Our suggested Things-to-do in Agra, India

If you are travelling all the way to Agra, we suggest giving the town at least 2 days. Visiting The Taj Mahal could be the top of your agenda and understandably so, but there are more things you can do which are so worth it.

Getting to Agra: The most preferred way for international travellers is to get to New Delhi and from there, drive down or hire a taxi to bring you to Agra via the Yamuna Expressway, which takes about 3.5 hours. Another convenient option is to take the Gatimaan Express, Indian Railways train that starts from Hazrat Nizamuddin train station in New Delhi and gets to Agra Cantt train station in 90 mins.

If you’re in another nearby town like Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi etc. travelling by road is viable although it takes a bit longer. When it comes to flights, there are no direct international flights (as of writing this post). Only domestic flights operate which you may check online.

Now let’s move on to our suggested things to do in Agra:

The Taj Mahal

The best time to visit the Taj is early morning as there are less crowds. It’s open from sunrise to sunset and there is no limit to the time you want to spend there once inside. See more info here.

A lot has been said about this monument of love so we won’t elaborate but it is a beautiful structure so do queue up, go up-to the main platform and visit the tombs inside.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This fort was built by Mughal ruler Akbar in red sandstone. It served as the royal residence as well as a military strategic base. The fort is well maintained so you will be able to admire the structure. You also get views of the Taj from the fort. More info here.

Mohabbat The Taj Show

In the evening, catch a song and dance show called Mohabbat The Taj at Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center. A retelling of the story of emperor Shah Jahan and the love for his queen Mumtaz Mahal leading up to the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Mehtab Bagh

If you are yearning to get another unobstructed view of the Taj without the hassle of queuing up and getting inside the main compound, head to Mehtab Bagh (gardens across the Yamuna river, opposite the Taj Mahal) where you get clear views of the monument. Best time to go would be the sunset which also gives a great photo opportunity.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is another amazing historic monument worth visiting. It’s the first planned city built by the Mughals and a UNESCO World Heritage site as well. It was also built by emperor Akbar and served as the Mughal capital for 10 years. It houses different buildings within the compounds so give the place at least 2-3 hours. It’s an hour drive away from Agra so plan accordingly. More info here.

If you have an appetite for more architectural marvels, here are our suggestions:

Sikandra – the Tomb of Akbar the Great. It’s a beautiful building made of red sandstone and marble and has been maintained quite well. More info here.

Itmad-ut-Daula – a beautiful mausoleum made entirely of marble known for it’s intricate carvings. More info here.

A few other Frequently Asked Questions:

• When to visit: Best time to visit Agra is in the months of Nov – Feb when it’s cooler, while Oct and Mar are the shoulder months. Besides, do not to visit on a Friday as most monuments are closed for public viewing.
• Getting around the town: Public transport is not great, best is to hire your own car rental with a driver. Trust us when we tell you, you don’t want to drive yourself in Agra if you are a foreigner.
• Accommodation: Agra offers all types of accommodation – from 5-star hotels, Airbnbs to budget stays. Look for a stay around Sadar or Fatehabad Road as it’s closer to the monuments.
• Food is great in Agra, especially the north indian mughlai food. Think tikkas, kebabs and garlic naan. The Salt Cafe, The Palm Burj and Pinch of Spice are just a few of the nice options to try.

We hope this post gives you a few more ideas on what to do in Agra. And if you fancy Agra’s Favourite Breakfast then check out our vlog here.