One Day in Agra: Make the Most of a Short Stay
Ancient forts, otherworldly monuments, and beautiful gardens - Agra offers countless memorable experiences. The good news, it’s a small city and nightlife scene is almost dull here, which means these things make it possible for people to enjoy Agra in a short time. So if you only have one day in Agra, here’s how you can do.Morning
There’s something magical about getting out of your hotel room in the pitch black to see the sunrise in Agra. Head to the Taj Mahal and we can guarantee you’ll be dazzled after seeing this monument. Despite having one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Agra’s most beautiful natural wonder is seen when the sun rises behind the Taj Mahal. You probably have heard that the Taj Mahal looks pink in the morning, now is the time to witness this magical event.After spending an hour or two at the Taj, visit Tajganj and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Little has changed over the years, and when it comes to street food, breakfast items such as poha, jalebi, and samosa still play a huge part in daily North Indian life. In the Tajganj area, you will find many stalls selling these delicious items.
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You might find that you still have a lot more time than you thought for your Agra itinerary in 1 day. Just 2 kilometers away, the next stop is Agra Fort. From the Taj Mahal parking area, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or you can book a taxi. A short ride to the Agra Fort will cost you 50 rupees in an auto-rickshaw and 100 rupees in a taxi. Stroll through the wide pathways, learn about the Agra’s history and Mughal lifestyle, at the huge Agra Fort. Spread across an area of 94 acres, it’s possible to cover the Agra Fort in 2-3 hours.
Next up is a beautiful palace called Jahangiri Mahal. It was built by Akbar and is situated inside the Agra Fort complex. Also, there are some places like Shivaji Memorial, Jama Masjid, and Delhi Gate near the fort and deserve a visit.
Afternoon
Spend the rest of the afternoon of your 1 day in Agra in sightseeing and maybe the evening as well. If ancient structures seem boring to you, the Itimad-ud-Daulah is the place that can prove you wrong. It’s called Baby Taj for a reason. To get an idea of why it is one of the finest Mughal-era structures in Agra, look at its appearance and the marble work done by architects.Walls of this place are covered with white marble encrusted with many semi-precious stones. Spend some time here and then after a 15-minute walk, you’ll be witnessing the spectacular beauty of Chini Ka Rauza. It is a monument situated at the bank of the Yamuna River. Chini Ka Rauza is one of the few tombs where architects extensively use pietra dura. Although the monument is not maintained well, the inlay work can still be seen today.
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Even during the peak travel seasons, the best way to explore Agra is to walk. The compact size of this city makes walking even more convenient. At a short distance of 900 meters from Chini Ka Rauza, there’s a garden which is the first Mughal garden in India. The place is called Aram Bagh. In Hindi, Aram or Aaram means rest and bag/bagh means garden.
This is a very strategically designed garden. The pavilions are designed in a way that wind from the Yamuna passes through the greenery and keeps the area cool even during the summer heat. It is a perfect place to take an afternoon nap.
Just 5km southeast of the Aram Bagh, you will see a beautiful garden called Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden). This place is famous for spectacular views of the Taj. People come here to enjoy scenic views of the Yamuna and the Taj Mahal’s reflection in the water. This place is situated on the opposite bank of the river from the Taj. Since this area doesn’t have any good restaurants, it’s better to take lunch before you come to this place.
Evening
After stopping at all the major places, you will notice how easily the day disappears in Agra. Though you have covered most of the places in your Agra one day itinerary, you can’t help but feel like you’ve merely scratched the surface. There will be some places which will be on your list for the next visit, but you still have got some places which you can easily cover.Mehtab Bagh being one of the most visited places in Agra gives you stunning views of the Taj Mahal. You can spend an entire evening here capturing the beauty of this marble masterpiece from the other side of the river. There’s a place called the Taj viewpoint near Mehtab Bagh, from there you can take more pictures of the river and of course the Taj Mahal in the moonlight.
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Seeing Taj Mahal from the other side of the Yamuna River
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Things to remember
Most of the places where an entry ticket is required, close 30 minutes before sunset. Although the city never sleeps, the nightlife in Agra is dull, instead of roaming outside, you should reach back to your hotel for dinner. And if you want to dine out, go back to the Tajganj area and treat yourself with the best food. Why Tajganj because it is very near to railway stations and it is also the place where you can witness the mix of cultures.In Agra, you will find a wide range of food options, but always make sure to choose places where hygiene is maintained well and food is reasonably priced. Pinch of Spice, Esphahan, Shankara Vegis, and Laxmi Vilas are some of the restaurants that cater to the needs of every type of traveler.
Over to you
On their first visit to Agra, tourists make a common mistake: they don’t give themselves enough time to see places. They feel like visiting every single place they read about on the internet. Instead of going everywhere focus on the places that are worth visiting. At the end of the day, your goal should be to make the most of one day in Agra and not go back home disappointed.