Agra is one of the most interesting cities to visit in India. In it, we find the Taj Majal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, as well as several places of cultural interest. To visit the city I recommend that you stay at least 2 nights there and although many tours of India only add 1 day to visit the Taj Majal and the Agra Fort, it is worth staying a little longer to discover some places very interesting.
In this post I tell you about the 20 essential things to see and do in Agra, and I add some tips on the best options for where to stay in Agra, guided tours to do in Agra...
20 ESSENTIALS THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN AGRA, BHARAT
1. The Taj Majal, a must see in Agra
The Taj Majal was built between 1631 and 1648 with the aim of being a mausoleum. It was built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child.
This building is a masterpiece of Muslim art, built in white marble and located on the banks of the Yamuna River. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1983 and is one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
2. Take a free tour of Agra
Taking a free tour of Agra is one of the best things to do in the city. This tour that you can do with a guide in Spanish or English will allow you to see some of the most emblematic places in the city such as the historic center of Agra, the Shahjahan Gardens, the Red Fort, the Jami Masjid temple and one of the viewpoints of the city from where you will have incredible views of the Taj Majal.
3. Visit the Agra Fort, an essential thing to see and do in Agra
The Agra Fort is one of the most important places to see in the city. Also known as Lal Qila or Red Fort, this fortress has been part of historical moments in the city. It was built between 1565 and 1573 by order of Emperor Akbar. It is a fortress and walled palace that was the official residence of the Mughal emperors until 1638, at which time Agra ceased to be the capital and the emperors moved to reside in Delhi. This fortress is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Agra Fort is characterized by having a 21-meter-high red sandstone wall in a very good state of conservation. The Fort is divided into two, inside you will find the Palaces and official buildings and outside you will find the towers and walls.
4. The Orphanage of Teresa of Calcutta
The Orphanage of Teresa of Calcutta was founded by Mother Teresa in 1952 as a small orphanage, but 3 years later the orphanage was moved to a much larger facility, in the same neighborhood, the Kalighat neighborhood. Currently, the orphanage houses just over 1,000 children. The orphanage is financed through private donations and with help from volunteers and although it is not a tourist place as such to visit, if your intention is to lend a hand, to a greater or lesser extent, you can come and leave colored pencils at the reception , money... What may mean little to you, for them it may mean having instruments with which to learn to read, a meal... Furthermore, if you are interested in volunteering, this, like other orphanages throughout India, welcomes volunteers every year .
5. The Mausoleum of Akbar the Great
The Mausoleum of Akbar the Great is one of the essential places to see in Agra. Here rests the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. The mausoleum was built between 1604 and 1613 in a style of Mughal architecture, characteristic for combining traditional Islamic, Persian and Hindu elements.
6. The Itimad-Ud-Daulah Mausoleum, a must see in Agra
Another mausoleum to visit in Agra is the Itimad-Ud-Daulah Mausoleum, an impressive building built between 1622 and 1628 by Nur Jahan, the wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, to honor the memory of her father. The mausoleum is built with white marble and decorated with semi-precious stones, it is an authentic work of art.
7. The Tomb of Chini Ka Rauza
The Tomb of Chini Ka Rauza, also known as the Chinese Tomb, is one of the essential places to see in Agra. This mausoleum was built in the year 1635 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, to commemorate and honor Afzal Khan Shirazi. The mausoleum is built of white marble and decorated with colorful tiles in a style known as pietra dura. All the tiles are painted with floral and geometric motifs, following this characteristic Islamic style that we see throughout India.
8. Stroll through the Metah Bagh Gardens, a quiet plan to do in Agra
The Metah Bagh Gardens are a set of gardens located on the opposite bank of the Taj Majal and are an incredible viewpoint to see the temple from a certain perspective and in a much quieter way. These gardens were built in the 16th century by order of the Mughal emperor Babur and were the resting and strolling place of the Mughal royal family. The gardens are notable for being designed in a charbagh style, which is a Persian garden style divided into four sections across four canals.
9. Visit Akbar Church
Akbar's Church is a small Catholic temple built in the 16th century by order of the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great, who was one of the most tolerant emperors regarding freedom of religion. However, in 1635 the church was demolished by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who did not want the Catholic religion to have a presence in Agra, but later in 1772 the church was rebuilt again and is the baroque church that we know. currently.
10. Tour the Kinari Bazaae, one of the best things to see and do in Agra
The Kinari Bazaae is a huge bazaar, located in the center of Agra. This place dates back to the 17th century, built on the orders of Mughal Emperor Sahal Jahan. Although its current location dates back to the 19th century. In it, we can find many stalls with clothing, crafts, accessories, jewelry, fabrics, spices, food... Without a doubt, visiting it is one of the best things to see and do in Agra.
11. Leoladeo Ghana National Park
The Leoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is one of the most beautiful places to see near Agra. The Park is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is home to more than 370 species of birds, including 23 species of migratory birds.
12. Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Banke Bihari. It was built in the 19th century by order of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II. This is one of the most visited Hindu temples in the world, who come to worship Banke Bihari and receive his blessing.
13. The Diwan-i-Khas Private Audience Hall is a must see in Agra
This imperial audience hall built by order of Mughal emperor Akbar in his citadel of Fatehpur Sikri. It is built mainly of white marble and with red marble columns. It is decorated with geometric motifs. It is one of the most beautiful imperial audience halls in India.
14. Visit Mathura
Mathura is a sacred city for Hindus. It is believed that this was the place where the god Krishna was born. It is a city just 50 kilometers from Agra and it is advisable to take an excursion to visit it.
In Mathura there are many ancient Hindu temples among which the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, the Dwarkadhish temple and the Banke Bihari temple stand out. One of the essential stops to make in the city is the Govardhan Gardens and the Keshav Dev Gardens.
The best way to see the city from Agra is to take a tour.
15. Visit the Deeg Palace, an essential thing to see and do in Agra
Deeg Palace is an ancient historic palace located in the city of Deeg, very close to Agra. This Palace was built in the 18th century by order of Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur. It is an example of Rajasthani architecture, and it is also declared a World Heritage Site, and no wonder, the Palace is beautiful.
The Palace is a complex of several buildings, several patios and gardens. The main building of the complex is the Jai Mahal Palace, which stands out for its 5-story magnitude, ceilings and golden domes.
15. Visit the Taj Museum
The Taj Museum is a museum located within the Taj Majal complex, in a separate building. In it you will find all kinds of artifacts related to the construction and maintenance of the mausoleum, in total there are around 15,000 objects. There is also one with a large exhibition with paintings and sculptures from the Mughal era. The museum was founded in the year 1904 by the Archaeological Survey of India.
16. Visit Fatehpur Sikri, a historical city to see near Agra
Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most interesting historical cities to see near Agra. The city was built in the 16th century by order of the Mughal emperor Akbar. It is an important archaeological and historical site, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is built in a Mughal style and the archaeological site consists of different buildings, courtyards and gardens. Among the most important buildings are the Red Palace, the Diwan-i-Khas, the Jama Madjid and the tomb of Salim Chisti.
If you want to know a little more about Fatehpur Sikri, how to get there if you decide to go on your own, what to see in Fatehpur Sikri... here is the post how to visit Fatehpur Sikri from Agra.
17. The Korai Village
Korai Village is located about 45 minutes drive from Agra. This traditional village stands out for its narrow streets and houses built of adobe. The community of qalandars resides in the town, who are a community of itinerant musicians and artists. They are popularly known for their traditional dances, acrobatics and music. In the town you can visit the craft market, explore the rural environment closest to Agra and learn a little more about the history of India.
18. Take a safari through the Chambal Valley
The Chambal Valley is a central region of India that spans the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is formed by the Chambal River, a tributary of the Yamuna River. The valley is home to a wide variety of fauna, in addition to being the place where ethnic groups live with their own culture and traditions.
19. Bateshwar Temples
The Bateshwar Temples are a group of ruined Hindu temples, located in Agra. These temples were built between the 8th and 10th centuries, during the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. It is estimated that originally there were more than 200 temples, but currently only 50 remain. Each temple is dedicated to one or more Hindu gods, among which the temple dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Kali stands out. The archaeological site is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
20. Visit Guru Ka Taal
Guru Ka Taal is a historic and very important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the memory of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur JI, who was the ninth Sikh Guru. The complex is beautiful and includes a huge pond, the Sikh temple, a sarovar and a gurdwara.
POSTS FROM AGRA THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
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