Agra

There's a reason every guide recommends an early start — the Taj Mahal at sunrise, before the crowds arrive and in softer light, is a genuinely different experience to a midday visit. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, it remains breathtaking even after seeing a thousand photographs of it beforehand.

A vast red sandstone fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, Agra Fort offers a fuller picture of Mughal power and architecture, plus a distant view of the Taj Mahal from within its walls.

A remarkably well-preserved former Mughal capital, abandoned not long after it was built, Fatehpur Sikri makes for an excellent half-day trip just outside Agra — genuinely atmospheric and far less crowded than the Taj itself.

Directly across the river from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh's gardens offer one of the best (and quietest) sunset views of the monument, particularly beautiful as the marble catches the evening light.

Agra is home to artisans continuing the same marble inlay techniques used to build the Taj Mahal centuries ago — a workshop visit offers a genuinely interesting look at a craft passed down through generations.

Widely regarded as offering the best view of the Taj Mahal of any hotel in Agra, Amarvilas sits just 600 metres from the monument itself, with unobstructed views from every room. A genuinely extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime place to stay.

A large-scale luxury property built around Mughal garden design, ITC Mughal pairs spacious grounds and excellent dining with a strong, dependable five-star standard - a good alternative for those not staying at Amarvilas itself.