Enjoy Ultimate Incredible India Tour Experience

Agra, the city of eternal beauty and history, is a treasure trove of heritage that tells stories of love, power, and architectural brilliance. Once the heart of the Mughal Empire, this city is renowned worldwide for its historical monuments and cultural richness. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or a curious traveller, Agra offers a myriad of historical attractions to explore. Here are the 11 best historical places to visit in Agra.

1. Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a symbol of eternal love. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this white marble mausoleum stands as a pinnacle of Mughal architecture.The structure combines Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural elements. The central dome, intricate marble inlay work, and symmetrical gardens create a mesmerizing sight.

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (Closed on Fridays)

· Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indians), ₹1100 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Early morning or during a full moon night.

2. Agra Fort: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Agra Fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors until the capital shifted to Delhi. It witnessed significant historical events, including the imprisonment of Shah Jahan by his son Aurangzeb.This red sandstone fort houses exquisite palaces like Jahangir’s Palace and Khas Mahal, courtyards, and the iconic Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam.

· Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

· Entry Fee: ₹40 (Indians), ₹650 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Winter months for a comfortable experience.

3. Fatehpur Sikri: Located 40 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Though abandoned due to water scarcity, its grandeur remains intact.Highlights include Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, and the Tomb of Salim Chishti. The city is a perfect blend of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architecture.

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

· Entry Fee: ₹50 (Indians), ₹610 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: October to March.

4. Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb: Often called the "Baby Taj," this tomb is the first Mughal structure built entirely of white marble. It was commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg.The tomb features intricate lattice screens, inlay work, and Persian-inspired gardens, showcasing the precursor to the Taj Mahal’s design.

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

· Entry Fee: ₹30 (Indians), ₹310 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon.

5. Akbar’s Tomb (Sikandra): The tomb of Emperor Akbar, located in Sikandra, reflects the emperor’s secular and philosophical approach. Akbar himself planned and commenced its construction.The tomb combines Islamic, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist architectural styles. The beautifully carved red sandstone and white marble elements are noteworthy.

· Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

· Entry Fee: ₹30 (Indians), ₹310 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Winter months.

6. Jama Masjid: Built by Shah Jahan in 1648 in honour of his daughter, Jahanara Begum, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India.The mosque features stunning red sandstone domes, intricate carvings, and a spacious courtyard that can accommodate thousands of worshippers.

· Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM

· Entry Fee: Free

· Best Time to Visit: Fridays for a glimpse of the vibrant prayer gathering.

7. Mehtab Bagh: This charbagh-style garden across the Yamuna River offers a perfect view of the Taj Mahal. It was built by Emperor Babur and later renovated by Shah Jahan.The garden’s symmetry aligns with the Taj Mahal, providing a serene and romantic setting. It is also an excellent spot for photographers.

· Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

· Entry Fee: ₹25 (Indians), ₹300 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Sunset for picturesque views.

8. Mariam’s Tomb: This tomb was built in memory of Mariam-uz-Zamani, the Hindu wife of Emperor Akbar and the mother of Emperor Jahangir. It reflects Akbar’s respect for religious diversity.The tomb’s Mughal design is simple yet elegant, featuring red sandstone and decorative elements.

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

· Entry Fee: ₹30 (Indians), ₹310 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Early morning or evening.

9. Chini ka Rauza: This tomb is dedicated to Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a scholar and poet in Shah Jahan’s court. It is notable for its Indo-Persian design.The unique feature of Chini ka Rauza is its glazed tile work, which gives the structure its name ("chini" means Chinese porcelain).

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

· Entry Fee: Free

· Best Time to Visit: Winter months.

10. Ram Bagh: Bagh is the oldest Mughal garden in India, built by Emperor Babur. It represents the Persian concept of paradise gardens.The garden is divided into four parts by water channels, symbolizing the four rivers of paradise.

· Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

· Entry Fee: ₹25 (Indians), ₹300 (Foreigners)

· Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooming flowers.

11. Mankameshwar Temple: One of Agra’s oldest temples, Mankameshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It holds great religious significance for locals and visitors.The temple is known for its simple yet spiritual ambiance, with a silver-plated Shiva Linga as its centrepiece.

· Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

· Entry Fee: Free

· Best Time to Visit: During Shivratri celebrations.

Agra is a city where history comes alive through its monuments and heritage sites. Each place has a unique story to tell, from the romantic legacy of the Taj Mahal to the architectural grandeur of Agra Fort and the spiritual serenity of Jama Masjid. A visit to these historical places not only enriches your understanding of India’s rich past but also offers unforgettable experiences. So, plan your trip and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Agra. Agra tour packages by Optima Travels present opportunity to explore the heritage of erstwhile Mughal capital.

Agra is home to several Mughal era monuments, particularly Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. These three monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites and are major tourist attractions. Though tourism in Agra revolves around world famous Taj Mahal but there are several places to visit in Agra. Major highlights of Agra can be explored on a One Day Agra Tour Packages .

If a tourist has ample time and keen interest in exploring various facets of an erstwhile Mughal capital city, there are several things to do in Agra. Perhaps, you want to try out one of the famed Golden Triangle Tour Packages on your holiday this time? If you don’t have much time to spare, but would still like to breathe a different air, it might be a good idea to take a Delhi-Agra-Jaipur Tour? Not only is it full of historic sites, but there’re also other things you can see and do here.

If you’ve already visited Delhi, you could confine your trip to just Agra and Jaipur and do both places extensively. In that case, an agra-jaipur tour would be just fine for a few days. If this sounds like your holiday, may we suggest a few must spots for you in Agra?

Apart from the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, there are other lesser-known historic sites that will blow your mind. For instance, how about visiting these sites?

Tomb of Mariam

Mariam-uz-Zamani was the Queen consort of Emperor Akbar and the mother of Emperor Jahangir. Her mausoleum, built by Emperor Jahangir in memory of his mother can be seen in a suburb of Agra called Sikandara.

Chini Ka Rauza

Chini Ka Rauza is the tomb of Emperor Shah Jahan’s prime minister, Allama Afzal Khan. This monument contains all the items related to a funeral and is situated on River Yamuna’s eastern bank. The word ‘Chini’ refers to Chinese and ‘Rauza’ stands for ‘tomb’. It was built between 1628 and 1639, using Indo-Persian architectural styles. It is known for its superb use of glazed tiles.

Dayal Bagh

Dayal Bagh or "Garden of the Merciful" is a self-contained colony in Agra. Here, the inhabitants lead an extremely disciplined, active and cooperative life, adhering to spiritual tenets of their faith. The Radhasoami faith has its headquarters here where the Dayal Bagh sect also lives.

Adjacent to the Soami Bagh is the tomb of Swamiji Maharaj, the founder of the Radhasoami faith. It is built entirely in white marble and has elegant pietra dura inlaid on its interior walls.

Mehtab Bagh

North of the famed Taj Mahal and facing the Agra Fort and River Yamuna, the Mehtab Bagh is an extremely scenic spot Agra boasts of. It is also called the Moonlight Garden. It was the last of the 11 Mughal gardens built on similar lines on the banks of the Yamuna.

If you love the idea of visiting these spots in Agra, besides the Taj Mahal, why not make arrangements for a trip here as soon as possible? Winter is a great time to be here, so pack your bags and visit this city with several little-known historical spots you’ll love to explore.

One good way of seeing everything that Agra has to offer is to book yourselves on one of the better Agra Tour Packages which will take care of your sightseeing and travel to the historical sites. If you put yourself in the hands of a reputed travel agency, they will use their experience and foresight to give you the best package and the most economical one that will give you a memorable holiday to Agra.

In this connection, why not check out Optima Travels? They are renowned in their field for not just planning a superb tour, but also going the extra mile to give you a lot of freebies you’ll love to use. Over the years, they have built up a good reputation with their clients, so it’s not surprising that their clientele now boasts highly satisfied families. Now, you too can join this loyal band of customers.

Apart from their expertise, you also get to enjoy a good discount if you book early with them. So, quickly make an appointment with them to discuss the finer details of your upcoming Agra India Tour. To connect, reach us today.

Latest Posts

Blogroll

Flickr

About