10 Best Places to Visit Near Agra

With its rich history, culture, and fascinating monuments, Agra has many enticing sights to witness for tourists. The early reference for Agra comes from the legendary Mahabharata era, where the city was mentioned as Agravana, which means paradise in Sanskrit. This rich city in North India is preferred by most travellers for a weekend getaway. While most people come to this city to visit the Taj Mahal, there are many other eminent archaeological sites that should not be missed at all. The whole region gives you an insight into rich Indian culture and history. So, once you are done with the places to visit in Agra, and you still have two-three days in hand, you can explore other sightseeing places near the city. The impressive list of tourist spots near Agra comprises everything, including geological sites, historical towns, natural habitats, and holy riverfronts.

Here is a list of the top places to visit near Agra that you can plan a trip to:

Fatehpur Sikri

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, Fatehpur Sikri is an ancient town located 40 kilometres away from Agra. It was built between 1571 and 1585 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in honour of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. It is home to many historical buildings such as Jama Mosque, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Jodha Bai's Palace, Diwan-I-Am, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Ibadat Khana, and more. One of the best tourist places near Agra within 50 km, Fatehpur Sikri, is a unique blend of lavish architecture and religious beliefs.

Vrindavan

Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, Vrindavan is one of the oldest cities and a famous pilgrimage place for the devotees of Lord Krishna. This beautiful town hosts many Lord Krishna and Radha temples, including the world-famous ISKCON temple and Banke Bihari temple. It is believed that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood here. Every year, millions of devotees visit this holy town in Uttar Pradesh to fill their hearts with spirituality and joy. Vrindavan is one of the blissful places near Agra for a weekend trip where you can feel divine energy and spiritual vibes. The highlights of this place include Prem Mandir, Nidhivan, Rangaji Temple, Kesi Ghat, and the Holi celebration in Braj - a historical region covering Vrindavan and Mathura.

Ranthambore

One of the biggest national parks in India, Ranthambore, is nestled in the vicinity of the Aravali hills and Vindhya terrain. With an area of 1334 sq km, the national park is famous as the natural habitat of a large number of Royal Bengal tigers. Here, you will have the best experience of a lifetime watching majestic tigers roaming freely, enchanting greenery in the vicinity, and species of animals and birds. One of the most exciting places to see near Agra, the Ranthambore landscape consists of valleys, hills, forests, and greenery. Apart from the wildlife, the cultural significance of Ranthambore is also a major attraction among tourists. Jogi Mahal is an iconic place located near Padam Lake in Ranthambore. Other attractions are Rajbagh ruins, the majestic Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesha Temple, Kachida Valley, Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum, and more.

Bharatpur

An exotic offbeat destination, Bharatpur is situated in the Braj region, around 58 km from Agra. Known as the Eastern Gate of Rajasthan, Bharatpur is a popular weekend tourist destination. From wildlife and forests to historical attractions from past centuries - you can find everything in Bharatpur. Here, the Keoladeo National Park is home to over 370 species of animals and birds. The park made its way into the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1985. It is one of the best places to visit near Agra, where you can experience the authentic Rajasthani tradition and religious festivals. The famous 18th century built Lohagarh Fort is quite a crowd-puller here. Other attractions in Bharatpur include Bharatpur Palace and Museum, Government Museum, and Ganga Mandir.

Mathura

Located around 61 kilometres from Agra, Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and the twin-city of Vrindavan (10km distance). One of the top Uttar Pradesh tourist places, Mathura, is mainly famous for Shri Krishna Janmabhumi, a place where Lord Krishna was born. One of Hinduism's seven sacred cities, Mathura attracts tourists with more than 25 serene ghats, religious structures, temples, and landmark monuments. Here, the two most significant temples are the Gita Mandir and Dwarkadheesh Temple. Other attractions include Govardhan Hill, Birla Mandir, Kusum Sarovar, Mathura Museum, Kans Qila, and more. The surreal beauty, old-world charm, religious vibes, and serenity make Mathura one of the top tourist places near Agra within 50 km.

Sariska National Park

Nestled in the Aravali Hills, spreading in an 800 sq km area, Sariska National Park is a paradise for wildlife lovers. The surrounding area of the park has green forests, rocky landscapes, and sheer cliffs. This place was once the reserved hunting ground for the rulers of Alwar and was acknowledged as a national park in 1982. The Sariska Park is famous for majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and many carnivores, including Leopard, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog, and more. The Sariska National Park is surrounded by two lakes, namely Jai Samand Lake and Siliserh Lake, providing shelter to a variety of water snakes, crocodiles, and diverse underwater animals. The park also has the remains of ancient temples of Garh-Rajor from the 11th century. One of the best places near Agra to visit, Sariska National Park, offers a perfect getaway for tourists.

Orchha

The erstwhile capital city of the Bundela Rajput kings, Orchha, is a historic town in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh, nestled on the banks of river Betwa. Orchha means a hidden place, and the city really is a hidden gem for tourists. Founded by Rudra Pratap Singh in the 16th century, Orchha hardly ever witnessed any fierce battles, keeping the originality and beauty of monuments intact. You will get to feel the previous era the town has witnessed through its unscratched monuments, splendid riverside palaces, royal temples, and Mughal-influenced Rajput palaces. The fascinating history, stunning architecture, and royal charm make it one of the best places to visit Near Agra that you cannot miss out on. Here, you will find attractions like the Jahangir Mahal, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Raja Ram Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris Cenotaphs, Orchha Fort, and Kanchana Ghat.

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the top places to visit in Agra near Taj Mahal, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal weekend getaway for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Located near the tri-point of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, near the Chambal River, the Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is home to some of the most endangered species, including Gangetic Dolphins, Indian skimmers, Red-crowned turtles, and Gharial. This beautiful sanctuary offers unpolluted habitat, incredible landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Also, you can get a sight of magnificent ancient ruins, medieval temples, and animal fairs in and around this wildlife sanctuary. You can go for a bicycle ride, horse safari, camel safari, jeep safari, or river safari offered here. National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit near Agra for a leisure break.

Gwalior

A historical city in Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior reflects a perfect blend of art, culture, history, and architecture. From royal palaces to striking forts and intricately built temples to classy monuments, the city has many attractions to delight travellers. One of the most stunning places near Agra to visit, Gwalior is renowned for brilliant architectural marvels and music festivals like Tansen Samaroh. With many historical events and stories, the city attracts travellers, photography lovers, and history buffs who wish to travel back in time through ageless monuments. Here, you can visit Jai Vilas Palace, Gujari Mahal, Padavali and Bateshwar, and Gopachal Parvat.

Jaipur

Famous as the Pink city, Jaipur is a perfect destination to experience the warmth and splendour of the bygone era of Rajputana graciousness. The first planned city of India, Jaipur, offers a fascinating mix of regality and modernity. This beautiful city is a part of the golden triangle that includes Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur. There are various sightseeing places in Jaipur, such as well-preserved museums, Amer Fort and Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jhalana Leopard Safari, and more.

With numerous places to visit near Agra, you can find your perfect destination to enjoy a short break from regular life. A good way to plan your trip would be to opt for one of the Agra tour packages that suit your budget and travel preferences.