Visitors from around the world flock to Agra to see India’s most famous attraction: the Taj Mahal. While the white-marble mausoleum is certainly the city’s biggest draw, there are plenty of other things to do in Agra. It’s worth lingering after your Taj Mahal visit to check out historical attractions such as the red-sandstone Agra Fort—a former imperial city that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and spend time visiting a few of the city’s numerous Mughal Empire-era tombs.
The best time to visit Agra is between November and March when the weather is relatively cool. Avoid coming from April to June, as the soaring temperatures make visiting outdoor attractions such as Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal uncomfortable. If possible, try to plan your trip to coincide with the five days around the full moon—during this time, the Taj Mahal’s viewing platform will be open for evening visits (except during Ramadan).
Most people get around Agra by auto rickshaw (tuk-tuk) or taxi. While these are easy to hail, ride-booking apps such as Ola and Uber offer a good alternative. However, only electric vehicles are permitted within a 1,640-foot (500-meter) radius of the Taj Mahal; a battery-operated shuttle bus runs between the ticket office and the West Gate and is included with Taj Mahal tickets for foreigners.
If you’re looking to get a great shot of the Taj Mahal (or you just want to breathe a bit of fresh air), head over to the Taj Nature Walk on East Gate Road. Featuring meandering paths lined with foliage, this manicured park has four different viewpoints that look out onto the Taj Mahal in the distance.
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Agra’s top attraction is the Taj Mahal, and while a visit to this iconic monument is reason enough to visit the city, there are plenty of other popular attractions worth seeing. These include the Agra Fort, the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj), Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden), and the 17th-century Chini ka Rauza funerary monument.
...MoreYes, one day is enough for Agra, and many people visit the city as a day trip from Delhi or Jaipur. In one day, you’ll be able to see the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, after which you’ll have enough time left to do some shopping or visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah.
...MoreSpend your first day in Agra visiting the city’s most important attraction—the Taj Mahal—and exploring Agra Fort, wrapping your day up with a visit to the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj). On your second day, head to the nearby ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site less than an hour away.
...MoreYes, it is worth going inside the Taj Mahal. An entry ticket to the mausoleum allows you to explore the grounds of the Taj Mahal and enter its main chamber to view the tombs of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
...MoreFood (including candy and gum), cigarettes, lighters, tripods, and electronic devices (such as headphones and phone chargers) are not allowed past the Taj Mahal entry gates. Phones and cameras are allowed, but photography is prohibited inside the mausoleum. While you can wear shoes, you'll be required to put on shoe covers.
...MoreWhile you should be prepared for crowds no matter when you visit the Taj Mahal, the monument is slightly less busy first thing in the morning. Note that people line up well before sunrise, so get to the gates early to be first in line. Lines are usually shorter at the East Gate.
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