agra

Nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra is a historic city situated in Uttar Pradesh. Agra is the fourth-most crowded city in Uttar Pradesh and the twenty-third most crowded city in India.Once served as the Capital of the Mughal empire, Agra has been ruled by Mughal Emperors Babur (Mīrzā Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad), Humayun (Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad), Akbar(Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar), Jahangir (Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim) and Shah Jahan (Shihab-ud-Din Muhammad Khurram). Under the control of the Mughals,Agra became a hub for learning, religion, arts, and, commerce, and witnessed the construction of the Agra Fort, Sikandra, and Agra's most crowned monument, the Taj Mahal considered the ‘Symbol of Love’.

• Taj Mahal – Once the winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is a beautiful palace constructed with white marble and looks mesmerizing standing gracefully near the right bank of the Yamuna River. Considered the Symbol of Love, the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahanto house the tomb of his lovable wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• Agra Fort – Once served as the Royal residence of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, Agra Fort is a historic fort in Agra City. The construction of the fort was started in 1565 and completed in 1573. Back then the Fort was also referred to as Lal-Qila or Qila-i-Akbari.
• Fatehpur Sikri – Known as ‘the City of Victory’, Fatehpur Sikri is popular for its remarkable monuments and religious places. Fatehpur Sikri is a historic town in the Agra District built by the Mughal Emperor AbÅ« al-Fatḥ Jalāl al-DÄ«n Muḥammad Akbar to serve as the Capital of the Mughal Empire.
• Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb– Built by Nur Jahan, the Empress of Hindustan, for her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg, Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb is a lovable and honorable tribute from a daughter to her father. Often known as the Baby Taj, the tomb was named after Mirzā Ghiyās Beg title name Itimad-Ud-Daulah which means pillar of the State.
• Mariyam’s Tomb – Another beautiful Tomb of Agra Mariyam’s Tomb is commissioned by Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (Jehangir) in memory of her mother Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha Bai. The tomb was built beside the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Akbar’s Tomb– Built in 1605–1613 by Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (Jehangir) in memory of his father, Akbar Tomb is the tomb of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The tomb is covered across an area of 119 acres in the sub of Agra,Sikandra.
• Mehtab Bagh– The last of Eleven Mughal-built gardens alongside the Yamuna River, Mehtab Bagh is the Charbagh compound in Agra. Situated north side of the Taj Mahal and the Agra fort the Mehtab Bagh is a beautiful Garden with an airy structure, white plaster walkways, decorative pools, and fountains.
• Chini Ka Rauza– Constructed in 1635, Chini ka Rauza is a tomb of Afzal Khan Shirazi, a poet, and scholar, who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb is built facing the sacred city of Mecca.
• Aram Bagh – One of the oldest Mughal Gardens in India, Aram Bagh is a beautiful garden built by Mughal Emperor Babur in the year 1528. Located 7km northeast of the Taj Mahal, Aram Bagh was the place wheretemporarily Mughal Emperor Babur was buried before being buried in Kabul.
• Radhasoami Samadhi – Radhasoami Bagh Samadhi is situated in Dayalbagh on the outskirts of Agra. Often known as Soami Bagh, Radhasoami Bagh Samadhi is the tomb of Huzur Swamiji Maharaj.
• Keetham Lake– Often referred to as Sur Sarovar, Keetham Lake is a scenic and pleasant lake. The lake is also known for Birds sighting as nearly 106 species of resident and migratory birds are known to have their resting habitats at Keetham Lake.
• Motilal Nehru Park – A well-maintained park, Motilal Nehru Park is one of the famous spots in Agra. It is an ideal place for spending quality time with family and friends. The park has a huge Statue of Motilal Nehru.
• Jama Masjid – One of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid is a 17th-century assemblage Masjid (Mosque). Built by Jahanara Begum, Padshah Begum (First Lady) of the Mughal Empire, Jama Masjid stands opposite the Agra Fort.
• Anguri Bagh– A Charbagh garden, Anguri Bagh is a beautiful garden with white plaster walking areas. Built-in1637 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan,Anguri Bagh is located inside the premises of Agra Fort.
• Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal– Gurudwara Guru ka Taal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place devoted to the memory of the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Situated near Sikandra in Agra, the Guru ka Taal was built in the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur was willinglyarrestedbythe Mughal EmperorAurangzeb.

• Thor the Party World– Known for partying and spectacular music, Thor the Party World has the best audio equipment and sound systems. The club also organizes Halloween nights,karaoke nights, and other themed events.
• Club Rush – Offering a lively décor and ambiance, that can easily grab one’s attention, the Club Rush lounge bar has a dance floor with trendy lighting and rock music. Club Rush has also a hookah and sheesha bar.
• Liquid Lounge Bar – Liquid Lounge Bar in Radisson Blu offers statelyinteriors withtrendy lightingandimpressive effect.The bar serves the liveliest cocktails, spirits, beers, and mocktails.
• Colorbar – With an elegant poolside seating area and lounge settings, Colorbar is a vibrant Club with colorful and energetic lighting and environment. The Colobar pub entertains its visitors with Live DJ and music performances.
• The Bar– Enjoying the drinks with a clear and uninterrupted view of the great Taj Mahal, The Bar inAgra is 5 stars rated bar situated at a distance of 4 km from the Taj Mahal.
• Maikhana - A fine dining resto-lounge along witha bar in ITC Mughal, Maikhana has the charm to attract the youth, and also the older generation.
• Tapas – Tapas bar in Jaypee Palace Hotel has an elegant interior with unblemished seating and a glamorousambiance. Serving amazing options in finger food, with a wide range of mocktails,cocktails, liquor, and non-alcoholic drinks, Tapas is one of the oldest clubs in Agra.
• Glassy – One of the best places in Agra for relishing the nightlife of the town, Glassy Club serves the best fusion cuisine inspired by Continental, Chinese, and Indian culinary traditions.

• Oberoi Amarvilas– Built with impressive Mughal architecture, the Oberoi Amarvilas is one of the best hotelsin Agra. Beautifully decorated with fountains and lawns the hotel offers amemorable stay in a luxurious ambiance.
• Taj View Agra IHCL seleQtions – Spread across an area of 6 acres encompassed by greenery gardens, the Tajview is an ideal environment to explore.With elegant rooms with contemporary interiors, a relaxing spa, and the signature Sky Deck restaurant offering panoramic views of the city, the hotel is close tothe Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Agra– Ramada offers a memorable stay with top-grade services. The hotel provideselegant suites overlooking the Taj Mahal, a magnificent outdoor pool, an in-house spa, and upmarket restaurants which run 24 hours a day.
• ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collections Resort and Spa, Agra - A luxurious spread across an area of23 acres, the ITC Mughal provides offers its customers an incomparablevacationwith spacious rooms, lush green gardens, swimming pools, and a signature in-house spa for relaxation.
• Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Agra – Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Agra offers the experienceof an unforgettable stay in thestately 5-starhotel. With fancy rooms, a fitness center, and an expanded pool, Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Agra is worth staying hotel situated 4 km away from the Taj Mahal.
• Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra– One of the best Hotels in Agra, The Taj Hotel and Convention Center is known for its luxurious facilities.Magnificent rooms with the touch of the Nawabi culture and tempting menus serving authentic Mughlai food that will make your experience more vibrant and memorable.
• Holiday Inn Agra Mg Road, an IHG Hotel– Situated in the commercial center of Agra, Holiday Inn is known for its generous hospitality and services. With spacious rooms with relaxing interiors, Holiday Inn is a stunning Hotel for a stay in Agra.

• Esphahan- Luxurious hotel dining room that features elegant statues & a menu of classic Mughlai dishes, Esphahan is a Mughlai restaurant in Agra.
• Mama Chicken– Mama Chicken is a casual restaurant with both veg and non-veg street stalls. Managed by 24 chefs who run the restaurant with outdoor tandoors and grills, Mama Chicken also has Franky rolls and Tibetan dumplingson its menu.
• Agra Chat House– Situated at Sadar Bazaar, Agra Chaat house is known for its delicious authentic Indian chaats. One of the oldest chat corners, Agra Chaat House has a variety of options including aloo Tikki, golgappa, and dahi bada with flavored sauces.
• Pinch of Spice– Situated on Fatehbad road opposite Hotel ITC Mughal, Pinch of Spice offers a menu of Mughlai, North Indian, Chinese, Continental, Desserts, and Beverages.

• Petha– The trip to Agra is incomplete without having the ‘Agra ka Petha’. One of the most iconic street foods in Agra, Petha is a soft candy made with ash gourd (white pumpkin). The petha comes in different flavors like Paan, Kesar, etc.
• Paratha– A special Mughlai Dish made with wheat flour and grated potato stuffing mixed with grated veggies, Paratha is a perfect breakfast to start a day in Agra.
• Mughlai – Considering a remembrance of the Mughal period, Mughlai cuisine is the symbol of Agra. Mughlai cuisine has a wide variety of dishes to offer, mostly consisting of meat-flavored dried nuts.

Famous Streets :

• Sadar Bazaar- One of the most popular markets for shopping in Agra, Sadar Bazaar is situated near the Agra Cantt railway station. The Bazaar offers a wide variety of products including clothes, handicrafts, sweets, and electronic gadgets to leather bags. The Sadaar Bazaar also hosts restaurants that serve delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus. The Bazaar stays open from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and remains closed on Tuesdays.
• Subhash Bazaar– Situated in Halwai Gali near the northern edge of Jama Masjid nearby the Agra Fort, Subhash Bazaar is another popular market of Agra.Subhash Bazaar is known for Silk products and Silk Sarees. The Bazaar stays open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and remains closed on Tuesdays.
• Kinari Bazaar– Located near Jama Masjid of Agra, Kinari Bazaar is a wholesale market with a great history that makes it one of the top places for shopping in Agra. Kinari Bazaar offers products of Handicrafts, marble, glassware, leather, and textiles. The Bazaar stays open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and remains closed on Tuesdays.
• Shah Market– Situated near the Sanjay Place market in Agra, Shah Market is one of the best wholesale and retail markets in Agra. The Market is known for a variety of brand-newsmartphones, mobile repairing, and purchasing second-hand mobiles.The Shah Bazaar stays open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m
• Shahganj Bazaar– Shahganj Bazaar which has eventually grown all these years offers its customers almost every product accessory, shoes, handbags furniture, and even vegetable shops.
• Shoe Market– Located in the Hing ki Mandi, Shoe Market is one of the famous markets of the city.TheShoe Market stays open from 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

Malls :

• Ashok Cosmos Mall– One of the famous Malls of Agra, Ashok Cosmos Mall is situated in a posh area of the town. Offering leading fashion brands and trends, Ashok Cosmos Mall also has services like dining, entertainment,and stay facilities.
• TDI Mall – Situated on Fatehabad Road near the Taj Mahal, TDI Mallis a great shopping spot and is quite suitable for entertainment and leisure purposes. Ithas a huge food court too with all kinds of varieties of dishes.The Bazaar stays open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Church Road Mall – Often known as CR mall, Church Road Mall four-story shopping center. The Mall offers a variety of options including branded products to local items, traditional clothes to trendy outfits, and also different options in shoes.
• Tegson Sheela Mall– A three-story building, Tegson Sheela Mall offers leading brands in fashion, accessories, etc. The Mall also provides services of an entertainment zone, a food court area, and a multiplex theatre.
• Rajan Mall– Rajan Mall is one of the famous malls of Agra, known for its wedding collection, especially for men’s clothing. The mall hosts some of the known brands including Manyavar, Levi’s, lawman, Killer, J Hampstead, etc.

Certainly, the best time to visit Agra is in the winter season. Duringthisseason, the tour will be much more enjoyable in comparison to other seasons. The maximum temperature during this season is around 32° C, and in December and January, the minimum temperature falls to 2° C. Thus, the most preferred time to visit Agra is between October to November.

• By Air – The nearest airport to Agra is Agra Airport situated at a distance of 6 km.
• By Train – The nearest Railway Station is Agra Cantt Station which is situated at a distance of 3.3 km from Agra.
• By Road – The nearest bus stand is situated at a distance of 450 m from Agra.