10 Things to See in Agra for Solo Travelers
The prospect of traveling alone in Agra can be a daunting one, especially for first-timers. Navigating your way around the city and find things to see or do in Agra can be tricky as you may have to answer several questions: When should I go? Will I be safe? Where should I stay? Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of 10 things to see and enjoy in Agra for solo travelers.
1. Find the best places to view the Taj Mahal
While being inside the Taj Mahal grounds, you can capture the beauty of this marble masterpiece. There are many other places which you should visit to capture the best shots of the Taj. Agra Fort, Taj Nature Walk Park, Mehtab Bagh, Yamuna View Park, Yamuna River, and rooftop cafes in Agra will reward you with spectacular views of the Taj Mahal.
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2. Attend the Taj Mahotsav
If you’re travelling solo in Agra in February, you should not miss the Taj Mahotsav. Joining this biggest art festival should be the best thing to do in Agra. During the 10-day event, more than 400 artists from different parts of the country bring their artwork on stage. The festival is celebrated every year from 18 to 27 February. Taj Mahotsav starts with a road procession where visitors can enjoy a well-curated line-up of cultural events.3. Enjoy solo travel experience on a bike
Getting a bike on rent in Agra is easy. Many tour operators in the city offer both bicycles and motorbikes on rent. Make sure to carry your driving license if you’re renting gear or non-gear motorbike. While riding, you can visit the Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, the banks of the river Yamuna, and other heritage monuments. Before you end the tour, make sure to cycle through the old town and see local markets.4. Mingle with villagers
Located at a 30-minute drive from Agra, there’s a village called Korai. It is a popular travel destination where you can spend time with villagers, try local dishes, and learn how Indian farmers work in their fields and grow crops. Those seeking respite from the popular and highly crowded monuments should visit Korai. This village remains a wonderful place especially for solo travelers to relax and learn about the culture and rural lifestyle.
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5. Learn the language
One of the biggest advantages solo travelers have is that they can manage their time as per their choice. They can add more experiences to their lists and can easily meet more people. Getting to know the locals is a good solo travel strategy and learning the language is key to making new friends. People in Agra speak Hindi and English (in city area), but villagers usually speak Braj Bhasa, a rural dialect of Hindi. You can take some language lessons at the start of your trip or you can learn some phrases as these are surefire ways to increase your social circle in the city.
Read more about Language in India
6. Stay in hostels
Being open to shared accommodation like hostels and dorms not only saves you money, it also allows you to meet people. When you travel and return to a hotel room alone, it feels weird at times. There are many good hostels in Agra where you can stay with locals or other tourists in common rooms. That way you become a part of a community and when you return from a long day of sightseeing, it feels like you’re coming home.
Read more about 10 Hotels in Agra for Budget Travelers
7. Enjoy the ultimate freedom at Taj Museum
Solo travel is about freedom and doing things on your terms. One of the best things to see in Agra for solo travelers is to enjoy the Taj Museum with complete peace of mind. If you’re a history buff looking for some fine pieces of Mughal-era art, visiting this museum alone is the best thing you can do. The downside of visiting such a place with a group is that you have to stay with others as you pass through the artworks. Visiting a museum alone is like taking some time for yourself to learn more about things you’re interested in.8. Join a tour
Traveling alone is fun as your day can be spent capturing shots of the Taj Mahal and busy streets. An organized tour can help you stay safe and meet more people. When you’re tired of eating or drinking alone, join a tour, make some friends, and share adventures with people you don’t know much about. It’s a fun way to see the city and its beautiful landscapes. Welcome to choose our guided tours to Agra.
Read more about One Day in Agra: Make the Most of a Short Stay
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9. Meet the Sheroes
Sheroes Hangout is a cafe managed by acid attack survivors. The cafe serves snacks and the interesting thing about this place is that the food items on the menu cards don't have a price tag so you can pay what you want. The cafe is a part of a campaign which was started in 2013 to support acid attack survivors. Many people and organizations have donated books here which are now kept in the cafe’s library and are available for everyone to read.
10. A solo trip to the movies
Movies are a big part of life in India. The country has 22 major languages. It means there’s no shortage of content for movies. Regional films are often shown in the original language with subtitles in English. Most of the movies in Bollywood are in Hindi. Meher Theatre, Sarv Multiplex, and Shree Talkies are some of the places where you can watch the latest Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Therefore, seeing a movie in Agra cannot be missed.