Agra Sightseeing - Top Tourist Attractions in Agra

Located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of the most-visited travel destinations in India. The city attracts history and architecture lovers from all over the world. While the Taj Mahal is the highlight of this city, there are many other places that make Agra a perfect spot for a vacation. Agra is home to 3 UNESCO world heritage sites, including Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. In fact, Agra has a little of all the attractions for tourists. The city has architecture exquisiteness, historical monuments, heritage experience, cultural beauty, shopping and more. This former capital of the Mughal Empire is a reflection of the majestic past of the country. Each monument with intricate architecture describes an exceptional story of the past.

Top Places to Visit in Agra

If you are planning a trip to this vibrant city of Uttar Pradesh, here is the list of the best sightseeing places in Agra that you should not miss.

• Agra Fort
• Taj Mahal
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Akbar’s Tomb
• Ram Bagh
• Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary
• Dolphin Water Park
• Mankameshwar Temple

Agra Fort

A major part of the list of the best places to see in Agra, Agra Fort is a unique combination of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Made with red sandstone, the fort is an architectural wonder from the Mughal time, offering a fascinating glimpse into the royal lifestyle and inventive brilliance of Mughal rulers. While the fort was built in 1573 by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, many additions and updates were done by different rulers at different periods of time. It is a massive fort which took around eight years of extensive work by 4000 workers to be created. The Agra Fort has four gates - Delhi Gate, Hathi Pol, Amar Singh Gate, and Ghaznin Gate. However, the Delhi Gate was the largest and was the entrance for the formal entry of the kings. Some famous buildings inside this fort are Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas, Moti Masjid, Jahangir Palace, Sheesh Mahal and the Musamman Burj.

Taj Mahal

One of the world-famous sightseeing places, located near 5 star hotels in Agra, Taj Mahal, is included in the list of Seven Wonders of the World. Called the symbol of love, the Taj Mahal was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Built between 1631 and 1648, the majestic mausoleum took around 20 years and 20,000 labourers to complete the structure. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, the Taj Mahal, was elected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being a universally admired masterpiece and the gem of Muslim art in India. The complex also has a mosque and an assembly hall, allowing visitors to experience the history of the Mughal era. Whether you are an art or architecture lover or a history buff, the Taj Mahal is among the most important Agra sightseeing places to be included in your trip package.

Fatehpur Sikri

Located near the Taj Mahal on the Jaipur–Agra highway, Fatehpur Sikri is a must-visit place in Agra. Also known as the ghost city, Fatehpur Sikri has various monuments from the Mughal era. Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. Inhabitants abandoned this city due to the scarcity of water in the region. The Mughal emperor Akbar established this city to honour Shaikh Salim Chishti, the famous Sufi saint who foretold the birth of an heir. Visiting Fatehpur Sikri will take you back in the history and varied artistry of the bygone era, sure to leave you spellbound. A part of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, Fatehpur Sikri has many attractions like Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai Palace (Mariam-uz-Zamani Palace), Tomb of Salim Chishti and Panch Mahal.

Akbar’s Tomb

Situated in Sikandra, Agra, on the Mathura National Highway Road, the Akbar’s Tomb, is one of the best places to visit near Agra. It is an imperative architectural masterwork of the Mughal era. While Akbar himself had chosen this place for his tomb and supervised the construction, Jahangir, the son of Akbar, added a floor of marble stone over the tomb. Thus, he finished the famous historical structure of his father's tomb. The grand entryway welcomes visitors to see and walk around the impressive tomb and experience the beauty and serenity of the surrounding garden. A major part of Agra sightseeing packages, Akbar’s Tomb, reflects Akbar’s classy taste in art and architecture. A highlight of this place is that the tomb faces toward the rising sun, while other tombs of Muslim rulers face Mecca.

Ram Bagh

Located around 8 km away in the north of Taj Mahal, Ram Bagh is a famous tourist spot in Agra. It is the oldest and most striking Mughal garden constructed by the first Mughal Emperor Babur in 1528. This beautiful garden used to be a spot for kings to spend time in nature and serenity. It is one of the must-visit destinations in Agra where you can get respite from the busy crowd of Agra. Earlier, this place was known as Aaram Bagh, which was changed to Ram Bagh by the Maratha dynasty when they occupied Agra from 1775 to 1803 AD. With decorated footpaths, stunning waterways and Pillared Pavilions, Ram Bagh makes a perfect place for nature walks. Also known as the Bagh-E-Gul Afshan, this Mughal garden was the place where the remains of Babur were temporarily buried before getting shifted to Kabul. You must include Ram Bagh in your Agra sightseeing package.

Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary

One of the biggest sloth bear rescue facilities in the world, the Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary is a popular tourist place in Agra. Established in 1999, the Sanctuary currently houses a number of sloth bears and many other species of wildlife in huge forests with ponds and shady trees. The Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary works towards protecting wildlife, including bears, leopards, elephants and more. To visit this tourist spot in Agra, you need to pre-book the personal two-hour guided tour. It will help you know the history of bears, their preservation, the measures taken by the Sanctuary to protect these dancing bears and more. Also, there is a small yet well-managed café and a shop where you can buy goodies like fridge magnets, decorative items, t-shirts, carved items, and other souvenir items.

Dolphin Water Park

An amusement park, Dolphin Water Park, has become a major attraction for tourists in Agra since it was introduced in 2002. Located on the outskirts of Agra City on the National Highway (Agra Mathura Road), Dolphin Water Park is one of the best places to visit near Agra. Also known as Dolphin - The Water World, this water park is filled with many attractions, activities and water rides suitable for all age groups. Spread over 14 acres, Dolphin Water Park has some of the most thrilling water slides, lazy river rides and wave pools. In addition, there are many food stalls and restaurants serving a variety of refreshments and delicacies. This exciting and adventurous water park should not be missed out on your Agra sightseeing trip.

Mankameshwar Temple

One of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva, Shri Mankameshwar Mandir, is located in the Rawatpara area in Agra city. One of the best places to visit near Agra, the Shiv Linga here belongs to the Dwapara era. It is believed that Lord Shiva founded the Shiv Linga himself while descending to Gokul. Shiva left the Kailash to visit the child form of Lord Krishna. Here, the Shiv Linga is covered with silver metal and said to fulfil all the wishes of devotees who seek blessings here. The temple also has other idols of the Shiva family, including goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikey, and Nandi. The ambience of this beautiful temple is so divine that hundreds of devotees visit it daily.

There is no dearth of options for tourist places near Agra. All you need to do is book one of the Agra day tour packages that suit your budget and travel preferences.