Best Time to Visit Agra

Winter, November to February: the best stretch

This is when Agra is at its best, and the data agrees. Days are mild and dry, and the sun is out. November is the driest month, with just 5 mm of rain on one day. December is close behind.

Nights get properly cold in December and January, so you'll want a jumper at dawn. That's also when the Taj Mahal is most rewarding. Mornings can be foggy, and the white marble sometimes fades into the mist until the sun burns through. It's pretty, but it can ruin a sunrise photo. February is clearer and a bit warmer.

This is also high season, so expect queues at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj Mahotsav, a crafts, food and music fair held near the Taj, usually runs in February. Come midweek if you can, because the Taj is closed on Fridays.

March to June: hot, then hotter

March is fair, with warm days and cool evenings. Holi, the colour festival, usually falls in March and is great fun in the streets near Kinari Bazaar. Wear clothes you don't mind ruining.

From April, it gets tough. May is the hottest month, with highs of 43°C, and June is nearly as bad at 42°C. June nights stay at 31°C, so there's little relief. Walking around Fatehpur Sikri at midday is miserable. If you must come, go to sights at opening time and spend the afternoon in your hotel. The crowds are thin, though, and rooms are cheaper.

July to October: monsoon and the shoulder

The monsoon, India's rainy season, arrives properly in July. It's the wettest month, with 210 mm over 22 days. August is close behind. The air is sticky, skies are grey, and the Taj can disappear behind cloud. On the plus side, the lawns of the Mehtab Bagh garden, across the river, turn green, and tourist numbers are low.

September is still wet. October is the turnaround: only 2 rainy days and plenty of sun. It's rated Good, and it's a smart pick if you want to beat the winter rush. Diwali, the festival of lights, usually lands in October or November, and the markets get busy and bright.

Travelling with kids or grandparents? Stick to November through February. If you hate crowds and can handle heat, try October or March.