Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden)

Facing the glistening Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River, Mehtab Bagh is where travelers in the know go for picture-perfect views of the mausoleum without the crowds. In perfect alignment with the Taj, the best time to visit Mehtab Bagh is in the early evening when its white marble and minarets turn pink under the setting sun. 
The 25-acre garden was commissioned by Emperor Babur in 1530 and was designed to be a “moonlit pleasure garden,” an oasis of fragrant flowers, fruit trees, pavilions and fountains. In the late 19th century, the gardens were even thought to hold the foundations of the fabled Black Taj. 
While Mehtab Bagh has been turned into a more modern garden today, its symmetry with the Taj Mahal and garden walls along the riverbank continue to make this a popular viewing spot among those looking for peace and quiet. 

Practical Info

Entry to the Moonlight Garden costs 110 INR, or 100 if you have a same-day ticket for the Taj Mahal. The garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Mehtab Bagh is a little out the way, so it’s best to ask a driver or tuk tuk to take you there.