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Agra TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Tourists flock to Agra – one of the three cities on India’s classic Golden Triangle itinerary – to see the imposing Taj Mahal, deservedly one of the “new seven wonders of the world,” but several other sites in this sprawling city also merit a visit.

Why Go

Because no photo can do justice to the impossibly gorgeous Taj Mahal, the ultimate monument to love.

Agra Travel Guide: Deals to Agra | Agra Hotels | Agra Restaurants

See Also: Asia | India | Uttar Pradesh

Agra Travel Deals

$142/nt+: 3-star Trident, Agra Expedia

$110/nt+: 3-star The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad Expedia

$110/nt+: 3-star Howard Park Plaza Expedia

Agra Hotels

Since Agra is home to one of India’s (if not the world’s) greatest tourist attractions, it’s not surprising that the city offers a wide range of hotel options, from over-the-top luxury resorts to backpacker hostels. Agra’s best hotel, the Oberoi Amarvilas, is just steps from the Taj Mahal. Most other hotels, both moderate and budget, are south of the monument, near Taj Ganj, or a bit further afield, along Fatehabad Road. Sadar Bazaar also houses a number of budget hotels. They’re not as convenient to the Taj but closer to the train station and worth considering if you have to catch an early train.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
LUXURY
MODERATE
BUDGET

Hotel Amar
A centrally located, inexpensive (around $60/night) property, Hotel Amar has a welcoming lobby and large, clean rooms.... great location

Oberoi Amarvilas
All of the guestrooms at Oberoi’s Moorish-style luxury resort overlook the Taj. It’s the best hotel in Agra,... smart splurge | expensive | view | spa | smart luxury winner

The Mughal
This 271-room hotel has won many awards for its Mughal-palace-inspired design. Recent renovations, including a new spa and... expensive | spa

Taj View Hotel
Located about a half-mile from the Taj, this is an admittedly unexciting but adequate option if Amarvilas is booked. Though... view

Trident Hilton
Though managed by Oberoi, this simple hotel doesn’t aspire to the same heights of luxury as the Amarvilas – but... great value | gardens

Hotel Amar
A centrally located, inexpensive (around $60/night) property, Hotel Amar has a welcoming lobby and large, clean rooms.... great location

Oberoi Amarvilas
All of the guestrooms at Oberoi’s Moorish-style luxury resort overlook the Taj. It’s the best hotel in Agra,... smart splurge | expensive | view | spa | smart luxury winner

The Mughal
This 271-room hotel has won many awards for its Mughal-palace-inspired design. Recent renovations, including a new spa and... expensive | spa

Taj View Hotel
Located about a half-mile from the Taj, this is an admittedly unexciting but adequate option if Amarvilas is booked. Though... view

Trident Hilton
Though managed by Oberoi, this simple hotel doesn’t aspire to the same heights of luxury as the Amarvilas – but... great value | gardens

Agra Restaurants

Agra’s best restaurants (and those least likely to cause gastro-intestinal distress) are located in the city’s high-end hotels. Persian-influenced Mughlai cuisine – characterized by liberally spiced specialties like marinated kebabs, rich sauces fortified with cream and ground nuts, tandoori breads, and rice – is king here.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
EXPENSIVE
MODERATE
BUDGET

Chiman Lal Puri Wallah
Fifth-generation owner Raja Babu dishes out large portions of vegetarian curry and delicious puris (deep-fried bread) at this... indian | vegetarian

Dasaprakash
Agra’s branch of this popular chain serves South Indian food and continental vegetarian cuisine. Spicy curries are... indian | vegetarian

Sheela
This cheap-eats option near the Taj serves mostly vegetarian dishes ranging from banana-chocolate pancakes to vegetable curry.... patio | indian | gardens | vegetarian

Zorba the Buddha
For a cheap-but-well-prepared meal, stop by this unusually named vegetarian spot. You’ll get salad, rice, paneer,... indian | vegetarian

Esphahan
The city’s best restaurant is the elegant Mughlai- and Kashmiri-influenced restaurant at Amarvilas. Start with fish,... smart splurge | indian

Peshawri
The popular restaurant at The Mughal serves barbecue specialties from India’s “Northwest Frontier.”... indian

Mughal Room
This rooftop spot at the Clarks Shiraz Hotel, serving Mughlai, Continental, and Chinese cuisine, overlooks both the Taj Mahal... view | live music | indian | chinese | continental