Heading to Agra and going to the Taj Mahal is quite the obvious, but the city has a lot of other architectural gems, historical and ancient monuments that are every bit splendid and magnificent as the Taj Mahal so make sure you check them out ASAP!

1. Agra Fort

This fort boasts of extravagance with its towering appearance and why not! It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638 and now is a UNESCO Heritage site and a must visit, especially in the evenings as they have a light & sound show narrating some of Agra’s historic events.

Location | Rakabganj

2. Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah

Another historically significant mausoleum, this tomb is designed in Indo-Islamic architecture with intricate marble detailing, carved arches & minarets. It almost looks like a jewel box placed symmetrically in a garden; you will totally be in awe of this place once you visit it!

Location | Moti Bagh

3. Fatehpur Sikri Fort

A mixture of different architectural styles, Fatehpur Sikri is another marvelous city which used to be the residence of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and was designed himself. The complex includes many other significant monuments like Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas & Jodha Bai’s Palace to name a few. Around 40 kms from Agra, this red sandstone paradise is surely on everyone's wish list.

Location | Fatehpur Sikri

4. Mehtab Bagh

Another beautiful Charbagh complex located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mehtab Bagh is nestled between the lush green landscapes with trees, flowers & native shrubbery. It's a perfect place to visit, after the Taj Mahal’s hustle bustle and will soothe your spirit! You can even get the perfect view of the Taj from this spot and if that wasn't enough, they even have camel ride running parallel to the garden.

Location | Near Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Nagla Devjit

5. Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani

Built by Jahangir in loving memory for his mother, this one is another paradise for any history lover or photo fanatic. Different from other Mughal tombs, this one doesn't have a dome but boasts of a strong Mughal architecture with its symmetry, arches and intricate detailing.

Location | Mathura Delhi Highway, Near Delhi Highway, Sikandra

6. Chini Ka Rauza

A mausoleum on the banks of the river Yamuna, this one is a must visit if you're in Agra. It got its name from the glazed tiles ‘Chini’ used for its construction. The different shades of the tiles like yellow, green, aquamarine & orange are the most attractive features of this monument. The interiors of the tomb are decorated with paintings of flowers, perfect for all the art lovers out there!

Location | Ram Bagh

7. Buland Darwaza

The ‘Gate of Magnificence’, Buland Darwaza is a large gateway made with red sandstone, white and black marble located in the complex of Fatehpur Sikri. The gateway was built to commemorate the victory of Akbar over Gujarat in 1601 A.D. This one surely can't be missed due to its large appearance with tons of intricate detailing.

Location | Fatehpur Sikri Fort, Dadupura, Fatehpur Sikri

We're sure the next time you visit Agra, you will cover these few historic gems as well as each of them have a unique story to tell!

Mughal Wanderer