Things to do in Agra
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Taj Mahal
The Taj can be accessed through the west, south and east gates, which all lead to an outer courtyard. The south gate is the main access and is easiest to reach from Taj Ganj, while the east gate generally has the shortest queues. The west gate gets very crowded with tour groups, but they don’t normally arrive until after 9am. There are separate queues for men and women. Prohibited items such as food, tobacco, matches, mobile phones and camera tripods can be left without charge in cloakrooms. Don’t forget to visit the cloakroom first to avoid queuing twice.
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Subhash Emporium
This expensive but honest marble-carving shop has been knocking up quality pieces for more than 35 years. Watch artisans at work in the entranceway before delving into the stock out the back.
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Lucky Restaurant
A convivial place to hang out with reliable food and a rooftop section.
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Shankara Vegis Restaurant
Another Taj Ganj old-timer, this rooftop vegetarian restaurant does a shockingly good thali (Rs90) and comes with a laid-back atmosphere, a view of the Taj (just about) and games like chess and carrom (a table-top game in which fingers are used to flick playing pieces across a powered board and into corner pockets).
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Stuff Makers
Hotel Kamal’s rooftop terrace, complete with fairy lights, has an excellent view of the Taj from some tables, and of a tree from others. The menu has the usual unimaginative mix of Indian, Western and Chinese dishes.
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Joney’s Place
Open at the crack of dawn, this pocket-sized, brightly painted, travellers’ institution whipped up its first creamy lassi in 1978 and continues to serve visitors veg snacks, pancakes, toasted sandwiches and the like.
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Agra Fort
With the Taj Mahal overshadowing it, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. By visiting the fort and Taj on the same day you get a Rs50 reduction in ticket price. Construction of the massive red-sandstone fort, on the bank of the Yamuna River, was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Further additions were made, particularly by his grandson Shah Jahan, using his favourite building material – white marble. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan transformed it into a palace, and later it became his gilded prison for eight years after his son Aurangzeb seized power in 1658.
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Mehtab Bagh
This park, originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna’s east bank, long before the Taj was conceived, fell into disrepair until it was little more than a huge mound of sand. To protect the Taj from the erosive effects of the sand blown across the river, the park was reconstructed in recent years and is now one the best places from which to view the great mausoleum. The gardens in the Taj are perfectly aligned with the ones here, and the view of the Taj from the fountain directly in front of the entrance gate is a special one.
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Samadhi Swamiji Maharaj Bagh
Known simply as Swami Bagh, this huge white marble mausoleum, which houses the tomb of Sri Shiv Dayal Singh Seth, the founder of the Radhasoami Faith, is of particular interest because it is still being built – more than 80 years after it was started. Inside there’s a 1904 painting of what it should look like when finished, complete with a gold- latticed dome. For now it’s a work-in-progress project being undertaken by devotees. The design incorporates building styles from other major religions and includes some fabulously delicate floral carvings.
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UP Tourism Daily Tours
- Agra, India
- Activities › Train
UP Tourism runs exhausting daily tours that leave Agra Cantonment train station at 10:15, after picking up passengers arriving from Delhi on the Taj Express. The AC coach tour includes the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri with a 1¼-hour stop in each place. Tours return to the station so that day-trippers can catch the Taj Express back to Delhi at 18:55. Contact the UP Tourism office to book a seat.
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Lakshmi Vilas
This no-nonsense, plainly decorated restaurant is the place in Agra to come for affordable South Indian fare. Treats include idli (spongy, round, fermented rice cake), vada (doughnut-shaped, deep-fried lentil savoury), uttapam (thick, savoury rice pancake) and more than 20 varieties of dosa (large savoury crepe, Rs46 to Rs250), including a family special that is 1.2m long!
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Chini-Ka-Rauza
This Persian-style riverside tomb of Afzal Khan, a poet who served as Shah Jahan’s chief minister, was built between 1628 and 1639. Rarely visited, it is hidden away down a shady avenue of trees on the east bank of the Yamuna. Bright blue tiles, which once covered the whole mausoleum, can still be seen on part of the exterior, while the interior is painted in floral designs.
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Highlights Of India
- India, Agra, World
- Tours › Short break
5 days (ex Delhi/Agra)
by Intrepid
Explore the bazaars of Jaipur, Discover the 'Palace of the Winds', Taste India's fiery cuisine, Travel to Agra's majestic Red Fort, Tour the sights of Old Delhi…Not LP reviewed
from USD$485 -
Taj Mahal Extension
- India, Agra, World
- Tours › Short break
3 days (ex Delhi/Agra)
by Intrepid
Experience the ghost town chills of Fatehpur Sikri, Explore Delhi's Old Town, Encounter the beauty of the Taj Mahal, Admire Agra's Red Fort, See the diverse des…Not LP reviewed
from USD$295 -
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Itimad-Ud-Daulah
Nicknamed the Baby Taj, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg should not be missed. This 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.
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Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri
3 days (Agra)
An ideal extension to view the famous sights of Agra with an expert local guide.
Not LP reviewed
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Dasaprakash
Highly recommended by locals for consistently good South Indian veg food, Dasaprakash whips up spectacular thalis (with bottomless refills), dosa, and a few token continental dishes. The dessert sundaes are tempting but pricey (from Rs90). Comfortable booth seating and wood-lattice screens make for intimate dining.
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Taj Cafe
Up a flight of steps and overlooking Taj Ganj’s busy street scene, this friendly, family-run restaurant is a nice choice if you’re not fussed about Taj views. There’s everything from south Indian and meat curries to pizza and Korean. And the thalis here are better value than at its rooftop rivals.
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Akbar’s Mausoleum
This outstanding sandstone and marble tomb commemorates the greatest of the Mughal emperors. The huge courtyard is entered through a stunning gateway. It has three-storey minarets at each corner and is built of red sandstone strikingly inlaid with white-marble geometric patterns.
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Mughal Room
On the top floor of Clarks Shiraz Hotel, you can dine in style with a distant view of the Taj and Agra Fort, although you won’t see anything at night. There’s live classical music here every evening and the food is thoughtfully prepared Indian, Chinese and continental.
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Museum
On the western side of the Taj gardens is a very small museum, housing original architectural drawings of the Taj and some nifty celadon plates, said to split into pieces or change colour if the food served on them contains poison.
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Bellevue
The only one of the two restaurants in Oberoi Amar Vilas open to nonguests, Bellevue is all class and a majestic place in which to enjoy a sumptuous lunch – soups, salads, grilled meats, pasta – with a Taj view through the large windows.
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Yash Café
This laid-back first-floor café has wicker chairs, sports channels on TV, movies in the evening and a good range of veg and nonveg meals from thalis to pizzas. Also offers a shower and storage space to day visitors.
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Park Dining Room
The large dining room at the Park has a hint of elegance with wood panelling and soft music. Veg and nonveg Indian, Chinese and continental food includes chicken au gratin, fish dishes and Mughlai tandoor specialities.
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Shilpgram
Shilpgram is an open-air collection of stalls selling handicrafts and artworks that also has a café and bar. Every February a week-long food, craft and culture festival takes place.
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