11 Must-See Places to Visit in Agra Beyond the Taj Mahal
There are so many stunning places to visit in Agra, India! From the iconic Taj Mahal to the majestic Agra Fort, the city is full of historical, incredible and fun things to do.
Agra is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in India. Most of all, because it is home to the Taj Mahal! It’s also near Delhi and Jaipur. Many people visit all 3 cities as part of the “Golden Triangle.”
Many of the iconic places to visit in Agra were built during the Mughal empire. There are many architectural marvels and absolutely beautiful sights to see. There’s so much history here!
This post covers the must-see places to visit in Agra for tourists. It features the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, famous gardens, popular shopping places, historical monuments and more!
I traveled to Agra for the first time in 2017 and was absolutely blown away. At the time, I had only ever heard of it because of the Taj Mahal. I traveled back since then and realized there are actually so many other amazing places to visit in Agra too!
This post is all about the best places to visit in Agra.
Places to Visit in Agra
Since EVERYONE knows about the Taj Mahal, I wanted to share a list of the many other places to visit in Agra that are sometimes missed!
#1 Agra Fort
If you look for places to visit in Agra, the two absolute must-see spots are the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Agra Fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was similarly built during the Mughal Dynasty.
It’s a massive fort built out of sandstone which gives it a unique look with a red color. Before the capital was changed to Delhi, Agra was the capital and the fort was the main home for the Mughals. Agra Fort is really massive and you can spend a long time exploring inside.
Within the fort, there are a lot of different structures and areas that were used by the Mughals. It’s really fascinating to imagine what life was like for them when you see the different palaces and halls inside!
#2 Mehtab Bagh
The Mehtab Bagh is a restored garden complex situated directly across the river from the Taj Mahal. It’s really popular especially for photographers because it’s the perfect place to take incredible pictures of the Taj Mahal. The view is just absolutely amazing and it’s beautiful to see at sunset!
The Mehtab Bagh is also known as Moonlight Garden because of the views it offers and it’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Taj Mahal without all the crowd. Albeit, at a distance but it is also along the Yamuna River which is one of the most revered rivers in India!
Overall, the Mehtab Bagh is a great place to relax and enjoy the greenery. It’s full of various plants and flowers that were typical of Mughal gardens. You can enjoy relaxing or strolling around the gardens while taking in the views!
#3 Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb
Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb is another one of the most iconic places to visit in Agra. It’s known as the Baby Taj! It looks very similar with the architectural style and white marble, but it’s much smaller than the actual Taj Mahal.
The tomb is famous for its intricate carvings and details. It’s also from the 1600’s and is a tomb for Mirza Ghiyas Beg who was actually a Persian noble that migrated to India and became highly important in the Mughal court.
It’s a beautiful site to explore and doesn’t have the same crowds as the Taj Mahal. The architecture and murals are really beautiful and it’s really quite unbelievable that they could make these structures so long ago!
#4 Chini Ka Rauza
Chini Ka Rauza is another famous tomb in Agra. It’s the tomb of the old prime minister of the Mughal Emperor who was also a scholar and poet, Allama Afzal Khan Mullah. This isn’t one of the most well-known places to visit in Agra, but it’s a beautiful structure to visit if you’re there!
The tomb is most recognized for the glazed tile work that covers the outside. A lot of the tile work has faded or been lost over time, but there are still some sections which are there and it’s really beautiful! Back in the 1600’s when it was built, it would’ve been colorful with blue, green and yellow.
This architecture is a bit different from what you see at the Taj Mahal because it has Persian influence. So, it’s quite a unique spot to see! It could use some restoration but I’d still recommend it if you’re looking for things to see during your trip to Agra.
#5 Aram Bagh
The Aram Bagh is known as the oldest Mughal garden in India! It was built in the 1500’s and is a Persian-style garden. It’s a beautiful area along the Yamuna River and is the perfect place to relax or go for a stroll.
There are paths, fountains and areas to rest alongside the lush greenery and flowers in the garden. You can also see some old abandoned structures like the Battish Khamba and Battees Minar. They aren’t really well-kept but they are still interesting to see,
If you’re looking for some places to visit in Agra away from the tourist crowds, Aram Bagh doesn’t take much time and is a nice spot to check out!
#6 Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center
This is a hidden GEM! It’s not popularly known as one of the best places to visit in Agra, but it is! My friend and I stumbled upon it when we were looking for things to do in Agra and they have an incredible show called “Mohabbat the Taj.”
I highly recommend people to check out this performance at the center! It’s a beautiful story about the history of the Taj Mahal and why it was built. The performers do an incredible job and it’s a fun way to spend the evening.
I didn’t know much about the Taj Mahal history when I went to Agra and this show was honestly how I learned so much! The theater itself is beautiful and you can wear headphones to hear the performance in English. Aside from the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, this is my top recommendation for things to do in Agra!
#7 Tomb of Akbar
The Tomb of Akbar is about 20-30 minutes drive from the main tourist attractions in Agra but is an interesting place to experience! Akbar the Great was one of the most renowned emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. There are many famous stories about him and his minister which are especially popular for children, known as Akbar and Birbal.
Akbar actually started constructing the tomb himself in the 1600’s, although his son would go on to complete it. It’s interesting because of the blend of religious and cultural traditions that are featured at the tomb, including Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist motifs.
The tomb is surrounded by beautiful gardens and it’s overall a really breathtaking place to see! While visiting the Tomb of Akbar, you can also check out the nearby tomb for his wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani.
#8 Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani
Near Akbar’s tomb, you’ll find the Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani. She was Akbar’s wife and the mother of Jahangir who is well-known and became the emperor after his father. She was also a princess from Rajasthan and overall, had a lot of influence during Akbar’s rule. Girl power!
Her tomb is also a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. It’s relatively simple compared to many of the other Mughal tombs and could use some restoration, but it’s still very beautiful and I loved learning about her history!
The tomb is also surrounded by gardens. It’s a quick stop but worth it if you are going to visit Akbar’s tomb or be near that area in Sikandra!
#9 Sadar Bazaar
Who doesn’t love a little shopping! Sadar Bazaar is one of the most popular markets in Agra. It’s an area near Agra Cantt Railway Station and Mall Road, which is close to the main attractions of the city. It’s super lively and bustling which can be a little overwhelming, but that’s also how famous markets will be!
Sadar Bazaar is known for having all sorts of items including local handicrafts, marble textiles and garments. You can find a lot of marble designs which are similar to the Taj Mahal, so makes for a great souvenir! Agra is also famous for its leather industry and you can find some amazing leather goods for reasonable prices.
You will definitely need to be prepared to bargain! No matter where you travel in India, bargaining is the norm. Especially if you look like a foreigner, you’re likely going to get ripped off. It can be hard knowing what would be a good price, but as a general rule I try to bargain for 50% the price of whatever they ask and go from there. Kinari Bazaar and Subhash Bazaar are also popular markets to check out.
There’s also delicious cafes around Sadar Bazaar and the street food is amazing. You have to try the chaats! My favorite snacks are papdi chaat and dahi bhalla.
#10 The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a lesser known spot to visit in Agra. If you’re interested in seeing and learning more about the Christian influence in Agra, it’s a nice and quick place to visit.
The cathedral is beautiful with a European style that’s different from the Mughal architecture you find in other parts of the city. It was built when the Portuguese and British were present in India. It has a serene atmosphere because it’s used regularly as a place of worship, but it’s also open for tourists to see inside and is very colorful!
This cathedral is one of the major points for Christians around the Agra region. They host a lot of events for the community throughout the year and it’s an especially popular place for people to come during Christmas and Easter.
#11 Wildlife SOS: Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Wildlife SOS is located about 45 minutes-1 hour from Agra by car. It’s a rescue center for elephants and they help rehabilitate elephants that were previously abused. This is a totally different place to visit than the usual sight-seeing spots in Agra, but it’s perfect for animal lovers or families!
The staff at Wildlife SOS really care deeply about the elephants and are super knowledgeable. They offer guided tours and will tell you different stories about the elephants there. It can be a bit disheartening to hear their stories, but also very inspiring to learn how they treat the elephants and the progress they make.
If you visit Wildlife SOS, you are bound to fall in love with the elephants there! They are super majestic animals and you feel really connected to them once you see them and learn about them. National Chambal Sanctuary is another spot in the opposite direction outside Agra that offers safaris and is great for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, families too.
The Taj Mahal
Apart from this list, I still want to say that obviously you HAVE to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. Not only is it the most popular of places to visit in Agra, it’s one of the most iconic spots in India. The Taj Mahal is absolutely stunning and breathtaking. It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens and there’s plenty of space to explore.
If you go during peak season like I did, expect long lines and a lot of people. Honestly if you can avoid the crowd then it’s better to go at a less busy time because it did impact the experience. They make Indians wait in line for hours to enter but expats can skip the line and go right to the front (I was literally so uncomfortable with this!)
Nonetheless, the Taj Mahal is famous worldwide and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 1600’s during the Mughal empire for the emperor’s wife. The architecture, marble, and details make it truly remarkable!
This post was all about must-see places to visit in Agra.
