Agra

If you consider yourself a world traveler, you’re bound to make the pilgrimage to Agra. Each year, millions come from around the globe to this (relatively) small city in northern India. “Why?” you ask. Two words: Taj Mahal. This famous monument has immortalized the love of an emperor and his wife since its completion in 1648. Epitomizing the ornate Mughal architectural style, the Taj Mahal has made jaws drop and hearts swoon for centuries.

However, you’re wrong to consider Agra just a one-stop shop. With two additional UNESCO World Heritage sites to its name, the city boasts multiple windows into the past. Unfortunately, India’s former capital during the rich Mughal Empire has fallen into a state of disrepair, and its world-class monuments seem to be islands of historical wonder. While you must visit its sites, it’s unlikely that you’ll to want to reside in Agra for very long.