What to do and eat in Agra ?

razorhed

Hi all.
I will be visiting Agra in May of 2007. I of course want to see the Taj Mahal, and am curious what other must see things I should do there for the two days I'm staying. More importantly, can anyone suggest a good hotel for under $100 USD and/or places to eat while I'm there? Also is it best if I'm coming from Rajasthan or if I'm coming from Delhi (want to do the whole golden triangle) and what is best mode of transportation?

Thank you very much for any comments!

rachelinindia

take a day trip to fatehpur sikri, its definitely worth seeing

iwanttogoback

the red fort, which is usually done in conjunction with the taj.

bigger, more complex, and just as beautiful.

dhans

The red Fort cannot be missed, but try to visit Dayal Bagh also. It's a new Hindu temple that is being built in the North of the city. They started building it in 1904. I visited it in 1997 and in 1994 and compared with that time I didn't have the impression that much progress is made. Visit the marble-workshops next door; there will be someone to show you around for some bakshees.

Hans

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cooksisters

Have a bite at Zorba the Buddha,-- its a vege restuarant run by Osho devotess in Sadar Bazaar.
Great food -- and a wonderful place to meet other people..
You can even get healthy vegan food there.!!!

mt.kailash

May is the hot season in North India (think July in Vegas-then hotter!)and very much the 'off season' so you should get a room in a good hotel quite cheaply esp.through consolidators.
http://www.asiarooms.com/india/agra/clarks_shiraz.html
for example offers the 5-star Hotel Clarks Shiraz for $78 per night in May.
This is one of the few times that I would recommend an A/C taxi hire for the day. Visit Taj Mahal,Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.
Restaurants- Esp at this season the highest Standards are most important.
Veg food- Zorba the Buddha, Lakshmi Villas,and Dasaprakash.(all close to Clarks)
Non veg-stick to restaurants in good quality hotels.

Darmabum

Zorba the Buddha, a must . . . the Red Fort, if you have a telephoto (comparable to a 200mm for a 35 mm camera) catch sunrise from the Prisoner's Tower; during the fall/winter the sun rises almost directly over the dome of the Taj . . . see sunrise on the Taj from across the river; it's a long haul, expecially in the morning, but worth it; not a view most people see . . . Fatepur Sikri

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edwardseco

Great suggestions, hit all my points. Zorba staff are a bit different but decent food is hard to find in Agra. I like the smaller monuments of which there are at least 40. The local tourist association has a great map of them (could sneak a peak at the cafe wall in Hotel Sheela). Anyone who misses FS hasn't been to Agra (despite the clouds of touts)..

ranjan154

Hi, Summer's are quite hot in india, Although Taj Mahal always looks great . Golden triangle : Delhi-jaipur-agra-Delhi will be just great, How long are you going to stay, that very important. You can liase with some nice taxi-driver preferably a AC one to avoid heat. You can enjoy the entire journey and do photography too..

You can also go to Baharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort not to missed, try to be thier early morning or evening..

For the stay thier are plenty of options.. will post some address soon, need to confirm the rates.. I went thier some two years back

So plan well.. i am you will enjoy the trip..

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razorhed

Thank you very much for the responses! You have all been very helpful! I didn't know what I was getting myself into with going in May (didn't realize it got so hot there)

I will visit the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Dayal Bagh and Red Fort, eat at Zorba the Buddha, Lakshmi Villas,and Dasaprakashand. Still undecided on hotel but at least I have enough to keep me busy the couple days I am there. Has anyone heard anything about the Grand Hotel on Station Road? I'd like to balance inexpensive with a view of the Taj from my hotel if possible.

Oh and thanks for the link to asiarooms.com it seems to be slightly better prices than expedia, hotels, and travelocity which I had been using. I'm devoting seven days to the golden triangle, agra will be one or two of those days.

kalyani68

I've eatten at Dasa Prakash. Good South Indian food.

Also check out the cultural center where you can learn about the various crafts produced in the area. Very interesting.

himadventures

Beware of touts- they are in every pose and style. Even rickshaw puller- he gets comission if he brings you to some shop.

Guide is must- get one when you enter in TAJ MAHAL. I reccommend one old , tall and slim man named as MASTER JI. He is great.

Eating out is problem arround Taj Mahal-please do not follow LP. I myself had seen that a ROOF TOP restaurant listed in LP was a drug joint where people were having smoke and smoke.

Do not miss RED FORT and yes...FATEHPUR SIKRI can be done if you could have time which I feel is not possible if on tight schedule.

A full day will be consumed in TAJ and RED FORT. Do not forget to carry extra bottle of water when you go inside these buildings.

wp7713

I stayed there in 1980! It was OK then; in 1983 it was more run down. No Taj view though!

vsp27759

Dear wp7713,

This is 'vsp27759' of IRFCA.

Nice to see you on India Mike.

V.Srinivasa Prasad
20.1.2007/7.40 hrs.

wp7713

Thanks for the welcome, vsp!
I've recognised a few familiar names/identities since I've been here. And your posts are distinctly identifiable!


Nice to see you on India Mike.

V.Srinivasa Prasad
20.1.2007/7.40 hrs.[/QUOTE]