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Agra

Mughal capital · Taj Mahal sunrise and marble inlay craft

Agra was the Mughal capital for over a century and holds three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Taj Mahal, completed in 1653 for Mumtaz Mahal, is the high point of Mughal architecture — but Agra Fort and the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri tell the fuller story.

Best time

October to March; a winter sunrise at the Taj is the classic experience.

Ideal length

1–2 days, easily paired with Jaipur and Delhi

Typical budget

₹2,000–4,000 per person per day

How to reach

Yamuna Expressway, 3 hours from Delhi; Gatimaan Express takes 100 minutes.

What to see

  • Taj Mahal

    Enter at sunrise; closed on Fridays

  • Agra Fort

    Red sandstone fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned

  • Mehtab Bagh

    Across the Yamuna — sunset view of the Taj

  • Fatehpur Sikri

    Akbar's abandoned capital, 40 km away

  • Itmad-ud-Daulah

    The 'Baby Taj', first Mughal marble inlay tomb

What to eat

  • Mughlai kebabs and korma in Sadar Bazaar
  • Agra petha — try the kesar and paan varieties
  • Bedai with jalebi for breakfast in the old city

Heritage & culture

  • Pietra dura marble inlay workshops run by descendants of Taj artisans
  • Kalakriti Mughal dance drama in the evening

Good to know

  • Tickets are timed and online-only; carry ID.
  • Tripods, large bags and food are not allowed inside the Taj complex.

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