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HOW TO MAKE YOUR ONE DAY TRIP TO AGRA SUCCESSFUL?

Summer vacations or long weekends make the travel bug in all of us to go out and see new
cities, hike and make a small tent at a campsite, have a little picnic with all our friends or just
escape the city rush. Now there is a certain charm in leaving all the hustle-bustle behind and
going to quaint place; but what if you could just experience a whole another city?

That would be fun and if you visit the city this article talks about it will be easy, as well. I am
talking less fancy, more cultural – I plan to take you to Agra. How about you give this article
a read and then decide? I will help you pick the places to visit in Agra in one day.

For all those making plans for weekends or a small trip, if you live somewhere near Delhi,
Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly, Meerut or the National Capital Region then Agra is the closest
place where you can see a lot of Mughal architecture without missing out on the fun.

Why is Agra Historically Important?

Agra is a small city that is situated right on the banks of the river Yamuna and just about 206
kilometers from the national capital, Delhi and 378 kilometers from the state capital of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow. It is one of the most visited places in India, mainly due to the various
Mughal-era buildings and landmarks that have been carefully preserved by the state
government.

Agra is a part of the Golden Triangle, Braj cultural region and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage
Arc. The history of the city dates all the way back to the famous epic, Mahabharata. And then
was the assault on the city by the Mahmud of Ghazni. Later, Sikander Lodi moved the capital
from Delhi to Agra. During the rule of the Lodi’s, several mosques, palaces and wells were
constructed. Soon after, the battle of Panipat took place and the city was then ruled by the
Afghans and then the Mughals. It was the capital of the Mughal emperors for almost over 150
years.

It was during the Mughal era that a lot of the famous monuments, parks and palaces were
built like the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Mumtaz Mahal and many others.

After the reign of Akbar, the city flourished owing to the contributions made by the
Radhaswami Faith. Many of these monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The places to visit in Agra in one day are numerous, so you can easily pick and choose or get
up early and see them all!

How to Reach Agra?

The city is well-connected by all modes of transport – you can reach there by rail, roads and
even flights. If your plan is to see all the places to visit in Agra in one day, then I would
suggest that you drive to the city, if possible.
Railways – the rail network to Agra is highly extensive, connecting it to all the major cities
with multiple trains running on the same routes. You can easily get an over-night train for
longer journeys or take an early morning train if you stay in or around Lucknow, the National
Capital Region or Meerut.

Road – if you drive down to Agra, you will realize that the road trip just adds a little charm
to your entire trip. Also, it is easier on a pocket if you are a group travelling in a car. You can
easily get on the Yamuna expressway from the nearby cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Meerut,
Kanpur or just about any city in Uttar Pradesh or the National Capital region.
Another option would be to hire a cab from Ola or Uber and just have yourself driven to the
city. It would be wiser to opt for a driven cab if you plan to drink or have some harmless fun
over the weekend.

Flights – now, this gets a little tricky. Most of the flights to Agra go via New Delhi. Also,
there are not a lot of flights that go to Agra, so if you plan to fly to your vacation destination
then you should book well in advance.

Buses – another easy way to reach Agra without breaking the budget would be taking a
Volvo or any bus that suits your needs and timing.

But whatever mode of transport you choose, remember that it would be better to reach the
place before sunset in order to avoid getting lost in the lanes or being tricked by local cab
drivers or rickshaw pullers or the auto drivers.

Best Time to Visit Agra

As a personal suggestion, I would say that the best time to visit Agra is between the months
October to April. In the summer months, the city becomes really hot. However, if you really
do visit in the months of summer, you should be ready to plan your day out according to the
sun.

To conveniently cover all the places to visit in Agra in one day between May and September,
here are some tips you must know –

1. Always carry a water bottle for yourself. You may add some lime or cucumber slices
to it for a little flavor.
2. Make sure you slather up some sunscreen before you head out in the sun.
3. You can always stop by the local vendors selling sliced cucumbers and have a snack
as you are sight-seeing.
4. Always wear loose fitting clothes.
5. Remember to wear shoes; it would be unfair to your health to be walking around in
anything but flat shoes.
6. If you are on a quick trip, look for local auto-drivers or rickshaw-pullers as they know
all the small lanes and by-lanes.
Places to See When Visiting Agra

These are all the famous places to visit in Agra in one day but, if you feel swamped you can
pick and choose as per your interest.

1. Taj Mahal – it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by the Mughal
emperor, Shah Jahan for his beloved wife after she died. The body of the queen lies in
a tomb inside the Taj. A myth runs about this place that after the monument was built,
the workers were blinded. Some also believe that they were not blinded but their arms
were cut off. This was done because the Emperor did not want any other monument to
be as beautiful as the Taj Mahal. The designs are a mix of Persian and Mughal
architecture. It is completely made of marble and is a huge complex. The exterior is
adorned with very intricate designs and gardens, fountains and a river which flows
right behind the Taj.
2. Agra fort – it is built right next to the garden of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the
river Yamuna. The walls have the fort surrounded for up to 2 kilometers. Inside the
fort are the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Palace. This fort is an ode to the rich culture
and legacy of the Mughal era. It was built by Akbar and houses two mosques and
several other attractions.
3. Jama masjid – it was another great monument built by Shah Jahan, originally named
as Masjid Jahan Numa. It took around 6 years to make this mosque and several stones
and valuable affixed in the mosque were gifted by the nobles.
4. Fatehpur Sikri – this place is not situated in Agra but nearby. It was built by Akbar
as his capital and remained so for many years. The design and the layout of the city
were all planned by the Mughal Emperor himself, right from the gardens to the
moques and even the market areas.
5. Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb – the mausoleum is well known for the architectural beauty
that it is. It has been built using only red sandstone. It is also known as Baby Taj by
the locals because the interiors are very similar to the interiors of the Taj Mahal. In
this complex as well you will find several beautiful gardens, fountains, walkways, etc.
Many of the Mughal royals have been buried here.
6. Akbar’s Tomb – this tomb is situated in over 119 acres of land, the construction was
started by Akbar himself. As per the old texts, it was a custom back then to construct
your own tomb and the construction was completed by his son, Jahangir. It is in the
shape of a pyramid and is very close to Mariam’s tomb.
7. Moti Masjid – also known as the Pearl Mosque, the monument was built by Shah
Jahan. When the sun shines bright, the mosque shines like a pearl, thus, enjoying the
name. The mosque has a very big prayer chamber and several smaller chambers made
to carry out religious activites.
8. Sikander fort – this fort is again a timeless beauty made of red sandstone, depth and
great intricacy of designs. It is enclosed in high walls surrounded by gardens and
fountains. You will enjoy taking a wall in the garden as you see beautiful flowers and
various waterways flowing through.
9. Jodha Bai Ka Rauza – this was the palace where Jodha Bai, also Akbar’s favourite
queen resided. It is very close to the Jahangir Mahal and is a very simple but elegant
building. The designs are inspired by the Rajasthani and Gujarati architecture of the
yester years. The ceiling is triangular in shape and very carefully designed. The
designs which showcase Hindu culture depict how people were very tolerant of each
other’s culture and religion.
10. Wildlife – you can visit the Wildlife SOS to see the wildlife around Agra and also
make some donations towards a better and well balanced eco-system. It is managed
by an agency which looks after the interests of the wild animals.

Places to Have Your Meals At

If you really love to eat local food, you must try the little shacks and stalls. They serve the
best food, authentic and less complicated. However, you might not find the food here very
hygienic.

If you are looking for a fine dine, or a nice meal after a long day of sight-seeing, these are a
few places you can try –

1. Peshawri
2. Taj Bano by ITC
3. MoMo Café
4. Green Park Hangout
5. Pinch of Spice
6. Bon Barbecue restaurant
7. Joney’s Place
8. Belleveu

You must try the local jalebis and pethas. If you miss out on the sweet shops, you really have
not done the Agra trip properly. Also, carry some packet back home for your relatives.

While you are covering the places to visit in Agra in one day, then do not miss out on the
local mithai shops and restaurants like Peshwari, Belleveu and Pinch of Spice.

Places to Shop in Agra

After seeing the places to visit Agra in one day that you had decided upon, these are the
markets you can easily see and shop from –

1. Sadar Bazaar – this is where you can find good leather products at reasonable prices.
2. Subhash Bazaar – this is the place that has the biggest market for silk sarees, suit
lengths and other cloth pieces.
3. Kinari Bazaar – for hand crafted pieces made of marble, glassware or rugs and
textiles; visit this place for sure!
4. Shoe market – the biggest and the largest market that sells all kinds of shoes – local
as well as branded and even export rejects. You must visit this place and trust me, you
will not come out without a pair.

How to Make the Most in One Day in Agra

Morning tour (9am to 11am) – your main attraction, Taj Mahal is what you should be
visiting first. It requires a lot of walking and being in the sun. If you are in Agra during the
summers, this will be the best time to see the wonderful, magnificent monument. Going there
in the morning will also help you avoid the swarms of people that come there every day.

Early noon (11am to 12pm) – the Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb which was built by the Mughal
Queen for her father is much like the Taj. It has eerily similar carvings and designs on its
walls. It is right on the banks of the river, and is less crowded. So this is where you can take a
small stroll and enjoy the view.

Afternoon (12pm to 12:30pm) – here you can fit in the Mankameshwar temple. It is one of
the four ancient temples which were built in four different corners of Agra.

Post this, you can sit down at one of the restaurants and enjoy a good meal before you leave
for another long tour of walking, discovering and learning.

Afternoon (2pm to 4pm) – this is when you can go see the local markets, shops and buy
some souvenirs or anything else that catches your eye. Near Agra you will find plenty of
leather factories, which is why, leather products are very cheap in Agra. At a throw away
price you can buy some great boots or jackets or even bags!

Evening (4pm to 5pm) – now that it is a little less sunny, you can go and see the Akbar’s
tomb and experience the old Mughal architecture. Here if you get a guide, he will also give
you an insight into the bygone era.

Evening (5pm to 6pm) – now before you move onto anything else, you should see the Ram
Bagh. It is the oldest garden in the city, built by the Mughals. This garden always has a cool
breeze blowing no matter how the weather is in the city.

Late Evening (6pm to 8pm) – at last, visit the Agra fort; you can go see the place in the day
time as well but it looks way more beautiful at night. Also, if you go here at night you will be
able to see the light and sound show which is a regular attraction for tourists.

After this, you can settle down for a nice meal before you go back to your hotel or leave for
another destination.

This could be your itinerary for your places to visit in Agra in one day trip without much
hassle.
So here is your entire day planned in the city of Agra to the very last detail. I hope you found
this article helpful and if you require any other information or more assistance, we would be
happy to help. Make sure you make the most of your trip and come back satisfied even if you
go visit the city for just one day!

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