Places to Visit in Agra

Situated on the banks of the holy river Yamuna and having the administrative headquarters of the Agra District and Division in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra, which is famous for Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders in the world, is counted among the most visited tourist destinations all over India as well as the world. The three sites of Agra, namely Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, which are recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Sites, have made this city one of the most visited tourist destinations of the world.

Lovingly called the ‘Land of Palaces’, this city, which is an ideal spot for a tourist and students of architecture, is also home to the tombs and mosques with an abundance of charming and intricate architecture. Being well designed, this grand city, which has become synonymous with the Indian history, has its deep attachment with rich culture, architecture, history and religion. Being among the most significant preferred destinations of the world wide tour lovers, this magnificent city provides its visitors the opportunity of visiting monuments, religious places, palaces, forts and other places. Agra is comprised on the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Jaipur.

Places to See in Agra :

In and around the Agra city, one can easily observe the heritage of the Mughal dynasty and their enticing forts, tombs, etc. This city has also other places and monuments, which are renowned for their charm and importance.

1. Taj Mahal

Recognized in 1983 A.D. by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal, which is located on the south bank of the river Yamuna in the Agra city, is the most beautiful & renowned and most photographed mausoleum made of ivory white colored marble. Believed to have been commissioned in 1632 A.D. and wholly finalized in 1653 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal Complex, which is counted among the seven wonders in the world in the medieval period. This lovely mausoleum has the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Shah Jahan. This mausoleum is also home to the tomb of Shah Jahan. Inside the Taj Mahal Complex, you can also visit a museum without any additional fee.

Entry Fees:

Indian : INR 40/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 1000/- (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Fridays and Indian National Holidays) Open at Night between 08:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. on a Full moon night, two days before and after (except Fridays and the month of Ramadan).

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2. Agra Fort

Situated in Agra at a distance of approx 2.5 km northwest of its more renowned sister monument (the Taj Mahal), the Agra Fort, which can be more apparently mentioned as a walled city built of red sandstone, is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. Commissioned in 1565 A.D. and completed in 1573 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, this fort, which was brought to its current conditioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar, is counted among the most visited tourist attractions of India. Being approx semi circular in its shape, the Agra Fort complex houses the distinguished buildings, namely the Jahangir’s Palace, Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, Diwan e Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan e Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Shish Mahal, Khas Mahal and Musamman Burj, Saman Burj, Shah Burj or the Octagonal Tower.

Entry Fees:

Indian : INR 40/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner: INR 550/- (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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3. Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)

Often called the ‘Baby Taj’ and sometimes mentioned as a ‘Jewel Box’, the Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, which is often considered as a draft of the Taj Mahal, is a Mughal mausoleum situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Agra city. Constructed on the order of Noor Jahan Begum (the wife of Jahangir) for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Bagh, who was esteemed with the title of I'timād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). This title gave the name to this mausoleum. This mausoleum, which houses the cenotaphs of both the father and mother of Noor Jahan lay side by side, has its walls constructed of white marble and embedded with semi precious stones.

Entry Fees:

Indian : INR 20/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 210/- (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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4. Fatehpur Sikri

Being a city in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh situated at a distance of approx 36 km from the Agra City, Fatehpur Sikri (formerly ‘Vijaypur Sikri’), which was founded in 1569 by its current name by the Emperor Akbar and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 A.D. to 1585 A.D., has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site. Most of the buildings of this historic city, which was built of red sandstone, are counted among the top tourist attractions of India. The sightseeing places of Fatehpur Sikri include the Buland Darwaza, the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, the Diwan e Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan e Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Ibadat Khana, the Hujra i Anup Talao, the Mariam uz Zamani’s (Heer Kunwari/Jodha Bai’s) Palace, the Naubat Khana, the Pachisi Court, the Birbal’s House and the Anup Talao. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best protected collections of the Indian Mughal architecture in India.

Entry Fees:

Indian : (Ticket Type: Adult) INR 40/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 510/ (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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5. Akbar's Tomb (Sikandra fort)

Reflecting the secular outlook and philosophy of Akbar in its combination of the best of Muslim and Hindu architecture, and located on the grounds at Sikandara, a suburb of Agra in the western periphery of the Agra City at a distance of 13 km from the Agra Fort, the Akbar's Tomb, which is the last resting spot of Akbar the Great, is counted among the protected monuments in India. Constructed of precious red sandstone, this glorious fort, which was commissioned by Akbar and finalized by Jahangir (the son of Akbar), is surrounded by a charming lush garden. Commissioned in 1605 A.D. by Akbar and completed in 1613 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir (the son of Akbar), this tomb owns its external entrance gate, looking like the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra.

Entry Fees:

Indian (Ticket Type: Adult) INR 20/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 210/- (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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6. Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, Sikandara

Situated at a distance of 1 km north of Sikandara, a suburb of Agra, the Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, which was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in memory of his mother Mariam-uz-Zamani, and the Hindu consort of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, is regarded as one of the most charming mausoleums in India. In spite of being immensely plain in its size, this magnificent tomb, which has a unique blend of the architecture of the Hindu and Islamic styles, is a large red sandstone structure with intricate carvings surrounding its outer walls. The tomb owns no domes and large Chhatris atop the corners of the building. This thing has the paradox of the other monuments of the Mughals.

Entry Fees:

Indian : (Ticket Type: Adult) INR 15/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 200/ (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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7. Ram Bagh

Being the oldest Mughal Garden in India, the Ram Bagh, which was originally constructed in 1528 A.D. by Mughal Emperor Babur, is nestled at a distance of approx 5 km northeast of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Being a corruption of the Persian Aaram Bagh, and literally the ‘Garden of Rest’, the Ram Bagh is a Persian Garden. This charming Mughal garden is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Agra city.

Entry Fees:

Indian: (Ticket Type: Adult) INR 15/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner :NR 200/ (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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8. Mehtab Bagh

Literally the ‘Moonlight Garden’, the Mehtab Bagh, which is situated to the north of the Taj Mahal complex and the Agra Fort on the opposite side of the holy river Yamuna, is a Charbagh complex in the Agra city. Located along the river Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal complex and the Agra Fort, and being one of the eleven gardens constructed by the Mughals, the first among all of them being the Ram Bagh, this Charbagh complex, which was constructed by Mughal Emperor Babur, is the perfect point to take the fine glimpse of the Taj Mahal.

Entry Fees:

Indian: (Ticket Type: Adult) INR 15/- (Visitor Type: Indian Nationals)
Foreigner : INR 200/ (Visitor Type: Foreigner)
(Free entry to children below 15 years)

Opening Hours:

from sunrise to sunset daily (except Indian National Holidays)

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9. Radha Swami’s Samadhi (Soami Bagh Samadhi)

Situated at a distance of 15 km from the Agra City Center and built in 1908 A.D., the Dayal Bagh, also called the ‘Soami Bagh’, which houses the preserved sacred ashes of the founder of the Radhaswami sect (fondly known as ‘Swamiji Maharaj’, is home to a charming white marble temple in its premises blessed with the sprawling lawns. This beautiful temple which has the charming carving of flowers, fruits, leaves and plants, is under construction for approx 100 years. The Dayal Bagh, which is the headquarters of the Radha Swami sect, was used by Huzur Swami Maharaj (Shri Shiv Dayal Singh Seth) to perform Pooja (worship ceremony) for many times. The charm of this place has been compared to that of the Taj Mahal. Here, you can attend Satsang to be held daily.

Entry Fees:

free for all

Opening Hours:

09:00 a.m. and 05:30 p.m. daily

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10. Jama Mosque, Agra

Also famously called the ‘Jami Masjid’ or the ‘Friday Mosque’ and overlooking the Agra Fort Railway Station, the Jama Masjid, which is located at opposite the Agra Fort in Agra, is counted among the largest mosques in India. Constructed in 1648 A.D. by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this large mosque, which was dedicated to Princess Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan, is renowned for its extraordinary dome and the absence of minarets. This mosque took the cost of INR 5 Lakhs in the construction of it.

Entry Fees:

free for all