6 Best Places to Visit in Agra in One Day
To cover complete Agra in one day is herculean. Agra’s pride lies in the huge number of equally good monuments of importance. Many World Heritage sites reside in Agra. Together with monuments, temples, food, Sanctuaries, and shopping, Agra is a complete package for tourists.
If your schedule allows only one day in Agra, fret not! The most important sites can be squeezed in your itinerary of places to visit in Agra in one day, as they are close by and not too far apart. Sometimes getting inside after buying tickets eats up time due to large crowds. It is therefore advised to buy tickets online to save time. Tickets can be bought online from the Government of Uttar Pradesh website. Let’s plan your visits in Agra in 1 day, to cover as many sites for a one day tour. For the rest, you would be tempted to come back again.
1. Taj Mahal:
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is surely not to be missed. The Mausoleum’s beauty increases manifold early in the morning. The rising sun and its rays play with its demure silhouette, blushing beauty in myriad hues. The white marble structure reflects different colors thus continuously painting the whole picture in varied shades of pink.
The Taj Also looks breathtakingly beautiful in the rains, in a freshly bathed look with dark clouds in the backdrop. A photographers’ delight we would say.
Mahal can be completely covered in two hours. The Taj complex opens at 6:00 in the morning, so if you are an early riser and would like to capture the early sun at the Taj, you would like to reach there early to get the tickets at the earliest. The Taj Mahal overlooks the Yamuna River and is adorned by a beautiful garden and a calm artificial pool. You will realize your picture-perfect moment.
Best time to visit: 9 am to 11 amTips: 1. There is heavy checking at the gates and camera tripods are not allowed along with several other things. Make sure you leave them home or at your hotel.
2. To save your time from huge queues, you can also book your tickets in fast track mode from many tour operators for an express entree at a few top-up dollars, especially in harsh summers.
See more about Taj Mahal's Rules & Regulations
Taj Mahal
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2. Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb:
This tomb was made by the Mughal Queen Nur Jahan and is considered the predecessor to the Taj. Visiting the tomb is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Agra in one day. The tomb was commissioned by the queen, wife of Emperor Jahangir for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg during 1622 – 1628 A.D. Mirza Ghiyas Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile was also the Chief Minister at Emperor Jahangir's court and was later bestowed with the title of I'timād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). It is also christened as Baby Taj, due to its striking resemblance to the Taj albeit at a smaller scale. Yet another name for the monument that inspires fondness is the ‘Jewel Box’ due to its similitude with a jewelry box.
Best time to visit: 11 am to 12 pm
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3. Mankameshwar Temple:
In the list of best places to visit in Agra in 1 day, Mankameshwar temple has its coveted place as one of the four ancient temples of Agra located on four corners of the city all encircled by old markets. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself established the shivling here in Dwapar Aeon that ended in 3102 BCE when Lord Krishna was still in his infancy. The temple is called Mankameshwar as the wishes of Lord Shiva to hold little Krishna in his arms was fulfilled here. The Temple is located in the Rawatpara area in Agra.
Best time to visit: 12 pm - 12:30 pm
4. Ram Bagh:
Also known as Aram Bagh or ‘garden of Rest,’ ’Bagh-i Nur Afshan,’ 'Light-Scattering Garden,' Aalsi Bagh or 'Lazy Garden,' Ram Bagh has a legend that Emperor Akbar lay idle there for 6 days until his third wife, a gardener there, said ‘yes’ to his proposal of marriage. It is around 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the Taj Mahal.
Built-in 1526, it was renovated by Emperor Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan. The garden has a specialty that it is always cool irrespective of when you visit it. Hence it has been timed to visit at the peak of noon. It is designed in a way that the breeze from the Yamuna River cools the place.
Best time to visit: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
5. Akbar’s Tomb:
Located on Agra-Delhi Highway (NH2), it is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away from the Taj. This tomb is where the Mughal Emperor was laid to peace. Known for its pyramidal shape and inscription of the 99 names of Allah on the walls, the tomb was planned by Akbar the Great himself and the site was also his choice. Next to the Yamuna River, the tomb at Sikandra is also known as ‘Bihishtabad” or the heavenly abode. Akbar died in 1605, soon after the construction began. The tomb was completed by his son Jahangir in 1612, and this is also one of the best places to visit Agra in one day.
Best time to visit: 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
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6. Agra Fort:
It is definitely one of the top places to visit Agra in one day. You could wonder why Agra Fort being in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal is the last itinerary. The reason is the sound and light show which is a major attraction of this place and also that the fort looks very beautiful under the moonlight. The Sound and Light show starts every day at 7 in the evening. The Agra Fort is a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO. Built-in 1573, under the reign of Akbar, Agra fort complex was the original residence of Mughal Emperors.
Later, as the capital of India moved from Agra to Delhi in the year 1638, the residence also moved. Before it went to the Government of India, it was made a home by Marathas and Britishers. The complex has four gates including Amar gate - only entry to the fort. It also has a Diwan-e’-Aam, Diwan-e’-Khas, Meena Masjid, Machchi Bhawan and other palaces, several gardens including Grape Garden, Jahangir’s Hauz and Babur’s Baoli - the water reservoirs, and the famous Sheesh Mahal.
Best time to visit: 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm