WHAT TO DO IN AGRA, INDIA.
Agra is one of the most visited cities in India. You will find Agra in northern India, Uttar Pradesh state. People come from all over the world to Agra for one reason; this town is famous because it is home to the iconic Taj Mahal.
(1) Taj Mahal is a must visit.
The Mughal king Shah Jahan built this magnificent monument for this wife who died in childbirth in 1631. The beauty of the Taj Mahal cannot be described in words; it can only be seen and felt. The maculate ivory white marble, the open gardens, the water fountains are just magical. It has been my childhood dream to visit Taj Mahal. All I can say, everything I imagined as a child about my visit to Taj Mahal came true. Been an old-school romantic I was in awe of the story of why Taj Mahal was built, after my visit, I now am mesmerized by everything Taj represents and the elegance of the architecture explains why this is one of the seven wonders of the world.
Allow yourself 3 hours at least to enjoy your visit. Expect for big crowds when you are at Taj Mahal, patience is essential.
(2) Tomb of I’timād-Ud-Daulah
Tomb of I’timad-Ud-Daulah is a Mughal style white marble building; it is also referred as Baby Taj or Jewel Box.
(3) Jama Mosque, Agra
Built from 1648 in the Mughal style, opposite the Agra Fort and overlooking the Agra Fort Railway Station. It is one of the largest mosques in India.
(4) The Markets
Shopping for local art and craft is one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling. Remember to make an offer on the price, as there is always a room for negotiating.
(6) Agra Fort
Agra Fort was the primary residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, and then the capital was moved from Agra. UNESCO World Heritage site. Allow yourself at least 3 hours to enjoy your visit.
Tips and Advice
A little note to make your visit even more enjoyable is do not pay for a guide outside the Taj Mahal (you do not need a tour guide), people are trying to sell everything and anything be prepared for that, avoid visiting in the weekend and public holidays. Pickpocketing is a big problem so keep an eye on all your belonging.
First-time travelers should be careful about eating and drinking. Bottled water, such as Bisleri or Aquafina is readily available in all hotels and shops and is the safest form of drinkable water. The food can be too spicy, especially for foreigners, so the best bet is to try eating where they can change food for your taste, such as in hotel restaurants. Alcohol is readily available all over the city, but be advised to purchase it from licensed shops rather than individual bootleggers. The best months to travel to Agra are winter (November–March), and Monsoon (August–November). Do not travel to India without Travel Insurance.
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Wow, it sounds really stupid but I never knew the name of the city where the Taj Mahal is located. Thanks for teaching me something new!
would love to shop in the local markets! Do you know what are the best souvenirs from Agra? something very authentic
I didn’t know Taj Mahal is in Agra (apologies for my poor geography. LOL). It’s good to know that there are plenty of places to see here aside from the iconic Taj Mahal.. For one, the Tomb of I’timād-Ud-Daulah and the Jama Mosque sounds very interesting!
I love how you’ve included some travel tips and advices too. I love spicy food, but not too spicy.. So this is pretty good to know when I get to visit Taj Mahal and Agra in general!
Seldom people talk about the other monuments that Agra has, apart from Taj Mahal. Good compilation.
When I first started reading and you mentioned about Agra being very popular with tourists, I was like “okay, I’ve never heard of it before”. That all changed when you named Taj Mahal being the main attraction. Would love to visit and admire the architecture there! 🙂
I’d really like to visit Agra one day! India is still high on my list of countries to visit, and the Taj Mahal looks spectacular! Can’t wait to see it for myself one day!
Agra is synonym to Taj Mahal. I am glad that you wrote this article, covering other spots worth visiting in Agra. I remember going there as a kid with my parents – one of the most fond of my travel memories.
Really great list, and I especially enjoyed your added personal tips! I haven’t been to Agra yet, but now i’m really looking forward to my trip 🙂
Lovely temples and buildings! India is one of the countries that we want to visit when we get the chance to travel abroad. So much history and culture there! We would also like to check out the local food scene. 🙂