Away With The Steiners

The best OTHER things to do in Agra – as well as the Taj Mahal. 

Sarah Steiner

Agra needs no introduction really.  It is universally acknowledged and best known for the majestic Taj Mahal. However, there are other things to do in Agra and sites to see in the city that make it much more than a one-wonder destination.  

Albeit the other sites of Agra do link to the wonderous story of the Taj Mahal.  But that makes the city of Agra a wholly memorable experience as part of your travel in India!

Here are ten other things to do in Agra – as well as visiting the world-renowned Taj Mahal. 

About Agra – an introduction to the famous city of the Taj Mahal 

India is inarguably enormous in both land size, population and culture.  But Agra is the one place that every traveller inevitably makes it to at some stage during their journey in the subcontinent.  

And for most, it is the iconic wonder of the Taj Mahal that is the obvious draw. 

However, there is more to this city of the Taj than just the hype of one site.  It is a fabulously historic part of India with a magnificent fort and other legacies of the Mughal empire.  And if you have time to take a rickshaw and dodge the enthusiastic touts beelining any tourist in sight, there are some unique and lesser-visited other things to do in Agra. 

What is the best time of year to visit Agra? 

In the summer months of May and June it can be unbearably hot during the day to travel in north India.  Weather-wise though, for clarity and photographs and lesser tourist numbers at the Taj Mahal, this is the best time to visit.  

July and August are also hot for travel to Agra, and it is notoriously the monsoon (wet) season in India and there can sometimes be rain. 

The winter months from November to February are the coolest temperature for travel anywhere in India.  This is the main tourist season.  The winter months are considered the best time to visit the Taj Mahal with daytime temperatures ranging from 8°C to 20°C (46°F to 68°F).  However, there is often heavy morning fog at sunrise in winter and with the cooler weather comes larger crowds.  This is a busy time to visit the Taj Mahal.  

If you have flexibility, we reckon September and October or in March and April is the best time to visit Agra with lighter crowds and reasonable temperatures.

What are the best other things to do in Agra – as well as visiting the Taj Mahal? 

Agra is more than just the Taj Mahal.  It is undoubtedly the most famous of Agra’s sites.  But to make the absolute most of your time in India here are the best other things to do in Agra – as well as visiting the incredible Taj Mahal. 

1. Agra Fort – Things to do in Agra

The incredible Agra Fort is often overshadowed by the wonderous Taj Mahal, but it really is one of the finest Mughal forts in India.  

It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.  Today the fort is a well preserved and restored masterpiece of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

The fort is only 2.5 km northwest of the more famous the Taj Mahal and offers a strategic view of the Taj Mahal from certain vantage points within the fort. The emperor, Shah Jahan, who commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, was later imprisoned in the Fort by his son Aurangzeb. 

The stories say that Shah Jahan spent his final years in a room facing the Yamuna River with a balcony that provided a direct view of the Taj Mahal, though he was not allowed to ever return to the tomb of his mourned wife.  The connection between the two monuments adds to their historical and emotional significance and for this reason we recommend visiting the fort first of the other things to do in Agra.

Our November Group Trip looking colourful and fabulous at the entrance to Agra Fort.
Our November Group Trip looking colourful and fabulous at the entrance to Agra Fort.

2. Shahi Jama Masjid Agra 

The Jama Masjid is a 17th-century congregational mosque in the old city of Agra and is one of the largest mosques in India.   It was built by Jahanara Begum, the eldest surviving child of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.  

The mosque is made of red sandstone with intricate white marble decorations in the typical Mughal style of architecture of the era.  The construction took six years, until 1648, and over five thousand labourers and artisans to complete.

3. Kinari Bazar – Things to do in Agra

The old market located in the narrow streets behind the Jama Masjid, known as Kinari Bazar, is one of the oldest and most visited markets in Agra.  It is a busy and bustling traditional market and local shopping area lined with colourful shops selling spices and street food, handicrafts, jewellery and fabrics.  

Spices stacked for sale in the bazar.
Brightly coloured garlands and woven handicrafts.
Nuts, spices and dried figs hanging for sale.

4. Taj Mahal 

Everything about visiting the Taj Mahal is incredible.  

And in real life it truly is that breathtaking.  

It is famed as one of the greatest love stories of all time.  The magnificent white marble building is a mausoleum, commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Wonders of the World and a crown jewel of art and architecture in the world.  

Everything about the Taj Mahal is incredible.
Views to the Yamuna River, the Masjid and the back of the Taj Mahal.

5. I’timad-ud-Daulah / The Baby Taj 

The exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg is nicknamed the Baby Taj.   And like the Taj Mahal, it is also a mausoleum.  The Baby Taj was built by Nur Jahan, the wife of emperor Shah Jahangir, for her father, Mizra Ghiyas Beg (later known as I’timad-ud-Daulah).  He was a Wazir (chief minister) in the court of Shah Jahan.

I’timad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb was the first tomb in India made entirely of marble.  It was built between 1622-28, a good ten years before the Taj Mahal was begun in 1632, a year after the death of Mumtaz.

It is one of the lesser visited but highly recommended things to do in Agra.  (Gavin rates this as his favourite site in Agra – aside from the Taj Mahal – because it is so peaceful; and it’s stunning!).  

The connection between the Baby Taj and the Taj Mahal is well displayed in a small museum just by the entrance.  Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal was Nur Jahan and Shah Jahangir’s third son.   

Detailed ceilings and decor inside the Baby Taj.
Photos from one of the travellers on our Group Trip.

6. Chini Ka Rauza / Tomb of Persian Scholar Afzal Khan Shirazi

Chini Ka Rauza is another popular tomb to visit on the list of other things to do in Agra.  It is the tomb of Afzal Khan Shirazi, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of emperor Shah Jahan. 

The monument is known for its intricate glazed tile work and distinct Persian architecture style.  It is believed to be the only building in India with such Persian architecture. 

The style of tile work is common in Central Asia and known as ‘Chini’, from which the tomb derives its name.  The iconic colours of the Silk Road tile work have faded now but the style of the tomb is impressive and very different from the other Mughal structures in Agra. 

7. Taj Yamuna ADA View Point – Things to do in Agra

Located on the opposite side to the Taj Mahal on the bank of Yamuna River, the ADA Taj Yamuna View Point offers good sunset views of Taj Mahal.  

Note this is not to be confused with Mehtab Bagh.  Mehtab Bagh is the gardens opposite the Taj Mahal and just behind the viewpoint.  However, the gardens cost a lot more to enter and the view, although impressive, is further back from the river. 

The Taj Yamuna View Point is simply a few bench seats above the river with a great view across to the Taj Mahal. The area is well-maintained by the Agra Development Authority (ADA), with clean pathways and strategically placed to sit and soak in the beauty of the Taj Mahal from a different perspective. 

8. Mehtab Bagh / Moonlight Garden

Mehtab Bagh is a Mughal garden opposite the Taj Mahal on the other bank of River Yamuna.  The name, Mehtab Bagh, translates as ‘Moonlight Garden’ and is one of few (surprisingly) tranquil things to do in Agra away from the hustle and bustle of the busy modern city. 

The garden complex is in the typical style of the Mughal era and square in shape.  It measures about 300 by 300 metres and is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank offering unmatched views across the river. 

9. Akbar’s Mausoleum – Things to do in Agra

The tomb of Emperor Akbar is another interesting thing to do in Agra that further pieces together the puzzle and love story of the Taj Mahal. 

Emperor Akbar is often regarded as the greatest of the Mughal emperors of India. He reigned from 1556 to 1605 and extended Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent.  Akbar was the grandfather of Shah Jahan, the emperor who built the Taj Mahal.  

And if you are visiting or have already visited Delhi, you will likely see Humayun’s Tomb there.  Humayun was the father of Akbar, and great grandfather of Shah Jahan.  

The tomb for Akbar is an important architectural masterpiece of the Mughal era.  It is  constructed with red sandstone and white marble, with a majestic gateway to the impressive tomb and its surrounding garden. 

Akbar’s Mausoleum is at Sikandra, about 10km northwest of the city. 

The typical red sandstone and Mughal architecture of Agra.

10. Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani 

The Tomb of Mariam is another of Agra’s special places. It is the mausoleum of Mariam-uz-Zamani.  She was the favourite wife of Emperor Akbar. 

The tomb is about 1 km away from Akbar’s tomb.

How to get to Agra from Delhi

Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – and the Taj Mahal – are part of India’s popular ‘Golden Triangle’ itinerary.  These are India’s most visited tourist destinations and hence the city of Agra is well connected by road, rail and air. 

To get from Delhi to Agra by road takes around 3.5 hours.  It is common and easy to book a driver or tour from Delhi to Agra and the Taj Mahal and onwards to Jaipur.  And there are also options to book a day trip from Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal.  

There are daily trains departing regularly from Delhi to Agra.  The local trains take between 3 – 4 hours.  The fastest daily train is the Gatimaan Express which departs from Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) Railway Station in New Delhi arriving to Agra Cantt (AGC) in just 1 hour 40 minutes. 

*Note the Gatimaan Express does not operate on a Friday. 

How to get to Agra from Jaipur

There are also daily trains departing regularly from Jaipur to Agra.  

It is easy to arrange a pick-up from the train station on arrival and transfer to your accommodation. 

Rainy but colourful views out the train window leaving Delhi bound for the Taj Mahal and more.
Buying snacks traveling in Third Class (3A) on board the train to Agra.

Transport in and getting around within Agra 

The easiest way to get to the Taj Mahal and to the other things to do in Agra once you are already here is by auto rickshaw or taxi.  

We always stay at Aman Homestay which is just a short ride to the Taj Mahal by rickshaw.  Agra Fort and the Baby Taj are easily doable by rickshaw too.  And even Akbar’s Tomb is fine by rickshaw, though more expensive to get to as it is further out of town.  

Booking an auto rickshaw and driver for 1 or 2 days to see the Taj Mahal and things to do in Agra is a friendly and convenient way to get around and can easily be booked through your accommodation host. 

Where to stay in Agra near the Taj Mahal 

These are the hotels in Agra near the Taj Mahal that we use and can recommend for your stay in Agra and visiting the Taj Mahal. 

A photo with host Mum – and fabulous cook – Ranjana at Aman Homestay.

Read more about travel in North India

About travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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