Those who love city tours and historical places should consider exploring Agra. The Taj Mahal is also one of the foremost heritage attractions in India. However, apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra has many historical tourist places, which will reveal the true character of the city.
How To Reach Agra?
By Air: The city has a military airport which is not connected to any other part of India. Indira Gandhi International Airport, well connected to all major Indian and foreign destinations, is the nearest domestic and international airport to Agra. There are several ways for travelers to reach Agra from here, including hiring a cab, booking a taxi or taking a bus.
By Rail: Agra has five different railway stations, including Agra Cantt, Raja Ki Mandi, Agra City, Agra Fort Railway Station and Idgah Railway Station. Trains run mostly regularly between Agra and other cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior and Jhansi.
By Road: With its impressive road network, Agra is well connected to its neighboring cities and states. State buses and roadways connect Agra to several cities and towns such as Delhi, Gwalior, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jaipur.
15 Tourist Places In Agra You Cannot Miss
There are plenty of scenic views and interesting things to see in Agra, especially for tourists interested in history. Explore the historical heritage attractions of Agra whose beauty will take your Agra travel experience to another level.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, is one of the seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal – commonly referred to as the “Symbol of Love” – is the most visited tourist destination in India and one of the best places to visit in Agra. It is considered a best example of Mughal architecture.
The ivory-white marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan as a tribute to his favorite wife, Mumtaz. The tombs of the king and queen are now located at the memorial site. As a World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal is recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece. Seeing the Taj Mahal, you will feel that you are passing through history. The grand gates of the Taj Mahal attract more visitors than the population of Agra every year!
Agra Fort
A tourist place in Agra, this heritage site is located close to the Taj Mahal. A huge fort spread over 380 thousand square kilometers, this structure is the second most important in the city.
History records that the fort was built before the rule of the Mughal Empire over the country. However, Akbar redesigned this sandstone fort in the 16th century to give it a new look. Agra Fort has many attractions, such as Delhi Gate, Moti Masjid, Nagina Masjid, Hall of Private Audience, Lodhi Gate, Hall of Public Audience and Musamman Burj.
Fatehpur Sikri
The city of Fatehpur Sikri is situated at a distance of 40 km from Agra and is an important place to visit in Agra. The city of Fatehpur Sikri was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571 and is made almost entirely of red sandstone.
For fifteen years it was chosen to be the capital of the king’s empire and a fortified city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has many famous monuments, including the Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai’s palace, Buland Darwaza and Salim Chishti’s tomb.
How To Reach: You can either drive your car or hire a Delhi cab service or take a train from Agra Fort Railway Station to reach Fatehpur Sikri by train. Public buses ply every hour from Agra’s Idgah bus stand to Fatehpur Sikri during the day.
Akbar’s Tomb
Akbar’s tomb is spread over an area of 119 acres and was constructed by the emperor himself. It is located in the suburbs of Agra, on Mathura Road (NH 2), eight kilometers west of the city center.
The mausoleum is particularly noted for the geometric patterns in the sandstone structure, the four-tiered pyramid, the marble pavilion, the white minarets, and the inlay on the panels. There is a well-kept garden surrounding the mausoleum, where one can see the huge mausoleum.
Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is commonly known as ‘Baby Taj Mahal’. It is the first mausoleum of India made entirely of marble.
In 1665, Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan built this mausoleum for her father, the minister Itimad-ud-Daula (later known as Mir Ghiyas Beg). Featuring an arched entrance and octagonal towers, the building faithfully reflects Indo-Islamic architecture.
Mary’s Tomb
Mariam’s Tomb is the final resting place of Mariam-uz-Zamani Begum, Akbar’s wife and Jahangir’s mother, and is located about a kilometer north of Sikandra. Although considered largely plain compared to the various Agra places to visit, Maryam’s tomb is a large sandstone structure with elaborate carvings covering its outer walls.
The architecture of the mausoleum includes elements of both Islamic and Hindu styles, which were popular during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. Mariam’s tomb lies below the surface of the mausoleum, which is fragmented by crisscrossing corridors, as in most Mughal mausoleums.
Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh is one of the most visited places in Agra, with the Taj Mahal to the north, and views of the Agra Fort and the Yamuna River on the opposite side. Garden of Taj Mahal
Also offers visuals.
It is said that there were 11 pleasure gardens built by the Mughal emperor Babur, and this garden was the last. Thanks to the walkways, fountains and pavilions, it is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll.
JAMA Masjid
The Jama Masjid of Agra is one of the largest mosques in India and is known for its unique architecture and interior design. It is one of the most popular tourist places in Agra, located just opposite to Agra Fort.
It was built by Shah Jahan for his beloved daughter Jahanara Begum. Whether you want to marvel at the design of the mausoleum or the red sandstone construction of the mosque, these Islamic structures will leave you in awe.
Khas Mahal
A private palace built by Shah Jahan for his daughters Jahanara and Roshanara, Khas Mahal is surrounded by the majestic Yamuna on one side and Angoori Bagh on the other. The Khas Mahal was completed in 1640, and is one of the most important historical sites in Agra. The Khas Mahal is decorated with heavily curtained ceilings and alcoves in the walls, which once contained portraits of Mughal rulers. It is said that the beauty of the Khas Mahal lies in its pools, fountains, ornate balconies and marble domes.
Chini ka Rauza
Amidst the enchanting gardens and the blue glazed tiles, then known as china mitti (porcelain), the Chini Ka Rauza is worth a visit. The monument honors Shah Jahan’s prime minister Afzal Khan Alami and is located in Etmadpur.
This grand monument is decorated with floral designs in the Persian style, and its most striking feature is the beautiful mausoleum reminiscent of the Afghan one. Tombs History enthusiasts and those with a keen interest in learning will enjoy exploring this fascinating monument in Agra.
Angoori Bagh
Angoori Bagh, also known as the Garden of Grapes, is one of the most popular tourist places in Agra.
This enchanting tourist destination is flanked by red sandstone to the south, north and west and the imposing Khas Mahal to the east.
The ladies of the Mughal Empire used to take leisurely walks in this area. The park has 85 symmetrical gardens, a grand fountain and an attractive pool that make it a beautiful place to visit.
Dolphin Water Park
Inaugurated in 2002, the Dolphin World water park is spread over 14 acres and is filled with slides, roller coasters, waterslides and more. Besides the rides, it has an amusement park, a children’s play area, a locker room and much more, making it one of the most fun-filled Agra tourist places. This water park offers a variety of rides and fun games, as well as separate swimming pools for children and adults.
Timings : 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM How To Reach: The water park is located just off NH-2, and can be reached by car.
Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Agra on the Delhi-Agra Highway (NH2), Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of bird species.
Situated in an area of 7.97 square kilometers, the bird sanctuary was designated as a National Bird Sanctuary in 1991.
The beautiful Keetham Lake makes it a wonderful place to relax with family and friends. 106 types of birds migrate to Sur Sarovar every year. Apart from this, it is also home to many species of birds, such as Little Gerb, Common Teal, Purple Heron, the Cattle Egret, Darter and Pintail. How To Reach: The sanctuary is located just off NH-2 and can be reached by car.
Gurudwara Guru Ka Tali
One of the most popular spiritual attractions in Agra, Gurudwara Guru Ka Tal is a major Sikh pilgrimage attraction. Located in Sikandra near Agra, the Gurudwara commemorates the surrender of Guru Tegh Bahadur to Aurangzeb. Built of red stones like Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, this monument attracts thousands of devotees who come year after year to pay homage to the Guru.
Umbrella of Raja Jaswant Singh
The Chhatri of Raja Jaswant Singh is built like a canopy with arched pillars. Believed to be the only Hindu monument in Agra to have been built during the Mughal Empire, it was constructed between 1644 and 1658. Rani Hada, a princess of Bundi, Rajasthan, who was married to Raja Amar Singh Rathore, is commemorated by the monument.
With its jali or stone latticework, it is a striking combination of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles.You can visit by hiring Delhi cab service if you are traveling from Delhi.
