Agra

Mid-November to February is prime time — cool, clear days that show the Taj Mahal at its best. March and October also work. Avoid April-June (heat regularly hits 43-46°C with dust storms) and July-September monsoon (heavy rain, high humidity, real heatstroke risk despite thinner crowds).

• Taj Mahal at sunrise - calm light, thinnest crowds, the classic first impression
• Agra Fort - imposing red-sandstone Mughal fortress with distant Taj views
• Mehtab Bagh - sunset view of the Taj from across the Yamuna river
• Fatehpur Sikri - the abandoned Mughal capital, a worthwhile half-day trip (~40km)
• Itmad-ud-Daulah, the 'Baby Taj' - a quieter, smaller-scale marble tomb
• Jama Masjid Agra, opposite the fort
• Taj Ganj and Sadar Bazaar - shopping (marble inlay, leather) and halal street food

Family: hotels along Fatehabad Road or near the East Gate, with pools and connecting rooms. Couples: boutique or rooftop hotels with a direct Taj view, including upscale options around the Amar Vilas area. Budget: the Taj Ganj lanes (near Chowk Kagzian) offer simple guesthouses a short walk from the South or East Gate.

Book Taj Mahal tickets online in advance via the official ASI site to skip long queues. Go for the sunrise slot — gates open roughly 30 minutes before sunrise, with the calmest crowds and best light. Note the Taj Mahal monument is closed to tourists on Fridays (open only for prayer). No food, drinks, tripods, or large bags allowed inside — use the lockers at the gate. Ignore anyone offering to "guide" you unsolicited at the gates; arrange a licensed guide in advance or through your hotel. Watch for drivers or guides steering the day toward commission-paying marble or jewelry shops — agree on the itinerary and stops upfront. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) as a mark of respect, even though there's no official dress code. Vehicles can't drive right up to the Taj — the final stretch is on foot or via a free electric buggy from the parking area, so budget extra time.

1-2 days

Suggested plan:

1. Day 1: Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal via the East Gate, short rest, Agra Fort in the afternoon, sunset at Mehtab Bagh, halal dinner in Taj Ganj or Sadar Bazaar.
2. Day 2: Half-day trip to Fatehpur Sikri, then Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) and the Jama Masjid, with final souvenir shopping in Sadar Bazaar before heading back to Delhi or onward.