How to spend a day in Agra? Agra is best known for India‘s most famous landmark of all: the Taj Mahal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a true marvel, built in the early 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire world, the Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

But there’s more to this city than its famous ivory-white icon. Many people told me that the rest of Agra is busy, dirty and not worth visiting, but I had a wonderful time here. From awe-inspiring Mughal architecture to bustling street food stalls and serene riverside gardens, Agra offers a rich mix of history, culture, and chaos. This 24-hour itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors, solo travellers, or anyone stopping by as part of a Golden Triangle tour.

Here’s how to see the best of Agra in a single day — including sunrise at the Taj Mahal, top photo spots, and local tips to avoid the crowds and scams.

Remember to buy travel insurance for your trip. Call of the World readers receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.

What to See in Agra: 24 Hour Itinerary

Wake up Early for Sunrise at the Taj Mahal

Start your day early. Even if you usually struggle to get out of bed — honestly it’s worth it to see one of the wonders of the world! The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise, and arriving at the East Gate just before it opens gives you a chance to beat the crowds and experience the soft morning light on the marble.

Taj Mahal Visiting Tips:

• Buy your ticket online in advance to skip the queues.
• The East Gate is less chaotic than the South Gate.
• No food, tripods, or large bags allowed.
• Wear something light and breathable; Agra can be humid even in the early morning.
• Don’t visit on a Friday — the Taj Mahal is closed that day.

Take your time to wander around, admire the symmetry, and don’t rush your photos. The morning quiet and mist rising from the Yamuna River make this a truly unforgettable experience.

There are a number of “tour guides” on site offering their services. I personally chose not to accept a guide for my visit. My feedback from others is that these guides focus mainly on taking photos for you rather than telling you about the history of the Taj.

⭐ Read: How to Visit the Taj Mahal (Agra, India): 8 Top Tips to Ensure a Smooth Visit

Relax with a Rooftop Breakfast and Chai

If you visit the Taj Mahal for sunrise, you’ll likely be done around 9 or 10am. So time for breakfast! Agra has several rooftop cafes where you can enjoy your breakfast with a cup of chai and a view of the Taj Mahal in the distance. I personally stayed at Joey’s Hostel Agra, which has its own rooftop cafe. When deciding how to spend a day in Agra, make sure to include plenty of time to sit back and relax, as it’s a busy city and gets incredibly hot!

Getting Around Agra: Tours, Transport & Local Tips

Agra is a large and bustling city, known for its chaotic traffic and busy roads — which can make sightseeing a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re short on time. To make the most of your visit, I recommend booking a guided sightseeing tour, so you don’t have to worry about transport or logistics.

Alternatively, you can hire a tuk-tuk with a driver for the day, which offers more flexibility and a local feel. I joined a group tour arranged by Joey’s Hostel Agra, which began at 2 PM and covered the city’s key attractions.

For those who prefer to plan in advance, consider booking an online tour like the Agra Guided City Tour: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad Ud Daulah — ideal for first-time visitors.

Below, I’ve listed the top places to visit in Agra, whether you’re exploring independently or as part of a tour.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort (“Qila Agra”), another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an impressive red sandstone city fort built on the site of a previous fort between 1565 and 1573. At this time Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire. The fort was the main residence of the emperors. It’s basically a mini walled city. There are a number of buildings surrounded by the red fort walls and a moat (which apparently used to be full of crocodiles – eek!). The entire complex contains a multitude of palaces, all with unique architectural features, and a number of beautiful gardens. If you’re wondering how to spend a day in Agra – definitely make visiting the Agra Fort a priority.

Book your entrance ticket to Agra Fort online in advance via https://asi.payumoney.com

Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah (“Baby Taj”)

The Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah (known as the “Baby Taj“) is an older mausoleum built around 1622 – 1628, before the more famous Taj Mahal. However this smaller building is so beautiful that it’s known as the “jewel box”. The facade of the tomb is covered in intricate Islamic artwork. You can sit in the alcoves for beautiful photos. This building is the perfect example of the Mughal Empire‘s transition from using red sandstone to building with white marble.

Book your entrance ticket to the Baby Taj online in advance via https://asi.payumoney.com

Sunset at Mehtab Bagh: Gardens Opposite the Taj Mahal

The gardens opposite the Taj Mahal, on the other side of the Yamuna River, are the most perfect sunset viewing point. This is a great place to snap some more pictures in the late afternoon golden light. The name of the gardens is “Mehtab Bagh“, which means “Moonlight Garden”. This style of garden is known as a “Charbagh“, a traditional Persian garden style that represents the four rivers and gardens of Paradise in the Quran. In Agra, this dates back to the city being part of the Mughal Empire.

Book your entrance ticket to Mehtab Bagh online in advance via https://asi.payumoney.com

How to spend a day in Agra: day trip from Delhi

I’ve written this How to Spend a Day in Agra, India: 24 Hour Itinerary blog post assuming that you’ll be staying for a night in Agra itself. However, it’s also possible to visit Agra just for the day as part of a group trip from nearby Delhi. Book: All Inclusive Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj from Delhi by Car.

Final Tips for Visiting Agra:

How to spend a day in Agra: useful information:

• Stay alert: Be wary of unofficial guides and overly friendly “helpers” near the Taj Mahal.
• Cash is king: Many places still don’t accept cards, especially street vendors.
• Hydrate: It gets hot fast. Always carry bottled water.
• Dress modestly: Especially for female travellers. Loose, breathable clothing is best.

Agra may be chaotic, but it’s also layered and compelling — full of contrasts, surprises, and moments that stay with you long after you leave

What to do in Agra in 24 hours: Map

Practical Information for Visiting Agra

As well as the itinerary for How to Spend a Day in Agra, India: 24 Hour Itinerary, I’ve also included some practical guidance for visiting this Golden Triangle city below:

Money in Agra (India): (INR)

If you’re visiting Agra you’ll need Indian Rupees (INR). To get INR at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Indian Rupees (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then spend on your Wise card as though it were a local bank card or withdraw cash in India without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).

Note that many businesses in Agra are cash only. There are plenty of ATMs.

Get your WISE card here.

How to get around Agra

One of the biggest considerations when deciding how to spend a day in Agra is how to get around – as it’s a pretty busy city! The easiest way to get around Agra is by auto-rickshaw (tuk tuk). These are cash only and you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate the price, as haggling is standard here, even for locals. You can hail tuk tuks for individual rides, or make an agreement with a driver (or via your accommodation) to hire one driver for the full day. There are also taxis available, which have AC but are more expensive.

Travel Insurance / Stay Safe in India

Make sure that you have travel insurance to cover you for your trip. I can highly recommend Heymondo. I use them to cover me for all my trips and their app is very easy to use.

Purchase Heymondo travel insurance here.

Alternatively, you can use SafetyWing, who offer Nomad Insurance with globally mobile individuals in mind. Find out more here.

Useful Travel Resource Links:

Planning your next trip? These are my ride-or-die travel tools — handpicked, tested, and essential. The smart stuff I actually use to book fast, travel safer, and stress less. I don’t gatekeep when it comes to travel!

✈️ Pro tip: Set these up before your trip so you can hit the ground running. Travel smarter, not harder.

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