The Taj Mahal is the main event. This time, believe the hype. The ivory-white mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river rises imposingly yet tastefully towards the sky and will blow you away. The tomb has a history that matches its mystique. Built in 1632 by the hopelessly mourning Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, it’s said that he cut off the hands of his craftsmen after they’d finished, to ensure no building was ever built as beautiful again. A drastic – but effective – measure.
Visit the Taj at sunrise to dodge the crowds and watch the sun burn through the clouds and illuminate this pearly building. And, if you’re feeling energised, don your Lycra and try a yoga class with a view like no other, just 150m away from the Taj.
Other must-sees are Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The fort is a stunning combination of marble pillars, ornate archways and beautifully mirrored rooms that’ll have you mentally redesigning your own home. The abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, which you can visit from Agra, is fascinating and chilling in equal measures.
