Agra & the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal rises from Agra's haze as though from a dream. You’ve seen it in pictures, but experiencing it in person, you'll understand that it's not just a famous monument, but a love poem composed of stone. When you first glimpse it through the arched entryway, you might find yourself breathless with awe. Many hail it as the most beautiful building on the planet.

But Agra, situated along the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is more than a one-sight town. For 130 years, this was the centre of India’s great Mughal empire, and its legacy lives on in beautiful artwork, mouthwatering cuisine and magnificent architecture. The Taj is one of three places here that have been awarded Unesco World Heritage status, along with the immense Agra Fort and the sprawling palace complex of Fatehpur Sikri, which together make a superb trio of top-drawer sights.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Agra & the Taj Mahal.

  • Historic Building

    Taj Mahal

    Poet Rabindranath Tagore described it as 'a teardrop on the cheek of eternity'; Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure'; while its creator,…

  • Fort

    Agra Fort

    With the Taj Mahal overshadowing it, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Walking through courtyard after…

  • Historic Building

    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…

  • Park

    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…

  • Historic Building

    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…

  • Mosque

    Jama Masjid

    This beautiful, immense mosque was completed in 1571 and contains elements of Persian and Indian design. The main entrance, at the top of a flight of…

  • Palace

    Jehangir's Palace

    This huge red-sandstone palace inside Agra Fort, a combination of Indian and Central Asian architectural styles, was most likely built by the Mughal ruler…

  • Palace

    Khas Mahal

    This beautiful marble pavillion and pool formed the living quarters of Shah Jahan, while the large attached courtyard housed the court harem.

  • Palace

    Palaces & Pavilions

    The main sight at Fatehpur Sikri is the stunning imperial complex of pavilions and palaces spread amid a large, abandoned 'city' peppered with Mughal…

  • Animal Sanctuary

    Elephant Conservation Centre

    Wildlife SOS runs this conservation centre, which offers rehabilitation and medical care to rescued elephants. You'll get to see the elephants while…

  • Market

    Kinari Bazaar

    The narrow streets behind Jama Masjid are a crazy maze of overcrowded lanes bursting with colourful markets. There are a number of different bazaars here,…

  • Museum

    Taj Museum

    Within the Taj complex, on the western side of the gardens, is the small but excellent Taj Museum, housing a number of original Mughal miniature paintings…

  • Historic Building

    Samadhi Swamiji Maharaj Bagh

    Known simply as Swami Bagh, this huge white marble mausoleum houses the tomb of Sri Shiv Dayal Singh Seth, the founder of the intriguing Radhasoami Faith…

  • Park

    Agra Bear Rescue Facility

    A sanctuary for over 200 rescued 'dancing' sloth bears, located in a bird sanctuary 25km outside Agra on the road to Delhi. Visitors can tour the park…

  • Historic Building

    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…

  • Mosque

    Jama Masjid

    This fine mosque, built in the Kinari Bazaar by Shah Jahan’s daughter in 1648 and once connected to Agra Fort, features striking zigzag marble patterning…

  • Historic Building

    Jawab

    The jawab, to the east of the Taj Mahal itself, was built for symmetry purposes, matching up identically with the red-sandstone mosque to the west.

  • Mosque

    Mosque

    The Taj Mahal's red-sandstone mosque to the west of the main monument is an important gathering place for Agra's Muslims.

  • Landmark

    Diwan-i-Am

    In Agra Fort, the Hall of Public Audiences was where emperor Shah Jahan listened to petitions from ordinary citizens.

  • Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    Near the main vehicle entrance to the Diwan-i-Am, and just opposite Akbar's former Treasury, this modest museum showcases pre-Mughal artefacts excavated…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Agra & the Taj Mahal.

  • Activities