Think Your Agra Trip is Complete After a Visit to the Taj Mahal? Think Again! Do Not Miss Out on the 10 Best Places to Visit in Agra (2019)

Agra, the land of mystical charm and historical significance has managed to carve a niche for itself in the map of the world owing to the presence of India’s biggest historic monument – Taj Mahal in its premises. While most of us might have visited Agra at least once in our lifetime, there are a few who have missed this chance. If you belong to the later, then Agra is a destination that deserves a place in your bucket list. Agra is included in the ‘Golden Triangle’ tourist circuit along with Delhi and Jaipur, pulling millions of tourists every year to bask in the historic, cultural and royal significance of India.

A feast for the eyes for the history enthusiasts, the bustling city of Agra has everything that can enthrall a passionate historian. Home to many architectural wonders from the Mughal Era, this township is visited by a whopping number of tourists every day from different parts of the world. Not only the Taj Mahal, but the Mughal gardens, historic villages and the mesmerizing forts take one to a fascinating trip to a bygone era. One gets a glimpse of the royalty and grandeur in which our ancestors lived and rejoiced.

Although the city of Agra is reminiscent with its historic importance, there is more to the place than just Taj Mahal. The famous old city bazaars and the traditional sweet ‘petha’ contribute to the cultural significance of this place. Taj Mahotsav and the Agra Balloon festival are some of the important festivals and exhibitions organized in the city and if you want to taste the local flavor, then do plan your itinerary according to these cultural fests which happen in February every year.

The city also has a fun and contemporary side with some state-of-the-art entertainment zones and shopping malls. There are some famous eateries and cafes in the city, making it a complete holiday package for a tourist.

There are some amazing places to visit in Agra, without which your journey to this historic land is incomplete. The list below highlights the 10 best places to visit in Agra.

There must be hardly a soul in the world who has not heard of the Taj Mahal. The beautiful ivory white-marble mausoleum has managed to make a place in the 7 wonders of the world. This monument is known as the icon of love as it was built by Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal in the year 1,653.

Today, it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The palace holds a mystical charm till today. Taj Mahal showcases brilliance and intricacy of the Persian artisans and Mughal style of architecture. You must also plan a night visit to this beautiful monument in your travel itinerary, where you can see the gigantic monument glistening in the moonlight. The night visit is allowed only on 5 nights a month: on the full moon night and 2 nights before and after.

Agra fort is another example of excellent Mughal architecture. It is one of the finest forts in India engineered with red sandstone and clever architectural skills. The fort exudes grandeur and power. This fort initially began as a military structure in 1,565 by Emperor Akbar. It was later transformed into a palace by his grandson Emperor Shah Jahan. This fort was originally built to confuse the attackers. It has some iconic structures such as the Shish Mahal, Diwaan-e-aam and Diwaan-e-khaas.

For those who want a taste of the local flavor and also a glimpse into the village life, a heritage walk through the Kachpura village will be ideal. Center for Urban and Regional Excellence – CURE has started the Mughal Heritage Walk with the initiative to boost tourism in Agra. This initiative also helps villagers to make a good income from tourism and also improve the living conditions. The walk is 0.6 miles long and is lead by villagers who also play the role of local guides. This heritage walk is on the riverside opposite to the Taj Mahal. The walk passes through the Kachhpura village and gets over at Mehtab Bagh. This walk gives you a different view of the Taj Mahal and also makes you visit some lesser known monuments from the Mughal era.

Mehtab Bagh is a classic example of beautiful and well-manicured lawns in front of the Taj Mahal. A visit to these breathtaking gardens will not only give you a wonderful sight of the Taj Mahal but also refresh you and fill you with amazement. The ‘moonlight garden’ is spread over a 25 acre land directly opposite the monument. It was built before the Taj Mahal by emperor Babur. The garden had been ignored and was badly ruined a few years ago, but it has been reconstructed and restored to its original charm and grandeur now.

Had your dose of history? Then Agra has something for nature and wildlife enthusiasts too. Operated by the Wildlife SOS – The Agra Bear Rescue Center has some charming and endearing sloth bears which were once upon a time, held captive and made to dance forcibly. This centre is open every day from dawn to dusk and is a bit distant from the city via the Delhi-Agra road. The visitors first get to see a short educational movie in an enclosed viewing area. To get closer to the bears, you need to pay a sum of Rs.1,500/- per person for a private guided tour. This private tour must also be pre-booked.

Another rural tourism initiative has begun in the unique Korai village where the visitors can get up close and personal with the rural inhabitants of this area. This village is a tribal one, falling just on the way to Fatehpur Sikri. The inhabitants of this village were the keepers of dancing slave bears. Since the time, the bears have been taken away from them, they have been struggling to earn their bread and butter. They were not even provided with any compensation. Do visit this quaint little village and get a glimpse into the daily rural life of the villagers. While here, also meet the popular village magician, Mohammad.

The fascinating and highly congested Old City located in the heart of Agra is a must visit if you want to get a gist of the cultural life out here. This bustling city is situated just behind the 17th century old Jama Masjid Mosque. Narrow lanes housing a plethora of shops selling spices, jewellery, clothes, sarees, crafts, snacks and more, can easily suffocate someone who is not used to seeing such arrangements. It is also known as Kinnari Bazaar. The bazaar can be quite overwhelming and it is easy to get lost if you are not guided properly. There are many companies arranging guided tours around the old city such as - Agramagic, Wandertrails and some other sites.

Fatehpur Sikri is now a deserted city but was once a bustling township founded by the Emperor Akbar in 1,571. He even decided to shift his capital base to Fatehpur Sikri. But he could not live there for long and shifted back to Agra within 15 years. It is today considered as India’s top historical destinations. At just 40 km from Agra, this place is a must visit. You will be besotted by the way the domes of the historical monuments here turn all shades of orange and crimson during sunset.

Not only does the place offer a breathtaking view during sunset and sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri also has astounding structures with fascinating architecture and craftsmanship. Some interesting domes and monuments worth a visit here are the Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Palace of Jodha Bai, Birbal's house, Hiran Minar and Diwaan-e-Khaas. A trip to Fatehpur Sikri can take up a whole day from your itinerary. As it is close to Agra, you can hire a taxi to get there.

For some fun and frolic, do visit the lovely Sheroes Hangout in Agra. This small and cute café is tucked away between some trinket shops opposite, The Gateway Hotel. This graffiti-filed café is remarkable and inspiring. Its name – Sheroes can be shortened as She +Heroes, and it is run by women. These women are acid attack victims in India. This café opened up in 2014 and was founded by an NGO called Stop Acid Attacks.

Often in India, acid attack victims lead a life of shame and despair. This venture was an initiative to give such survivors confidence to step out in the open without feeling shy of their looks. The café serves delicious snacks and beverages and is a lovely place to chill out with friends and family. It also has a huge library and an exhibition space where you can spend some quality time.

The baby Taj Mahal is also described as a jewel box. Its structure was used as a rough draft for the Taj Mahal. There are a lot of similarities in the structure including the towers, symmetry, long pool design leading up to the tomb of the palace.

Travelling smart helps you feel more comfortable and you can enjoy your trip without any undue-stress. To travel smart is to travel light and to travel safe. Here is a small travel checklist which will help you travel like a pro.

Jot down your brief travel itinerary on a paper or on your smartphone to give you a rough idea of your travel plan. There is no need to go exactly by the plan as some spontaneous plans also make a trip very interesting. Also, ensure that you have your passports, IDs and tickets neatly packed in your backpack or messenger bag. It is also wise to have a backup of your travel documents stacked away in your suitcase incase of any mishaps. Also have numbers of some close people whom you can call in case of any emergencies. A map of the city can also be very helpful especially when you plan to explore it yourself.

Carry all your medicines, a battery backup for your smartphone, a pen drive and such other things which can be handy and useful. They also do not take up a lot of space.

Things you once took for granted while flying are all heavily priced today. Travel light is the new mantra of smart travel where you pack only your most essential garments, small bottles of toiletries, sun shades, hat, comfortable sneakers and a very comfortable and spacious backpack. Pack clothes depending upon the weather conditions.

Agra can be really hot from March to June. Monsoon begins from June and lasts up till September. October to April is cool and dry and also the most preferred time to travel to Agra. It does not get really cold even in December here and you can do with just a warm jacket if you are planning a trip to Agra in December and January.

Agra is a tourist’s paradise. A trip to Agra can be easy to plan when you have a list of the best places to cover. This travel guide from BP – Guide will help you plan your trip to this historic city and make the most of it!