Photos don’t really prepare you for the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white marble turns pink and then gold. Agra itself is busy, but with an early start you can see the Taj, the fort and the “Baby Taj” in a day, and Fatehpur Sikri on the way to or from Jaipur.
Highlights
- Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed on Fridays)
- Agra Fort, with views across the Yamuna to the Taj
- Itimad-ud-Daulah, the “Baby Taj”
- Mehtab Bagh for a sunset view of the Taj from across the river
- Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s red-sandstone capital, on the Jaipur road
What to eat
- Petha (candied ash gourd)
- Bedai and jalebi for breakfast
- Mughlai curries and kebabs
Where to stay
Hotels near the Taj’s East Gate let you walk to the entrance for sunrise.
Getting there
Fast trains from Delhi take under 2-3 hours, or drive the Yamuna Expressway. Many visitors do Agra as a long day trip from Delhi, but staying the night means you can see the Taj at dawn without a 4 a.m. start.
Tips
- Buy Taj tickets online on the official ASI site and arrive at opening for the fewest crowds.
- Large bags, food and tripods aren’t allowed inside: travel light.
- Ignore touts at the gates; licensed guides carry ID.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Agra
- Banke Bihari, Vrindavan Krishna as Banke Bihari
- Prem Mandir, Vrindavan Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir Krishna and Balaram
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura The birthplace of Krishna
- Govardhan Hill and Barsana Govardhan parikrama and Radha’s town of Barsana
Places to see in and around Agra
26 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Taj Mahal World Heritage Site, 1 km
- Fatehpur Sikri World Heritage Site, 39 km
- Agra Fort World Heritage Site, 2 km
- Akbar's Tomb Tomb, 10 km
- Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah Tomb, 3 km
- Jama Masjid Mosque, 3 km
- The Oberoi Amarvilas Palace hotel, 0 km
- Moti Masjid Mosque, 2 km
- Tomb of Salim Chishti Tomb, 38 km
- Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb, 11 km
- Nagina Masjid Mosque, 2 km
- Chini Ka Rauza Monument, 3 km
- Mehtab Bagh Garden, 1 km
- Jahangiri Mahal Palace, 2 km
- Keetham Lake Lake, 21 km
- Humanyun Mosque Mosque, 1 km
- Akbar's Church Temple, 4 km
- Mina Mosque Mosque, 2 km
- Akbari Mahal Palace, 2 km
- Jodha Bai Mahal Palace, 38 km
- Guru ka Tal Gurdwara, 9 km
- Mankameshwar Temple Temple, 3 km
- Shah Jahani Mahal Palace, 2 km
- Chauburji Monument, 3 km
And 2 more on our Uttar Pradesh map.
Food to try in and around Agra
Uttar Pradesh favourites to look out for.
- Dum biryani
- Kebabs
- Nahari kulcha
- Sheermal
- Roomali roti
- Warqi paratha
- Samosa
- Kachori
- Chaat
- Sheer qorma
- Zarda
- Hathras Hing GI: spice or chilli
The full food passport, state by state.
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