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Agra Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: October to March Read More

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"The city of Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love"

Agra Tourism

Located on the banks of River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a popular tourist destination as it is home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It is a sneak peek into the architectural history and legacy of the Mughal empire with two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra, and hence, makes for a must-visit for anyone living in or visiting India.

Agra is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and 24th most populous city in India. With its long and rich history, it is no wonder that Agra forms part of the popular Golden Triangle Circuit for tourists along with Delhi and Jaipur. It is also a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc including Varanasi and Lucknow. History fanatics and architecture buffs are sure to have a ball here with the sheer expanse of the Mughal art and culture on display.

In addition to its historical treasures, Agra offers a vibrant market scene where visitors can indulge in shopping for marble handicrafts, leather goods, and local sweets like petha. Agra is also well known for its marble artefacts which are best bought in the Sadar Bazaar or Kinaari Bazaar area. The bustling bazaars around the Taj Ganj area provide a glimpse into traditional Indian markets, offering a unique cultural experience.

Agra's cuisine, known for its Mughlai influences, is a treat for food enthusiasts, featuring iconic dishes like Mughlai chicken, kebabs, and biryanis that reflect the city's royal culinary heritage. It is as famous for its Petha (a sweet made from pumpkin and flavoured with rose water and saffron) as it is for the Taj Mahal.

Agra is mostly visited on a one-day trip from New Delhi or other nearby cities in Uttar Pradesh but is totally worth it. Be prepared to be astounded, amazed, inspired and thrilled. However, be a little cautious about conmen in the guise of unofficial tour guides and fake handicrafts.

Must Know Before You Travel to Agra

Pre-Booking: It's advisable to pre-book tickets for the Taj Mahal, especially during peak tourist season, to avoid long queues.
Attraction Closure: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for prayers.
Seasonal Considerations: Agra experiences extreme heat in summer (April to June). The best time to visit is from October to March.
Local Transport: Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and taxis are common. Walking is feasible for short distances between attractions.
Dress Code: While there is no strict dress code, modest clothing is recommended when visiting religious sites.
Pollution Advisory: Agra can be highly polluted, particularly in winter. Carry a mask if you have respiratory issues.
Parking: Limited parking near major attractions. Use public transport or hire a cab.
Permits: No special permits are required for most attractions, but foreign tourists need to carry valid ID for ticket purchases.
Restrictions: Use of drones is prohibited around Taj mahal and the UNESCO world heritage sites. 

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Tips & Scams

  • When visiting the Taj Mahal, clear communicate which gate you want to travel to. Otherwise, you will mostly be dropped at the Shahjahan Garden Road chowk from where you will have to hire another expensive tonga to take you to the main west gate.
  • Lots of marble souvenirs in Agra are actually alabaster or soapstone. Most of the Taj Mahal marble souvenirs sold are actually alabaster.

Shopping in Agra

Agra is primarily known for its monuments, forts, palaces and mausoleums, but, hidden behind these architectural wonders are the traditional shopping centres and bazaars. One of the most commonly bought collectables from Agra is called 'Bric-a-Brac' which is a small marble replica of Taj Mahal.

Agra is also well-known for its marble artefacts, rugs, leather items and gemstones. Most of the major shopping complexes are situated near the Taj Mahal, the most famous ones being Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.

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A confluence of history, culture, and beauty 

Who doesn't know about the 'Taj Nagri'? The city, known first in historical sources as Agrevana, or 'The Border of the Forest', is famous for the epitome of love, and one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World' i.e. Taj Mahal. The charm of the medieval architecture, which can be noticed even from the top of the Agra Fort, makes it the ultimate destination for travel enthusiasts the world over. Apart from Taj Mahal, this city is also popular for Itimad Ud Daulah's tomb, the famous Agra Fort, and the capital city of Akbar the Great, i.e. Fatehpur Sikri. Apart from being a tourist hotspot, Agra is also famous for its art and crafts industry, which includes the royal craft Pietra Dura, marble inlay and carpets.

History of Agra

Agra is one of the most significant cities in the history of India. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, this beautiful city gained public interest when Sikander Lodhi decided to make Agra the capital city. It remained the capital city even during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It was during the Mughal Period when Agra gained some of the incredible monuments like the Taj Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the Agra Fort.

Agra’s influence declined when Mughal’s influence declined. By this time, the British had attained significant power. Agra came under British control in the 1800s. With the capital city being changed to New Delhi, Agra lost the powerful significance it held during the Mughal Period. After independence, Agra developed into an industrial city and a popular tourist destination. Some of the famous monuments were also listed under UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

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Restaurants and Local Food in Agra

Whether you love the spicy chaats or you have a sweet tooth, Agra never ceases to fascinate. Petha, a soft candy made from ash gourd is almost synonymous with Agra's cuisine and is a speciality which you just cannot miss. There are various new flavours and innovative presentations of this ever popular sweet dish from Agra. Panchi petha is the most popular shop in Agra, and there are so many of these that you won't even have to think where to get it from.

Another equally delicious item is the Chaat here. Agra has varieties of Chaat available including Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, Papri Chaat, Samosa, Kachori etc all over the city. Another popular snack here is Dalmoth, which is a spicy lentil mix. The cuisine of the town also offers countless North-Indian and Punjabi relishes with a distinct influence of Mughlai cuisine.

Read more about Street Food of Agra

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Best Time to Visit Agra

Agra Photos

Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri

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FAQs on Agra

What are the things to do in Agra?

The top things to do in Agra are Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daulah's Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Shopping in Agra. You can see all the places to visit in Agra here

What is famous about Agra?

The epicenter of Indian culture. Well connected by rail, road, and air. Can be visited almost throughout the year.

What is not so good about Agra?

Congested in peak seasons, and quite polluted. Might be risky for respiratory patients. Unofficial guides and touts can get enraging. Travel scams are very common.

Who should visit Agra?

Apart from the evergreen Taj Mahal, this is ideal for all history zealots, whether from archaeology, or culture, or even literature. Also, ideal for the foodies, owing to the vibrant cuisine of the city. 

What is the best time to visit Agra?

October to March is a good time to visit Agra because of its pleasant weather. In summers, temperature can go up to 45C and winters can be as cold as 1C.
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What is the local food in Agra?

Whether you love the spicy chaats or you have a sweet tooth, Agra never ceases to fascinate. Petha, a soft candy made from ash gourd is almost synonymous with Agra's cuisine and is a speciality which you just cannot miss. There are various new flavours and innovative presentations of this ever popular sweet dish from Agra. Panchi petha is the most popular shop in Agra, and there are so many of these that you won't even have to think where to get it from.

Another equally delicious item is the Chaat here. Agra has varieties of Chaat available including Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, Papri Chaat, Samosa, Kachori etc all over the city. Another popular snack here is Dalmoth, which is a spicy lentil mix. The cuisine of the town also offers countless North-Indian and Punjabi relishes with a distinct influence of Mughlai cuisine.

Read more about Street Food of Agra

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What is the best way to reach Agra?

One of the most important tourist destinations in the country (and in the world), connectivity to Agra has been well developed and is continuously improving over time. Most tourists club Agra with Delhi and/or Jaipur and the road/train network is excellent from both of these places, as well from other places in India. Agra is a place of major historical importance and it is well connected to the other cities in India as well. For people coming from long distance, taking a flight to Delhi and driving from there is recommended.
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What are the top hotels in Agra?

There are 335 in Agra which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Agra are Aradhana's Home Stay, Hotel The Orient Tree, Agra, OYO 14219 Hotel Banshi, The Shriansh, A Boutique Stay, good vibes hostel, Family Affairs. You can see all the hotels in Agra here

What are the places near Agra?

The top places near to Agra are Mathura which is 48 km from Agra, Vrindavan which is located 54 km from Agra, Bharatpur which is located 51 km from Agra, Jaipur which is located 221 km from Agra, Nainital which is located 283 km from Agra

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Popular Questions And Answers on Agra

Q. Can I get bike for rent in Agra?

neeraj bhat

4 years ago
Yes you can but advised not to.
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Q. Ham 2 lok he hamko agra jana hai

KNOT

5 years ago
Jao good luck
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Q. Which is the best cab service in agra? Does www.Gocharlie.in provide good taxi service in agra?

QuickCabServices NCR

6 years ago
If your going to Agra from Delhi NCR We provide best cab service for agra at affordable price with best quality cab.Book online cab at www.quickcabservices.co.in or call now at 9999931818.
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Agra Reviews

Your rating

Akshobhya Abhigyan

4 years ago
Visiting Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders in the world, is truly an experience. The beautiful structure built with white marbles in the 17th century is a delight to eyes.

DharaNirav Buch

on Taj Mahal 3 years ago
It was awesome experience to the unique monument by your own eyes. Visited before Covid Era. Looking forward to such more trips

Entertainment club

2 years ago
If we talk about agra , the only thing comes to our mind is the taj mahal, visit it and see its beautiful and architectural style and work , then after that the streer shops located there where you c (Read More)an buy the sweets
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