After you are done seeing Delhi, then it’s time to think about your next Indian destination. The city of Agra is near the Indian capital. Situated in the Uttar Pradesh region, you don’t have to take a plane to get there. India has one of the most extended train networks, and you can leave Delhi and get there by modern trains in less than a couple of hours.
Agra has lately been the hotspot for tourists in the region. In this short article, we will expose the top reasons you would love to visit Agra as the first place in your Indian expedition. However, Agra is a protected city that, under Indian law, you need to be very careful. The nightlife is great, and you have many things to do and many places to visit, so you better stay there for a couple of days before setting a route for other cities and regions.
Here are the top 10 reasons why you must visit Agra once in your life
1. See the Symbol of Love Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is the single reason to visit Agra. People from all parts of the world would love to come and see the Taj Mahal, which is the biggest palace ever built for the Maharajas. It has traditional Indian architecture, and you need to pay a small fee to enter the premises.
Taj Mahal has remained a museum ever since and is protected by UNESCO as a unique monument for the worldwide human civilization. Rules to enter the Taj Mahal are very strict, and tourists should get there with their own guide to ensure they know where to go and what they see in each chamber.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹1100 for foreigners
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6:30 PM (closed on Fridays)
Travel Experience:
- Scenic Beauty: Marvel at the stunning white marble mausoleum.
- Activities: Guided tours, photography, and exploring the gardens.
- Travel Tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and fewer crowds.
Also Read: Winter Adventures in North India
2. Try Some Local Pumpkin Sweets
Agra is the place in India where you can find millions of acres of sweet pumpkins. It’s one of the main veggies here so you can have some local foods that are made with the basic ingredient of the sweet pumpkin.
People love to have such sweet pumpkins not only in cakes but also in other kinds of food. Tourists also like to taste soups that are made with that sweet pumpkin giving them the best possible experience when they are in Agra. You will simply love the pumpkin taste here.
Where to Try: Panchhi Petha Store, Deviram Sweets
Travel Experience:
- Culinary Delight: Savor the unique taste of Agra’s famous Petha, a sweet made from pumpkin.
- Activities: Taste testing different varieties like Kesar Petha, and Angoori Petha.
- Travel Tip: Pack some Petha to take home as a souvenir.
3. Get to Know the Uttar Pradesh Cuisine
Uttar Pradesh is one of the richest regions in India. Here you can find any type of Indian food and even taste the best spices. That’s why many tourists like to come here and book a table in reputable restaurants. They can also have some meat here that is cooked the old Tanturi way in the oven that is close to the earth.
This cuisine has many veggies and spices and the same time uses Indian recipes to ensure that you will have maximum satisfaction from your meal without making you sick and tired of having it.
Best Places to Eat: Pinch of Spice, Dasaprakash, Joney’s Place
Travel Experience:
- Culinary Delight: Enjoy local dishes like Bedai, Jalebi, and Mughlai cuisine.
- Activities: Food tours, cooking classes, and street food exploration.
- Travel Tip: Try the local street food for an authentic culinary experience.
Also read: Explore Amazing Locations Close to Kanpur
4. Go to the City of Victory (Fatehpur Sikri)
Agra is the city of victory. They call it that way in India since it’s the first city that made its way from the British Empire and gave the country a reason to revolt.
There you will see many historical places where people have to go to find the original Indian culture and how Gandi has made it easy for others to understand his theory about a modern India that would be independent of foreign powers. The city of victory is always there to remind Indians how important freedom and liberty are to an everchanging world where nothing is stable.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹610 for foreigners
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM
Travel Experience:
- Historical Significance: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient city founded by Emperor Akbar.
- Activities: Guided tours, exploring palaces, and visiting Buland Darwaza.
- Travel Tip: Combine the visit with a trip to Agra Fort for a full day of historical exploration.
Read also: Uttar Pradesh Winter Travel Guide
5. Visit the Red Fort (Agra Fort)
The Red Fort is one of the architectural miracles of Agra. You can come there on foot and expect to pay a small fee to enter. Today the Red Fort operates as a museum, but it used to be a real fort in the past that nobody could pass through and continue to the rich valleys of Uttar Pradesh.
Visiting the Red Fort will also give you the best possible view of Agra city. It is called that since they used a rock that turns out to be red when you see it from far away to build it.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹650 for foreigners
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM
Travel Experience:
- Historical Significance: Discover the grandeur of this Mughal fortress.
- Activities: Guided tours, exploring palaces, and viewing the Taj Mahal from Diwan-i-Khas.
- Travel Tip: Hire a local guide to understand the historical context and stories associated with the fort.
6. Local Market in Agra You Simply Can’t-Miss
Agra’s marketplace is one of the biggest in modern India. There you can find virtually anything you like. As a tourist, they will serve you even when you don’t have rupees with you. Everyone is gentle enough to exchange their foreign currency for rupees at a better-than-usual rate.
You may also find places to rest in the marketplace and perform the negotiations for the price as you do in any eastern nation. There you can find clothes and jewels that you can get as gifts for your beloved ones when you are ready to fix your suitcase back home.
Best Markets: Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Subhash Bazaar
Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon to evening
Travel Experience:
- Shopping Experience: Shop for handicrafts, leather goods, jewelry, and souvenirs.
- Activities: Bargain hunting, street food sampling, and exploring local crafts.
- Travel Tip: Always negotiate prices, as bargaining is common in Indian markets.
7. Protect Yourself From Monsoons
Agra City has a strategic location in the northern part of the country. If you manage to get to India through the monsoon season, it’s better to get to Agra to get protected from heavy winds and rain.
The surrounding mountains don’t allow the rain to come to Agra often enough, and that’s one of the main reasons for tourists to stay a bit longer in the city. It’s also one of the reasons that agriculture has managed to develop to such an extent there compared to the other parts of the country.
Monsoon Season: June to September
Precautions: Carry an umbrella or raincoat, wear waterproof footwear
Travel Experience:
- Weather Preparedness: Stay dry and comfortable during the rainy season.
- Activities: Indoor sightseeing, visiting museums, and enjoying local cuisine.
- Travel Tip: Plan visits to indoor attractions like Agra Fort and local markets during heavy rain.
8. Find a reasonable Budget for Heritage Hotel
If you think that Delhi hotels are costly, then wait to check the Agra hotels’ prices. You can find a family room for less than half the price you paid in Delhi. That happens not because there is a lack of quality there but because Agra needs to be cheaper as bait for tourists to come there.
The Indian government gives subsidies to the local hosts in Agra city to ensure that the lodge remains at reasonable prices compared to the Indian competition. It’s better to stay in Agra and take the train to Delhi than to pay so much more in the Indian capital.
Popular Heritage Hotels: The Grand Imperial, Hotel Clarks Shiraz
Travel Experience:
- Accommodation Experience: Stay in historically significant and beautifully preserved hotels.
- Activities: Enjoy traditional hospitality, local cuisine, and cultural performances.
- Travel Tip: Check online travel platforms for deals and read reviews before booking.
9. Buy Original Indian Dresses
Agra is also the place where you can find original Indian dresses for your women. When you travel with your wife or daughter, it would be better to dress them like locals since Indian society remains quite conservative to Western thinking.
In the Agra marketplace, you can find quality dresses for all tastes, and you can also find the color that matches your women’s expectations. Agra is the place where they manufacture garments and textiles. You may expect to have the best possible treatment there and even have the best prices for the money you want to spend.
Best Markets: Kinari Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar
Travel Experience:
- Shopping Experience: Purchase traditional Indian dresses like sarees, salwar kameez, and lehengas.
- Activities: Explore fabric shops, tailor services, and ready-made garment stores.
- Travel Tip: Look for authentic handwoven fabrics and traditional embroidery.
10. Participate in Local Festivals
Finally, there is no point in visiting Agra without participating in some of the best religious festivals. These are getting organized throughout the year, and all tourists are welcome to view or participate. These usually include feasts after the celebrations, so you better be ready to taste some original Indian food that is cooked in large pots and offered to the people for free.
Major Festivals: Taj Mahotsav (February), Diwali (October/November), Holi (March)
Travel Experience:
- Cultural Immersion: Experience the vibrant culture and traditions of Agra.
- Activities: Attend cultural performances, participate in local rituals, and enjoy festival foods.
- Travel Tip: Plan your visit to coincide with a major festival for a unique cultural experience.
These festivals are quite safe, and you can go there with your family without being afraid of anything bad happening. No matter where you are from, India is the best place for your vacation for sure.
Read the following articles about Agra:
- One-Day Agra Tour from Delhi
- Top 10 Historical Places to Visit in Agra
- Agra’s Most Popular Tourist Destinations
- Things to Buy & Market in Agra
- How to Travel from Delhi to Agra?
- Nearby Agra Places for Weekend Getaways
- How to Reach Agra from Delhi
- 10 Famous Things to Do in Agra
- Places to Visit Near Agra within 100 km
