A 3-Day City Experience Itinerary in Agra for July 2023

1. Day 1: Taj Mahal
   10 minutes (2.3 miles) from Agra Fort

   The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is at sunrise, where you'll be able to see the magnificent marble mausoleum as the sun rises. Spend the morning taking in the views, exploring the grounds, and learning about the history of the iconic landmark. Have brunch at the Taj Terrace, located in the luxury Oberoi Amarvilas hotel overlooking the Taj Mahal. In the afternoon, head to the nearby Agra Fort, which was once the main residence of the Mughal emperors until 1638. End your day with a sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, a charbagh-style garden complex on the north bank of the Yamuna River.

2. Day 2: Fatehpur Sikri
   1 hour 20 minutes (23.7 miles) from Taj Mahal

   Start your day early by visiting Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 23 miles west of Agra. It is a well-preserved city that was once the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571-1585, and then abandoned after only 15 years. It's a fascinating place to explore the architecture, art, and history of the Mughals. Spend the afternoon wandering around the local bazaars and sampling street food in the old city. End the day with sunset views of the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, a Mughal mausoleum often called the "Baby Taj."

3. Day 3: Akbar's Tomb
   40 minutes (8.6 miles) from Fatehpur Sikri

   Start your day early by visiting Akbar's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Sikandra, a suburb of Agra. It is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who ruled from 1556 to 1605. Spend the morning exploring the sprawling complex and its impressive architecture. Have lunch at Pinch of Spice, a popular restaurant known for its Mughlai cuisine. Spend the afternoon exploring the local markets and shopping for souvenirs. End your day with views of the Agra skyline from the rooftop bar at the Howard Plaza The Fern hotel.

Recommendations

Don't miss the chance to see a traditional Indian dance performance at Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center. If you have extra time, take a day trip to Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 55 miles east of Agra. It's a wetland and bird sanctuary that's home to over 370 species of birds, including migratory birds from China, Siberia, and Central Asia.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Taj Mahal (2-3 hours, INR 1300)
• Agra Fort (2-3 hours, INR 600)
• Mehtab Bagh (1-2 hours, INR 300)
• Fatehpur Sikri (3-4 hours, INR 610)
• Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah (1-2 hours, INR 310)
• Akbar's Tomb (2-3 hours, INR 400)
• Pinch of Spice (1-2 hours, INR 800)
• Shopping (1-2 hours, INR 500)
• Howard Plaza The Fern (1-2 hours, INR 1200)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 4,520