Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, is the heartland of the Ganges plain and home to the Taj Mahal in Agra, the ghats of Varanasi, the Buddhist site of Sarnath and the Nawabi culture of Lucknow. Its cities hold some of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Mughal-era monuments, major Hindu pilgrimage towns such as Ayodhya and Mathura, and a distinctive food tradition of kebabs, chaat and sweets.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Uttar Pradesh.
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1
Taj Mahal
White-marble Mughal mausoleum built by Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653 for Mumtaz Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited monuments in India.
Tip: Arrive at opening to avoid the densest crowds and to catch softer light · The monument is closed on Fridays, so plan the visit for another day · Buy tickets online where possible to shorten the ticket-counter queue · Carry only small bags; food, tripods and many electronics are restricted · Use the electric buses or prepaid autos from the parking areas · Visit on a clear morning from October to March, as fog can hide the dome
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2
Agra Fort
Red-sandstone Mughal fortress-palace begun by Akbar in 1565 and extended by Shah Jahan, with the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Musamman Burj and views toward the Taj Mahal. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip: Arrive at opening time to avoid tour-group crowds and midday heat. · Foreign visitors pay a higher fee (about ₹650) than Indian citizens (₹50). · Hire an official guide or audio guide at the entrance to follow the palace layout. · Carry water and wear a hat; courtyards offer little shade in summer. · Combine with the Taj Mahal and Itimad-ud-Daulah for a full Agra day.
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3
Fatehpur Sikri
Abandoned Mughal capital built by Akbar from 1571, with the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal and the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip: Start early; the site is exposed and hot from April to June. · Dress modestly and carry socks for the hot stone at the tomb and mosque. · Agree guide fees before starting and ignore unofficial touts near the parking area. · Foreign ticket is about ₹610; Indian citizens pay ₹50. · Allow about three hours and combine with Agra on a long day trip.
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4
Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
Mughal tomb on the east bank of the Yamuna, completed around 1628 and noted for its marble inlay (pietra dura) work that foreshadowed the Taj Mahal.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for warm light and fewer tour groups. · Foreign ticket is about ₹310; Indian citizens pay ₹30. · Remove shoes before entering the tomb chamber. · Pair with Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, or the Mehtab Bagh sunset viewpoint. · Look closely at the inlay on the exterior panels; much detail is small.
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5
Mehtab Bagh
Mughal-era garden across the Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, used for sunset and moonlit views of the monument without crowds.
Tip: Arrive about an hour before sunset to secure a good spot at the river wall · Take an auto or taxi via the Kalakriti bridge and arrange the return ride in advance · Carry water, as refreshments inside are limited · Visit after a clear day, since haze can flatten the view · Use a zoom lens or phone zoom to bring the Taj closer across the river
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6
Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb)
Red-sandstone and marble tomb of Emperor Akbar, completed in 1613 within a large garden with gateways and roaming deer.
Tip: Visit in the morning for cooler weather and better light on the sandstone · Combine with Agra Fort or Itimad-ud-Daulah to use a single taxi hire · Keep food out of sight, as langurs and monkeys can snatch snacks · Allow time to walk the long causeway and circle the upper pavilion · Bring water and sun protection, as shade is limited
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7
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and the focus of Varanasi pilgrimage, reached by the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor from the Ganges ghats.
Tip: Leave phones, cameras and bags in storage before the security check · Go early in the morning to reduce waiting time · Consider a paid special-darshan ticket during peak periods · Dress modestly and expect to remove shoes · Check the official website for aarti closures and timings · Avoid Maha Shivratri and Shravan weekends unless joining the festival
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8
Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ganga Aarti
Main bathing ghat of Varanasi, site of the nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony at dusk and the starting point for sunrise boat rides along the ghats.
Tip: Arrive at least an hour before dusk to secure a spot on the steps. · Agree the boat fare and duration before boarding; about ₹500 per boat is a common starting figure. · Keep phones and bags secure in the crowd. · Ask before photographing people bathing, and avoid photographing cremations. · Expect no vehicle access beyond Godowlia Chowk.
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9
Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa and Archaeological Park)
Site where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with the 5th-century Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of Mauryan and Gupta-era monasteries and the Ashokan pillar stump.
Tip: Visit in the morning to avoid heat and larger tour groups · Combine the park with the Sarnath Museum and nearby monasteries · Hire a local guide to interpret the ruins · Carry water and a hat, as shade is limited · Behave quietly around pilgrims and monks
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10
Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
Temple complex at the traditional birthplace of Rama, consecrated in January 2024 and now the central pilgrimage destination in Ayodhya; entry is through security and queue lanes.
Tip: Book the online darshan slot in advance through the official trust website · Leave phones, bags and cameras in the storage counters before security · Arrive early on weekdays to reduce waiting time · Dress modestly and be ready for long walks within the complex · Avoid festival dates such as Ram Navami unless joining the celebration · Check current timings, as rules change often
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Taj Mahal
Marble mausoleum in Agra and UNESCO site
Agra Fort
Red-sandstone Mughal fortress-palace
Fatehpur Sikri
Akbar's abandoned capital
Bara Imambara
Lucknow's 1784 hall and labyrinth
Jhansi Fort
Bundela fort tied to Rani Lakshmibai
Religious
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Jyotirlinga shrine in Varanasi
Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
Rama temple in Ayodhya
Banke Bihari Temple
Krishna temple in Vrindavan
Triveni Sangam
Confluence of rivers at Prayagraj
Krishna Janmasthan
Mathura's birthplace temple complex
Museums
Anand Bhawan
Nehru family home and museum in Prayagraj
Sarnath Archaeological Museum
Houses the Ashokan Lion Capital
Nature
Dudhwa National Park
Terai tiger and swamp deer reserve
Mehtab Bagh
Garden with Taj views across the Yamuna
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most ASI monuments open sunrise to sunset; the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; temples keep long early-morning and evening darshan hours with midday breaks
- Fees
- Foreign visitors pay far more than Indians at ASI sites: Taj Mahal ₹1,100 (~$11.4) plus ₹200 (~$2.1) for the mausoleum, Agra Fort ₹650 (~$6.7), Fatehpur Sikri ₹610 (~$6.3); rates converted at 1 USD = 96.5 INR
- Best Times
- October to March for sightseeing; Dudhwa National Park is open only from about mid-November to mid-June
- Booking
- Buy Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri tickets online through the ASI ticketing portal (tajmahal.gov.in links to it) or at the gate; book Ram Mandir darshan slots on the trust website srjbtkshetra.org
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and avoid Fridays when it is closed
Photography of interiors is restricted at many temples; mobile phones and bags are barred at Krishna Janmasthan and Ram Janmabhoomi
Agra, Mathura-Vrindavan and Fatehpur Sikri can be combined using the Yamuna Expressway and Agra-Mathura road
Allow at least two nights in Varanasi and one day for Sarnath
Winter fog from December to January often delays trains and flights across the Gangetic plain
Carry a printed ticket and photo ID, since some sites check passports for foreigner rates
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Uttar Pradesh?
October to March, when temperatures are mild; summers exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
No, it is closed on Fridays and open sunrise to sunset on other days.
How much does the Taj Mahal cost for foreigners?
About ₹1,100 (~$11.4) plus ₹200 (~$2.1) for the main mausoleum, subject to change.
Which city is the holiest in Uttar Pradesh?
Varanasi is the most prominent, along with Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan and Prayagraj.