Agra has always been a major tourist destination because of various spectacular monuments built in Mughal-era. One of the most famous is Taj Mahal – the symbol of love. It is one among the seven Wonders of the World and one of the most beautiful structure ever built in India.

So if you want to spend a great weekend at Agra, read our full guide and make your travel memorable for lifetime.

Agra – Things to Know

State	Uttar Pradesh West, India
Banks	Yamuna River
Main Attractions	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri
Distance from National Capital New Delhi	230 km
Weather in Summer	25°C – 48°C (April to October)
Weather in Winter	7°C – 25°C (November to March)

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Travel Itinerary for a Weekend at Agra (Starting from Delhi)

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Top Things to Visit on a weekend at Agra

1) Taj Mahal

Timings	06:00 am to 06:30 pm, Friday closed
Exploration Time	2 Hours
Distance from city centre	3 km
Ticket Cost	Rs. 50 + Rs. 200 Additional for main mausoleum
Official Website	www.tajmahal.gov.in

The word Taj Mahal stands for “a palace for the crown”. Not even its name is beautiful, the monument is a charm and a spectacular watch. Taj Mahal is made of beautiful ivory white-marbles and recognised as the symbol of true love. Shah Jahan’s grief after the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal inspired him to commission a monument in the memory of his wife. The monument houses the tomb of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal and the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.

Taj Mahal stands among the seven Wonders of the World and included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Every traveller plans their visit to Agra for the main reason of sighting the Taj. This monument attracts 7-8 million visitors every year from all over the world.

• Taj Mahal can be viewed from sunrise to sunset, except on Fridays.
• Every Friday the Taj Mahal is closed and only open for Muslims to attend prayers in the afternoon.
• You can also visit the Taj Mahal in the bright moonlight. However, night viewing of Taj Mahal is available for five days in a month – on the full moon night and two nights before and after the full moon night.
• The ticket for Taj Mahal costs Rs. 50 (outside mausoleum) + Rs. 200 Additional for visiting main mausoleum (Optional).
• The tickets for Taj Mahal can be purchased from Entry Gate Ticket Counters present at Western Gate and Eastern Gate of Taj Mahal.
• The tickets can also be purchased online at asi.payumoney.com

2) Fatehpur Sikri

Timings	06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Friday closed
Exploration Time	4 Hours
Distance from city centre	36 km from Agra
Ticket Cost	Rs. 35
Online Ticket	asi.payumoney.com

Fatehpur Sikri is a city made of red sandstone and is another fine example of Mughal architecture. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in honour of the great Sufi saint Salim Chisti. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site and attracts tourists from all over the world. The major attractions inside Fatehpur Sikri are – Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal.

Another truly mesmerizing thing at Fatehpur Sikri is that during sunset and sunrise, the domes made of red sandstones create shadows and shapes of copper-red colour which is an eye catchy thing for every visitor.

3) Agra Fort

Timings	06:00 am to 07:00 pm, Open for 7 days
Exploration Time	1 Hour
Distance from city centre	1 km
Ticket Cost	Rs. 35
Online Ticket	asi.payumoney.com

Agra Fort is a famous historical fort made of red sandstone in the city of Agra. It is situated about 3 km distance from the Taj Mahal. Inside the premises of the fort, there are several exquisite structures of the Mughals like the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-i I Khas, Diwan-i I Aam, Moti Masjid and Jahangiri Mahal.

The most prominent of these structures is the Jahangiri Mahal which is a multi-storied palace built by Emperor Akbar for his beloved Begum, Jodha Bai. You can also get an amazing view of Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort.

4) Itimad-ud-daulah’s Tomb

Timings	06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Open for 7 days
Exploration Time	45 Minutes
Distance from city centre	3 km
Ticket Cost	Rs. 20
Online Ticket	asi.payumoney.com

Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum built in white marble and often regarded as a copy of the Taj Mahal because of its design and appearance. This place is also popularly known as the “Baby Taj Mahal”. It is said that this grand mausoleum was the one which inspired the idea of the construction of “Taj Mahal” in the later years.

The tomb is surrounded by beautiful gardens with different varieties of flowers and a perfect site to relax and admire the beauty of the area. The place has its own tranquillity.

5) Mehtab Bagh

Timings	06:00 am to 07:00 pm, Open for 7 days
Exploration Time	1 Hour
Distance from city centre	3 km
Ticket Cost	Rs. 20
Online Ticket	asi.payumoney.com

Mehtab Bagh is situated just opposite to the Taj Mahal and is considered the best viewing point for Taj Mahal lovers. This place is considered as the first choice of a photographer to take some unique photographs of Taj Mahal with a blue Yamuna river in the background.

Mehtab Bagh is a char-bagh (four gardens) complex and one of the most scenic spots in Agra popular among every nature enthusiast. Mehtab Bagh is also popularly known as the Moonlight garden.

6) Wildlife SOS

Timings	10:00 am to 05:00 pm, Open for 7 days
Exploration Time	2-3 Hours
Distance from city centre	36 km
Ticket Cost	Call at 09756205080
Official Website	wildlifesos.org

Wildlife SOS or Agra Bear Rescue Facility is a wildlife conservation area started by a group of individuals with the aim of conserving and protecting India’s wildlife. Wildlife SOS originally started to rescue the bears. Later it expands its reach to provide shelter and help to leopards, elephants, reptiles, and other animals as well. Recently, they rescued and treated two cubs that had been paralysed after a motor accident.

The place is now open for visitors too. Wildlife SOS is a great place to spend some time with animals, meet them and learn about the team’s conservation efforts in India. There is an Education Conservation Walkway where you can spend 30 mins walking around the area as it is very quiet and beautiful. You can also visit the adjoining bird sanctuary or take a ride on the boat. The best time to visit is December and January when there are so many interesting birds (a pelican, kingfisher, water snakebird) in and around the place.

• Wildlife SOS offers a private tour of two-hour that you can pre-book over the contact number. The tour involves a guided facility of the whole area, showing documentaries about the history of bears, and several activities to interact with the bears like feeding them fruits.
• If you would like a private tour at this place please contact at [email protected] or call at 09756205080.
• Address: Sur Sarovar Wild Life Sanctuary, Mathura Delhi Highway, Near Runakata, Near Dolfine, Arsena, +91 99270 99980

7) Shopping in Agra

The city of Agra is famous for its beautiful monuments, forts and mausoleums. So, the market of Agra also sell items which are a blend of art, history and culture spread in the whole city. These traditional shopping markets and bazaars showcase unique crafts and items which are difficult to find nowadays. One of the most commonly purchased items which every traveller should purchase here is baby Taj which is a small marble copy of Taj Mahal. It is so beautiful and small enough to take it back home. During festivals like Taj Mahotsava, Agra becomes a lot more colourful with a lot of amazing handicraft items on sale.

Food Gallery: One can also find a lot of street shops here of various food items like Aloo Tikki, Gol Gappe, Burger, Paav Bhaaji and Noodles. But the city of Agra is mainly famous for Petha & Dalmoth sold here.

The most famous markets of Agra to explore are –

• Sadar Bazaar (famous for leather products)
• Kinari Bazaar (famous for handicraft items, an art-lover place)
• Shahganj Market (famous for ladies bags, jewellery and clothes)
• Shoe Market (cheapest footwears at one location)
• Ashok Cosmos Mall, TDI Mall, Saket Mall (if you want to do shopping of branded items)