10 ICONIC PLACES TO VISIT IN AGRA

Places to visit in Agra

AGRA: A City beyond the Taj Mahal

Places to visit in Agra: Agra city of Uttar Pradesh is one of the most historical cities of India because there are many big and beautiful monuments and places to visit in Agra. Agra is synonymous and inseparable from the Taj Mahal! Well, it’s true that this magnificent monument of love is the main attraction in the city that draw people not only from India but across the globe. But the city definitely has much more just than the Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan and many others who ruled in Agra had created so many gems in the city during his reign. 

From Mughal Era’s monuments, shrines and tombs dedicated to love, to the most intricately carved handicrafts, sprawling landscaped gardens, and delicious food, there is a lot that makes Agra one of India’s most loved tourist attractions. One must try the taste of “Agra ka Petha” a popular sweet dish in India which comes in various flavours. Agra was India’s centre of power for many centuries, the result is that there are amazing places to visit in Agra. In 1501, Sikander Lodi built his capital here until, in 1526, the Mughals defeated the last Lodi sultan and took over his reign. However, the city’s most impressive structures were not built until the mid 16th and 17th centuries.

Here is a rundown of different places to visit in Agra and the area will make your visit really significant. These incorporate various Mughal time structures, fortresses and landmarks with their solid recorded legacy both in the city of Agra and in the bordering rural areas. Agra is the second destination of the Golden Triangle Tour has a solid intensity for the old with a scramble of the cutting edge.

Lets start reading about the most famous tourist places to visit in Agra

1. Agra Red Fort: The Grand Castle

Places to visit in Agra

First on our list of places to visit in Agra is the Red Fort. which is a masterpiece of the era and the largest of the other forts built by the Mughals. This UNESCO world heritage site once was the headquarters of the Mughals. Built by the third Mughal ruler Akber in 1565 and It can be described as a “fortified town” precisely from this period. About 4000 workers worked very hard there every day for eight long years.

Inside the fort, there are many architecturally beautiful buildings one is where Shah Jahan died in ‘Muasammam Burj’, a tower with a balcony that has a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal which he built-in memory of his beloved, ‘Mumtaz Mahal’. Apart from three mosques, other structures include the Zenana Meena Bazaar, the Jahangir Palace, the Khas Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Public Audience), Sheesh Mahal, the Musamman Burj, the Diwan-i-Am, and more. You must put this on the list of your golden triangle tour. A worth places to visit in Agra

Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 40, Foreigners: RS. 600

Visit Duration: 1- 2 hours

2. Sikandra: An Architectural Beauty

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Second in pur list of Places to visit in Agra is Sikandra which is one of the most important historic places to visit in Agra. The majestic tomb of the 3rd Mughal emperor Akbar is located on the Delhi-Agra Highway, The high-rise minarets of this grand monument are visible from outside and attracts the attention of passers-by. The Mughal emperor Akbar started the construction of his tomb in his lifetime and after his death in 1605, the tomb was completed in 1613 AD by his son Jahangir. 

This mausoleum is built in the centre of a large charbagh garden (four garden concept) surrounded by high walls. The wide lanes connect the main tomb with the four buildings of the wall. It is to be noted that these lanes are clearly raised so high from the garden that they can be reached by stairs. Waterfalls and ponds have been made on these stairs. There are neither cypress trees nor flower beds on them. Thus, this tomb has been arranged in a beautiful garden. 

It has been made according to the personality of Akbar that, it expresses dignity, seriousness, ideological and peace. Its effect is not that of frivolity, joy and glamour. This monument is one of the best places to visit in Agra.  

Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 30, Foreigners: RS. 310

Visit Duration: 1 Hour

3. Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb: The Baby Taj

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This tomb of Mirza Gyas Beg and his wife Asmat Begum is one of the must-visit places to visit in Agra. Due to the grandeur of this tomb, it is also called Baby Taj and Jewel Box for its elaborate carvings and artistic inlays. This mausoleum was built between 1622-28 by their daughter during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir and was considered the draft for the Taj Mahal. 

Jahangir, the son of Mughal Emperor Akbar, bestowed the title of Itmadud Daula (Pillar of the state)  to Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Mirza Ghiyas Beg was the father of the Mughal emperor Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan and was a resident of Iran. He also served in the court of Emperor Akbar. After marrying Nur Jahan, Jahangir had made him his Bazir. this architectural wonder was built by daughter Nur Jahan in memory. Definitely one of the worth visiting Places to visit in Agra

Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 30, Foreigners: RS. 310

Visit Duration: 1 Hour

4. Mehtab Bagh: The moonlight garden

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Mehtab Bagh is on the other bank of the Yamuna river opposite the world-famous Taj Mahal. This square-shaped garden, decorated with flowers and different types of trees and plants is definitely one of the amazing places to visit in Agra. It’s a very famous spot for photographers to get the perfect shot of the Taj Mahals during the sunset. This spectacular garden Spread over 25 acres, was constructed between 1631 and 1635 AD 

There was a large octagonal pond in the middle of Mehtab Bagh, in which the image of the Taj Mahal is formed. It has a great view, especially on full moon nights.  It is also said that where the Mehtab Bagh is today, it was earlier decided to build a black Taj Mahal, in which Shah Jahan’s tomb was to be built, but due to lack of funds and Aurangzeb’s policies, it could not be built. The great symbol of Mughal architecture is top of the list of places to visit in Agra. 

Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 30, Foreigners: RS. 300

Visit Duration: 1- 2 hours

5. Chini Ka Rauza: A forgotten Site

Everyone is crazy about the beauty of the Taj Mahal, but there is such a unique monument in the list of places to visit in Agra. Even Shahjahan was stunned to see its beauty. The Chini Ka Rauza is dedicated to Shah Jahan’s minister, Allama Afzal Khan Shakrullah Shiraz, and is famous for its bright blue dome and its architecture is influenced by Zoroastrian and Persian craftsmanship. 

According to historians, after the Mughal emperor Jahangir, Shiraz was in charge of the finance ministry in Shah Jahan’s court. Afzal Khan died in Lahore in 1639, but according to his wish, he was buried in Agra. Shakrullah Shiraz himself built his tomb between the years 1628 to 1639. His tomb resembles many monuments in Samarkand with these blue glazed tiles.

Once famous for its beauty, but today it is in a dilapidated condition. Its shiny tiles made in a special way have been crumpled. The colour of the walls has faded. This publicity is also low. That is why only a few tourists reach to see the tomb. another one of the amazing Places to visit in Agra

Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM,

Tickets:  Free 

Visit Duration: 1 hour

6. Mariam-Uz-Zamani Tomb: A queen who gave heirs to the Mughal Empire

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6th number in the list of Places to visit in Agra is Mariam-Uz-Zamani’s Tomb. Built during the reign of Mughal ruler Akbar, his Hindu wife Harkhabai (Jodha Bai) got the title of Maryam-uz-Zamani after giving birth to Salim. The tomb was built by her son the fourth Mughal King Jahangir (Salim) after the death of his mother Harkhabai in 1623AD. 

Built without a dome with red sandstone and marble and it is a fine example of the Mughal architectural style. The tomb is surrounded by beautiful Mughal gardens. Definitely one of the most spectacular places to visit in Agra.

Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 20, Foreigners: RS. 250

Visit Duration: 1 hour

7. Fatehpur Sikri: A city of celebration

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Fatehpur Sikri is one of the must-see places to visit in Agra. You will defiantly like this amazing fortified city on your Agra tour. Made of red sandstone, founded in the 1571 century by Mughal Emperor Akbar is located at a distance of 40 km from Agra and had been the capital of his Empire for fifteen years. It is a unique combination of architectural excellence. Its name can be translated as Ciudad Victoria “Victory City”. 

Akbar hired the most famous artists who managed to create real works of art. All Akbar the Great’s wives were to have their own mansions, each of them was a masterpiece. This UNESCO site was a celebration of victory. 

The buildings were decorated with exquisite ornaments, exquisite columns, frescoes, balconies and domes; the palace of the emperor’s mother was decorated with gold. The entire citadel is full of outstanding monuments that have survived to this day because no one used them. Because it was abandoned due to lack of water. While the Taj Mahal is famous for all the attention in Agra, the Fatehpur Sikri is really not to be missed. It sees fewer tourists and thus makes for a perfect photographers’ muse. In the list of places to visit in Agra, Do not skip.

Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM,

Tickets: Indians RS. 40, Foreigners: RS. 600

Visit Duration: 1- 2 hours

8. Radha Soami Samadhi Temple

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Everyone knows about the Taj Mahal but have you ever heard about a temple 100 years old and still under construction. People come from far and wide to see the beauty of this place. The foundation of this temple was laid in 1903 and its construction work is going on continuously even today. Its made of white marble remains a huge centre of faith of millions of devotees today

Radha Swami Mat was founded by Shiv Dayal Singh Ji who later came to be known as Swamiji Maharaj among his devotees. when Swamiji Maharaj left this world, his second saint Huzur Maharaj consecrated the holy place and made his samadhi(mausoleum) in Swamibagh itself, where he spent his last time, This is one of the most iconic places to visit in Agra.

Timings: Sunrise-Sunset,

Tickets: No Entry Fee

Visit Duration: 1- 2 hours

9. Jama Masjid- A tribute

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Jama Masjid was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter, Jahanara Begum in 1648 AD and is a great monument in the places to visit in Agra. Located in the heart of the city, with a simple design using red sandstone and white marble. The tiles used in the wall of the mosque are decorated with geometric motifs. Along with this, excellent carvings have also been done in it. The courtyard in the middle of the Jama Masjid is so huge that 10,000 people can offer prayers here at a time. 

The list of places to visit in Agra wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Jama Masjid. This seventeenth-century mosque is popularly known as the “Friday Mosque”. For the construction of this mosque, 5000 workers took 6 years for compilation. 

Timings: Sunrise-Sunset,

Tickets: No Entry Fee

Visit Duration: 1 hour

10. Taj Mahal: Words can’t describe its beauty

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Well, Finally, we come to the most important places to visit in Agra. When most people think of Agra, it’s the Taj Mahal that instantly comes to mind because of the story of a Grief-stricken emperor who built This monument of love in the mid 17th century for His favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (which means “chosen one of the palace”), 

It took whopping 22 years and an army of 20,000 workers  And 1,000 elephants for the greatest art work which the forming spirit of mankind has ever brought forth. Taj Mahal is known for its many faces as it is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. Not surprisingly, experiencing the beauty of the Taj Mahal in person is often a dream for many. No doubt this is one of the best places to visit in Agra in one day. 

Timings: Open Every day (except Friday) 30 minutes before sunrise up to 30 minutes before sunset. 

Tickets: RS 250/- (Domestic/Indian/OCI cardholder), RS 1300/- (Foreign Tourists) 

RS 540/- (Citizens of SAARC/BIMSTEC Countries) 

Free for children below the age of 15 years. Visit Duration: 2- 4 hours

Special Note: Taj Mahal Remains Closed every Friday