Places to Visit in Agra in One Day: Tour from Delhi

In this post, you can read about the Best places to visit in Agra in one day and how you can explore the Agra day tour from Delhi.

The land of the symbol of love or the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the World Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh that offers a discovery of the beautiful Mughal era. Steeped in rich history, this ancient city is dotted with numerous monuments, gardens, and crafts and also caters to delicious culinary scenes of the shopaholics and foodies.

It is a sneak peek into the Mughal realm with two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. It has historic value, rich culture, love, and tragedy all together make the authentic charm of Agra, and that’s why it is always a must-visit place for everyone. Read my 1 Day Agra itinerary with Places to visit in Agra in one day, the Best Viewpoints of the Taj Mahal, and other checklists for your perfect Agra tour as a Day trip from Delhi.

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Agra in One Day: History of Agra

The citation of Agra comes from the epic Mahabharata mythology, where Agra is referred to as “ Agravana” which means paradise in Sanskrit. The famous A.D. geographer Ptolemy was the first person who named the city Agra. It is said that Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi and at the time of Shah Jahan it reached the zenith of the golden zone through its architectural beauty. 

As most of us want to visit Agra for the Taj Mahal but Agra is beyond Taj and there are so many places that you can visit and things you can do within a day. 

The Perfect Itinerary and Best Places to Visit in Agra in One Day

Agra in One Day: Visit the Taj Mahal 

One of the most famous Places of Agra – The Taj Mahal is one of the three World Heritage Sites in India and one of the seven wonders of the World. Set in a tranquil Mughal Garden the monument remains on a raised marble stage, behind the Yamuna River.

The four sides of the Taj Mahal show an ideal evenness and highlight amazing vaulted curves decorated with Pietra Dura scrollwork, and sections from the Quran in calligraphy utilizing trimmed jasper. The Taj Mahal looks as perfect today as when it was first fabricated, leaving the spectators hypnotized.

The area is so expansive and there is plenty of architecture to admire on the grounds of the Taj Mahal. The Complex is so big and you may want to click every corner!

Places to visit in Agra in one day

Few Quick Tips to Visit The Taj Mahal in a perfect way :

Make sure you visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise with epic sky colors in the Backdrop. The Taj Mahal Complex opens at 6.0 AM but makes sure you are the first to enter to get the photos without the crowd. If possible, visit Taj at night, it will give you a spectacular view. I highly recommend spending at least 3-4 hours to get the vibes. Yes, you can visit this marvelous monument at night too.

Don’t carry your Bag or Bag pack otherwise, you will be lost time in getting in. But if you really want to have it with you, there are storage rooms near the ticket counter. You are not allowed to carry tripods inside the complex.

Taj Mahal view points

There will be a long queue at the entrance to buy the ticket, so I highly recommend purchasing the tickets in advance OR recommending buying a fast-track ticket which will give you an express entrance to the Taj Mahal. It’s really worth it and saves lots of your time!

Also, you can read the latest information on the Tajmahal website. If you want to go deep in history, take guided tours, that cover most of Agra sightseeing in one day. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of Agra and Agra Fort half-day tour. It’s really a Good deal and you can cover all the important Agra Sights in a day.

Other Tours you can look for:

Tour 1: Private Sunrise Tour of Taj Mahal from Delhi

Tour 2: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Half-Day Guided Tour

Visiting Hours: Taj Mahal opens 30 Minutes before sunrise and closes 30 Minutes before sunset during normal operating days. Please Note- the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for general viewing, so Plan your day trip to Agra from Delhi accordingly.

Entry Fees: 15$ for foreigners and INR 250 for Indian Nationals

Also Read: Delhi 2 Days Itinerary

Visit the Agra Fort 

Other than the Taj Mahal, one of the important and different acclaimed landmarks of Agra is the Agra Fort. A huge red-sandstone post situated on the banks of River Yamuna was worked under the commission of Emperor Akbar in 1565 and was additionally worked by his grandson Shah Jahan.

Agra Fort is a combination of the Islamic and Hindu styles of design. The Amar Singh Gate toward the south is the sole section point. A way drives directly from here up to the enormous Moti Masjid. There is a spot from the Red fortress where the Taj Mahal is plainly noticeable and Shah Jahan used to sit at this side to watch his adored creation.

I will suggest getting a government-approved Travel guide or an audio guide for the Agra fort because the Fort is big and a guide can help you to understand its importance and details of the Agra Fort.

Agra Fort has some remarkable points which you should not skip :

Nagina Masjid

Nagina Masjid is a beautiful mosque situated near Moti Masjid in Agra Fort.  Built in the North West corner of the Macchi Bhawan, this mosque is pure white marble constructed. There is a marble-made prayer chamber that has three domes on its top.

Diwan-i-Am and the great courtyard

Places to visit in Agra in one day
Diwan I Am

Diwan-i-Am (“Hall of Public Audience”) pens on three sides, the pillared hall, which replaced an earlier wooden structure, was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1628. The elegance of the setting has been enhanced by the addition of carpets, brocades, and satin canopies for audiences.

Diwan-i-Khas

Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), erected in 1635, had been dedicated for the king to receive kings, dignitaries, and ambassadors, and is one of the most finely decorated buildings in the fort, with paired marble pillars and blue-green peacock arches inlaid with lapis lazuli and jasper architecture pattern.

Musamman Burj

Past, the path prompts a two-story structure known as the Musamman Burj, renowned as the spot where Shah Jahan is said to have gotten his last look at the Taj Mahal before he passed on, and the most extravagantly beautified structure in the fortress. Its grid screen balustrade is spotted with elaborate specialties and with dazzling pietra dura trim covering pretty much every surface.

Agra tour from Delhi

Anguri Bagh

After the Musamman Burj, a beautiful garden, The Anguri Bagh, is a miniature char bagh, flanked by the marble building known as Khas Mahal for the purpose of the emperor’s private affairs. The palace is flanked by two Golden Pavilions, their curved roofs covered with gilded copper tiles.

Visit the Tomb of itimad-ud-Daulah or Baby Taj

Agra Day trip from Delhi

One of the major attractions in Agra- The Tomb of itimad-ud-Daulah, famously known as the Baby Taj. This lavish burial place is viewed as an antecedent of the Taj Mahal. This tomb was built under the supervision of Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father Mirza Ghias Begin 1623-28 A.D. It is fabricated totally in white marble and mirrors an astonishing appeal to the guests. Don’t miss this Baby Taj Monument during your one day in Agra.

Visiting Hours: All days of the week 6:00 AM to 6 PM, Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indian Nationals, INR 110 for foreigners

Visit the Sikandra/Akbar’s Tomb

Sikandra Agra Day trip

Another top place to see on the Agra tour is, Sikandra/Akbar’s Tomb. Located 25-30 minutes from the Agra city center, Sikandara is Situated on the western fringe of the city.

It houses the red-sandstone and marble burial chamber started by Emperor Akbar, which was finished by Jahangir. Like all of the structures in Agra, the tomb has incredibly impressive carvings on the face of every wall. Its inside is covered with flawless calligraphy that mirrors the precepts of Din-e-Ilahi, a strict development begun by Emperor Akbar dependent on the combination of fundamentally Hinduism and Islam including different religions too.

Sikandra is the resting spot of the Mughal sovereign Akbar and his grave lies here in a dull chamber. One of the must-visit places in Agra.

Visiting Hours: All days of the week 9 AM to 6 PM, Entry Fees: INR 15 for Indian Nationals, INR 110 for foreigners

Chini Ka Rauza

Agra is not just about the Taj Mahal and still, you have the craving for the architecture wonder, visit Chini ka Rauza. This spot is a funerary monument of Shah Jahan’s Prime Minister and Persian artist Afzal Khan Mullah.

It is a quiet and serene place and located only a Km away from Itimad-ud-Daula. The coated tiles utilized in the landmark are produced using porcelain which is otherwise called “Chini Mitti” or “Chinese Clay” which is supposed to be brought from China.

This spot is a shade raiser to an outlandish Persian workmanship style, which gets itself a home in Agra. You can visit the spot from dawn to nightfall quickly. While at first glance the tomb seems plain and boring, the surroundings were more interesting, with the river on one side and a garden on the other.

Ram Bagh

One of the most famous Agra tourist attractions is Ram Bagh- One of the oldest Mughal gardens believed to be laid out by Mughal Emperor Babur. It is said that Babur was temporarily buried here before being taken to Kabul in Afghanistan.

It was set up by him initially and later redesigned by Noor Jahan, spouse of Jahangir. It is Agra’s most seasoned garden and you will find so many photo opportunities and Instagram-worthy shots at this Place.

Watch the sunset at Mehtab Bagh / Taj Mahal Viewpoint

Mehtab Bagh is located on the Left Bank of River Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal. This park is originally built by Emperor Babur. The garden is perplexing, square fit as a fiddle, and is totally lined up with the Taj Mahal on the inverse bank.

This is currently probably the best spot to see the extraordinary mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. The Mehtab Bagh is probably one of my favorite places to visit in Agra in one day and provides a better view than the Taj Mahal. The Sky with sunset colors and the backdrop of the Taj Mahal makes it perfect for sunset sightseeing in Agra.

Jama Masjid, Agra

The Jama Masjid is one of the Largest Mosques built by the Mughals in India. It is located opposite Agra Fort and the Masjid was constructed in 1648 A.D by Shah Jahan’s daughter, Jahanara Begum. It is one of the largest mosques in India and the construction of the Jama Masjid required 5,000 workers in a time period of 6 years.

The Mosque is built using red sandstone and marble. Jami Masjid is beautifully decorated with paintings, inlaid stones, carvings, and glazed tiles. The mosque looks as beautiful as the Jami Masjid of Delhi and it is one of the must-visit places of interest in Agra in one day.

Top Things to Do in Agra in One Day Travel Guide

Have a local delicacy ‘Petha’ for dessert at the Bazaar

Agra is a foodie’s delight place. It has a World famous Petha to taste. If you are a sweet lover, then you must try Petha in Agra which is made using Pumpkin. Petha comes in so many different flavors and they were all actually really tasty. 

You can try different types of pethas like Coconut Petha, Paan Petha, Anguri Petha, and so on. You can even buy Pethas as a souvenir to take home and it is available at most of the shops in the Markets of Agra.

If you like to taste spicy food then try Dalmoth (a mixture of spices and lentils ), chaat, and Mughlai food here. If interested in Food Tour, book Agra Street Food Crawl Tour, and you will taste the best local food at the best spots in the city.

Check out the Views of the Taj Mahal By the Banks of the Yamuna River

People not only come to see the Taj Mahal in all its glory but attempt to find new and ingenious ways of photographing it from all angles. One such space to view the monument is from the banks of the Yamuna, about a Kilometer walk along with the east gate of the Taj. 

You can see the Priests praying to the river and people who come for their daily rituals. You can see the sun slowly rising and throwing the light throwing light on the river, the monument, and you.

Best Viewpoints of Taj Mahal Agra

Visit the Rooftop Cafes of Agra for the Best Views of the Taj Mahal

If you are disappointed with the sheer number of people all around, then head to one of the Best Cafes which offers the Best Views of the Taj Mahal. It is best to photograph this monument in a peaceful setting. You can grab a Coffee, Tea, or Lassi and just enjoy the perfect views of the Taj Mahal.

You can visit either of the two best restaurants with the best views of the Taj Mahal – The Saniya Palace and the Hotel Kamal. It is easily accessible from the south gate of the Taj Mahal by a short walk.

Related Read: 3 Days Jaipur Itinerary

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Agra in One Day

How Many days in Agra?

The most of tourist attractions of Agra can be covered in one day. You can reasonably fit all the tourist places in your one-day Agra itinerary. But start your day very early morning and leave it at the sunset- this way you can fit all the destinations in your Agra sightseeing list. But if you really check out everything Agra has to offer, and visit Fatehpur Sikri, make sure you spare a minimum of 2 Nights/3 days in Agra.

Places to Visit in Agra in One Day: Agra Beyond the Taj Mahal

Agra is an important Historical site and if you admire the architecture and history Agra has a lot to offer. If you just want to see the Taj Mahal, then you will only scratch the surface of Agra!

If you have more time in hand, visit the other monuments like Jacob’s Chhatri, Jaswant Singh ki Chhatri, Tomb of Mariam-al-Zamani, Chausath Khamba, etc. You can also visit Fatehpur Sikri on a day trip from Agra.

Best time to visit Agra

Agra gets scorchingly hot in the summers so the months of mid-April to mid-June should be avoided. The best time to visit Agra is the winter season from October to March when you can enjoy the marble creation and can avoid the heat. But be Prepared for the Crowd!

The other best time is probably the end of March or August -September when the crowd is thin after the peak season,the weather is still not terrible and visibility is good.

How to reach Agra

The nearest airport is Kheria Airport which is 12 km away from the main city. From there you can take a cab to reach the main city. Agra is well connected via railroad and it has four railway stations that connect the city well. You can book the train tickets from IRCTC OR Redbus in advance. Agra is well connected and accessed by Bus and cabs from all major cities. From Delhi, it takes 2.5 hours to reach Agra.

Day trip to agra from Delhi
Jahangir Mahal in Agra Fort

One-Day Agra Tour from Delhi

I did my day trip to Agra from Delhi and took the early morning train from Delhi. It takes 2.5 hours to reach Agra from Delhi by train. There are many super-fast, AC Coaches and Express trains running on this route.

Alternatively, book a cab and leave early from Delhi via Yamuna Expressway.

Book this Transfer from Delhi to Agra online!

There are 3 train stations in Agra- Agra Cantt, Agra city, and Agra Fort. If you are taking a return train, then end the day by visiting the Agra fort 10 minute’s walk from the fort will lead you to Agra fort railway station.

But if you want to avoid all the hassle of traveling Book this Agra Day Tour from Delhi that includes Sunrise at the Taj Mahal!

Where to Stay in Agra

From Luxury to budget, Agra has every possible option for a stay. Most voyagers end up in Taj Ganj, the tangle of tight paths, adjoining the East gate of the Tajsouth Taj. It is a short walk to the monument and has unparalleled housetop sees and laidback bistros.

The little guesthouses here can be extraordinarily cheap, there are lots of little rooftop places which offer ‘Taj views’ and decent meals. This area is a bit congested with narrow lanes.

If you are looking for a quiet area, there are so many boutique options on Fatehabad Rd, southwest of Taj Ganj. The Cantonment region and the Sadar Bazaar have many places to stay as per your budget.

Best Way to Get around Agra: How much Does it Cost?

Agra has cycle rickshaws, Electric rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws as modes of transport in the city. But before getting in, you need to bargain hard to ensure you get a reasonable price as they will try to charge you more.

You can hire an auto for the full-day tour including the waiting time. A half-day tour comprising the Agra Fort, Mehtab Baug will probably cost you INR 500-600. Fatehpur Sikri can be accessed by local buses which leave every half hour from the Agra Bus Stand. Alternatively, Book the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour From Delhi to save the Time.

Taj Mahal sunrise
Taj Mahal Sunrise by the River

Shopping in Agra

Agra is famous for its white marble tabletops, souvenirs, vases, and trays, inlaid with semi-precious stones in ornate floral patterns. A great place to check leather products like bags, shoes, etc. Zari and zardozi are brightly colored, and patterns with fantastic motifs that use more delicate techniques. Carpet and embroidery continue to thrive for the shopaholic people like us. Shopping in Kinari Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar is a great option but be prepared to bargain.

Nearby Places to Visit Agra

Agra is a place for everyone. From tourists to travel backpackers, foodies to shopaholics, fiction lovers to nonfiction believers everyone can find their own interests here. But if you have some more time in hand you must explore the nearby places like Fateh Pur Sikri, Mathura, and Vrindavan.

Where to Go Next After Agra??

If you are on India Tour, you should visit one of the most spiritual and cultural destinations of India- Varanasi. Whether you are a city person or not, you should witness the charm of one of the oldest cities in the world- Varanasi!

You will feel the chaos as well as the charm and vibes of the city that are so unique. You can also visit the Northern Himalayan region- Rishikesh, Manali, etc if you have more time.

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it, and those who have not seen the Taj Mahal and love it. I would like people to watch the Taj Mahal and fall in love with it.

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18 Comments

  1. I love this Mayuri!

    I visited Agra with my friend when we were 17 – it was my first trip abroad and although I loved it – I didn’t really know all those places with visited (I mean apart from the Taj!) It is so nice to see this and re-learn the names of places we went to. 🙂

    I looove all your photos and the details. You’ve made me want to go back.

  2. Agra is one of the tourist hotspots of India. It is of course synonymous with the Taj Mahal and most visitors are headed there. But there is so much more to Agra than just the Taj, as you have highlighted in your post. We felt that the Agra Fort is magnificent and has so many architectural gems within it and is underrated and lives in the shadow of the Taj Mahal.

  3. I’m always on the look out for great suggestions of day trips from major cities, this tends to be my preferred way to travel (to have a hub in a city and explore from there). Plus, the Taj Mahal has been on my bucket list since I was a child. Your recommendations on timings to get to the Taj Mahal are so wonderful, things I always look out for. The Agra Fort also looks like a spectacular place to visit as well! The architecture is so inspiring and beautiful.

  4. Agra has always been on my list of things to do, and I hope its the first place I hit up once I get out to India. The Taj Majhal is a place I always wanted to visit, to see it for my own eyes and to check out the gardens (I know you cant run around the grounds…that I do know). I am a total sucker for architecture and building is top of my wish list. Lots of information presented and will be handy for me for my visit. Have bookmarked this page.

  5. Although I haven’t made it to India yet, I have a little custom art business and have had many people request a drawing of the Taj Mahal. I would love to visit it in person, and appreciate the comprehensive guide as well as other things to do in the area. Thanks for sharing!

  6. I haven’t been to India yet, but it’s way up high on my bucket list, obviously. Your guide to Agra and the glorious buildings – most of all the Taj Mahal – is so inviting and luring, I could pack my bag right away. Also good to know that a visit is possible on a day trip from Delhi – since I’m sure that there will be so much more to see.

  7. What a comprehensive guide to Agra. I wish I had read something like this before my visit. There’s so much more to discover in Agra beyond Taj Mahal. Unfortunately, I only went there to see the Taj and left soon after to my next destination.

  8. I have been to Agra only once and only for two days where we spent most time visiting the Taj Mahal. I wish I had spent more time there so I could have seen the other places. This is a great extensive list and I will make sure I bookmark it so I can use it later when I visit again.

  9. Great to see there are so many other interesting things to do in Agra. I went there years ago and remember being very impressed with Akbar’s Tomb – what an impressive building. It’s a great tip to Mehtab Bagh for sunsets views. Definitely going to keep that in mind for my next trip. Your photography is beautiful as well.

  10. Thanks for sharing all of these fantastic and helpful tips for visiting Agra! It looks like a truly magical place to visit, full of history and culture which I love. I love the tip about visiting the Taj Mahal at 6am when there’s no people – I always wondered how people got those shots!

  11. Although we did Agra in two days, this seems quite a nice itinerary if one has just one day in hand. Thanks for refreshing all our memories of Agra once again. The view of Taj from Mehtab Bagh looks wonderful in your photograph.

  12. Mera abhi tak nahi hua Agra ! And i get major FOMO whenever I stumble across photos of the Taj, or the beautiful architectural marvels spread around Agra. Can you beat, when we were going from Jabalpur to Delhi by road, we crossed Agra, and the detour to Taj was only about a KM or so, but dad refused to take the detour ! And i was like, WHYYYYYY !

  13. A perfect guide for the city of Agra. Most people leave after seeing the Taj or at the most the Fort. However it is worth a while to go explore the Baby Taj, Mehtab Bagh and Akbar’s tomb too. Good tips on skipping the queue for Taj. According to me, best time is early morning when it just opens. That is honestly when you can get the Taj to yourself.

  14. I had not been to Agra though visited Delhi so many times. Good to know Agra visit can be done from Delhi within a day. Not only Taj Mahal there are so many places to visit here Fathehpur Sikri and Sikandar/Akbar’s tomb. The sunset from Mehtab Bagh with Taj Mahal as a view point is amazing and I would love to take several photos from here.

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