Constructed by Akbar between 1565 and 1573 on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra Fort served as the principal seat of Mughal power for successive emperors, including Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. Spanning about 94 acres, the fort contains over 2 dozen Mughal-era structures, including Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, and the Moti Masjid. Shah Jahan spent the final 8 years of his life imprisoned here by Aurangzeb, with a direct view of the Taj Mahal across the river. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, it is an essential companion to any Taj visit.
Entry Fee: ₹40 on Fridays and ₹50 on other days for Indians, ₹600 on Fridays and ₹650 on other days for foreigners
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Evening Sound and Light Show at 7:30 PM in Hindi and 8:30 PM in English
Distance from City Centre: ~2 km
Tip: Visit Agra Fort on the same morning as the Taj Mahal. A single taxi or auto-rickshaw can cover both sites. Book the Sound and Light Show in advance during peak season.
Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632, the Taj Mahal was commissioned as the final resting place of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The monument took over 17 years and thousands of craftsmen to complete, using white marble from Makrana and semi-precious stones from across Asia, Ceylon, and Afghanistan. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the 7 Wonders of the World, it remains one of the most famous places to visit in Agra and India. At sunrise, the pale light turns the marble a soft amber before shifting to white by mid-morning. The hour before sunset offers another golden window, often with fewer crowds.
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹1,100 for foreigners. Extra ₹200 to enter the main mausoleum
Timing: Sunrise to sunset (Closed on Fridays)
Distance from City Centre: ~3 km
Tip: Drones, tripods, food, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside.
Completed in 1628 by Empress Nur Jahan in memory of her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the Itmad-ud-Daula is the first Mughal structure to be built entirely in white marble. It predates the Taj Mahal and is considered a significant architectural precursor, introducing the pietra dura inlay technique that would later define the Taj, making it one of the best places to see in Agra. The tomb sits within a formal charbagh garden on the left bank of the Yamuna. The lattice screens and inlaid floral panels within are among the finest examples of Mughal decorative craftsmanship in Agra.
Entry Fee: ₹25 on Fridays and ₹30 on other days for Indians, ₹300 on Fridays and ₹310 on other days for foreigners
Timing: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Distance from City Centre: ~5 km
Tip: Pair this visit with Mehtab Bagh and Chini Ka Rauza, all within walking distance of each other on the same bank of the Yamuna, for a focused half-day Yamuna-bank circuit.
Situated directly across the Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh is known as the Moonlight Garden and offers one of the finest unobstructed rear views of the Taj from its northern bank. Archaeological excavations here revealed a large octagonal tank with 25 fountains and a central pavilion, suggesting the garden was originally planned as part of the Taj Mahal complex. Far less visited than the Taj itself, Mehtab Bagh is ideal for quiet reflection and photography without the crowds.
Entry Fee: ₹25 for Indians and ₹300 for foreigners
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~6 km
Tip: Visit in the late afternoon. The rear view of the Taj Mahal at sunset from Mehtab Bagh is one of the most photographed sights in Agra and is largely crowd-free.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~6 km
Tip: Visit alongside Itmad-ud-Daula. It is best visited in the morning light, when the surviving glazed tiles catch the sun most vividly.
Believed to have been laid out by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, Ram Bagh is widely regarded as the oldest Mughal garden in India. Originally known as Aram Bagh (Garden of Rest), the name was changed to Ram Bagh during the Maratha period, when Agra was under Maratha control from 1775 to 1803. Babur’s remains are believed to have been kept here temporarily before being taken to Kabul for burial. The garden follows a Bagh-Hasht-Behisht pattern across 3 terraced levels and retains remnants of stone-paved walkways, pavilions, and a hammam.
Entry Fee: ₹25 for Indians and ₹300 for foreigners
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~6 km
Tip: Visit in the cooler morning hours. Combine with Itmad-ud-Daula and Chini Ka Rauza for a focused Yamuna-bank heritage circuit.
Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal is one of the most significant Sikh pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh, near Sikandra on the Delhi-Agra Highway. The reservoir (taal) at the site was built in 1610 during the reign of Emperor Jahangir to collect rainwater for irrigation. It gained spiritual importance as the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Sikh Guru, voluntarily surrendered to Emperor Aurangzeb rather than convert to Islam, and was later martyred in Delhi. The present gurudwara was established in the 1970s by Sant Baba Sadhu Singh Ji Mauni.
Entry Fee: Free. Langar (community meals) are served free of charge to all visitors, around the clock.
Timing: Open 24 hours
Distance from City Centre: ~8 km
Tip: Cover your head and remove footwear before entering. The Langar is open to visitors of all faiths. Combine with the Tomb of Akbar and Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani for a full Sikandra day excursion.
Located near Sikandra to the west of the Tomb of Akbar, this tomb houses the cenotaph of Mariam-uz-Zamani, a Rajput princess of Amber, the wife of Emperor Akbar, and the mother of Emperor Jahangir. The structure was originally a pleasure pavilion built under Sikandar Lodi in 1495 and was later converted into a tomb in 1623. The ground floor contains about 40 chambers from the Lodi period, bearing faint traces of painted plasterwork, while the upper storey holds a marble cenotaph open to the sky. The facade is faced in red sandstone panels carved with geometric patterns.
Entry Fee: ₹25 for Indians and ₹300 for foreigners
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~10 km
Tip: Combine with the Tomb of Akbar and Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal as part of a Sikandra circuit. All 3 sites are within proximity of each other near Sikandra.
Located on the outskirts of Agra near Sikandra, the Tomb of Akbar is the mausoleum of the greatest Mughal emperor, who commissioned the monument himself during his lifetime. The structure is pyramidal across 5 storeys, built almost entirely in red sandstone, with the topmost storey completed in white marble by his son Jahangir. The tomb sits within a large, walled garden populated with deer and peacocks, making it as much a nature experience as a heritage visit. The actual cenotaph of Akbar rests at a level below the ground floor, while a marble false cenotaph occupies the open-air topmost storey.
Entry Fee: ₹25 on Fridays and ₹30 on other days for Indians, ₹300 on Fridays and ₹310 on other days for foreigners
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~12 km
Tip: Combine with Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani and Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal for an efficient half-day excursion.
Fatehpur Sikri holds one of the finest complete examples of Mughal urban planning in the world. Akbar built the city between 1571 and 1585 to honour the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who had blessed him with a son. The complex includes the Buland Darwaza, widely regarded as the tallest gateway in Asia, the Jami Masjid, and the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Akbar abandoned the city in 1585 when he moved his capital to Lahore, leaving it in a remarkable state of preservation. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, it makes a compelling half-day trip from Agra.
Entry Fee: ₹40 on Fridays and ₹50 on other days for Indians, ₹600 on Fridays and ₹610 on other days for foreigners
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distance from City Centre: ~36 km
Tip: Budget 2 to 3 hours for the full complex.
Agra demands a base as considered as the sightseeing itself. Hotel Clarks Shiraz, positioned just about 4 km from the Taj Mahal on Taj Road, places the best places to see in Agra at your doorstep, such as:
Agra Fort: ~3 km
Taj Mahal: ~4 km
Fatehpur Sikri: ~4 km
Itmad-ud-Daula: ~7 km
Mehtab Bagh: ~8 km
Chini Ka Rauza: ~8 km
Ram Bagh: ~9 km
Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal: ~11 km
Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani: ~13 km
Tomb of Akbar: ~16 km
Every stay here is matched to the pace and purpose of your trip, decked with:
Rooms & Suites: Choose from our rooms and suites across 5 categories, ranging from 25.1 sq. m to 58.5 sq. m, designed for both short visits and extended stays. Enjoy 29.2 sq. m rooms with uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal, offering a rare private vantage point from your window.
Exclusive Offers & Benefits: Make the most of curated stay packages and direct booking perks.
Dining Experiences: Indulge in diverse options, from live ghazal evenings and multi-cuisine meals to rooftop dining, sunset drinks, and all-day buffets.
Wellness & Recreation: Recharge with an outdoor pool set in landscaped lawns, a full-service spa, and a health club with a gym, steam bath, and Jacuzzi.
Balanced Stay Experience: Combine easy access to Agra’s landmarks with spaces designed for relaxation, ensuring your stay complements your sightseeing.