3 day guide to Agra – For the most part, tourists flock to Agra for one reason and one reason only and that is to visit the infamous Taj Mahal. Like everyone else, we decided to spend two nights and three days in Agra. Giving us the chance to visit the Taj Mahal in person. From what we read and heard online, visiting the Taj Mahal for sunrise is simply magical. Not only do you get to avoid the heavy crowds, but you also have the chance to explore the grounds at an extremely peaceful time. Watching the sunrise over the top of the Taj Mahal was a memory the both of us will never forget. If you are planning on making the visit yourself, we couldn’t recommend a sunrise mission more!
So if you’re like us, chances are you will spend more than just one day in Agra. For that reason we have written up a short, yet informative guide for you to help plan your few days here.
Candidly, Agra is a city that you can pretty much see in just one, or two days. Thus, if you follow our guide below, you will be sure to hit all the key destinations
3 Day Guide To Agra
How To Get There
Our journey to Agra was nothing short of an adventure. We were not quite ready to give the train a shot, so we opted to take an Uber. Fortunately this ended up being only a bit more expensive than the train anyway. Looking back on it now, we slightly regret not giving the train a go at that point. This is because our Uber driver got lost along the way! Luckily we booked an Uber premium, which gives you the fixed price prior to departure. Our biggest pro tip when using Uber in India is to book a premium car.
Generally it’s a bit more expensive than a regular car, but it is definitely worth it in the end. With all the traffic, closed roads, and detours, your fee is likely to rise once on the road. For the peace of mind spending a bit more up front is definitely worth it. Our 2 hour drive to Agra became a 6 hour journey and we were so glad the price was fixed. Anyways…I digress. You can get to Agra from New Delhi via Uber, or train. Pick your poison.
Additionally, if you are not on a budget you can hire a private car. There are many private car services that drive to and from Agra daily. This is great for those looking to just visit the Taj Mahal for a day trip. So if you are not keen on staying a night in Agra, this is probably your best bet. Prices are around $30-$50 per way.
Things To Do
Taj Mahal
Visiting the Taj Mahal is likely the soul purpose of your trip to Agra. If you are interested in reading our entire guide, with tips and tricks about our visit to the Taj Mahal click here. As you can imagine the photos of this place just don’t even do it justice. Once inside you will be blown away by its beauty. It was the highlight of our entire time in India and we felt so lucky to have had the chance to visit it on such a beautiful morning.
Tip
Bear in mind that tickets to the Taj Mahal are only valid for 3 hours, so pick your time wisely! This is something that is really not advertised at all. It only is written in small print on your ticket. If you overstay your three hours, you will be required to pay the entry fee again. Entry is 1,100 rupees per person.
Agra Fort
Built in 1573 with the help of over 4,000 workers, Agra Fort was the main residence for the Mughals under the reign of Akbar- a great Mughal Emperor. It took nearly 8 years to complete and its expansive grounds are a sight to behold. We visited the Agra Fort early one morning and found that it was a great place to spend our afternoon. There are dozens of hidden walkways and tunnels you can explore. The fort also has a really great view of the Taj Mahal from the distance.
Tomb of Akbar the Great
If you have extra time in Agra, take a quick trip to the suburbs to explore the tomb of Akbar the Great. The tomb itself is very intricate. You can admire the red sandstone and marble geometric patterns of the structure, whilst walking around the surrounding garden.
Mehtab Bagh
If you are looking for one of the most famous places to photograph the Taj Mahal from a different perspective, be sure to check out Mehtab Bagh. Located opposite of the Taj Mahal, along the Yamuna River, this massive garden complex is a great place to visit for sunset, or early in the morning. If you go, you will be treated to some unique vantage points of the Taj.
Taj Mahal Secret Sunset Spot
This is another great spot to visit to get an epic view of the Taj Mahal. We have written an entire blog post on how to find this place, which you can read here. The best time of the day to go is in the late afternoon, or sunset hour. After taking pictures, it also makes for a great place to watch the world go by around you. We highly suggest you try to find this incredible spot!
3 Day Guide To Agra
Places To Stay
Atulyaa Taj Hotel
We stayed at the Atulyaa Taj hotel. Whilst it’s nothing too spectacular, it did have its major advantages. We loved the fact that it was just 600 meters away from the East gate entrance to the Taj Mahal. This made it very easy for us to access early in the morning for the sunrise. We also really loved the restaurant attached to the hotel. Agra had limited places to eat near the hotel, so we were happy with the food options provided. Also, if you are staying a few days, the hotel also has a rooftop pool which is an added bonus. Check out availability and prices here.
Where To Eat
As we mentioned before we really did not get out to eat much in Agra. This partly had to do with the fact that we were only there for 2 nights, but also because we enjoyed the restaurant inside our hotel. Breakfast was included in the stay and they made a great butter chicken dish we ate every night!
Overall, Agra is definitely a city you pass through on your time in India. That being said, we still recommend you spend at least 2 nights there so that you can get the full experience. We hope our guide provides you with some alternative activities and sights to see apart from the Taj Mahal during your visit to Agra.
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