Agra is world renowned for being the home of the iconic taj mahal and while many travelers will make the journey to this Indian city just to marvel at the marble walls and landscape garden of the country's most instantly recognizable sight, there are many more places to visit in agra too.
This is a city with incredibly rich history and in agra you can find sprawling forts, resplendent tombs, and axquisite palaces along side a vibrant culture, lively markets and excellent cuisine.
Here are best places for visit in agra.
9 best places in Agra to visit besides tajmahal
Inside the city you can find huge array of sights that are equally important as the tajmahal. Outside, the city you can find some impressive ancient attraction and wonderful wildlife reserve.
1. Agra fort
The second most famous of many places to visit in Agra is Agra fort. After the tajmahal this is one of the most well known and visited attraction in city.
The sprawling fortress is UNESCO world Heritage Site and for century it was the Recedence of mughal emperor. Who ruled waste Swathes to India from agra and built many of the iconic sights that you see here.
2. Jahangir palace
Within Agra red fort you find the beautiful jahangir palace. The ornate designs and intricate architecture are wonderful to see. While the history behind the palace is equally as intriguing.
The palace was built for emperor jahangir in the 17th century and this was where the emperor's wives would live and spend most of their time.
3. Khas Mahal
From the tower he would have been able to see the most iconic legacy of his rule in India.The migrates of tajmahal it self. The khas mahal is monument to both the opulence of the mughal ruler and strife of their power plays.
4. Mahetab bag
Mehtab bag is one of the most peaceful serene garden to be find in the city. It's one of the best place to visit in Agra. Because from here you can see the resplendent glory of tajmahal without any of the crowds.
This beautiful garden was built far before the tajmahal was designed, but from the almost symmetrical placement of the tajmahal across the river, you would think otherwise.
The garden was initially built by the famous emperor babar before the tajmahal was constructed decades later by a successor to the throne.
Legend has it that emperor shahjahan who built the tajmahal was also planning to build a second tajmahal-esque building in the mahetab bag gardens. Where he would be entombed after his death.
The so-called black tajmahal one of the agra's most enduring fables.
5. Tomb of itimad-ad daulah
One of the best places to visit in Agra is the tomb of itimad-ad daulah, the lavish resting place of the father of nur jahaan, an important empress.
The mausoleum is also known colloquially as the baby taj because the resplendent marble facade and distinctive design are thought to be a preamble to the even more extravagant tajmahal which followed a few decades later.
It's equally as impressive and you will also find that the baby taj is much less crowded and a lot quieter to experience than the tajmahal.
6. Akbar's tomb
Agra is a city of tombs and mausoleum and another impressive sight to see in akbar's tomb. This grand, red, sandstone building is a stark contrast to the tajmahal.
Not only because of the color but because of the design. It Marks an architectural period that predates the opulence of the later tombs. Akbar's tomb was constructed before the tajmahal at the start of 17th century.
7. Kinari bazaar
When you are tired of endless tombs and opulent pieces of architecture than head to the kinari bazaar to experience another side of life in the city.
This is one of the best place to visit in Agra, because At the kinari bazaar you can shop, haggle, eat and take the vibrant, chaotic nature of day to day in Indian living.
The bazaar is maze of colorful alleyways and shop which you can spend hour walking through. There are huge array of goods to be found hereand you might find your self. Returning from the kinari bazaar with more than a few great value souvenirs.
8. Fatehpur sikri
A day trip away from Agra is the historic city of fatehpur sikri.This grand city was the mammoth project of the mughal emperor Akbar. Whose tomb is found in Agra.
He started the construction of fatehpur sikri in order to build a new capital for his empire. Within decades though, the new capital was Abandoned.
The huge palaces fall into disuse after Akbar passed away and the site become unlivable due to lake of water. British repaired many of the buildings as they realised the historical importance of fatehpur sikri and today it's one of the best places to visit in Agra.
9. Keoladeo national park
For a change of scenery when visiting Agra head outside of the city to the stunning keoladeo national park.This protected wilderness is known as one ofthe best bird watching reserves in India and every year you can experience first hand some of the most incredible bird migrations in the world.
Species fly here from as far as afield as Siberia during winter to find warmer breedings ground.The national park is one of the best palaces to visit in Agra as it's just an hour down the road but a world away from the smog and chaos of the city's street.
• 10. Facts about tajmahal
• Best time to visit Agra
Agra can be visited all year round, as most of the attraction found within the city and not necessarily weather depends.
The North of India experiences very little rainfall and you will find that it's dry and dusty.
The short monsoon seasion is from june to September but despite the rainfall, you may find the street and sight to be much quieter this season.
The peak season for travel to Agra accurs from November to March when weather is coolest.
• How to travel Agra
Agra is found in the North of india in the diverse state of Uttar pradesh.The city is one of the largest and most visited in country and it's well connected to rest of India.
By air
- The small airport has few flights available, aside from domestic route to another large Indian city such as dilhi.
- Most travelers will fly into the capital dilhi, on international flights as the city has flight to almost anywhere else in the world.
By bus or train
- From dilhi it just 150miles South to Agra. A journey that can easily completed by bus or train.
By rickshaw
- Getting around Agra is best archived by hiring a local rickshaw driver for the day, just ensure that you agree on costs and the route beforehand.
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