Travel Guide
Agra travel guide
Agra, home to the incomparable Taj Mahal, is a pilgrimage destination for lovers and architecture enthusiasts worldwide. Beyond the ivory marvel, the mighty Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) showcase Mughal artistry at its peak.
Language
Hindi
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Timezone
IST (GMT+5:30)
Best time
October to March (cooler, clearer skies)
Budget/day
$25-50
When to visit
Jan
7-22°C
Feb
10-26°C
Mar
16-33°C
Apr
22-40°C
May
27-44°C
Jun
29-43°C
Jul
27-36°C
Aug
26-34°C
Sep
25-34°C
Oct
20-34°C
Nov
13-29°C
Dec
8-24°C
Safety
Low-Medium RiskAgra has persistent touts and scam artists around the Taj. Book official guides. Ignore "helpful" strangers. Prepay transport or use apps.
Women travellers
Very touristy. Persistent touts and scams. Use only registered guides. Dress modestly.
Culture & etiquette
- + Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays (for prayers)
- + Sunrise at the Taj is magical and less crowded
- + Full moon viewings available but limited tickets
- + The Taj took 20,000 workers and 22 years to build
- - Don't accept "free" rides to workshops or factories — nothing in Agra is free
- - Don't trust drivers who say your originally booked hotel "has closed" or "is full"
- - Don't touch anyone's head
- - Don't point feet at people or religious objects
Food to try
Petha (sweet gourd)
Agra's most famous confection—translucent white cubes of ash gourd (winter melon) slow-candied in sugar syrup until they glow like alabaster; soft, sweet and delicate; the Agra variety comes in dozens of flavors including kesar, angoori and chocolate
Mughlai cuisine
Delhi's imperial inheritance—slow-cooked biryanis, silky kormas, rich haleem and paper-thin sheermal bread from the Mughal Empire; best experienced in Old Delhi's alleys around Matia Mahal and Ballimaran Bazaar after Jama Masjid prayers
Bedai aloo
Agra's beloved street breakfast—crispy deep-fried bedai (lentil-stuffed kachori) served with spiced potato sabzi; the combination is peculiarly Agra's own and eaten at dawn near the Taj Mahal's east gate before the crowds arrive
Dalmoth
Agra's famous spiced lentil mixture—crispy fried split lentils mixed with peanuts, cashews, spices and aromatic seeds; Haldiram's original Agra dalmoth is considered the finest in India; the perfect train-journey snack bought at Agra Cantonment station
Chaat
Delhi's elaborate street food culture—crispy puri baskets filled with potato, yogurt, tamarind chutney and coriander; tangy, sweet and spicy in one mouthful; Chandni Chowk, Bengali Market and Lajpat Nagar are the city's great chaat battlegrounds
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.