Just outside of Agra (the Taj Mahal) is the very underrated and magnificent fortified ancient city of Fatehphur Sikri. It was the former capital of the Mughal Empire, which dominated nearly all of South Asia for almost 200 years before the arrival of the British, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stuffed with palaces, mosques and wow architecture it is also without the intense crowds found elsewhere in the main Indian tourist.
You’re obviously not going to visit India just for this, but I highlighly recommend tagging it onto a Golden Triangle + Rajasthan itinerary. For the itinerary and tips on how to get the best out of the trip, see the far more details travel entry for India’s Golden Triangle – getting the most out of it.
And see below how I see the best spots nearby.