Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 2 Nights & 3 Days Itinerary

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Mankameshwar Temple, Kinari Bazaar

Published on 2021-08-30

Taj Mahal, Agra

Taj Mahal, Agra

Destination

urban

Best time to visit

October to March

  • Agra (200 km from Delhi) is a city located on the banks of the Yamuna river and home to the world-famous monument, Taj Mahal.
  • Other Mughal-era buildings of Agra include the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
  • Agra is part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, which includes Jaipur and Delhi, and experienced travellers even call the Agra-Jaipur tour a wonderful combo trip.
  • The best time to visit Agra is the winter season, especially the months between November and March.
  • The summer season could be too hot to roam outdoors, making it impossible to visit historic monuments, including the Taj Mahal. 

Highlights

  • Agra’s proximity to major cities in the North, like Delhi (230 km), Lucknow (360 km) and Jaipur (240 km), makes it an ideal weekend getaway for families.
  • The Taj Mahal is, obviously, the top tourist spot, but Agra has a lot more for history and culture buffs, including the Fatehpur Sikri (36 km away).
  • Other major historic monuments to visit in Agra include – Baby Taj, Agra Fort, Mankameshwar Temple, Kinari Bazaar, and Mughal Gardens.
  • The Light and Sound Show at Agra Fort is worth a visit as well.
  • For foodies, Agra serves delicious street food like Bedami Poori-Jalebi, Dahi-Bhalla, Chicken Kebab, Parathas, etc.
  • Agra is also famous for its Leather shoes, marble souvenirs, Panchhi Petha, and Dal-Moth.
  • You cannot go to Agra and not sample the local food there, the two highlights are Bedami Poori-Sabzi breakfast and Satvik (Pure vegetarian) restaurants. Check out our detailed itinerary below.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Agra-Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (36 km)

If you want basic accommodation, you can opt for staying in the Raja ki Mandi locality, for minimal cost. However, the area is quite congested with heavy vehicular movement.d

  • Fatehabad Road has hotels to suit every budget. The average tariff here is between Rs. 2000-2500.
Hotel Options
  • Orbit Inn - located at Gandhi Nagar Marg, Near Bhagwan Talkies (Range from Rs 1500 to 3000 approx)

Below 2 properties are in New Agra, Dayal Bagh Road

  • Hotel Poonam Plaza - Range from Rs 1500- 3500 approx.)
  • Dayal Lodge and Boutique - Range from Rs 2500 to 4000.

Book your Hotel here

You may have Breakfast/Lunch at Below mentioned places - within 2 km from Bhagwan Talkies

  • The Nehru Nagar market (MG Road - in front of Bachoomal) is a good spot for foodies including places like Deviram Sweets and Restaurant and Bhagat Halwai, you can try their Bedai poori, Kachori & delicious north Indian food.
  • Pinch of spice at civil lines Sanjay place and at Fatehabad Road, Agra - Serves veg & Non-Veg Food

Once you reach Agra, the first thing you can do is visit Fatehpur Sikri, 36 kms away.

  • Fatehpur Sikri – The 450-year-old city, located West of Agra, was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is made in a beautiful architectural display of red sandstone. Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Salim Chishti’s tomb, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Panch-Mahal are its major sites to visit.
    • You need at least 3 hours to visit this city in a proper manner.
  • Sadar Bazar – In the evening you can go for a walk in one of the famous local markets, Sadar Bazar. It is a traditional marketplace selling fabrics, leather products, and souvenirs.
Fateh Pur Sikri
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Fateh Pur Sikri

Snacks/Dinner – Sadar Bazar is also famous for its food options, filling in the hunger for snacks as well as full dinner meal –

  • Lohar Gali – 3 km from the Bazar, this place is famous for street food options like chat, Gol-Gappa, Dahi-Bhalla, etc.
  • Ram Babu Parathe Wala – Located at Sikandara, this eatery serves some of the amazing stuffed parathas!.
  • In the evening time around 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM you will find approx 50+ food stalls for speedy and spicy food including Golgappas, Dahi Bhalla, Dahi Gujiya, Dosa, icecream and a lot more. Location: Near Soami Bagh.
Ram Babu Parathe Wala, Agra
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Ram Babu Parathe Wala, Agra

Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 2 - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort Visit & food Exploration

Start your day with delicious local Breakfast options within 2 km of Bhagwan Talkies at MG Road

  • Shri Dauji Misthan Bhandar - Popular for its Bedhai Puri, Kachori, Samosa & Pakoda. The famous food point for the locals as well as the travellers. - 
  • Manoj DhabaDelicious food, They serve tea to meals for 24 hours.  
  • Bajrang Paan Wala for a sudden pinch of sweetness.

Taj Mahal – Start your day with a visit to the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal. For information regarding visiting hours, ticket prices, access, etc, visit here. You can also purchase tickets online.

  • (Due to Covid Online Ticket is disabled)
  • Taj Mahal is closed for visitors on Fridays.

Lal Quila (Agra Fort) – Lal Quila or Red Fort (500 m from Taj Mahal) is another ancient monument, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in May 1638, which served as the official residence of the Mughal royalty for a while.

Taj Mahal
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Taj Mahal

Lunch Options within 5 km of Lal Quila

Om Bhojanalay, Agra
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Om Bhojanalay, Agra

Akbar’s Tomb – Next you can visit the tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar, also known as “Sikandara”, about 16 km from the Taj Mahal and 5-6 km from the Hari Parwat area.

Tomb of Akbar built between 1605 to 1613
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Tomb of Akbar built between 1605 to 1613

Guru Ka Taal – This historic Gurudwara is located near Sikandra, about 12 km from the Taj Mahal. It is testimony to the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who offered voluntary arrest to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Earlier there was Taal(reservoir) built in 610 AD, later Gurudwara was built
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Earlier there was Taal(reservoir) built in 610 AD, later Gurudwara was built

Chini Ka Rauza – Built in 1635, this is a tomb of Mughal scholar-poet and Prime Minister of Emperor Shah Jahan, Afzal Khan Shirazi. It is about 8 km away from the Taj Mahal.

Built as a combination of Afghanistan & persian style of architecture
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Built as a combination of Afghanistan & persian style of architecture

Dinner – There are several pure vegetarian & Non Veg food options to choose from

  • Chokho Jeeman – Serves Pure Rajasthani cuisine, 6 km from Chini ka Rauza.
  • One can explore the food options in Sadar Bazar like the famous Mama chicken Mama Franky, Chaat gali and Ice Cream stalls in the desert. 7 km from Chini Ka Rauza.

If you walk around the cuisine options at Sikandra Road or near khandari then you can explore:

  • Pind Baluchi at Sikandra road in front of Guru ka taal.
  • For south Indian Food- Explore the best among all "Sagar Ratna" Near Khandari police station, Khandari Crossing, Agra.


Veg Thali at Chokho Jeeman 
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Veg Thali at Chokho Jeeman 

Overnight stay in Agra

Day 3 - Mankameshwar Temple & Aram Bagh Visit

Start your day with delicious Breakfast options at several ‘Dhakels’ or street food carts parked at any of the three main areas.

  • Hari Parwat (8 km from the Taj Mahal), Sanjay Place (8 km) and Shahganj (10 km).
  • In the morning time around- 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM you will find approx 50+ food stalls in the Dayalbagh area which includes (South Indian cuisine, UP cuisines like kachori and Bedai, chai and samosa, Gujarati snacks and a lot more.
  • For tea lovers -  local tea stalls in Dayal Bagh like Honey tea stall and Bhagwati chai wala in soami bagh, Dayal bagh Agra.
  • Delhi gate chai wala, Civil lines Agra

Before you leave Agra, if you have a few hours to spare, you can visit the following locations.

  • Sri Mankameshwar Mandir – Located near the Agra Fort Railway Station, this is one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • Rajeshwar Mandir – One of the oldest four Shiva Temples, it is built in ancient Pagoda style and is located 6 km from Sri Mankameshwar Mandir, on the Fatehabad Road.
Sri Mankameshwar Mandir, Agra
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Sri Mankameshwar Mandir, Agra

Araam Bagh – Located just 8 km from the Taj Mahal, this place is the oldest Mughal Garden in India. Built by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1528, this is the place where Babur was buried before his remains were taken to Kabul.

Aram Bagh - Entrance fees - Rs 15 per head
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Aram Bagh - Entrance fees - Rs 15 per head

You may leave for your home/destination

Things to Buy/Popular shopping Location

  • The main marketplaces of Agra are Sadar Bazar, Sanjay Place and Raja ki Mandi.
  • For cheap and the best shopping deals, Raja Ki Mandi is the best option.
  • To buy Agra’s iconic Petha, head to Panchhi Petha, Gopal Das Sweet or Munna lal Pethe Wala!
  • Another famous Agra specialty is “Dal-Moth”, which basically is savory specialty. All the sweet shops selling Petha usually sell Dal-Moth as well.
  • If you want to buy souvenirs like the Marble show-pieces, head to private showrooms on the Mahatma Gandhi Road or gain a better and closer experience at the Gokulpura locality, home to several craftsmen, who work with marble.
  • Agra is also famous for leather shoe factories. Find one closest to your accommodation and visit there to purchase a good pair of leather shoes at a reasonable price.
  • In Sadar Bazar locality, you will get branded as well as locally-made leather shoes. Two of the famous local shoe brands available in Sadar are “Winter Shoes” and “Berry Shoes.”

Suggestions and Recommendations

  • Avoid visiting Agra or the Taj Mahal on weekends & Public Holidays, because there are long queues outside all the major monuments.
  • You can club your Agra visit with a trip to Jaipur (240 km) as well. The famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also on the way ( 56 km from Agra) so you can also choose to visit there, Best time to travel to Bharatpur sanctuary is between Nov to feb.
  • Local mode of transport – options include auto rickshaws/taxis.
  • While taxis are costlier and will travel from the outer part of city, autos are better coz it will take you through the inner city and average cost is Rs. 1000-1200 for a day’s time.
  • If you are travelling from Delhi, you should book your ticket till Agra Cantt railway station, from Lucknow side, Agra Fort would be the right destination to choose. Coming in from Jaipur direction, Idgah Station right destination.
  • Avoid hiring a guide off the street. Instead, look for certified guides available near the tourist spot itself.
  • If you have time at your disposal, can also cover below places too.
    • Balkeshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the oldest among all the 4 shiva temples in Agra, Balkeshwar road, Kamla Nagar, Agra.
    • Kailash temple
    • While exploring the Taj Mahal, do reach out to
      • Mahtab Bagh, Tajganj, Agra for a brilliant view of the Taj from the park.
      • Jahangir Mahal, Agra Fort, is a part of Agra Fort.
      • In the evening you can explore Paliwal Park, Near to Sanjay place.