Agra beyond the fort and the Taj
Most visitors come for the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. A second day in the city is easy to fill: two Mughal tombs on the Yamuna, a garden on the far bank, the old capital of Fatehpur Sikri and bazaars known for marble inlay. If you prefer a guided day that combines several stops, compare our Agra tours first, then use this page to add your own.
Opening rules matter here. The Taj Mahal is closed to day visitors on Fridays, while the fort and the other places below stay open. Plan your Taj day around that.
Places to add to your Agra list
Entry for foreign visitors in 2026. Hours are sunrise to sunset where known.
| Place | What it is | Entry, foreign visitors | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itimad-ud-Daulah | White marble tomb in a garden | INR 210 to 310 | Sunrise to sunset |
| Sikandra | Akbar's tomb in red sandstone | INR 310 | – |
| Mehtab Bagh | Garden facing the Taj Mahal | INR 200 to 300 | Sunrise to sunset |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Akbar's capital city | INR 610 | Sunrise to sunset, daily |
| Chini ka Rauza | Tomb with glazed tiles | – | – |
For most visitors with one spare day, combine Itimad-ud-Daulah and Mehtab Bagh, which both lie on the left bank of the Yamuna. Plan Fatehpur Sikri as a separate trip.
Our pick: Agra beyond the monuments
A walk through the old city's markets and lanes with tastings, for a break from the big sights.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Agra tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips in and around Agra, with live prices and availability.
Mughal tombs: Itimad-ud-Daulah and Sikandra
Itimad-ud-Daulah stands on the left bank of the Yamuna, close to Chini ka Rauza. Nur Jahan had it built for her father, Mirza Ghiyath Beg, and it was finished in 1628. The white marble tomb sits inside a charbagh, the four-part garden layout of Mughal tombs. It is open from sunrise to sunset.
Sikandra holds the tomb of Akbar. Jahangir completed it in 1613, and its architecture is in red sandstone. It makes a good contrast to the white marble of the Taj Mahal and the fort's later palaces. Entry is INR 310 for foreign visitors in 2026. Check the opening hours on the day.
Entry to Itimad-ud-Daulah for foreign visitors is INR 210 to 310 in 2026, so confirm the fee at the counter.
Mehtab Bagh and Chini ka Rauza
Mehtab Bagh, the "Moonlight Garden", lies on the opposite bank of the Yamuna from the Taj Mahal. Its lawns and trees lead the eye across the river to the monument. Plan it in daylight: it is open from sunrise to sunset, and it is not a free way into the Taj grounds. Entry for foreign visitors is INR 200 to 300 in 2026. More detail is on our Itimad-ud-Daulah and Mehtab Bagh page.
Chini ka Rauza is the tomb of the scholar and poet Allama Afzal Khan, dated to 1639. Its glazed tiles are the feature to look for. Do not rely on late or night access, and ask locally before you go.
Fatehpur Sikri: a day trip from Agra
Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's residence city and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The Jama Masjid belongs to the complex, and the Buland Darwaza gateway rises 54 m. The town lies 36 to 40 km west of Agra. Buses leave from the ISBT and Idgah stations, and taxis are the other option.
The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the dargah stays open later. Entry is INR 610 for foreign visitors in 2026. Leave a private vehicle at the lower car park, where authorised battery buses take you up to the monument. Ask at the counter how the mosque and the dargah are handled. Use an authorised guide and politely decline unlicensed middlemen. Our Fatehpur Sikri guide has the full plan.
Bazaars and marble inlay
Where to shop and what to look for.
Sadar Bazaar
A market area with shops and stays. No common closing day or opening hours apply, so go in daylight and ask the shops you plan to visit.
Kinari Bazaar
Known for crafts, jewellery and accessories. It suits browsing rather than a fixed route.
Parchin Kari
Marble inlay is the craft of Agra, with flower patterns set into stone. Local workshops show how it is made. A visit is optional, there is no set price, and you can compare before you buy.
Evenings: the light show and the moonlit Taj
Two evening options, both with limits.
Light and sound show at the fort
The programme "Rang-e-Agra: Yugon Ka Safar" uses projection and runs 45 minutes. The schedule has Hindi at 6:30 p.m. and English at 7:30 p.m., with 300 seats per show. Adult tickets cost INR 300 for Indian and INR 800 for international guests. Check the current schedule for your date. Light and sound show details →
Taj Mahal at night
Night viewing is a separate ticket on full-moon nights and the two nights before and after. It is not offered on Fridays or during Ramadan. Foreign adults pay INR 750, and children aged 3 to 15 pay INR 500. Groups of up to 50 enter for 30 minutes each. Taj Mahal ticket rules →
Plan the rest of your Agra trip
Where to go next.
Itimad-ud-Daulah and Mehtab Bagh
Marble tomb and the garden facing the Taj.
Fatehpur Sikri from Agra
Akbar's capital, getting there and entry.
Where to stay in Agra
Areas around the fort and the Taj.
Many travellers continue to Rajasthan after Agra. See our Golden Triangle guide, then the Pink City of Jaipur and Amber Fort.
Things to do in Agra: frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Agra besides the fort and the Taj Mahal?
Visit the tombs of Itimad-ud-Daulah and Akbar at Sikandra, walk the Mehtab Bagh garden, take a day trip to Fatehpur Sikri and browse the marble inlay workshops and bazaars. In the evening, the fort has a light and sound show, and the Taj has a night viewing on set nights.
What can I do in Agra on a Friday?
The Taj Mahal is closed to day visitors on Fridays. The Agra Fort is open, and Fatehpur Sikri, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Sikandra and Mehtab Bagh have Friday entry rates. Use Friday for the fort and these places and keep another day for the Taj.
How far is Fatehpur Sikri from Agra?
About 36 to 40 km to the west. Buses leave from the ISBT and Idgah stations, and taxis also make the trip. Allow a separate half or full day.
Is Mehtab Bagh open at night?
Plan for daylight. It is open from sunrise to sunset and charges an entry fee, which was INR 200 to 300 for foreign visitors in 2026.
Can I see the Taj Mahal at night?
Yes, on a separate ticket on full-moon nights and the two nights before and after. It is not offered on Fridays or in Ramadan. Phones and video cameras are not allowed, and a hand-held camera is allowed after a check.