What Are the Must-See Places in Agra Besides the Taj Mahal?

Most visitors to Agra come for one thing — the Taj Mahal. And while the Taj is undeniably one of humanity's greatest architectural achievements, Agra offers so much more. This city built by Mughal emperors is crammed with extraordinary heritage — a walled city (one of UNESCO's finest), a ghost city, exquisite tombs, and garden pavilions that rival anything the subcontinent has produced. Here is your complete guide to getting the most out of Agra.

Getting to Agra from Delhi: Agra is 233 km from Delhi via the Yamuna Expressway — a smooth 3–3.5 hour journey. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Agra cabs starting at ₹2,499 — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. Depart Delhi by 5:30–6 AM for a sunrise Taj visit.

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1. The Taj Mahal — Getting It Right

Before exploring beyond the Taj, make sure you experience it correctly. Most people do it wrong.

Entry Fees (2025):
- Indians: ₹50 (main complex) + ₹200 (mausoleum interior)
- Foreign nationals: ₹1,100 + ₹200 (mausoleum)
- SAARC nationals: ₹540

Timings: Sunrise to sunset, Sunday to Friday. Closed Friday.

Best times to visit:
- Sunrise (6:00–7:30 AM): Soft golden light, relatively empty, the Taj reflecting in the pool is magical
- Late afternoon (4:00–5:30 PM): Warm reddish light, less crowded than midday
- Full moon nights: Special night viewing — 5 nights around each full moon, 8 PM to midnight, limited 400-person entry per night. Book through ASI at www.asi.nic.in.

Gates: The West Gate (near Taj Ganj) and South Gate are most used. North Gate (near Mehtab Bagh) is least crowded.

Pro Tips:
- Wear or carry socks — footwear must be removed at the plinth base (shoe covers ₹5 available)
- Professional photography tripods are not allowed
- Water bottles, food, and selfie sticks are banned inside

Official Taj Mahal info: www.tajmahal.gov.in



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2. Agra Fort — Mughal Power and Pathos

2.5 km from Taj Mahal | Open: Sunrise to Sunset | Closed: Friday

Entry: Indians ₹40, Foreigners ₹550 (includes audio guide)

If the Taj Mahal represents Mughal romance, Agra Fort represents Mughal power. This massive red sandstone and marble fortress was the seat of Mughal Empire power from Akbar to Aurangzeb (1556–1658). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Key structures inside:

Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audiences) — where the Emperor held court for common petitions. The carved marble throne platform is the focal point.

Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences) — where the Emperor met dignitaries and foreign ambassadors. The twin pavilions here are exquisitely carved.

Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) — The walls and ceilings are covered in tiny convex mirror tiles — a single candle creates the illusion of a star-filled sky. Similar to Amber Fort's Sheesh Mahal but different in design.

Khas Mahal — Shah Jahan's private apartment with a marble terrace overlooking the Yamuna. The Taj Mahal is visible from here — deeply poignant when you know Shah Jahan was imprisoned in this fort by his son Aurangzeb and could only view his wife's tomb through the window until his death.

Musamman Burj — the octagonal tower where Shah Jahan spent his final years of imprisonment. The most emotionally resonant spot in all of Agra.

Jahangiri Mahal — Built by Akbar for his Rajput wives, this is the only purely Hindu-style structure in the fort — a fascinating contrast to the later Mughal marble palaces.

Time needed: 2–2.5 hours



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3. Fatehpur Sikri — Akbar's Abandoned Capital

40 km from Agra | 1 hour drive | Open: Sunrise to Sunset

Entry: Indians ₹40, Foreigners ₹550

Fatehpur Sikri is one of India's most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites — a complete Mughal capital city abandoned in 1585 just 14 years after its construction. Built by Emperor Akbar between 1571–1585, the entire complex is carved from red sandstone in a unique blend of Hindu, Islamic, Persian, and Jain architectural styles.

Why was it abandoned? Most historians cite water scarcity — the city's water supply proved insufficient. The mystery adds to its haunting atmosphere.

Key monuments:

Buland Darwaza — The "Gate of Magnificence" is one of the largest gateways in the world at 54m height. Built to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat. The inscriptions at the top read: "The world is a bridge — pass over it but build no houses upon it."

Jama Masjid — One of India's finest mosques. The courtyard can hold 10,000 worshippers.

Dargah of Salim Chishti — White marble tomb of the Sufi saint who predicted the birth of Akbar's son (later Emperor Jahangir). Women tie threads on the marble lattice screens to pray for children — a moving sight.

Panch Mahal — Five-storey sandstone pleasure palace with 176 different carved columns — no two are alike.

Diwan-i-Khas — Hall of Private Audience with a magnificent central column (the "Throne Pillar") from which four suspended walkways radiate.

Jodha Bai's Palace — The largest residential complex, built for Akbar's Rajput queens.

Time needed: 2–3 hours

Pro Tip: Arrive early (7–8 AM) before tour buses arrive. The silence of the abandoned city in early morning light is extraordinary.

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4. Itmad-ud-Daulah — The Baby Taj

6 km from Taj Mahal | Open: Sunrise to Sunset | Closed: Friday

Entry: Indians ₹35, Foreigners ₹310

Often overshadowed by the Taj Mahal just a few kilometres away, the Itmad-ud-Daulah (Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Beg) is a masterpiece in its own right — and is in fact the first Mughal monument built entirely in white marble, predating the Taj by 20 years.

Built by Empress Nur Jahan (the most powerful woman in Mughal history) for her father between 1622–1628, this relatively small but exquisitely detailed tomb introduced the pietra dura technique (marble inlaid with semi-precious stones) that was later used magnificently at the Taj Mahal.

Why it's special:
- The first marble Mughal building (Akbar's buildings are red sandstone)
- Every surface is covered in intricate pietra dura floral and geometric inlays
- The delicate latticework (jali) screens are the finest in Agra
- Almost no foreign tourists visit — you often have it nearly to yourself

The contrast between the red sandstone Agra Fort and the white marble of this tomb (built simultaneously) illustrates the evolution of Mughal architectural thinking.



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5. Mehtab Bagh — Best Taj Mahal View in Agra

Opposite the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna | Open: Sunrise to Sunset

Entry: Indians ₹20, Foreigners ₹300

Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) is a large Mughal garden directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Babur and restored by Shah Jahan, this garden offers the finest view of the Taj Mahal — seeing it from the garden side rather than the main facade gives you the full black Taj legend context.

Why visit Mehtab Bagh:
- Sunset view of Taj Mahal from the far bank — as the sun sets behind you, the Taj glows golden and reflects in the Yamuna below it. This is the best photography position in Agra.
- Almost no tourist crowds compared to the main Taj complex
- Archaeological excavation site — octagonal pond visible where the "Black Taj" legend originated
- Early morning mist over the Yamuna with the Taj behind it is extraordinary

Pro Tip: Visit Mehtab Bagh at 5:00–6:30 PM (winter) or 6:00–7:30 PM (summer) for the golden hour Taj view. This is the shot that makes Agra trips unforgettable.

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6. Chini Ka Rauza — The Persian Tile Tomb

1 km from Itmad-ud-Daulah

Entry: Free

This largely forgotten tomb of Afzal Khan (Shah Jahan's Prime Minister) is one of the few Mughal buildings in India decorated with colourful Persian glazed tile work (similar to Iranian mosques). The building is partially ruined but the remaining tile decoration is beautiful and completely unlike anything else in Agra. Almost no tourists visit.

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7. Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra

10 km northwest of Agra | Open: Sunrise to Sunset

Entry: Indians ₹25, Foreigners ₹310

The Tomb of Emperor Akbar at Sikandra is a remarkable 5-storey structure that Akbar began building for himself and his son Jahangir completed after Akbar's death in 1605.

The tomb is an architectural experiment — each of the 4 floors uses a different style (Islamic arches on the lower floors, pure white marble chhatri pavilions at the top). The approach is through a beautiful garden with black bucks, chital deer, and monkeys.

The intricate mosaic work on the gateway (Buland Darwaza of Sikandra) is extraordinary.

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Suggested 1-Day Agra Itinerary

6:00 AM: Taj Mahal at sunrise — 2.5 hours
9:00 AM: Agra Fort — 2 hours
11:30 AM: Itmad-ud-Daulah — 1 hour
1:00 PM: Lunch at Peshawri (ITC Mughal) or Mama Chicken
2:30 PM: Drive to Fatehpur Sikri — 2.5 hours
5:30 PM: Return to Mehtab Bagh for sunset Taj view
7:00 PM: Depart for Delhi

Day 2 (if staying overnight): Akbar's Tomb, Chini Ka Rauza, Agra bazaar shopping (marble inlay souvenirs)

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Where to Eat in Agra

- Peshawri Restaurant (ITC Mughal Hotel) — finest Mughlai cuisine in Agra, splurge-worthy
- Dasaprakash — legendary South Indian restaurant on Gwalior Road, known for ice creams and sweets since 1956
- Mama Chicken — Sadar Bazaar, famous for Mughlai dishes including excellent biryani
- Shankara Vegis — near Taj Ganj, popular with backpackers for cheap and excellent vegetarian food
- Agra's famous petha (white gourd sweet) — buy from Pancchi Petha stores (the most reliable brand)

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Where to Stay in Agra

- Budget: Hotel Sheela, Tourists Rest House (₹800–2,000)
- Mid-range: Hotel Mansingh, Clarks Shiraz (₹3,000–6,000)
- Luxury: Oberoi Amarvilas (Taj Mahal view from every room, ₹35,000+), ITC Mughal (₹12,000–20,000)

UP Tourism: www.uptourism.gov.in

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EZPZ Taxi for Agra Trips

EZPZ Taxi is Delhi's trusted cab service for Agra day trips and overnights. Fixed fares, no surge, driver waits throughout your Agra sightseeing.

Call: +91-9871121217 | Book: ezpztaxi.com

First time in Agra or a repeat visitor? What surprised you most? Share your tips below!