It’s probably fair to say that Agra is not the ideal place for a family holiday and that parents with especially young children will struggle to find ways to keep them occupied. The cinema is on hand at the Pacific Taj Mall but is really only an option if there are appropriate movies on the billing; otherwise parents looking to put a smile on their kids’ faces will have to rely on the activities of kids clubs or the offerings of Ronald McDonald.

Cinemas
The Fun Cinema at Pacific Taj Mall has screenings, albeit limited, of popular Hollywood movies. Parents looking for a way to kill some time and keep the kids entertained while escaping the rain, heat or cold outside, can pass a couple of hours in the comfort of this modern cinema complex.

Fast-food outlets
Not so much an activity as a reasonable guarantee of putting a smile on the faces of young holidaymakers, the likes of McDonald’s, Dominos and Pizza Hut can provide a welcome break from the pungency of the local cuisine. Kids will be happy to swap lentil dal for a burger or a slice of thin crust; while adults can tuck in to the same or just sit back and take delight in seeing the little ones enjoy themselves.

Hotel kids clubs
Popular hotels, such as the Trident Agra, provide kids clubs at which parents can drop the little ones for a morning or afternoon and head off for a spot of sightseeing, safe in the knowledge that their offspring are being entertained by qualified, English-speaking staff.

Culture abounds in Agra, with every aspect of the lives of its people reflecting its rich tapestry. You need not go in search of specific venues or sites in order to appreciate the wealth of cultural heritage that the city offers, however by doing so, your appreciation of its nuances, idiosyncrasies and distinct character can be greater appreciated. There are many sites and structures likely to provide the great insight into the background of this fascinating destination.

Agra Fort
Built in the 16th century, the Red Fort of Agra is a dominant structure made from red sandstone and situated within perimeter walls that stretch a lengthy 2.5kms. Within the fort’s grounds are a variety of buildings of interest, including the Jahangir Palace, the Khas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal. The Sheesh Mahal is especially notable for its interior, which is adorned with thousands of mirrors and was previously used as the harem dressing room. Shah Jahan’s Pearl Mosque is also notable, although currently off-limits to visitors. Much of the fort is in a state of decay, however visitors are still able to visualise how it would have looked in its heyday.

Akbar's Mausoleum
About 10kms out of the city, the Mausoleum of Akbar the Great, this magnificent structure was begun by Akbar himself but completed by his son Jahangir in 1605. The exterior features a mix of marble and red sandstone; while the interior has a mixed décor featuring both Hindu and Muslim influences. The structure’s architecture marked a transition from the traditional style, which was heavily reliant on sandstone, to the newer style that predominantly featured marble.

Fatehpur Sikri
Once the capital of the Mughal Empire and constructed under the watchful eye of Emperor Akbar, this medieval city was eventually deserted on account of its severe lack of water, and Agra was once again given capital status. Time has been kind to the city and much of it is perfectly preserved, offering an accurate view of how it originally appeared. Huge public squares, magnificent pavilions and landscaped garden areas are notable throughout the city. Fatehpur Sikri can be reached from Agra in about an hour by train.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
Often referred to as Baby Taj, the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah was built by Empress Nur Jehan for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. Equally as beautiful as the Taj Mahal but just on a smaller scale, this tomb features white marble and red sandstone structures, the interiors of which are lavishly decorated with jewels and stunning ceiling paintings.

Jami Masjid
With a name meaning ‘Friday Mosque’, this traditional Muslim prayer house is one of the largest in the country and dates back to 1648 when it was constructed by Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. The structure is predominantly sandstone with some occasional marble features.

Mariam's Tomb
With a name meaning 'Compassionate to the World', Mariam Zamani (sometimes spelt Maryam) was the wife of great Mughal Emperor Akbar, as well as the daughter of Raja Bharmal Kachhwaha of Ambar. This great Rajpur queen was held in high esteem by her husband, who built this fine mausoleum for her following her death in 1611. Notable features include the unique wall carvings inside the structure and the classic red sandstone finish of its exterior.

Taj Mahal
Undoubtedly the most culturally rich experience one can get while holidaying in Agra is a visit to the Taj Mahal. This giant, white marble mausoleum was constructed between 1631 and 1648 in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s favourite wife. The structure is truly majestic and has over the years evoked comments from architectural enthusiasts across the globe, including this one from Sir Edwin Arnold, which captured perfectly the essence of the building: “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones."

There’s no shortage of dining venues in Agra but visitors will need to be fairly discriminating if they are to find anywhere that’s at all a cut above the average. Standards of hygiene in many establishments often fall desperately short of Western standards and menus rarely vary massively from place to place. For a guarantee of cleanliness and a high standard of cuisine, try the restaurants of the city’s reputable hotels, such as the Mughal Sheraton, Trident Agra, the Hotel Clarks Shiraz and the Jaypee Palace Hotel.

Restaurants in Agra serve Mughal cuisine, which is characterised by dishes featuring baked meats cooked in the traditional earthen oven known as a tandoor. Dishes regularly feature milk-based sauces and common ingredients such as cream, curd and nuts.

Notable restaurants not part of tourist hotels include the Peshawri, a famous establishment operated by the same owners as the well-known Bukkhara restaurant in New Delhi. The tandoori dishes here are reputedly among the best in the city. Other recommended establishments include the Only Restaurant and the Gulzan Lodge & Restaurant.

You can, of course, avoid Indian food altogether in Agra if you so desire, with popular fast-food chains such as Pizza Hut and McDonald’s offering their usual fare; although you may find the food tailored slightly to local tastes and not altogether consistent with what you would expect from the same chains at home.

Shopping opportunities are fairly plentiful in Agra, with the areas around the Taj Mahal in particular offering plenty of establishments from which to buy essential souvenirs such as the handcrafted model replicas of the famous building. Other handicraft items and textile products can be found at a variety of markets across the city. For international goods meanwhile, head to the Pacific Taj Mall and TDI Mall, which are situated adjacent to one another. At both of these venues, you will find well known branded and designer label goods; visitors can expect prices a little cheaper than home but not significantly so.

Leather goods are popular in Agra, with handbags, belts and footwear all widely available; although, quality can vary considerably so it pays to shop around. The Sadar Bazaar is a good place to find leather vendors as well as a variety of other interesting shops. The Kinari Bazaar, located close to Jama Masjid, is teeming with trading areas selling a varied selection of goods; while the Loha Mandi market is worth a visit for its ironware; and the Sabzi Mandi market is interesting for its unusual foods.

Agra is not the first place you would think of visiting if outdoor or sporting activities are high on your list of priorities; however, with a little effort visitors will find a number of ways to get physically active or enjoy the great outdoors. The city’s bigger hotels often have their own purpose-built facilities; the Hilton Agra is perhaps the best bet for this with ping pong tables, croquet lawns, badminton courts, putting greens and jogging tracks.

Bird-watching
Sixty kilometres from Agra is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the most famous nature reserve of its kind in the country. Ornithologists will relish the chance to see rare bird specimens here and also at the similarly wildlife-rich Keoladeo Ghana National Park.

Golf
Agra Golf Course is a 9-hole facility that boasts the Taj Mahal as part of its background scenery. Enthusiasts can enjoy their favourite game amid lush green trees and historic architecture.

Swimming
The city’s top hotels all have their own outdoor pools, as do many of the lesser known ones. When the scorching heat of the city kicks in, cool off with a spot of swimming or just enjoy lazing around on a waterbed. Even if your hotel doesn’t have a pool, you can pay to use on at another establishment.

Tennis
Hotels such as the Welcomegroup Mughal Sheraton and Jaypee Palace Hotel, offer tennis courts that are free to guests or on a pay-per-hour basis for non-guests.