Top 5 Places to Visit in Agra A city sitting on the banks of the river Yamuna, Agra has always been a magnet for tourists. There are a plethora of famous places to visit in Agra that you can plan for yourself conveniently. The earliest mention of Agra is found in the historical epic of Mahabharata where Agra is referred to as “Agravana”. Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Akbar’s Tomb are the best places to visit in Agra.
The top tourist attractions in Agra are the main reasons for the charm that the tourists feel towards this heritage city. Ptolemy, the renowned geographer, was the first one to mention Agra with its modernity in his accounts in the 2nd century AD. In the Mughal era, Agra came to be known as Akbarabad as well. This name was given by Shah Jahan to mark a remembrance for his grandfather, Akbar. He also rebuilt some of the portions of Agra Fort which was originally constructed under Akbar, which is why Agra Fort comes under the list of best tourist places in Agra.
The divinity and cultural fusion of this area have always offered one the top places to visit in Agra and that is why many landmarks also come under the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Each nook and corner of this city is adorned in rich history. The foundation of modern Agra is accredited to the Lodi dynasty’s ruler Sikander Lodi. But it wasn’t until Shah Jahan reached the peripheries of Agra that it got transformed into this beautiful heritage city as we see it today.
Also known for being home to lavish handicrafts like Pietra Dura work, which is a marble inlay handicraft, rugs, and leather goods, and the sumptuous Petha, Agra also caters well to shopaholics and foodies now Agra Tour Packages.
Taj Mahal
Well, there we are! Finally come to the most important places to visit in Agra—the Taj Mahal. In fact, most tours are organized with the Taj Mahal as the main attraction. Being one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a perfect showpiece of Mughal architecture, it had been built under the instructions of Shah Jahan in commemoration of his love to his beloved spouse Arjumand Bano Begum.
Both the interiors and the external edifice of the Taj Mahal are exquisitely designed in white marble. Shaped like an octagon the interior chamber is inlaid with precious gems. Matching their richness is the exterior gardens, flush with greenery and fresh air. Exuding immense Mughal charm, the Taj Mahal makes one of the best historical places in India.
Agra Red Fort
A UNESCO world heritage monument, Agra Red Fort stands as a glorious tribute to the erstwhile Mughal Empire’s heydays. Spread over a gigantic area of 3,80,000 sq. meters, this fort was built by Emperor Akbar in the year 1556, and later renovated in 1573 with red sandstone. The fort, which is at a distance of 2.2 km from Agra, is an absolute fortress, fortified on all sides with 70 feet high compound walls. Visiting Agra Fort is one of the foremost things to do in Agra.
Referred to as the Walled City, Agra Fort has four gates on the four sides which the most famous being the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate. This fort hosts numerous palaces and notable among them being the Shish Mahal and Khaas Mahal. Reception rooms Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam to several historic Masjids like Moti Masjid and Nagina Masjid are other worth seeing spots in this fort.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb
Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb mausoleum is an architectural wonder in Agra after the famous Taj Mahal. Its elaborate carvings and artistic inlays are a treat to watch. It is referred to as the “Baccha Taj”– a smaller version of the Taj- and considered the draft of the Taj Mahal itself. This red sandstone tomb is one of the worth visiting places in Agra near Taj Mahal which should not be missed from the itinerary.
This pure white tomb located on the banks of Yamuna River is a perfect reflection of the Islamic style of architecture and the layouts. The ornately sculpted arches, immaculate minarets, intricate inlay work, stunning floral works and artistic use of marble to accentuate the beauty of the edifice are seen to be believed.
Mehtab Bagh
Located to the north of the complex of the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh is a square-shaped garden complex on the banks of the River Yamuna. It is in perfect sync with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River. It is a popular spot for photographers for a captivating view of the sunset. It is one of the top places to visit in Agra in the evening thus remains flocked by travelers throughout the year.
This spectacular garden sports four towers right at each corner of an octagonal tank. The reflection of the Taj Mahal in the tank, particularly on full moon nights, is a sight to behold. Blooming flower plants and medicinal herbs besides fruit-bearing trees abound the garden. It is a perfect symbol of the Mughal architecture with a layout of 4 gardens. The large water tank on the east of the structure ensures that the whole area is properly irrigated.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is one of the must-visit Agra destinations. It is a historical town in the District of Agra and had been the erstwhile capital city of many Mughal Emperors including Akbar. Before being the capital city, Sikri was a decrepit village. It was given the present name in commemoration of the victory of Emperor Akbar over Gujarat in the year 1573.
Fatehpur Sikri town is situated on a rocky ridge that is 3 km long and 1 km wide and is styled in the architecture of Persia, India and Islamic heritage. Red sandstone, which was locally quarried, was used in the construction of the town. The town has seven gates with a boundary wall of 6 km. UNESCO declared this town as a World Heritage site. It ranks as one of the top tourist places in Agra which every visitor must add to their itinerary.
