There is a bit more Agra just a quick visit to the Taj Mahal. Whether you are doing a day trip from Delhi to Agra, or part of a golden triangle trip in India, if you are heading to Agra then this post for you! Top things to do in

 

Agra in one day including sample Agra itinerary for one day and Agra itinerary for 2 days. Includes all the best places to visit in Agra on a day trip, things to do in Agra at night, perfect for those doing the 2 day Agra itinerary and the best Agra tours to check out. Tips on all the Unesco world heritage sites to check out, how to do an Agra trip from Delhi via the railway station easily accessible in both cities.

 

A lot of travelers have the iconic Taj Mahal on their bucket list, the love story alone behind this magnificent tomb is enough to draw millions of people to Agra.  Having seen the beautiful Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, I had much more of an appreciation for the Taj Mahal as Humayun’s Tomb was what really gave birth to the idea of creating the Taj Mahal. You can read about that in my post. I wonder if that hadn’t come before it, as to whether we would have the Taj Mahal today.

 

There are many things to do in Agra city beyond the Taj Mahal from experiencing views of the beautiful Taj Mahal as you sip afternoon tea at Oberoi Hotel, to mingling in Agra’s markets to taking in the reach history of Agra Fort. You can visit the Agra on a day trip from Delhi or your can stay a day or two. You can check out my post on how to get from Delhi to Agra by train, car or bus.

 

Also See:

• 13 Places To See In New Delhi
• Where To Stay In New Delhi
• Top Tips For Visiting Taj Mahal
•  5 Reasons You Will Love New Delhi
• Why You Need To Visit Humayun’s Tomb In Delhi

 

Things To Do In Agra In One Day | Places to visit In Agra In A Day Trip

 

Ideally, you will want to spend at least 2 days in Agra so that you can fully appreciate the beautiful sights in Agra but if time is limited the below are also things to do in Agra in one day. If you have more time I would highly recommend you revisit Taj Mahal the following day but perphaps from a different angle like from across the river. Also below is a sample Agra itinerary for one day on how to spend a day in Agra.

 

The Taj Mahal

 

First things, first. One cannot visit Agra and not visit the Taj Mahal, a Unesco world heritage site. Yes, it may be crowded at times but all noise and the pitta-patta of feet loses its volume as you are just in awe of the beauty of the Taj Mahal. The intricate details of semi-precious stones inlaid into marble. The details and thought that weight into everything all the way down to the gates and fixtures on them to represent how long it took to build from start to finish.

 

Truly a sight to behold and one that cannot be rushed. Take it in from all angles and if you can from across the river. I have linked above to my post on our Visit to see the Taj Mahal in addition to my tips for visiting the Taj Mahal.

 

 

Explore Agra Fort

Having braved the crowds or the Indian Summer, depending on your visit. A visit to the important 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. This is a short rickshaw ride from the Taj Mahal. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. 

 

The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid – a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl. If you are with a knowledgeable tour guide you will learn about the many Emperors and their many wives and the lavish lifestyles of past time. Truly fascinating listening to the stories, they almost bring the building to life and suddenly you can imagine how people lived within the walls of the Fort.

 

If you cannot bring a guide I would highly recommend coming with a guidebook. Buildings without the stories behind them have no meaning and no soul to them. Don’t forget that Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638 so if buildings could talk…

 

 

Fatehpur Sikri In Agra

 

In addition to Agra Fort if time permits, I would also add another UNESCO treasure in Agra that is Fatehpur Sikri.

 

The Taj Mahal features on almost every Indian itinerary; its emotional draw is unimaginable. However, there is another monument, not too far that fascinates travellers with its story. The 440-year-old World Heritage Site Fatehpur Sikri, or the City of Victory, was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th Century after the prophecy, of a Sufi saint living in the village of Sikri came true and Akhbar’s heir was born.

 

The first planned Mughal city came as a tribute to the saint, featuring public buildings, residences, mosques and royal palaces. The Jama Masjid here is one of the largest mosques in the country.

 

 

See Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah aka  Baby Taj

 

Another one of the cool tourist spots in Agra, India you need to check out is the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum in Agra. Often described as a “jewel box”, sometimes called the Baby Taj, the tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal. Baby Taj is the tomb of Mir Ghiyas Beg and was built years before Taj Mahal.

 

Mir Ghiyas Beg, a Persian nobleman was Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather and Emperor Jehangir’s wazir (chief minister). His daughter, Nur Jahan, who married Jehangir, built the tomb between 1622 and 1628, in a style similar to the tomb she built for Jehangir near Lahore in Pakistan. Mumtaz Mahal who we know, died in 1631 in, during the birth of her fourteenth child is now synonymous with the Taj Mahal.

 

Built by Shah Jahan had as a mausoleum for her, which is considered to be a monument of “undying love”.  India is filled with many more of these beautiful tombs around the country.

 

 

With the history build the material and methods used to construct the Taj Mahal, one cannot miss on on the many shops selling marble fixtures. From jewellery boxes to plates, and chairs. Most of these shops will most likely have someone on hand to demonstrate the process of in-lay in Marble with various stones.

 

While the Taj Mahal is something one must experience in India, so is the food! After a busy day of sightseeing, head to the chaat gali (snack street) of Sadar Bazaar market. Home to famous chaat shops Shri Agrawal Chat House and Agra Chat Bhandar, this neighborhood is a delight for the taste buds.

 

There is a wealth of delights to sample, from flavor-filled samosas, authentic curries, and the fluffy besan ka cheela (crepes made with chickpea flour). Finish with Agra’s famous petha, a gooey sweet made of pumpkin. If sampling the food is not enough, you can also sign up for cooking classes in Agra to learn how some the delicious Indian food is made.

 

 

Sample Agra Itinerary For One Day

 

If you only have one full day in Agra, below the perfect one day Agra Itinerary exploring some of the tourists spots in Agra mentioned above.

 

10 am

Explore Taj Mahal, its gardens, mosque and take in all the details, angles and the beautiful gates.

 

12.30pm

Explore Agra Fort and the many rooms the royal family and the concubines lived in. Make sure to take in the views of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort.

 

2.30pm

Explore the Markets and Jewellery stalls of Kinari and Sadar Bazaars. Sadar Bazaar is a popular shopping destination for tourists visiting Agra. It is located close to Agra Cantonment railway station and is in proximity to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Buy one of two items to take back home. Here you can also check out a few snacks to keep you going. as there is something special awaiting you later.

 

4.30 pm

Take to the luxury Oberoi Villas for afternoon tea. While they do afternoon separately you can also choose to have a day tour of Agra with a guide combined with Afternoon Tea at one of the luxury Agra hotels that comes with amazing views of Taj Mahal.

 

7pm

Explore the party scene in Agra or do a night tour. If you are in Agra over the weekend the city comes alive with plenty of places to visit in Agra on a Friday night.

 

 

  

 

Sample Agra Itinerary For 2 Days

 

If you have 2 days in Agra, in addition to the above one day itinerary, below is how to spend a day in Agra for day 2. Combine that above itinerary with the one below to give you two 2 full days of exploring tourist places around Agra that are must-sees.

 

6.30am

If you had an overnight stay in Agra the perfect way to start is to see Taj Mahal at sunrise. For times on the best times to visit and which gets are open, check out my post for tips on visiting Taj Mahal.

 

9am

Head back to the hotel for breakfast.

 

12pm

Head to explore Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah aka Baby Taj and admire the details on this mini Taj Mahal.

 

2.30pm

Explore the beautiful Fatehpur Sikri shown above in the video. (Distance between Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri is about one hour)

 

5.30 pm

Dinner at the hotel or many of the authentic curry houses in Agra.

 

7pm

Free time…

 

Things To Do In Agra At Night

 

If you have run through the above list of things to do in Agra and are staying in Agra for the night then the to get a taste of things to do at night in Agra:

• Check out the party scene at Thor Party World in downtown Agra. Dance the night at away and experience the nightlife in Agra in this upscale nightclub that only accommodates about 100 people.
• Hang out at Sheroes –  a little hangout place that is run by women survivors of acid attacks.

 

 

How To Get To Agra From Delhi

 

You can fly directly to New Delhi and from there are options of using a tour service, train, bus or car hire with driver or taxi. I will cover these in my next post so look out for that. In the meantime, you can also check out my post on 13 places to see in Delhi. For more on how to get to Agra check out my post with details on buses from Delhi to Agra as well as trains and car rentals in Delhi.

 

 

There is so much to see beyond the Taj Mahal that a day in Agra is simply not enough. In addition to that point with the inexpensive price of the ticket, it may be worth visiting the Taj Mahal again before leaving the city.

 

Failing that there are also hotels with amazing views of the Taj Mahal from your very own room, bathroom or even balcony. Imagine dinning to views of the Taj as you sip wine at The Oberoi Hotel or chilling by the pool with views of the Taj Mahal from Radisson or Hilton hotel.

 

There are plenty of hotels f near the Taj Mahal and those with views of the Taj Mahal. Prices ranges are dependant on your style and travel budget. You can also opt for hotels near Agra Fort which also have a lovely view of the Taj Mahal.

 

 

 

 

Booking.com

 

 

More on India on the blog:

• How to Get From Delhi to Agra
• Tips for a Stress-free Visit to the Taj Mahal
• Humayun’s Tomb – A Tomb That Gave Birth to the Idea of Taj Mahal

 

So, have you explored India’s golden triangle or explore many of the places to visit in Agra listed above?

 

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