Travel bucket list idea:
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Credit Shutterstock.com/LeChen66
Completed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573 on the site of a ruined fortification, Agra Fort bears a striking resemblance to Delhi’s Red Fort.
Massive, rust-red sandstone walls of around two and a half kilometres enclose 94 acres, its eastern flank overlooking a bend in the Yamuna River and within sight of the Taj Mahal.
It’s the south-eastern section, behind the Amar Singh gate entrance, that holds the most interest: gardens, open-sided audience halls, pavilions and royal apartments plus a couple of dainty mosques.
Infamously imprisoned by his own son, it was from here that emperor Shah Jahan spent his final days gazing across at his beloved Taj.
The fort stands between the Yamuna River and central Agra, and around 2km from the Taj Mahal. Entrance is via the Amar Singh Gate at the slightly greener edge of the city though you’re unlikely to be walking here.
Booking tickets in advance is rarely necessary and the fort can be visited independently. Unofficial guides often tout for custom by the entrance and inside – some are very good but you should always agree a price beforehand.
Make sure you’ve got plenty of water or drinks as it covers a large area and you’ll probably spend longer than planned visiting.
The site is open all year round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset (though it’s best to check exact times at the ticket booth).
The English-language sound and light show starts immediately after the Hindi-language version – check timings at the ticket booth.
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