Cities near Agra

Agra, a city renowned for its iconic Taj Mahal, which attracted over 8.62 million tourists in just 2023.

This impressive number continues to grow steadily, making Agra a major destination for hospitality and residential industry. (Know as my cousin just bough a flat here, Maruti Forest Society)

With a population of 2.4 million (24 lakh), it’s a now a crowded city for sure.

So if you’re a local seeking a peaceful getaway or a traveler exploring nearby attractions from Agra, the following list offers some excellent options to visit or settle, in cities near Agra.

Best cities near Agra

In total there are more than 100 small to big cities near Agra, but below ones, which I have selected is as per their peaceful experience, and better connectivity. These are

1. Vrindavan, UP

1st City near Agra

Distance: 80 KM
Best Route: Delhi Agra Highway
Famous for: Krishna Temples

Though I am not a big fan of some (not all) temple managements like Banke Bihari, but still. every time I visit Vrindavan, I just want to stay for a few more days.

From Maa Vaishno Devi Dham to Govind Dev Ji Temple, Vrindavan, I just want to visit these places for the rest of my life.

Since I am 38, there is still some time before I retire & move here, but in my opinion, the best city near Agra to visit or settle in is Vrindavan.

Many residential colonies and societies have opened here, where you can stay for a few weeks or months and explore Vrindavan every day.

Plus book our Agra to Vrindavan taxi to plan a trip here.

2. Bharatpur, Rajasthan

2nd City near Agra

Distance: 56 KM
Best Route: Jaipur Agra Highway
Famous for: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur is very famous place in whole North India, as many travellers who visit Agra also plans to visit the Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

I have personally visit the bird sanctuary, around a dozen times, seen more than 100+ types of birds, & even explored the nearby village & the small Bharatpur city.

In my visit I also notched that all basic civic facilities & amenities are available in Bharatpur, and thus moving to Bharatpur would not be a bad idea.

Plus an advantage of moving to Bharatpur is that Air Quality Index (AQI) here is some of the best on whole India, thanks to its green cover, and this city is also connected with big cities like Agra, Mathura, Alwar and even Jaipur which are 1-3 hour drive away.

And since this is a tourist spot, so be ready to meet people from all over Indian and aboard too.

And also checkout our Agra to Bharatpur taxi.

3. Ranthambore, Rajasthan

3rd City near Agra

Distance: 299 KM
Best Route: Agra Bikaner Road
Famous for: Tiger Reserve

Though the idea of moving to Bharatpur is good but if you ask me, I will always skip it with Ranthambore, all thanks to its Tiger reserve, known as Ranthambore National Park.

This is India’s biggest tiger reserve, open for around 8-9 months in an year and home of the famous Indian Maharaja Tiger.

The reason I would love to visit or move to Ranthambore is that it is one of the most green area on whole Rajasthan, so best AQI.

Second it has some amazing history like Maharana Pratap lived here for some time, and third, the chance to see an Indian tiger (everyday) is highest in this tiger reserve.

As per my research, I can buy a small house, just next to the boundary of Ranthambore National Park, at very cheap price. Plus basic amenities are available here and if you need to see some big hospital, Jaipur is just 2-3 hour drive away (180 km).

And visit Ranthambore from Agra with our Agra Ranthambore taxi service.

4. Jaipur, Rajasthan

4th City near Agra

Jal Mahal, Jaipur

Distance: 240 KM
Best Route: Agra Jaipur HY
Famous for: Pink City

In this whole list of best cities near Agra, my favorite is Jaipur, as I moved here in 2024. My ancestral home is in Delhi and I moved in Jaipur because it was the best city near Delhi for me.

And here is my reason to move to Jaipur from Agra:

1. Better rail, air & road connectivity with rest of India
2. The city is still 1/2 empty (all farm land), so its easy to find a peaceful society here.
3. All medical, business, educational facilities are available here.
4. Lots of activities even for local, and less traffic Jam.

So considering all these I moved to Jaipur, and if you find these points attractive you can also do the same.

And visit Jaipur with our Agra to Jaipur taxi.

5. Mathura, Rajasthan

5th City near Agra

Distance: 55 KM
Best Route: Mathura HY
Famous for: Shri Krishna Janmasthan

To finalize the top 5 cities near Agra (with more names to follow), I would rank Mathura at number 5.

While I suggested Vrindavan as the number 1 city to move to from Agra, it wasn’t my personal choice. Similarly, Mathura is not my personal favorite. However, many people from Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, and Bengal are choosing to settle here, buying homes, floors, or flats, and enjoying life in this city.

The primary attraction is the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, which, in my experience, is the best Krishna temple I’ve ever visited. The energy here is incredible, and the temple’s management is very helpful.

Mathura is also well-connected to both Agra and the Delhi NCR region, making it easily accessible. It offers good hospitals, schools, and residential societies. The only downside is that the city center can become congested, especially during festival times.

Additionally, for those considering sending their children to the Indian Army, Mathura is home to an educational wing of the Indian Army’s institutions.

Plus visit Mathura with our Agra to Mathura taxi., and also checkout our taxi service in Agra and Delhi to Agra taxi service.

6. Gwalior, MP

6th City near Agra

Distance: 120 KM
Best Route: Mumbai Agra HY
Famous for: Forts & Palaces

Gwalior is my next favorite destination after Agra, not just as a tourist attraction but as a large and growing city, which is also being developed into a Smart City.

It’s less crowded than Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi, has a well-established industrial area outside the city, and offers good potential for starting a professional business.

While property rates here are not as cheap as in Ranthambore or Bharatpur, they are comparable to those in Agra. However, my research suggests that Gwalior is more developed than Agra, with better hospitals, schools, and superior connectivity to major cities.

I also visited a few tourist sites in Gwalior, such as Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace, the Tomb of Tansen, Sun Temple, and Gwalior Zoo. All were well-maintained and perfect for a weekend outing with family.

7. Lucknow, UP

7th City near Agra

Distance: 330 KM
Best Route: Lucknow EXY
Famous for: Heritage & Malls

No list of the best cities near Agra would be complete without mentioning Lucknow.

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is around a 4-5 hour drive from Agra via a well-connected expressway and is far more developed than Agra.

Here are some reasons why Lucknow is a better option than Agra:

• Superior air, rail, and road connectivity
• Affordable options for large residential societies
• Better shopping options compared to Agra
• Delhi-Mumbai-level hospitals, schools, and industries

Additionally, I love the fact that Ayodhya is just a 120 km drive from Lucknow. With a new expressway planned for this route, you’ll be able to reach the Ram Mandir in just 90 minutes from Lucknow.

The city also offers some amazing tourist spots for weekend visits, such as Bada Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Chota Imambara, and Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Park. Plus, the food here is world-famous, especially the Biryani and Kebabs! :)

More peaceful cities near Agra

So the above seven cities near Agra are still somewhat crowded, which comes with both advantages and disadvantages. But below is a list of cities near Agra that are much more peaceful, has some very popular attractions, and are perfect for those who prefer living away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

8. Barsana, UP

8th City near Agra

Distance: 100 KM
Best Route: Mathura HY
Famous for: Radha Rani temple

For those of us who complain about the poor management of historical temples, Barsana is a perfect place to visit, especially the Radha Rani Temple. After visiting this small city a few times, I am adding it to my list of peaceful places to move to from Agra.

Barsana is just a 2-hour drive from Agra and is very famous during the Holi festival, where women playfully hit men with sticks (often resulting in minor head injuries). It is also the birthplace of Shri Radha Ji.

While living here, you can easily walk or take local transportation to visit historical places from the Shri Krishna era, such as Nandgaon, Gokul, Mathura, and Vrindavan, all of which are nearby.

Moreover, Barsana is quite affordable in terms of housing, food, and local transportation. All major hospitals are located in Mathura and Agra, which are just a 1-2 hour drive away.

I know a few people from Jaipur who have developed self-sustaining farms with cows and goats here. They live peacefully and remain in better physical condition even in their 70s.

9. Deeg, Rajasthan

9th City near Agra

Distance: 93 KM
Best Route: Bikaner Agra HY
Famous for: Deeg Palace

If you are looking for a more peaceful place than Barsana, check out Deeg in Rajasthan, which is 93 km from Agra and 30 km from Barsana.

The most famous attraction in Deeg is the Deeg Palace (image shared above), which is visited by travelers planning a Golden Triangle taxi trip (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur).

When I visited Deeg for the first time, I noticed the clear influence of Krishna and Radha temples, as there are many 200- to 300-year-old temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the Deeg Palace, built in 1730, is a significant landmark.

Some scenes from the movies Mughal-e-Azam and Noor Jehan were also shot here.

10. Jamwa Ramgarh, Rajasthan

10th City near Agra

Distance: 93 KM
Best Route: Bikaner Agra HY
Famous for: Deeg Palace

Just 30 km from Jaipur is Jamwa Ramgarh, which is famous for its hiking, military training ground, and one luxury resort by Taj.

Though it’s only 30 km from Jaipur, but the landscape is 300 years behind the Pink City. Meaning that it has not lost its natural beauty. You will see all the Aravalli mountains here, and the locals, mostly Meenas, make sure that their city stays protected from mafia and builders.

You can come here to stay in a homestay, eat local food, enjoy traditional dance & music, and if you like it, buy a fair share and set up a homestay of your own.

Plus, there is also a lake here, which looks amazing during the monsoon, and you can even see migratory birds here too. So in short, Jamwa Ramgarh is a remote location, very peaceful and still a part of Jaipur’s neighborhood.

Major Tier 1 cities near Agra

And finally we will share some Tier 1 cities near Agra, which you can either visit in 1-2 days or plan to stay here forever.

11. Gurgaon, Haryana

11th City near Agra

Gurgaon/ Gurugram

Distance: 197 KM
Best Route: NH 44
Famous for: High rise towers, Malls

I would not suggest someone move to Delhi from Agra, as the capital is now the most congested and polluted city in all of India, but I can’t say the same for Gurgaon.

Gurgaon is a huge metropolitan city near Agra with many entertainment venues, 5-star hotels & restaurants, stadiums, tech companies, and even its nearby cities like Sohna and Manesar are following the same path.

The roads here are very wide, full of expressways, and if you want to live a lavish life, then Gurgaon is your best option.

Some more options to choose from: