Looking for the best places to visit in Agra? Well, we plan to visit Agra, the only place that pops up in our mind is the Taj Mahal. But Agra is much more than that. Apart from its view, delicious food and sweets we will introduce you to some of the best places to visit in Agra.
9 Best Places to Visit in Agra India
Here are some of the best places that you must consider in your itinerary before heading towards Agra.
1) Fatehpur Sikri
This place is a perfect one day trip which is located at a distance of 40 kilometers from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is predominantly made of red sandstone and was founded in the 16 century by Mughal emperor Akbar.
The famous part about Fatehpur Sikri is that it is home to Jodha Bai’s palace Jama Mosque Buland Darwaza and a tomb of Salim Chisti among many other famous monuments each of which is an integral part of Indian heritage.
2) Agra fort
Agra fort is built by Mughals and has richly decorated buildings and is one of the most special monuments.
This place is an appropriate example of the Mughal style of art and architecture and is one of the most visited tourist spots in Agra as this place is really built out of red sandstones and expensive architecture stands out against the soft azure of the sky.
3) Itimad-ud-daulah’s Tomb
This place is often referred to as the baby Taj Mahal and is a Mughal mausoleum and often regarded as a copy of the Taj Mahal.
This tomb is entirely made up of marble and the first tomb in India. It’s like taking a step back in time into Agra history when you visit Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s tomb.
This was the first structure to make use of Pietra dura and the first to be built on the banks of the Yamuna river.
This place consists of Indo Islamic architecture with the use of arched entrances and octagonal shaped towers. If you see Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb from the extreme top it looks like a jewel box set in a garden.
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4) Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh is one of the last Mughal gardens and one of the most scenic spots in Agra located just North to the glorious wonder called the Taj Mahal and overlooking the Agra fort and Yamuna river on the opposite side.
This place is perfectly quadrilateral in shape and is also known as a moonlight garden. The best part about Mehtab Bagh is that this place is laid out in just the right symmetry and perfectly aligned with the gardens of the Taj Mahal, which provides a perfect picture view of the Taj from another fountain and the front of the entrance gate.
Moreover this place has 4 sandstone towers one each at the corner with the huge octagonal tank right in the centre and it is believed that Shahjahan specially got the bagh design for his personal interest so that he could come up here and admire the infinite beauty of his favourite piece of art.
5) Tomb of Akbar
The Tomb of Akbar is one of the best places to visit in Agra as it is an important architectural masterpiece of the Mughal Era which is located in Sikandra, a suburb of Agra.
The Tomb of Akbar is believed to have been built between 1605 and 1618. The tomb spreads over an area of 119 acres and is surrounded by a beautiful garden that was designed by Akbar himself.
Moreover Akbar’s wife Mariam-uz-zamani Begum2’s Tomb is also located in Sikandra about a kilometre away from Akbar’s tomb.
6) Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is also known as the Friday mosque and is a 17th-century structure. This mosque is one of the largest mosques built by Mughals in India and constructed in the region of Shahjahan in 1648.
Jama masjid is dedicated to Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter Jahan Ara Begum and this splendid monument is visible from the Agra fort with the Agra fort railway station right between the two structures.
The design of the mosque has a fountain at the center and is supported by 4 kiosks in the courtyard. Apart from this, the interior walls have scriptures in the Persian style praising Shah Jahan and Jahan Ara. Thousands of devotees attend the special prayer here every Friday.
7) Chini Ka Rauza
Chini ka rauza is dedicated to the memory of prime minister of the court Allama Afzal Khan Mulla. This place is also known as China Tomb as chini means China and Rosa means Tomb, the strain is the final resting place of the Persian scholar and poet. Chini ka rauza was built between 1628 and 1639 is a marvelous fusion of the Indo Persian style.
8) Wildlife SOS
Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 and is an initiative to work on the direction of protection and conserving wildlife, maintaining quality habitats and safeguarding rich biodiversity.
Wildlife SOS is focusing on creating sustainable livelihood measures. The movement makes elaborate efforts to protect the depleting environment.
This place is a commendable manoeuvre to help save the jeopardizing planet by educating people about the hazards of animal captivity, poaching effects and reptile hunting etc.
9) Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal was constructed entirely out of white marbles in the 17th century.
Tajmahal is among the finest edifices of Mughal architecture. Moreover, this place is considered as one of the seven monuments of the modern world. This breathtaking monument is visited by every tourist that has been to Agra.
This place is covering an area of approximately 42 acres and was constructed using white marble obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan.
5 Best Places For Shopping in Agra
We all know that Agra is popularly known for its monuments but hidden behind these architectural wonders are the traditional shopping centers and Bazaars.
1) Sadar Bazar
This market is one of the most famous shopping spots in Agra located near Agra cantt railway station. from handicrafts to sweets from garments to leather bags everything can be found at one single place in this market.
As we all know that Agra is very famous for its leather products don’t forget to buy them from here. You should definitely head out to Sadar bazar if you are looking for ethnic clothing footwear and accessories.
2) Subhash Bazar
Another popular market in Agra is Subhash bazar which is situated in Hawaii gali near the north edge of jama masjid. If you are looking for silk products and silk sarees you must head towards Subhash bazar. You will definitely find some good quality products at a reasonable price with the right negotiating skills.
3) Kinari Bazar
Kinari bazar is a wholesale market of the city with a great history and is located near jama masjid of Agra. Kinari bazar is famous for its business with wholesalers and retailers and is a home to a wide choice of handicrafts along with marble glassware rugs leather and textiles.
4) TDI Mall
TDI Mall is located on Fatehabad road near the popular Taj Mahal and it is a great shopping spot. Moreover, this mall is also quite feasible for its entertainment as well as feasible as well as leisure purpose. Apart from these things there is a huge food court with all kinds of varieties of food dishes. If you adore brands you will definitely find a good catch here.
5) Raja ki Mandi
This place is one of the most crowded and busiest shopping markets of the city. make a huge list of garments, sweets, jewellery ladies items household items and religious items before heading towards Raja ki Mandi as this place has a diverse nature of the market in terms of products offered.