A city in northern India known for the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Akbar's Tomb. Explore Mughal architecture, taste local sweets, and enjoy Yamuna River views.
Agra, a city in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state, is home to the iconic Taj Mahal. You can explore other Mughal-era buildings like Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, taste local sweets, buy marble handicrafts, and wander through busy bazaars.
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal stands as the centerpiece of Agra. This white marble mausoleum, built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, serves as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. You'll see a large dome, intricate carvings, and inlaid precious stones on the symmetrical building. Walk through the expansive gardens and enter the mausoleum to observe the ornate interior and tombs. For the best views and smaller crowds, visit at sunrise. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee of 1100 rupees.
Agra Fort
About 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal, you'll find Agra Fort - another UNESCO World Heritage site. This massive red sandstone fort complex served as the main residence of Mughal emperors for generations. Inside, you'll discover palaces, audience halls, and mosques adorned with intricate marble work and inlaid stone designs. Key areas to explore include the Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, and Musamman Burj tower, which offers views of the Taj Mahal in the distance. The entry fee for foreign visitors is 650 rupees.
Local Food Specialties
Agra has several culinary specialties for you to taste. The city is known for its sweets, especially petha - a soft candy made from ash gourd and flavored with ingredients like saffron or rose. You'll find petha shops throughout the city selling different varieties. Another local dish is bedai, a fried bread served with spicy potato curry - you can eat it for breakfast at a local restaurant or street stall. For a full meal, try Mughlai dishes like butter chicken or mutton korma.
Getting to Agra
You can reach Agra from other major Indian cities by various means. The fastest way from Delhi is by train - the journey takes around 2-3 hours. Several express trains run daily between the two cities. You can also take a bus or hire a taxi for the 4-5 hour drive. If coming from further away, Agra Airport has limited domestic flights. Within the city, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws provide transportation between sights.
