Taj Mahal
The white marble mausoleum that Shah Jahan commissioned in 1632 for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, completed in stages to about 1653 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
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About Agra
Agra sits on the west bank of the Yamuna about 230 km south of Delhi and became the Mughal capital in 1556 under Akbar. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal here between 1632 and about 1653 as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, and the red sandstone Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Akbar's tomb at Sikandra and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri complete a Mughal itinerary unmatched in India. Most visitors stay one to three nights, arriving by the Gatimaan Express from Delhi in about 1 hour 40 minutes or by the Yamuna Expressway in 3.5 to 4 hours. Beyond monuments, Agra rewards visitors with petha sweets, bedai and jalebi breakfasts, Mughlai kebabs, marble inlay workshops and the crowded lanes of Kinari Bazaar. The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, so plan the sequence of days around it.
- Capital
- Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh; Agra is a divisional headquarters and not the state capital.
- Largest city
- Agra
- Population
- About 1.6 million in the city (2011 census), roughly 2 million in the metropolitan area
- Languages
- Hindi, Urdu, Braj Bhasha, English
- Currency
- Indian Rupee
- Time zone
- IST (UTC+5:30), no daylight saving
Explore Agra by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Agra
The 13 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Agra Fort (Red Fort of Agra)
The red sandstone Mughal citadel begun by Akbar in 1565 and extended with marble palaces by Shah Jahan, where Shah Jahan spent his last years looking toward the Taj from the Musamman Burj.
Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
The jewel-box tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg built by his daughter Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628, the first Mughal tomb covered in pietra dura inlay and widely seen as a rehearsal for the Taj.
Mehtab Bagh
A restored Mughal garden on the northern bank of the Yamuna, directly opposite the Taj, giving the classic back-view of the mausoleum across the river at sunrise and sunset.
Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra
The red sandstone and marble mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, begun by Akbar before his death in 1605 and finished by Jahangir in 1613, set in a large charbagh garden with free-roaming deer.
Jama Masjid, Agra
The Friday Mosque built in 1648 by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's daughter, facing Agra Fort across the busy bazaar; its three white-striped domes rise over a red sandstone platform.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Agra Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Agra, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Agra
- Days 1-2Agra city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Agra
- Days 1-3Agra comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Agra, departure
Where to stay in Agra
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ₹2,200 (approx $25)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ₹6,500 (approx $74)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ₹22,000+ (approx $250+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
The Oberoi Amarvilas
A Mughal-style palace hotel built so that rooms and terraces face the Taj Mahal, with terraced gardens, fountains and a spa. It lies about 1.0 km from the Taj Mahal and about 3.1 km from Agra Fort in a straight line.
Check rates on Booking.comITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
A sprawling Mughal-themed resort set in landscaped grounds, home to Peshawri and the Kaya Kalp spa. It lies about 1.6 km from the Taj Mahal and about 3.1 km from Agra Fort in a straight line.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj Hotel & Convention Centre Agra
A large Taj Group five-star on the Taj East Gate Road corridor with a convention centre, pool and several restaurants. It lies about 2.0 km from the Taj Mahal and about 4.0 km from Agra Fort in a straight line.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj View Agra
A Taj Group five-star on Fatehabad Road whose upper-floor rooms look toward the Taj Mahal. It lies about 1.6 km from the Taj Mahal and about 2.9 km from Agra Fort in a straight line.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Agra
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Peshawri, ITC Mughal
The Agra outpost of ITC's Peshawri grill restaurant serves kebabs, whole-leg lamb and slow-simmered black dal cooked in clay tandoors. It is one of the city's most formal dinners and sits within the ITC Mughal resort on the Taj East Gate Road.
Esphahan, The Oberoi Amarvilas
The signature restaurant of the Oberoi Amarvilas serves Awadhi and Mughlai dinners in a dining room facing the Taj Mahal. It is among the most expensive tables in Agra and is typically booked in advance.
Pinch of Spice
One of Agra's best-known mid-range restaurants for classic North Indian and Mughlai food, with branches around the city. The Fatehabad Road outlet sits in the hotel belt close to the Taj East Gate.
Joney's Place
A long-running Taj Ganj eatery serving thalis, omelettes and lassis to budget travellers a few minutes' walk from the Taj Mahal's south gate. Seating is simple and informal; prices are among the lowest near the monument.
Sheroes Hangout
Run by acid-attack survivors as part of the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, Sheroes Hangout offers coffee, snacks and light meals in a bright cafe near Taj Ganj. Customers pay what the menu says and can read the staff's stories on the walls; there is a small library and boutique of handmade items.
Shankara Vegis
A vegetarian restaurant on the Taj East Gate Road lane serving thalis, paneer dishes and Western breakfast dishes. Its rooftop area gives a view of the Taj Mahal's dome at sunrise and sunset.
Book a food tour in Agra We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Agra
Agra is compact but congested. Most visitors arrive by train from Delhi (about 1 hour 40 minutes by the Gatimaan Express) or by road on the Yamuna Expressway (about 3.5-4 hours), and then move between the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and hotels by app cab, e-rickshaw or hotel car. The Agra Metro currently serves a short stretch of the Yellow Line near Taj East Gate and Mankameshwar, with further stations opening in stages.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in INR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹500-1,200 (approx $6-14) hostel or Taj Ganj guesthouse | ₹3,500-5,000 (approx $40-57) | ₹15,000-55,000+ (approx $170-625+) |
| Food (per day) | ₹400-600 (approx $5-7) | ₹900-1,500 (approx $10-17) | ₹4,000-9,000 (approx $45-102) |
| Transportation | ₹150-300 (approx $2-3) | ₹400-800 (approx $5-9) | ₹3,000-6,000 (approx $34-68) for a private car with driver |
| Activities | ₹600-1,100 (approx $7-13) for one or two ticketed monuments | ₹1,300-2,000 (approx $15-23) for monument tickets and a licensed guide share | ₹3,000-8,000 (approx $34-91) for private guides and shows |
| Daily total | ₹2,200 (approx $25) | ₹6,500 (approx $74) | ₹22,000+ (approx $250+) |
Best time to visit Agra
Weather through the year in Agra
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Essential travel tips
- Plan the Taj Mahal for any day except Friday, when it is closed to the public
- Buy Taj Mahal and Agra Fort tickets online on the ASI portal (asi.payumoney.com) to skip the cash queues
- Enter the Taj Mahal at sunrise from the East or West gate for thinner crowds and softer light
- Carry only a small bag: tripods, food, drones, tobacco and large bags are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal
- Book trains on IRCTC about 60 days ahead; the Gatimaan Express sells out in peak season
- Agree rickshaw and taxi fares before boarding, or use Uber, Ola or inDrive
- Decline offers from touts who say the Taj is closed or who steer visitors to commission shops
Safety information
Pre-book transport through a hotel, a prepaid taxi counter at the station or airport, or an app such as Uber or Ola rather than accepting rides from touts
Use only official ticket counters or the ASI online portal for monument tickets; no one outside the gates can 'arrange' special entry
Only licensed guides wearing a badge issued by the Archaeological Survey of India or UP Tourism should be hired, and the fee agreed up front
Keep phones, cameras and sunglasses in a zipped bag near Agra Fort, Taj Ganj and Fatehpur Sikri, where monkeys snatch items
Wear a money belt or cross-body bag in crowded bazaars such as Kinari Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar, which attract pickpockets
Do not accept food, drinks or sweets from friendly strangers at the station, as drugging of tourists has been reported in India
Carry a passport copy and keep the original in the hotel safe, but note that ASI monuments require photo ID for children's free entry
Carry the hotel's name and phone number written in Hindi and English for rickshaw drivers
Avoid walking alone at night in the lanes of Taj Ganj, around the Cantt and Raja ki Mandi stations and along the Yamuna bank; use a taxi from the door
Check the air-quality index each day from late October to January and wear an N95 mask when the index passes 200
Drink only sealed bottled or filtered water and eat freshly cooked food; carry oral rehydration salts
Insist on a metered fare or agree the price before entering any auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw
Treat any claim that the Taj is closed, the road is blocked or the traveller's hotel has burned down as a scam and check directly
Keep valuables out of sight in e-rickshaws, which have open sides, and hold your bag on your lap
Frequently asked questions
Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?
No. The Taj Mahal is closed to the public every Friday, apart from worshippers using the mosque. It is open the other six days from about 30 minutes before sunrise to about 30 minutes before sunset.
How much is a Taj Mahal ticket for foreign visitors?
Foreign adults pay about ₹1,300 (approx $14.77) including the ₹200 surcharge for the main mausoleum, per the Archaeological Survey of India. Prices change, so confirm on the ASI online ticket portal before visiting.
How many days are enough for Agra?
Two nights covers the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah and Mehtab Bagh; add a third day for Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra.
How do I get from Delhi to Agra?
The fastest option is the Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt in about 1 hour 40 minutes, booked on irctc.co.in. By road the Yamuna Expressway takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
What is the best time to visit Agra?
October to March is best, with February and March the most comfortable. May and June regularly exceed 40°C and December to January can bring fog and smog.
Is Agra safe for tourists?
Agra is generally safe for prepared visitors. The main problems are touts, commission scams, overcharging and monkeys snatching food; use official ticket counters and app cabs, and carry only what is needed.