Agra: Mughal Gardens, Mausoleums and the Taj Mahal

Agra brings striking Mughal architecture together with gardens that make a visit feel quite different from being among walls and marble facades. The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and historic gardens offer different focuses for your trip: architecture, history or walks among greenery. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore worth first considering which experiences you want to shape your days.

Gardens, riverbanks and views of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a vast mausoleum made of white marble. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had it built between 1631 and 1648 in memory of his favourite wife. It stands on the right bank of the Yamuna in a Mughal garden of nearly 17 hectares; the complex includes formal Charbagh gardens with pools. Arched openings, Pietra Dura ornamentation and Quranic verses in calligraphy combine architectural forms with elaborate details. Those interested in design will find more here than the widely known marble facade.

Ram Bagh also shows how garden design and Mughal history are connected. It is considered India’s oldest surviving Mughal garden and a model for the Charbagh tradition, which reached its height in the gardens of the Taj Mahal. Terraced paths, water channels and pavilions define the grounds; its shady gardens are well suited to morning walks. Ram Bagh offers a garden visit where the paths and water features stand out just as much as the site’s historical context.

Mehtab Bagh lies on the left bank of the Yamuna, directly opposite the Taj Mahal. The restored Charbagh has fruit trees and paths and offers a viewpoint for seeing and photographing the mausoleum, especially at sunset. Walks beneath the starry sky are another possibility in this garden. A morning stroll, a sunset view and an evening walk each offer a different perspective. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether garden settings and views or the architecture itself should be the main focus of your days in Agra.

Mughal architecture and history in Agra

Within the 2.5-kilometre-long walls of Agra Fort are several significant buildings: Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj and the Moti Masjid. Musamman Burj links architecture with a personal episode in Mughal history: Shah Jahan spent his final years there. Visitors can also see the Taj Mahal on the riverbank from here. Exploring these places lets you take in different parts of a large fort complex rather than visiting just one building.

Empress Nur Jahan had the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah built between 1622 and 1628 for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It was the first Mughal building constructed entirely of white marble, and the first to make extensive use of Pietra Dura inlay. The building therefore offers a point of comparison with the Taj Mahal: both feature white marble and inlaid ornamentation, but Itimad-ud-Daulah holds an earlier place in this architectural history.

Near Agra, Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra is a five-storey mausoleum made of sandstone and marble. It stands in a spacious, 119-acre Charbagh; Hindu, Islamic and Persian design motifs come together at the gateway. Also near Sikandra is the Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, a burial site converted from a Lodi Bara­dari and set within a walled garden. The two sites offer different perspectives on Mughal history and architecture, and should not be confused with the buildings in Agra Fort.

Culture, shopping and nature in the wider Agra destination

In Sikandra, Guru ka Taal Gurudwara marks the place where the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, surrendered to Aurangzeb for arrest in 1665. The shrine welcomes worshippers and visitors of all faiths; langar, a community kitchen, is served daily. Head coverings are required, and scarves are available at the entrance. The site brings together historical remembrance, living religious practice and a specific visitor requirement.

The wider Agra destination also includes Fatehpur Sikri: Emperor Akbar founded the city in 1571, and it served as the Mughal Empire’s capital for about 14 years. The 54-metre-high Buland Darwaza is among its buildings. The Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra District, on the Delhi–Agra Highway, offers a contrast to the monuments. Keetham Lake, located in the protected area, is a habitat for more than 126 species of migratory and resident waterbirds. Several small paths lead into the woods from the walkway. Those looking to include both cultural sights and landscapes in a wider Agra itinerary will find different themes here from those of the mausoleums and forts.

Subhash Bazar is another distinctive part of the city: Kundan-Polki-Meenakari jewellery designs are sold there. Between the market, gardens and historic buildings, you can include different interests in your itinerary without giving every day the same focus.

Planning your visit and choosing where to stay

The published visiting hours for the Taj Mahal run from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset; on Fridays it is closed except for prayers at the mosque. Check the schedule when planning your visit. Agra Fort railway station and the metro station are right by Agra Fort. Fatehpur Sikri can be reached by regular UPSRTC buses from ISBT and Idgah, as well as by taxi; city buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis go to Akbar’s Tomb. When choosing a holiday rental, your planned itinerary can therefore be a useful starting point: decide which of the places mentioned matter most to you, then compare your choice with your preferred location.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mantola, Kahrai, Kiraoli, Bah, Basai, Fatehpur Sikri, Kagarol.

Go to the main travel overview: Agra.