Agra Travelers Recommend

Three days in Agra will give you plenty of opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, with time left over to explore off-the-beaten-path parts of the city and visit smaller attractions. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: The Taj and the Baby Taj

Start your first day in Agra with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Book a skip-the-line tour to avoid long waits, and visit right at sunrise for the best lighting. Then make your way over to the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, otherwise known as the Baby Taj because of its white-marble exteriors. From here, head across the River Yamuna to Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal garden with great sunset views of the Taj. When night falls, head to the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center to watch Mohabbat the Taj, a theatrical retelling of the story of the Taj. Prebook a combo package that includes dinner, transportation, and tickets for the best value.

Day 2: Yoga, Food, and Agra Fort

Start your second day in Agra in a healthy way, at a yoga class with the Taj Mahal in the distance. Then, instead of grabbing breakfast, sign up for a cooking class in the home of a local and learn how to make Indian food yourself. Alternatively, join a street-food walking tour that will take you through parts of Agra that few tourists see. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, home to generations of Mughal emperors and the site where Shahjahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal, lived out his last days under captivity from his grandson. Stick around for an evening sound-and-light show; if you book an Agra Fort tour, your guide will be able to help you arrange tickets.

Day 3: Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri

On your last day, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive out of town. This red-sandstone ghost town, home to the Mughal empire for 14 years, is one of the most magnificently preserved examples of Mughal architecture in the region. If Jaipur is your next stop, you can book a transfer from Agra that includes a stop at Fatehpur Sikri followed by a visit to the Chand Baori, a stepwell in the town of Abhaneri that's known for its exquisite symmetry. Alternatively, if you’re headed back to Agra and it happens to be one of the five nights around the full moon, visit the Taj Mahal by moonlight.

With two days in Agra, you’ll be able to hit up all the highlights, including the Taj Mahal and other UNESCO World Heritage sites, at a relaxed pace and still have time left over for some evening exploration. Here’s how to get the most out of 48 hours in Agra.

Day 1: The Taj and the Baby Taj

Morning: Start your morning bright and early with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra’s most important attraction. Try to get there right before it opens and book a skip-the-line ticket or ticket-and-tour combo so that you can get inside before the big crowds.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head over to the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, commonly referred to as “Baby Taj” because of its compact size and beautiful white-marble edifice. From here, make your way to Mehtab Bagh, a pleasingly symmetrical Mughal garden that offers great views of the Taj Mahal from across the River Yamuna.

Night: Spend your first evening out on the town with a visit to the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center to watch Mohabbat the Taj, a musical theater production that tells the story behind the Taj Mahal. You’ll get the most for your money if you book a combo package that includes transportation and dinner.

Day 2: Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort

Morning: On your second morning, take a half-day tour out to Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage ghost town situated about a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive from Agra. The capital of the Mughal empire for 14 years, it is among the best-preserved examples of Mughal architecture on Earth.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, return to Agra for lunch followed by a visit to the Agra Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sprawling fortified complex that generations of Mughal emperors called home. Shahjahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal, was held captive here by his grandson in a chamber with direct Taj Mahal views.

Night: After visiting Agra Fort, stick around for an educational sound-and-light show. Alternatively, if you happen to be visiting during the five days around the full moon, you can prearrange a night visit to the Taj Mahal complex, where you can see the marble monument under the light of the moon.

Although Agra is best-known for the Taj Mahal, the area is home to two other UNESCO World Heritage sites, both of which are excellent examples of Mughal architecture. Here’s the best way to see all three in one day and still have time left over for dinner and a show.

Morning: The Taj Mahal

Wake up before the crack of dawn and make your way to the Taj Mahal, Agra’s principal attraction. Lines begin to form early, so it’s best to book a skip-the-line ticket or tour package to avoid long waits (though you’ll still want to get there early for the best photography conditions). Spend your morning exploring the beautiful Mughal gardens that lead to the Taj before entering the ancient mausoleum. Audio guides are available, but going with a guide is useful if you want a more in-depth understanding of the story behind the Taj (or help getting great photographs). 

Afternoon: Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri

Grab lunch before making your way to nearby Agra Fort, the city’s other UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made primarily of red sandstone, this gargantuan fortification was the primary residence of generations of Mughal emperors, and Shahjahan (who built the Taj) was imprisoned here by his own grandson. After your visit, head to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificently preserved ghost town that served as the capital of the Mughal empire for 14 years. It’s a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive from Agra, and while you can hire guides right at the site, it’s easiest to book a tour from Agra that includes transportation. 

Night:Mohabbat the Taj at Kalakriti

Wrap up your day in Agra with dinner and a show. Held on most nights at the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center,Mohabbat the Taj is a theatrical performance, complete with music and dance, that recounts the story of Shahjahan (the emperor who commissioned the Taj Mahal) and his beloved wife Mumtaz, in whose honor the monument was built. It’s an entertaining way to learn about the history behind the Taj. Grab dinner after the performance, or, for the best value, book a combo tour that includes theater tickets, dinner, and hotel transfers.