Few places on earth whisper romance as tenderly as Agra. The Taj Mahal—built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz—has glowed over the Yamuna since the 17th century, drawing travelers seeking beauty, devotion, and quiet awe. For an anniversary, the city is a natural stage: marble domes at dawn, red sandstone fortresses at noon, and jasmine-scented gardens at dusk.

Agra rewards unhurried time. Beyond the Taj Mahal, explore the mighty Agra Fort, the inlaid-marble “Baby Taj” (Itimad-ud-Daulah), and the ghostly palaces of Fatehpur Sikri. Taste North Indian classics—silky dal, smoky kebabs, ghee-soaked breads—and meet artisans who still practice pietra dura, the gemstone-inlay craft that adorns the Taj itself.

Practical notes: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; sunrise visits are magical and less crowded. Winters (Nov–Feb) are cool and misty; summers (Apr–Jun) are hot. Trains and the Yamuna Expressway make travel from Delhi simple, though winter fog can occasionally affect schedules. Dress modestly for monuments, carry a photocopy of your ID, and stick to bottled water.

Agra

Agra is the heart of Mughal India—grand, poetic, and surprisingly intimate when you slip into old lanes and riverside gardens. From the crenellations of Agra Fort you can see the Taj itself, a reminder that this was once the nerve center of an empire that loved symmetry, gardens, and art.

Top sights include the Taj Mahal (sunrise is essential), Agra Fort’s palaces and audience halls, the Persian-style Itimad-ud-Daulah with its filigreed marble screens, and Mehtab Bagh for a perfect sunset frame of the Taj. For a half-day venture, Fatehpur Sikri’s courtyards and the Buland Darwaza offer haunting beauty and great photography.

For dining, Agra offers both opulent and down-to-earth flavors. Esphahan at The Oberoi Amarvilas stages refined Indian dinners with live classical music and two nightly seatings—ideal for anniversaries. Peshawri at ITC Mughal is all charcoal tandoor, slow-cooked Dal Bukhara, and shared platters. For beloved local staples, Pinch of Spice delivers rich North Indian curries; Dasaprakash serves crisp dosas and South Indian thalis; and Sheroes Hangout is a heartfelt café run by acid attack survivors, serving good coffee, sandwiches, and purpose.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• For the “wow” anniversary splurge: The Oberoi Amarvilas (private terraces and buggy rides to the Taj), Taj Hotel & Convention Centre (rooftop lounge with Taj views), or ITC Mughal (greenery, large spa, iconic Peshawri).
• Boutique and value: Trident Agra (elegant and calm), Ekaa Villa (design-forward, intimate), DoubleTree by Hilton or Courtyard by Marriott (reliable comforts and good breakfasts).
• Browse options: VRBO Agra stays | Hotels.com Agra hotels

How to get there from Delhi:

• Fastest train: Gatimaan Express (Hazrat Nizamuddin → Agra Cantt), about 1h40m; expect roughly ₹1,000–2,000 ($12–25) per person depending on class. Check times and fares on Trip.com Trains.
• By car via Yamuna Expressway: 3–4 hours depending on traffic; private sedan with driver typically ₹5,500–8,000 ($65–95) round trip for a day return, a bit more for multi-day use.
• Flying into Delhi first? Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then continue to Agra by train or car.

Day 1: Delhi → Agra, Mehtab Bagh Sunset, and a Special Dinner

Morning: Depart Delhi for Agra. If you prefer speed and predictability, book seats on the Gatimaan Express (about 1h40m; Aim for a mid-morning departure). Check current departures on Trip.com Trains. If driving, leave by 8:30 a.m. to beat midday traffic on the Yamuna Expressway, pausing at a plaza café for tea.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. For a light bite, head to Sheroes Hangout (sandwiches, cold coffee, brownie sundae) or Tea’se Me (rooftop teas and snacks near the East Gate). Then ride to Mehtab Bagh across the river for a golden-hour view of the Taj Mahal perfectly centered in your photos. Bring small notes for the garden ticket and a scarf/jacket in winter.

Evening: Celebrate with a romantic dinner. For fine Indian with live classical music, reserve one of the two seatings at Esphahan (The Oberoi Amarvilas): kebabs, lobster moilee, and a curated thali served on warm brassware. Prefer smoky tandoor flavors? Peshawri at ITC Mughal is legendary—order Dal Bukhara, Sikandari raan (slow-roasted leg of lamb), and flaky kulcha, all eaten the rustic way, without cutlery. Nightcap ideas: the Infini – Sky Lounge at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre for a cocktail with twinkling city views.

Day 2: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Agra Fort, Spa Time, and Rooftop Cocktails

Morning: Rise early for the Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed Fridays). Aim to be at the gate 30–40 minutes before first light; security is efficient but thorough. Consider a private photographer for 45–60 minutes to quietly capture anniversary portraits—soft pink light, marble reflections, and the classic bench shot. Tickets for foreign visitors are about ₹1,300 (~$16) including main mausoleum access; carry your passport. Afterward, grab a local breakfast: try Deviram Sweets for Agra’s beloved bedai-kachori with potato curry and hot jalebis, or return to your hotel for a leisurely buffet.

Afternoon: Explore the Agra Fort (allow 1.5–2 hours). Don’t miss the Diwan-i-Khas, Jahangiri Mahal, and Musamman Burj—the octagonal tower where Shah Jahan reputedly gazed at the Taj. Lunch at Pinch of Spice (butter chicken, paneer lababdar, tawa veg), or choose Dasaprakash for a crisp masala dosa and filter coffee. After lunch, treat yourselves to a couples spa session (ITC Mughal’s Kaya Kalp Spa is sprawling and serene; many hotels offer 60–90 minute rituals with aromatic oils).

Evening: Visit the jewel-box Itimad-ud-Daulah (“Baby Taj”) during the soft pre-sunset light—the pietra dura work here foreshadows the Taj’s own patterns, but with fewer crowds. For dinner, consider The Salt Café & Bar (rooftop seating, Mediterranean + Indian; try their tandoori broccoli and mezze) or the Sky Grill at Courtyard by Marriott for grilled prawns, kebabs, and city vistas. If you fancy dessert, swing by Deviram again for rich rabri or sample iconic petha at an established Panchi outlet (ask your hotel for the verified branch to avoid imitators).

Day 3: Fatehpur Sikri Morning and a Leisurely Farewell

Morning: Make a half-day excursion to Fatehpur Sikri (about 1–1.5 hours each way). This short-lived Mughal capital is all red sandstone grace: Diwan-i-Aam’s long colonnades, the intricately carved Turkish Sultana’s house, and the lofty Buland Darwaza. Allocate 2–3 hours inside. Tickets for foreign visitors are roughly ₹600–700 (~$7–9). If birding interests you, an alternative is the nearby Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) with cycle-rickshaw safaris—best in winter.

Afternoon: Return to Agra for a relaxed lunch and one last indulgence. Back in town, share a North Indian platter at Pinch of Spice or a quick café-style meal at Tea’se Me. If time allows, pop into a marble inlay atelier near the Taj East Gate to watch artisans set semi-precious stones into marble—an illuminating window into Mughal-era craft. Depart for Delhi: catch a mid- to late-afternoon Gatimaan or Shatabdi on Trip.com Trains, or drive the Yamuna Expressway before evening traffic builds.

Evening: If you have a late train or a driver, sneak in a final stroll through Sadar Bazaar for street snacks—aloo tikki, bhalla, and kulfi. Toast the trip with masala chai and a shared pastry at your hotel café before you head out.

Local tips to elevate your anniversary:

• Book Taj tickets in advance; arrive before sunrise queues build. Fridays the Taj is closed—swap Day 2 and Day 1 activities if needed.
• Winter (Dec–Jan) fog can affect trains; consider a car then. In summer, do outdoors at dawn/dusk and plan a pool/spa midday.
• Dress in soft pastels for Taj photos; avoid heels inside monuments due to marble and stairs. Carry a light shawl for mornings.

For stays and rates, browse Hotels.com Agra hotels or compare unique homes via VRBO Agra stays. For trains between Delhi and Agra, check schedules and classes on Trip.com. Flying into or out of Delhi? Compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

In three days, you’ll see Agra’s finest—Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort’s palaces, riverside gardens, and Fatehpur Sikri’s imperial echoes—without rushing. Between rooftop dinners, spa time, and a few delicious chaat stops, your anniversary trip will feel as timeless as the marble masterpiece you came to admire.