Yes! I finally visited the Taj Mahal, something that has been on my bucket list since forever! It is also my third world wonder to visit. I loved being here and will share all my knowledge with you.
What to expect in this article:
About the Taj Mahal in India
Is there anybody that does not know the Taj Mahal?!
The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece, a beautiful building in the north (Agra) of India.
It is Mughal architecture and was built in 1631 and 1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. How romantic. I would love my boyfriend to design a building like this, just because of his love for me 😉
Anyway, the site is 17 hectares large and did you know that the Taj is actually one of the 7 world wonders? I have visited 3 now! How many have you?
P.s. I have visited India many times before and written many articles about it, which you can read here.
Why visit the Taj Mahal
Visiting the Taj Mahal is like stepping into a fairy tale of love and beauty. It’s timeless to see and its romantic backstory makes it a must-see destination for travelers seeking awe-inspiring experiences and Instagram-worthy photos. Have you seen the pictures I took here with my boyfriend, I feel it is such a romantic place!
Apparently, the color of the Taj Mahal changes depending on the day.
During sunrise, it appears to be pinkish. In the afternoon, it is sparkling white. Lastly, in the evenings, it turns a bronzish-orange as the sun sets and light-bluish when it is dark.
Something about Agra
Agra, the town/city that houses the Taj Mahal, may not excite everyone. While the Taj is undeniably stunning, the town itself can feel chaotic, with persistent vendors. It just doesn’t feel so special and as a girl, I did not want to walk there by myself.
There are some other attractions in and near Agra that you can visit, apart from the Taj Mahal.
We know some people who only came for the Taj Mahal and left the same day, mostly to Jaipur. We did not want to be in a hurry and stayed another 2 nights (actually three as I got sick, but let’s not count that).
You can visit the Agra Fort, which is nice, as you can also see the Taj Mahal from a distance. It reminded me a lot about the Red Fort in Delhi, which amazed me more.
You can also go and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which is worth it! I will tell you all about this in a different blog.
When to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra
For the best experience, set your alarm early and head to the Taj Mahal in the morning. This is for three reasons:
- The light on the Taj is the most beautiful
- It is supposed to be less crowded than during the day.
- It is the least hot, as it can get scorching hot during the day
Everyone kept telling us to go to the Taj Mahal around 6 am, because it would be less crowded. It was super crowded though. So I can’t imagine how crowded it must have been in the afternoon!
- Avoid Fridays when it’s closed for maintenance!
- Taj Mahal opens 30 Minutes before sunrise and closes 30 Minutes before sunset during normal operating days
- Try to avoid weekends, as it is one of the most visited places in India
- Go visit between November and February to enjoy pleasant weather, it can get really hot in Agra.
Where to stay in Agra
For a memorable stay with a view of the Taj Mahal, Joey’s Hostel is your best bet.
Not only is it budget-friendly, it also has comfortable (also private) rooms and is 2 minutes away from the entrance of the Taj Mahal. Still, the view of the Taj Mahal was the best! And they offer good food while chilling with that gorgeous view.
The link for the hostel on Booking can be found here.
Other spots from where to see the Taj Mahal
While the Taj Mahal steals the show, don’t miss out on other awesome viewpoints on the Taj Mahal, like the riverside, Agra Fort, or a boat ride on the Yamuna River. Each offers a unique perspective of this architectural wonder.
Riverside
During sunset, the riverside is a great option. You can see in the pictures below how gorgeous that is. With the birds flying over and a splendid reflection in the water, the pictures will be so different, but still amazing.
You can either stand on the other side of the river, or on the right side of the Taj Mahal. We only visited the right side of the river and still made some good pictures in my opinion.
Boat ride
You can also go on a boat ride from this river bank. There is only 1 boat, and you need to pay someone to go on it. It is not as romantic as it seems, but I have seen so many pictures on Instagram of how mesmerizing it looks. Unfortunately, any time I wanted to ask to hop on the boat, someone else did and by the time it was possible, the sunset would have been over, unfortunately…
Agra Fort
Not as gorgeous as from the riverside, but still nice, is the view over the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort. Only then, you can see how green the surroundings are.
Practical tips for a visit
- Hire a Photographer:
You don’t need it, but if you would like, you can hire a photographer for an hour. You will find these people near the entrance. We did this because it was already super crowded. You are (maybe) only once at the Taj Mahal, so why not take beautiful photos? 100 photos cost us 4500 rupees / around 50 euros. This is only for digital photos, if you want a physical album it will be around 7000 rupees. - Footwear and Photography:
Remove your shoes before entering the main building of the Taj Mahal and refrain from photography inside the main mausoleum. It costs a bit more to enter the mausoleum. You can see the tombs of the king and queen, so you can be out within 10 minutes.
Again, you might only come once to the Taj Mahal, so why not pay a bit more to also see this?
- Dress Appropriately:
Respect the cultural norms by dressing modestly, and covering your shoulders and knees. Still, wear beautiful clothes, if you can, Indian 😉 - Transportation:
Opt for shared autos or taxis for convenient and affordable travel within Agra. You might have to wait a little before others will join, but if you are waiting too long, you can pay a bit extra, and then the driver will go.
Contact & info about the Taj Mahal
- Tickets for the Taj Mahal can be purchased at the East and West gates.
- You can also buy them online through this link
- Tickets cost 1100 rupees for foreigners and 50 for Indian people.
- No entry fee for children below the age of 15 years. (both domestic and foreigner).
- Taj Mahal opens 30 Minutes before sunrise and closes 30 Minutes before sunset during normal operating days
I hope I gave you a lot of insights and your visit will be amazing. It can not not be amazing, as the Taj Mahal itself is brilliant. I would love to know if you've read my article and had a good visit, so make sure to message me on one of my social media below.
Would you like to read more about India?
- Hire a Photographer:
You don’t need it, but if you would like, you can hire a photographer for an hour. You will find these people near the entrance. We did this because it was already super crowded. You are (maybe) only once at the Taj Mahal, so why not take beautiful photos? 100 photos cost us 4500 rupees / around 50 euros. This is only for digital photos, if you want a physical album it will be around 7000 rupees. - Footwear and Photography:
Remove your shoes before entering the main building of the Taj Mahal and refrain from photography inside the main mausoleum. It costs a bit more to enter the mausoleum. You can see the tombs of the king and queen, so you can be out within 10 minutes.
Again, you might only come once to the Taj Mahal, so why not pay a bit more to also see this?
