Things to do in  Agra

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world—and one of India’s most famous landmarks—the Taj Mahal is a grandiose testament to the romantic gesture. Built from white marble by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the structure is decorated with carvings of flowers and inlays of semi-precious stones arranged into intricate patterns inside and out.

Within a stone’s throw of the Taj Mahal, the 16th-century Agra Fort serves as another testament to the immense wealth and power of the Mughal Empire. It was built by Akbar in 1565 where a previous fort once stood. A succession of other emperors, including Humayun and Shah Jahan, has lived within the red sandstone walls.

Known locally as “Baby Taj,” the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is a gorgeous white structure that actually predates the larger and more famous Taj Mahal by a few years. It was the first Mughal building created entirely in marble, and its existence marks the transition from sandstone to marble in Mughal architecture.

Directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) offers a stunning perspective on Agra’s most beloved monument. While the views are the big draw of this 16th-century garden, it’s also worth a visit in its own right for its elegant landscape design and quiet ambiance.

Built by Emperor Akbar in the 1570s, the UNESCO-listed Fatehpur Sikri—which means “City of Victory”—was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about 10 years. Today, a well-preserved collection of monuments, palaces, temples, and mosques remains, in a uniform red sandstone architectural style.

Not far from the Taj Mahal, Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center is best-known as the venue that stagesMohabbat the Taj, a theatrical performance that tells the story of the Taj Mahal’s origins. There’s also a large shopping emporium filled with jewelry and handicrafts from Agra and across India.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a former royal duck-hunting spot that today hosts some 350-odd of species of migratory birds throughout the year. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is lush and expansive; depending on when you visit, you may spot everything from pelicans to osprey to elusive Siberian cranes.

The 19th-century Banke Bihari Temple (Banke Bihari Mandir)—one of India’s most famous temples—in Vrindavan houses an idol of Lord Krishna that devotees believe will cause them to faint if they look into its eyes. As such, the idol is kept behind a curtain that’s swiftly opened and closed, allowing worshipers to catch quick glimpses of the god safely.

The pièce de résistance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fatehpur Sikri, a carefully preserved former Mughal capital established by emperor Akbar in 1570, Diwan-I-Khas (which translates to the "Hall of Private Audiences") is a beautiful red sandstone structure. It was once adorned with murals and Persian poetry, but today only traces remain.

Just outside of Fatehpur Sikri, Korai is a small, traditional village that's largely populated by members of the Qalandar community. In recent years, travel companies and village residents have made efforts to bring in tourists, making Korai a great place to learn about life in rural North India while supporting the local economy.

The former summer home of Jat rulers of the kingdom of Bharatpur, Deeg Palace is a beautiful palace dating back to 1772. It was commissioned by the ruler Maharaja Suraj Mal, a notoriously brave ruler known for plundering sites such as the Red Fort in Delhi and the Taj Mahal. In fact, much of the granite and marble used in the palace’s construction is believed to have come from the Red Fort itself.