Location: Agra
Top Things to do in Agra
10 Sights & Landmarks in Agra That You Shouldn't Miss
Where better to go for a romantic vacation than to the great testament of love, the Taj Mahal? Built by the grieving Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal’s unrivaled beauty explains why it’s regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. A visit to India wouldn’t be complete without it. Other must-experience destinations in Agra are two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the sandstone Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Restaurants in Agra
1. Taj Mahal View Point
2. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,354 reviews
Reviewed By FazulM2
This is a mausoleum that enshrines the remains of Mumtaz Mahal's parents, her first husband and first child plus her close lady in waiting. This was a piece of history that I didnt know whereby she had an earlier marriage. All the while she had been associated with Shah Jahan and the Taj Mahal. The building is a smaller version of Taj Mahal and with lesser architectural finery when compared to Taj Mahal. Nevertheless the architecture is very much like that of Taj Mahal where Iranian workmanship can be seem on the walls. Scriptures were crafted into the stones of the wall and the way the mausoleum was built ensured that the 4 corners be used to entomb the related figures to Mumtaz. You cant leave Agra without seeing this.
3. Rawli Maharaj Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
4. Balkeshwar Mandir
5. Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By callingindiatour - New Delhi, India
The Missionaries of Charity (Latin: Missionariarum a Caritate) is a Roman Catholic (Latin Church) religious congregation established in 1950 by Mother Teresa, now known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. In 2012 it consisted of over 4,500 religious sisters. Members of the order designate their affiliation using the order's initials, "M.C." A member of the congregation must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."[1] Today, the order consists of both contemplative and active branches in several countries.
6. Soami Bagh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By RicherTrips - Monterrey, Mexico
This place is referred to with different names, like Samadh Soamiji Maharaj, Radhasoami mausoleum, Soami Bagh Samadh or Huzur Swamiji Maharaj Mausoleum, which can be confusing. This is the fourth wonder in Agra, along with the Taj, the Baby Taj (I´timad-ud-Daulah´s tomb) and the Red Fort. A trip to Agra is not complete without this four attractions. It´s been under construction for 115 years, and still has a long time ahead. You can take pictures of the façade, but they´re not allowed inside. You must leave shoes, cameras and mobile phones at the entrance. Tourist guides aren´t allowed either. My husband and I walked at our own pace, sometimes beneath scaffoldings. The exteriors are amazing, but the interiors are mixed. I suppose it may be because they´re under construction, but some of the swami portraits were very poor works of art. The very simple tomb inside may also follow religious purposes or just be under construction.
7. Shah Burj
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
As is known, Agra Fort was the undisputed political center of the Mughal Empire since its construction by the emperor Akbar the Great (construction begun in 1565) and until the transfer of the capital from Agra to Delhi (1638); with some important intervals, such as the 1569-1584 one, when the capital was Fatehpur Sikri, and the 1584-1598 one, when the capital was Lahore. In any case, in all these years, the Fort has been affected by many, substantial building additions, carried out even at the price of the demolition of pre-existing parts. The result is a very varied collection of building types, which makes the fort an almost unique "emporium" of the Mughal architecture (especially after the demolitions carried out during the period of British domination within the Red Fort in Delhi); perhaps only the "abandoned capital", Fatehpur Sikri, can be compared to Agra Fort. But in this "emporium", in my opinion the excellence belongs to the Musamman Burj (ie, octgonal tower) or Shah Burj. Actually the term doesn't refer only to the octagonal tower in the strict sense (which features a gilded copper roof), but to the whole building complex that is dominated by the tower; for which really the "architecture from One Thousand and One Nights" term isn't excessive. It's rather well known that these apartments were built by Shah Jahan (the same builder of the Taj Mahal) for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and that they were then used by Shah Jahan's son, Aurangzeb, to close insiede them his father until his death, after dethroning it. In any case, they are princely apartments among the most splendid that exist. The rooms are paved with light marble up to the top of the ceiling (but once the ceiling was also gilded); in addition, an open pavilion shows a gorgeous shallow lotus-shaped tank on the floor, featuring a water jet in the center. Floors, walls and ceiling are covered with delicate carvings. Other loggias allow views towards the Yamuna River and Taj Mahal. The whole is a splendor difficult to describe. In conclusion, the visitor can decide to skip one or the other of the buildings present in the Agra Fort. But if he skips this, he will skip an extraordinary experience.
8. Gurudwara Guru ka Tal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By RaveydaveyB
Welcoming to non-Sikhs who are interested to visit. Interesting, calm spiritual place and free food is given to all who visit.
9. St. George's Cathedral
10. Sheesh Mahal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By wacotom - Leander, United States
We were so lucky to have a great guide. Walking through the Fort stopping at the amazing interior Palace rooms was really enhanced by our guide. Having him point out how they carved the marble and then inlaid with the semi-precious stones was great. The combination of the wonderful workmanship and a detailed history of India during this timeframe really enhanced our visit.
