When I visited Agra, I knew there were going to be some amazing photo opportunities… AND of course, I wanted popular photos at the Taj Mahal and the other sites, I also wanted to find places for unique photographs that could help my Instagram standout.
1. In Front of the Taj Mahal
The most popular place in Agra to get a photo of yourself is straight in front of the Taj Mahal. There’s a small pool in front of you and a long pool stretching off behind you. Both provide beautiful mirror-like reflections and with the iconic white marble tomb behind you, this shot is a classic for a reason.
There will be a line for this one, no matter what time of day you go. But it’s worth waiting for and can actually be a fun spot to interact with other tourists.
It’s best if you have a friend crouch down across from the small pool, so you can a shot from a lower angle than the shot above!
Or if you’re looking for a shot without a foreground subject, you can use this row of flowers, which are just over the rail as you first enter the Taj Mahal grounds.
There is a line here as well and as I took this there was a crowd of tourists all along the railing. One man had just proposed to his wife and a crowd was clapping 😍
It’s not difficult to get close to the rail in the center though, and if you stick your camera through the rail, you can find this shot. In the morning, you won’t see as many tourists in the background and if I wanted to, I could even scrub them out with Photoshop.
2. To the East of the Taj Mahal
If you are looking for photographs with fewer tourists mucking around in the background, then head to the east side of the tomb.
There you’ll find a line of arches with recognizable Mughal-style architecture that would make the perfect frame within a frame for a romantic photograph or selfie.
You could also try some closeups with the murals with a shallow depth of field and the Taj Mahal fuzzily out of focus behind you.
3. Take a Boat Ride on the Yamuna River
If you really want to get a shot of the Taj Mahal without any crowds of tourists cluttering up your shot, then you can hire a boat and head out on the Yamuna River. It flows just to the north of the Taj and is a serene setting, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Starting as early as 5 AM and going as late as 6 PM, you can find a boat tour guide who can take you and as many as 5 of your friends out on the water for a photo op.
4. Mehtab Bagh across the River
If you prefer to keep your feet on land but still want a more unique view of the Taj, then check out the Mehtab Bagh. It’s a garden complex on the north side of the Yamuna River, which has unobstructed views of the backside of the Taj Mahal.
With the river in the foreground and the Taj Mahal in the distance, it offers a different perspective than you’d see on the grounds of the Taj.
The only thing is that it closes at sunset so you’ll have to be quick with your photos!
5. In Front of the Agra Fort
The Taj Mahal isn’t the only place in Agra to get Instagram-worthy photos though. Agra Fort was an important defensive stronghold that the ruling dynasties used to maintain control over the city and region.
It was originally built by the Mughal emperor, Babur, and was later remodeled with red sandstone by the famous Mughal conqueror, Akbar.
For photos, the walkway leading up to the Fort has a striking geometrical background that makes for great photos.
6. Inside the Jahangir Palace in the Agra Fort
Within Agra Fort, the Jahangir Palace was the residence of the wives of Akbar and has many places to take photos.
There are so many imposing archways made of red sandstone that would make for amazing portraits.
7. The Hall of Audience in the Agra Fort
The Hall of Audience or Diwan-i-Am, was built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who also had the Taj Mahal built.
The hall is spacious measuring 201 feet by 67 feet and is marked by three aisles of gateways. The front has nine gateways and they are built symmetrically.
There is also a throne room where the king once hosted grand audiences.
8. Closeups of Marble in Musamman Burj in the Agra Fort
The octagon-shaped tower near the Diwan-e-Khas is made of striking white marble with pietra dura artwork in the walls.
This tower was built by Shah Jan as well and you can see views of the Taj Mahal from this tower. However, it is difficult to photograph the tomb from this angle with the backlight.
You can make amazing closeup portraits with the stonework behind your subject though.
9. Closeups of the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah
The Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah looks like a small version of the Taj Mahal which is why our tour guide called it the “Baby Taj.” I’timād-ud-Daulah actually means “Pillar of the Government” though.
The architecture is known for marble lattice screens known as jali. There is pietra dura or semi-precious stones inlaid in the polished white marble. The inside chamber has low light but if you have a quick lens and camera you can shoot the beautiful ceilings.
10. The Palace Ruins at Fatehpur Sikri
For 10 years, Akbar made this the capital of his empire, because his spiritual teacher the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti lived here.
Today, aside from the many majestic rows of arches, there are a number of striking architectural features that make for great backgrounds in your photos:
- Panch Mahal: A 5-story palace structure with one elevated dome pavilion on top. It was once a place for the ladies of the palace to watch the activities in the courtyard.
- Diwan-i-Khas: Akbar was one of the most tolerant Mughal emperors and here representatives of different religions were given counsel. There is a striking inner pillar carved of red sandstone.
- Buland Darwaja: This gate also signifies Akbar’s openness to other religions with the inscriptions.
- Jama Masjid: This is one of the largest mosques in India, not to be confused with the largest one in New Delhi.
11. Colorful Food at the Sadar Bazaar
Let’s switch it up from monuments, tombs and palaces to delicious gorgeous food!
If you are into taking photos of street food, then Sadar Bazaar is the place in Agra. The largest wholesale market is here as well as plenty of street food vendors.
There are so many types of food you can taste and enjoy.
- Aloo Bhalla: Fried mashed potato patty with spices
- Gol Gappe: Round crispy balls stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and delicious spices
- Petha: Fruit-flavored sweets that were once created by the Shah Jahan’s cooks.
- Bhel Puri: Puffed rice with vegetables and tamarind sauce.
- Rabdi wali kulfi: Frozen yogurt dessert on a stick.
- Lassi: A yogurt drink mixed with the fruit or sweet you enjoy most. I love honey or mango.
- Samosas: A small fried pastry with a savoury or spicy filling.
- Badam Milk: A drink with almonds, saffron, and cardamom.
- Kachori: A fried pastry with a spicy dal filling.
12. Luxurious Pool at the Oberoi Amarvilas
The Oberoi Amarvilas is one of the nicest luxury hotels in Agra with views of the Agra from the balcony adjoining your room.
Even if you chose to stay somewhere else in Agra, you can still head here to go to the restaurants and take photos by the pool.
13. Radha Soami Temple – Samadh
For those of the Radhasoami faith this is a place of worship, yet for those who enjoy photographs this makes a one-of-a-kind background.
This temple was built in 1908 and is often still under construction. But the stone work and lattice work is very beautiful.