Agra
Discover Agra
Agra (Hindi: आगरा Āgrā, Urdu: آگرہ Āgrā) is a city around 200 km from Delhi, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. There are also many other buildings and tombs from Agra's days of glory as the capital of the Mughal Empire, as well as the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri outside town, itself a World Heritage Site. Besides these three World Heritage Sites, the city has little else to recommend it. Similar to Delhi, pollution is rampant in Agra, especially smog and litter. Visitors are pestered by swarms of touts and hawkers at every monument, besides the inner Taj Mahal which, once you are in, is free of scams and touts. The sites are some of the wonders of the world, and no trip to India is complete without at least one visit to the Taj. For the vast majority of visitors, a single day in Agra is more than enough.
What to Experience in Agra
Taj Mahal
people near TAj Mahal
Agra Fort
Itimad ud daulah ~ Agra
A Girl standing in front of the Taj Mahal Picture By Navdeep Panwar
A large building with two towers on top of it
Mosque alongside the Taj Mahal
The Taj.
Building opposite of Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Taj Mahal front gate
Taste of Agra...
Agra specialities are petha, a type of very sweet candy, and Dal Moth, a spicy lentil mix. Both are also popular souvenirs. A bottle of Indian beer costs around ₹70-100 in a hotel, but there is virtually no nightlife in Agra outside of cultural shows at some of the larger hotels and restaurants. After getting off the streets of Agra and into your hotel, you will not want to go back anyway. Thanks to heavy competition, Agra's five-star hotels are good value compared to most other cities in India.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Agra into what it is today.
The recorded history of Agra begins around the 11th century, and over the next 500 years, the city changed hands between various kings, both Hindu and Muslim. In 1506, Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, moved his capital from Delhi to Agra. His son Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, as he was defeated in 1526 by Babur, the first Mughal ruler, in the battle of Panipat. Agra fell too, and became the capital of the Mughals, whose rule over Agra was uninterrupted except for a brief period between 1540 and 1556. In 1540, Sher Shah Suri overthrew Humayun and became the ruler of much of North India, including Agra. After Sher Shah Suri's death, his descendants proved unequal to the task of ruling the kingdom, and Hemu, a Hindu general of Suri, became the eff...
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Agra.
Agra has many shops selling stone products, from jewellery to small boxes and plaques with inlay work resembling that on the Taj. The best of these are wonderful, and even the run-of-the-mill ones are rather pretty. Agra is also famous for its leather goods. Consider spending time in Sadar Bazaar for some shopping and cheap food. These markets have gemstones, both precious and semi-precious, cut and polished but unset, and finished jewellery. You can also find chic boutiques, classy leather goods, culturally-designed clothing, and marble markets. Beware of being overcharged. Do not let anyone
Climate
The climate is similar to, but not identical, to the one of Delhi. Similar to Delhi, Agra is also notorious for their thick winter fog, which reduces visibility to almost zero. On the other hand, the city becomes scorchingly hot during late spring and early summer. Agra is 200 km southeast of Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is also very well connected via rail and road with other nearby cities and tourist destinations, and thus suitable for a day trip from Delhi or as a part of a larger itinerary. Indira Gandhi International Airport (D
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAgra is 200 km southeast of Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is also very well connected via rail and road with other nearby cities and tourist destinations, and thus suitable for a day trip from Delhi or as a part of a larger itinerary. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the nearest major airport with direct flights from more destinations. Agra is on the main railway line between the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai routes, and m...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Metro, electric buses, tongas (horse-drawn carriages) and e-rickshaws are readily available and the best way to get to the Taj Mahal. As polluting vehicles are banned around the Taj, you need to use a tonga or an electric auto while travelling in the vicinity. Camels are also available. The Yellow Line ( Yellow ) of the Agra Metro conveniently connects the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal with the Agra Fort. Tickets are ₹30 and trains run from 6AM to 10PM. Auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are ava
Where to Stay
Thanks to heavy competition, Agra's five-star hotels are good value compared to most other cities in India. There are several Internet cafés for sending email or uploading digital photos. Many cheap cafés, such as the Taj Café, offer free Wi-Fi. There are only a handful of hospitals in Agra compared to Delhi. Refer to the hospitals in Delhi in emergency.
Money & Budget
Agra has many shops selling stone products, from jewellery to small boxes and plaques with inlay work resembling that on the Taj. The best of these are wonderful, and even the run-of-the-mill ones are rather pretty. Agra is also famous for its leather goods. Consider spending time in Sadar Bazaar for some shopping and cheap food. These markets have gemstones, both precious and semi-precious, cut a
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There are several Internet cafés for sending email or uploading digital photos. Many cheap cafés, such as the Taj Café, offer free Wi-Fi. There are only a handful of hospitals in Agra compared to Delhi. Refer to the hospitals in Delhi in emergency.
Glimpses of Agra
Taj Mahal
people near TAj Mahal
Agra Fort
Itimad ud daulah ~ Agra
A Girl standing in front of the Taj Mahal Picture By Navdeep Panwar
A large building with two towers on top of it
Mosque alongside the Taj Mahal
The Taj.
Building opposite of Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Taj Mahal front gate
Taj Mahal
people near TAj Mahal
Agra Fort