Agra city is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World Taj Mahal. The history of this city and its architectural beauty is beyond words. It can only be experienced and cherished in person.
The city being a major centre of trade and spice route, is shaped by the masters of the past. The city is embellished with magnificent monuments, and old quaint streets which are vibrant, colourful and full of life.
If you are planning a tour to Agra, here are 10 ways to plan your Agra Tour better –
Start with Must-see landmarks
Agra city has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. It is advisable to start exploring the city with the must-see monuments and landmarks.
The Taj Mahal is the major highlight so we highly recommend you to go visit the Taj Mahal first. The monument is spectacular in its design, architecture, history and heritage.
The beautiful monument is built in pristine white marble with beautiful marble inlay work on its walls. After the Taj Mahal, visit the Agra Fort.
It is a Mughal-era fort which was also the residence of the Mughal Emperors. It is a huge fort built in authentic Mughal architecture and houses several buildings inside.
Visit Itimad-Ud-Daulah next. It is a tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. He was one of the senior officials in the Mughal Empire and was brought from Persia at the request of the Mughal Emperor.
He was the chief treasurer of the Empire. The Itimad-Ud-Daulah, because of its beautiful architecture and intricate marble inlay design is called as ‘Baby Taj’ or ‘Draft of Taj Mahal’.
If you are on a two-day visit to Agra, visit Fatehpur Sikri on the second day as it is far from the city. Hire a Taxi or consult an Agra Tour Operator to get you around Fatehpur Sikri for the same. Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire for a short term.
However, the monuments and the buildings inside this walled city are spectacular and deserve your attention.
Plan your days and time
Agra city is one of the most visited cities by both domestic and international tourists in India. Hence, it is normal to experience long queues while entering monuments in Agra.
It is advisable to plan your tour during the start and end of the season i.e. Oct-Nov Feb-March. You’re likely to get a lesser crowd during these months when compared with peak season Dec – Jan. Further, for seamless transportation, hotel and flight bookings, skip-the-line monument tickets, hire a travel agency in Agra or a tour operator who can make prior arrangements for you.
There are Government-certified travel agencies and tour operators in Agra who can help you book a tour to Agra. You can book a Same Day Agra Tour from Delhi and explore all major tourist destinations in Agra on a single day.
The Taj Mahal remains closed on all Fridays. So plan your tour accordingly. If you want to add Delhi along with your Agra tour, do consider booking a Golden Triangle Tour; which is a combined tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
A combined tour of these three cities will prove to be more affordable and convenient when compared with individual tours.
Check the cultural calendar of the place
Do check if there is any upcoming festival or cultural event near your dates of travel. Festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Christmas are celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.
It will be an exploratory experience for you to experience such Indian festivals on your tour of this city.
Exploration beyond the Taj Mahal
The city of Agra is well known for the world-famous Taj Mahal. However, there is more to the city than just the Taj Mahal. Visit the local markets of Lohar Gali, Mankameshwar Mandir, Jama Masjid, and more.
Further, you can indulge in cooking classes (only available when you book a Homestay), Yoga classes near the Taj Mahal, Club hopping, and Walking tours to the old quaint streets of Agra.
All these experiences will fill your mind and soul with joy and will give you extraordinary experiences other than just the monumental sightseeing.
Culinary Delight
When you are in Agra, tickle your tastebuds with some of Agra’s favourite delicacies. Indulge in a flavoursome breakfast of Bedai Subji followed by Jalebi as dessert.
Immerse yourself in authentic North Indian cuisine and taste the iconic dishes, Butter Chicken, Shahi Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala and more. These Indian dishes are some of the most picked dishes from the menu and are cherished by tourists from all around the world.
Transportation Ease
Look for transportation arrangements beforehand to avoid any hassle. It is most convenient to hire a Taxi for your Agra trip. The driver cum guide will take you around to all the monuments of the city and will describe the monuments.
There are plenty of certified Tour Guide services in Agra as well who are professionals and can give you a quality sightseeing experience full of information.
Photography Tips
The city of Agra is indeed soothing to the eyes and elegant on the aperture. Monuments like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri offer excellent frames and focal points which look just mesmerising and jaw-dropping in a photo.
Old Agra streets, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Mehtab Bagh are some of the recommended places for expert photography.
Travel like a local
Old Indian cities like Agra are to be explored like a local to absorb the full essence of it. Not necessarily hanging out with everyone but interacting with local people to observe their way of living.
There is a good chance that you can live with an Indian family in their homestay and learn about their cooking methods, life stories and more. Get on a tuk-tuk ride and explore local streets and markets.
Souvenirs for life
Souvenirs are for life and they have an emotion which can only be felt when remembering the moments spent back in time. With so much architectural finesse, history and heritage, Agra has so much to offer.
The descendants of the families who built the Taj Mahal are continuing their legacy of marble inlay work in the form of marble plates, marble Taj Mahal and more. These art pieces are beautiful and can be taken as precious souvenirs and gifts.
Similarly, Agra is a centre of high-quality hand-knotted rugs. The culture of rug weaving in Agra started when the Mughal emperor Akbar brought skilled weavers from Persia to design carpets for his palace. These workers then trained the local artisans in the craft of rug weaving.
Today, Agra is one of the export centres of high-quality hand-knotted carpets in the world. You can find Mughal carpets, Agra Jail Carpets, Persian Carpets, Vintage Carpets and Traditional Indian carpets at any of the Rug Showrooms in Agra.
Summary
Planning a tour in day and age can be distracting a lot! There is so much on social media to see and consider. However, it is wise to plan a tour plan that prioritises your convenience, timings and comfort.
Hence, we created this comprehensive tour guide to ease your tour planning to Agra.
