The Taj Mahal’s supernatural attract making interest to Agra like insects to a wondrous flame. And it’s equally pretty much as good as you’ve detected, despite the packaging. However, the Taj isn’t associate attraction of its own. The Mughal empire’s gift has left a powerful fort and a liberal splashing of fascinating tombs and mausoleums, and within the active chowks (marketplaces) there’s fun too..
The drawback is in the context of crowds of rickshaw-wallahs, touts, unofficial guides, and vendors of souvenirs whose persistence can often be furious.
Where to Stay in Agra
From fancy hotels to budget hostels, and there’s plenty of mid-priced hotels and guest houses you can find anything in Agra.
For my 3-night visit to Agra, I stayed at the Hotel Taj Plaza and although it sounds highly regarded, it wasn’t anything too luxurious.
Hotel Taj Plaza- The great option about this hotel was the location, about that a 10 minutes’ walk from the Taj Mahal’s east gate.
There is also a fairly decent view of the Taj from the highest-level restaurant on the deck. The room might have been far better; it was quite old, not the healthiest or the most beautiful design. But at least, it all worked. We paid for a double roughly 800 INR per night.
You’ll find close a few budget guest luxury homes around the southern door of the Taj Mahal, as well as many local restaurants and businesses.
How to Get Around Agra
Walk-Staying in a hotel near the Taj Mahal, which is the big focus of Agra, is convenient. So, you can go to the ticket sales office and either walk or take a free shuttle to the Taj gate.
Other than that, however, Agra is not the friendliest town for walkers. It’s easiest to leap in an auto-rickshaw to visit other tourist destinations within Agra, as the average distance is lengthy and roads are humid. One day I walked back to the Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort and it ended up taking about thirty minutes.
Walk-Staying in a hotel near the Taj Mahal, which is the big focus of Agra, is convenient. So, you can go to the ticket sales office and either walk or take a free shuttle to the Taj gate.
Other than that, however, Agra is not the friendliest town for walkers. It’s easiest to leap in an auto-rickshaw to visit other tourist destinations within Agra, as the average distance is lengthy and roads are humid. One day I walked back to the Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort and it ended up taking about thirty minutes.
Auto Rickshaw – Though I am usually a big walker, in Agra I barely even bothered, it was too sunny, too warm, and too dirty.
Auto rickshaws are readily available and will drive you wherever you want to, as long as you agree to a price in advance.
Horses, camels, and other animal-driven rickshaws – you’ll see a variety of animal-driven carts all around the Taj Mahal that you can employ to bring you to the Taj Mahal gate. You may as well ride them from the Taj Mahal to the Agra Fort, and not much further.
Things to Do in Agra
- Taj Mahal- Without visiting the Taj Mahal, I wouldn’t think anyone travels to Agra, it’s THE reason why some people visit Agra; I’m not joking, it’s almost absolutely the reason I’ve visited the place. The best part is that the Taj Mahal really does live up to its reputation (I thought so, at least). It’s really a beautiful white marble show and I was pleased with its elegance and historical significance. It’s not cheap at 750 INR for entry but I figured it was worth it. There’s a long list of items you’re not encouraged to carry in, so make sure you leave your hotel with those things.
- Agra Fort- Another place that I didn’t find to be so spectacular after seeing the Taj Mahal is the Fort of Agra. It was yet another beautiful piece of history of architecture designed by the Mughals. I really liked the fine details inside the fort, carved in stone and marble. The entrance was 300 INR and I will find one of the things you shouldn’t skip at Agra to do.
- Baby Taj- Another fantastic experience to see in Agra is the tomb of I’timâd-ud-Daulah, or best described more literally as the Baby Taj. It’s not a large tomb, so it doesn’t take long to visit, but with great details, that is another good example of Mughal architecture and design. Entering it was 100 INR, and a Taj Mahal auto rickshaw could cost 100 – 150 INR (the Baby Taj is across the river).
- Mehtab Bagh Gardens- I wanted to rest at the Taj Mahal by the garden from across the river because I was at the Baby Taj. It’s just a normal park built as a garden, and while it has a nice Taj Mahal view, I didn’t think it’s worth a visit but if you’re really in photographs and want to catch a Taj shot across the river. It’s also the gateway to 100 INRs.
- Saddar Bazar- Saddar Bazar in Agra is a shopping place, and although it’s a little touristy, it’s very local too. There is a strip of shops in which you can find souvenirs, corner shops, and grocery items as well.
Searching for leather and marble products is a good business, although I personally have no idea whatever the costs might be.
There are a variety of restaurants and food stalls snack stands in the city, including Mama Chicken House (more below), a place to eat for its amazing name alone!
Food and Restaurants in Agra
- Relax He Relax is located about 50 meters outside the east gate, along the lane. It is a restaurant with a couple of tables in the kitchen, serving a menu of mainly North Indian Mughlai cuisine. We had the wonderfully juicy and flavorful chicken Kadai and the mixed vegetable curry along with rice and naan. For two, our bill had come to 640 INR.
- Mama Chicken House-You can’t skip Mama Chicken House if you go shopping at Agra’s Saddar Bazar (more information above) and you want some budget chicken and fast Indian food. There is also a section that is non-veg and an all-veg, separated by the car park. I chose the non-veg because I just wanted some chicken from tandoori. I purchased a piece of tandoori chicken for 150 INR, and a plate of hot tandoori rotis. It was awesome!
- Particularly on the southern side of the Taj Mahal, you will enjoy a selection of holes in Indian restaurants in the wall as well as Korean and Japanese food and a couple of restaurants in the West.
Conclusion
So, guys, I hope you understood everything after reading this article. Since I was a little girl, India has been on my bucket list and I have never been quite like that anywhere.
Remember to come back to the lovely Rajasthan and Jaipur for my absolute guides! I’m always keen to hear about your journeys, so if you have something to express or any Q’s, please fling me a message!
FAQ’S
Q-1 How much it cost to travel to Agra for Foreigners for the very first time?
Ans- You have only 20 to 25 thousand Indian rupees only to stay in Agra for 3 days tour.
Q-2 Are there any other places in the city of Agra other than Tag Mehul?
Ans- Yes, you may find many places.
- Also Read: Monsoon Honeymoon Destinations in India
