Agra is the Yamuna-river city in Uttar Pradesh that was the Mughal capital under Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and is home to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within about 40 km of each other.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Agra.
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1
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.
Tip: Arrive at the gate before sunrise on a weekday to meet the thinnest crowds and softest light · Buy tickets online through the official ASI portal to skip the foreign-visitor ticket queue · Carry only a phone, small camera, water in a clear bottle and a wallet; tripods, food, drones and large bags are not allowed · The Taj is closed on Fridays; plan Agra Fort or Mehtab Bagh that day · Winter fog from December to January can hide the dome until mid-morning · Official guides can be hired at the gate; agree the fee in INR before starting
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2
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.
Tip: Hire a licensed guide at the entrance; the fort has little signage and the layout is confusing · A same-day Taj Mahal ticket can bring a small discount on the foreign visitor fee · Visit in the last hour before sunset for the best light toward the Taj · Wear good shoes, as the entrance ramp and courtyards are steep and uneven · Carry water and a hat; there is little shade between buildings · Only the Amar Singh Gate is open to the public
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3
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.
Tip: Allow about an hour and combine with Chini Ka Rauza and Ram Bagh by hired auto · Visit in the first or last hour of the day to avoid tour groups · Carry a small torch or use phone light to see detail in the dim inner chamber · Remove shoes before stepping onto the tomb platform · Fees are lower on Fridays; check the current ASI rates at the ticket window · Agree the auto fare and waiting time before leaving Taj Ganj
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4
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.
Tip: Arrive about an hour before sunset to claim a spot on the terrace · Arrange a return auto or taxi in advance, as few wait at dusk · Bring water and insect repellent, especially in the monsoon · Use a zoom lens or a phone with a telephoto setting for the best Taj framing · Check the current ASI entrance fee at the gate, as it differs for Indian and foreign visitors · Mist and haze can reduce visibility, so check conditions before an early start
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5
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.
Tip: Visit in the morning before the tour groups arrive · Combine with Mariam's Tomb and Gurudwara Guru ka Taal in one auto trip · Do not feed the monkeys and keep food out of sight · Carry a phone light to see the painted ceilings in the entrance corridor · Shoes come off before entering the inner crypt · Check the Friday reduced fee at the ticket window
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6
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.
Tip: Avoid prayer times, especially Friday midday · Dress modestly and remove shoes at the threshold · Tip the shoe keeper a small amount on leaving · Watch for pickpockets in the crowded bazaar lanes · Walk from Agra Fort's Amar Singh Gate rather than driving into the old city · Ask permission before photographing worshippers
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7
Mankameshwar Temple
An old Shiva temple in the Rawatpara-Pipal Mandi lanes near Jama Masjid, counted among the four Shiva temples traditionally said to guard Agra, busy on Mondays and during the Shravan month.
Tip: Remove shoes before entering and dress modestly · Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the Monday and Shravan crowds · Ask the priest before taking photographs inside the sanctum · Carry small change for offerings and shoe storage · Walk from Jama Masjid because autos cannot reach the temple door · Avoid carrying leather items or large bags into the shrine
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8
Kinari Bazaar
The old market ringing Jama Masjid and the Agra Fort approaches, known for zari and gota trimmings, wedding finery, bangles, sweets and spice stalls in narrow lanes.
Tip: Bargain politely and start at roughly half the first quoted price · Keep wallets and phones in front pockets or a zipped bag · Go on foot; autos and e-rickshaws stop at the edge of the lanes · Try petha from an established shop and check freshness · Avoid Friday afternoons and festival evenings if crowds are a concern · Carry small notes for snacks and small purchases
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9
Taj Nature Walk
A landscaped green belt about 500m east of the Taj created by the Agra Development Authority, with winding paths, a watchtower and views of the Taj through the trees.
Tip: Visit at dawn or late afternoon for cooler air and better birding · Climb the tower for the best Taj view · Carry water, as facilities are limited · Confirm the entry fee at the gate since quoted prices differ · Use insect repellent in the evening · Combine with a sunrise visit to the Taj
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10
Kalakriti: Mohabbat the Taj
A nightly live theatrical show at the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre retelling the Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal love story, with music, dance and costume, in about an hour.
Tip: Book ahead in the winter tourist season · Confirm the show start time and price in INR when booking · Ask whether hotel transfers are included in the ticket · Choose central seating for the clearest view and sound · Silence phones and check the photography rules at the door · Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to find a seat
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan's white marble mausoleum and Agra's defining monument
Agra Fort (Red Fort of Agra)
Akbar's red sandstone citadel with Shah Jahan's marble palaces
Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
Nur Jahan's inlaid marble tomb for her father, a forerunner of the Taj
Museums
Taj Museum
ASI museum of Mughal miniatures, farmans and Taj paintings inside the Taj complex
Kalakriti: Mohabbat the Taj
Nightly live show retelling the Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal story
Nature
Mehtab Bagh
Mughal garden on the opposite Yamuna bank with the classic back-view of the Taj
Taj Nature Walk
Landscaped green belt east of the Taj with birds and tree-framed views
Ram Bagh (Aram Bagh)
Babur's early Mughal garden on the Yamuna bank
Cultural
Jama Masjid, Agra
Jahanara Begum's 1648 Friday mosque opposite Agra Fort
Mankameshwar Temple
Old Shiva temple in the Pipal Mandi lanes near Jama Masjid
Gurudwara Guru ka Taal
Sikh shrine at Sikandra with a free langar for all visitors
Kinari Bazaar
Traditional market of zari, bangles and wedding goods around Jama Masjid
Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra
Akbar's mausoleum in a large garden with deer
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most ASI monuments (Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Akbar's Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Ram Bagh, Mariam's Tomb) are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday and opens about 30 minutes before sunrise until about 30 minutes before sunset. Agra Fort stays open on Fridays, so schedule it for the Taj's closed day.
- Fees
- Foreign nationals pay INR 1,100 (approx $12.50 USD) for the Taj plus INR 200 (approx $2.27 USD) for the main mausoleum, INR 650 (approx $7.39 USD) for Agra Fort, INR 310 (approx $3.52 USD) each for Itimad-ud-Daulah and Akbar's Tomb, and INR 300 (approx $3.41 USD) each for Mehtab Bagh, Ram Bagh and Mariam's Tomb. Indian nationals pay INR 25-50 per site (the Taj is INR 50 plus INR 200 for the mausoleum). Children under 15 are free. A separate Agra Development Authority toll of INR 500 (approx $5.68 USD) is reported for foreign visitors at some monuments; confirm at the ticket window. Fees are revised periodically.
- Best Times
- October to March is the comfortable season; December and January bring dense morning fog that can hide the Taj until mid-morning. April to June regularly exceeds 40C and is best handled with sunrise visits only. July to September is monsoon, humid but green with fewer visitors.
- Booking
- Buy ASI tickets online through asi.paygov.org.in or asiagracircle.in (a small discount applies on online tickets) and carry photo ID. The Taj Mahal sells timed entry slots online; at the gates, foreign nationals use the dedicated ticket counters at the West Gate (Saheli Burj side) or East Gate. Taj night-viewing tickets must be bought in advance from the ASI Agra Circle office. India's national tourist helpline is 1363 and the emergency number is 112.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Plan the Taj for a Saturday-Thursday and use Friday, when the Taj is closed, for Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh and the east-bank tombs.
Book the Taj online for the first slot of the day and carry the printed or phone ticket plus photo ID to the dedicated foreign-visitor queue.
Pack light: tripods, drones, food, tobacco, power banks above small size, knives and large bags are restricted inside the Taj complex, and a cloakroom at the gate holds bags.
Foreign tickets include shoe covers and a bottle of water at the Taj; these let you walk onto the marble plinth without removing shoes.
Use only ASI- or UP Tourism-approved guides, who carry an official identity card; refuse touts who offer 'free' entry help or insist on shop visits.
Treat Taj Ganj rooftop restaurants as a good place for a view, but agree menu prices before sitting down.
Do the east-bank circuit (Itimad-ud-Daulah, Chini Ka Rauza, Ram Bagh) by one hired auto for roughly INR 600-900 (approx $6.82-10.23 USD) for a half-day, agreeing the price first.
Walk Kinari Bazaar and the Jama Masjid lanes in the morning; carry cash because many lane stalls do not take cards.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed to see Agra's main attractions?
Two days cover Agra comfortably: day one for the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Taj Museum and Mehtab Bagh at sunset; day two for Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Chini Ka Rauza and Ram Bagh, with Sikandra if time allows. A half-day extension to Fatehpur Sikri is possible by road, about 40km west.
Which days is the Taj Mahal closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday for general visitors. All other days it opens about 30 minutes before sunrise and closes about 30 minutes before sunset; check the ASI portal for exceptional closures.
How much does it cost to visit the Taj Mahal as a foreign tourist?
The entry ticket is INR 1,100 (approx $12.50 USD) and the main mausoleum adds INR 200 (approx $2.27 USD), so INR 1,300 (approx $14.77 USD) in total. A separate Agra Development Authority toll of INR 500 is reported for foreign visitors; confirm at the ticket window. Children under 15 are free.
Which Agra monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort were both inscribed in 1983. Fatehpur Sikri, a day trip from Agra, was inscribed in 1986.
What is the best viewpoint for the Taj Mahal other than inside the complex?
Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna gives the classic back-view at sunset, the Musamman Burj at Agra Fort gives a distant haze view, and rooftop cafes in Taj Ganj give a close view without a ticket.
Is Agra safe for solo travellers?
Agra is routinely visited by solo travellers, but touts, unlicensed guides and commission-driven shops are common near the Taj and the station. Use prepaid taxis or app cabs, agree prices before rides, and avoid unlit lanes after dark.