for all the architecture buffs. Situated at a distance of about 1 km from the Baby Taj, Chini Ka Rauza is the tomb of Afzal Khan Shirazi, a poet and scholar who served in Jahangir’s and Shah Jahan’s reign.
As you might question, does Chini Ka Rauza have something to do with China? Probably. The facade of the monument possesses glazed tile works which originated in China. And in the Mughal era, this work was called Chini or Kashi.
The monument is a standing building inside a small garden. The surrounding area is residential, and you could even find families having picnics or kids playing in the park. Similar to Itmad-Ud-Daula’s tomb, it is also situated next to the Yamuna river’s bank.
If you have an innate interest in history and architecture, a visit to Chini Ka Rauza will be a short yet fun trip. However, keep in mind that this building sits in a non-spacious locality, so you should be better off with your foot.
Okay, so you have seen what places to visit in Agra if you’ve just one day. Next up on the list are the places you can explore and things to do in Agra if you have more than a day.
These experiences will add a sense of exploration to your trip, and you’ll get to know Agra beyond the Taj and the conventional.
After the Taj Mahal, Agra is better known for its sweet Petha. This sweet is slightly delicate, aromatic, and feels so good in the mouth when engulfed wholly.
You can buy it in many flavors, such as Chocolate, Orange, Grape, Gulab Laddu, Doda Barfi, Paan, Saffron, and the classic one.
The main ingredient of the Petha is a local fruit named Ash Gourd. To witness the making of Petha, you should ask your local guide or a Petha shop.
Alternatively, you can also go to the “old lanes” of Agra – around Jama Masjid near the Agra Fort station. There, you can easily find shops with an in-house process of making. Just ask them politely, and they’ll take you to their manufacturing hub.
The magnificent and grand gate at the entrance of Akbar’s mausoleum in Sikandra will mesmerize you. This architecture was the most beautiful thing we’ve seen in Agra.
Akbar was known for his respect towards every religion and skilled and strategic rulership. When he was alive, he chose his burial place at Sikandra. The area was known as Bihistabad once, but after Alexander Lodi’s invasion in Agra, this place became Sikandra.
After Akbar died, his son Jahangir completed his mausoleum into what you see today.
As soon as you enter the magnificent gate, you’ll see the mausoleum resting in between, surrounded by lush green gardens from all sides. You can even see animals like deer antelope roaming freely.
When you reach here, take a pause, sit for some time and embrace the natural as well as human-made beauty. It’s not very often you’ll find such a beautiful amalgamation of architecture and natural beauty. This unique thing makes Sikandra one of the best places to visit in Agra.
Akbar had everything but a son. He longed for years to have a son but never birthed one unless he met Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint from a small village named Sikri. Akbar had a son and relieved himself from prolonged, groaning pain with his blessings.
He converted the Sikri village into a town filled with marvelous architecture in joy and gratitude. Today, UNESCO recognizes Fatehpur Sikri as a World Heritage site, and therefore it is one of the best places to visit around Agra if you’re a heritage lover.
The world’s highest gateway, Buland Darwaza, perches high, touching the blue sky, and sits proudly as Salim Chisti’s tomb entrance gate. The grandeur imposed on you once you stand in front of the Buland Darwaza is genuinely bewildering.
Come here and explore this whole town. Fatehpur is ~36 km from Agra, and it’d take more than half of your day to explore every monument inside. Jodha Bai’s Palace, Panch Mahal, Turkish House, Anoop Kund are some of the exciting buildings you’ll see inside.
Agra is a great city when it comes to food. If you’re from India, you know the popular Agra Petha. If not, let us tell you it’s a satiating sweet made of a particular kind of pumpkin.
Furthermore, there are many options for food lovers in Agra. The following table has some of the best options in the city:
| Food Item Name | Where Can You Eat? |
|---|---|
| Petha | Panchhi Petha, Munna Lal Petha Wale, Gopal Das Petha Wale |
| Bedai Poori and Jalebi | Railway Station, Sadar Bazar as well as at every nook and corner |
| Bhalla (Aloo Tikki) | Sadar Bazar and roadside stalls |
| Namkeen | Sadar Bazar, Panchi Petha, Munna Lal, Gopal Das, and other Namkeen shops |
| Mughlai Dishes | Sadar Bazar and Tajganj |
| Parantha | Street vendors |
Agra is much more than the Taj. And you’ll believe it once you do a heritage walk in Agra.
You can learn about the old streets, Havelis, shops, ancient temples, and markets of Agra. It’ll hardly take three to four hours of your days. Contact a local tour operator, ask your hotel, or get in touch with us for any help regarding the Agra heritage walk.
Taj Nature Walk is a park 500 meters from the east gate of the Taj Mahal.
It is a forested area spread over 70 hectares (172 acres), where many mesmerizing views of the Taj Mahal. Tickets are INR 25 for Indians and INR 100 for foreign tourists.
If you want to see the Taj Mahal without joining the crowd of the Taj Mahal, then take a ticket to Mehtab Bagh and see it in all glory. Seeing the Taj from the banks of Yamuna will be a different experience. You can sit in the garden or capture the Taj in different frames. Tickets are INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign tourists.
This drama center runs many stories, from Shah Jahan Mumtaz’s love story to the construction of the Taj Mahal. It would be best to visit it before visiting the Taj Mahal, as it will make your Taj viewing experience even better.
| Souvenir Name | Where to Buy It? |
|---|---|
| Leather goods | Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Shahganj Bazar, Munro Road |
| Marble models of the Taj Mahal, Pots, Boxes, Vases, and Sculptures | Marble Cottage (Fatehabad), near Taj Mahal and in other markets. |
| Rugs and Carpets | Near Taj Mahal, Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Munro Road, Shilpgram Craft Mela |
| Jewelry | Raja Ki Mandi Bazar, Fatehabad Road, and other markets. |
| Embroidered Fabrics And Silk Sarees | Subhash Bazar, Gems & Art Gallery |
| Petha | Panchhi Petha, Munna Lal Petha Wale, Gopal Das Petha Wale |
| Handicraft and metal utensils | Near Taj Mahal, Sadar Bazar, Munro Road, Shilpgram Craft Mela |
Agra is the most visited place in the country. There is always a crowd of foreign tourists in the country. Therefore, the local administration has paid particular attention to it. You will find public restrooms and proper sanitation in all places to visit in Agra.
All attractions in Agra are at a reasonable distance from each other. But there’s no need to panic. This city, which has many world heritage inside itself, is connected by local city bus, auto, cab, and taxi. It is effortless and economical to reach all the tourist places.
The following map will help you know the different attractions and their distance from each other in Agra.
Agra is well-connected with major railway stations in India. Most trains going from Delhi to Mumbai or South India pass through Agra.
Government and private buses operate daily from big cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Kanpur. The two major bus stations of Agra are Idgah Bus Stand and ISBT Agra.
The domestic airport of Agra is Khedia Airport. Being military-settled, only a few Air India flights are available. The nearest international airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (230 km).
The best time to visit Agra is from November to March, as summers are tormenting.
Another good time to visit Agra is to see the Taj Mahal is between August and October.
April-June is the summer season with scorching heat, while July-September is the monsoon season in Agra, when the weather can be humid at times.
The following table represents an estimate based on your plan and the number of days it can cost you.
| Your Plan | Number of Days Requirement |
|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | One day |
| Taj Mahal + Agra Fort + Sikandra + Itmad-ud-Daula | Two days |
| Taj Mahal + Fatehpur Sikri | Two days |
| All Places | Three Days |
| All Places + Heritage Walk of The City | Five Days |
The budget also depends on what kind of experience you want. However, the typical budget might look like this:
| Number of Days | For Indians | For Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| One day (Taj Mahal only) | INR 1,500 | INR 2,000 |
| Two Days (Taj Mahal + Fatehpur Sikri) | INR 2,500 | INR 3,000 |
| Three to four days (all locations) | INR 4,500 | INR 6,000 |
There is no shortage of accommodation options in Agra.
Everything is available, from affordable hostels homestays to 4 and 5-star hotels. Most hotels are in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Daula’s Tomb, and Chini Ka Rauza are the top places to visit in Agra.
Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri, and Mathura are the top places you can explore after Agra.
You can reach Agra via road, rail, or airways. The city lies on plains and is well-connected to every major city of India.
Agra is approximately 232 km from Delhi. You can travel via road, rail or airways.
Agra Petha’s main ingredient is a local fruit named Ash Gourd. The fruit is cut into pieces, boiled, and then soaked in molasses to become Petha. There are various flavors of Petha available that you can buy in Agra.
The Agra Lucknow distance is ~180 km. You can reach Agra via railways, roadways, and airways from Lucknow.
Agra is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is known worldwide for having the seventh wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal.
Agra is a must-visit for every traveler and enthusiast. The city has one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. And if you look beyond Taj, you’ll fall in love with Agra even more.
The imprints of colonial rule, mesmerizing Mughal architecture, sweet dish Petha, and mouth-watering street foods are some of the memorable experiences you’ll have in Agra.
As you come across it, you’ll know that there are more places to visit in Agra after the Taj. And to wholly cover Agra, you’ll need more than just one day.
See you there at the Taj!
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 one. Your small steps like this one can make the world clean and green.
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