The cities of Agra and New Delhi, India, are worlds of brilliant hues. Although they may require you to forgo a few of the more luxurious travel comforts, Agra and New Delhi will leave you with photos and memories bursting with just about every color of the spectrum.

New Delhi: Finding Color in Old and New

According to recent traveler Sarah Cox, the first things you’ll notice when you arrive at New Delhi International Airport are the tremendous heat and the beautiful shades of green found throughout the landscape. Heading towards New Delhi, you’ll quickly notice that in this vibrant country, color is everywhere. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself mesmerized by the women’s beautiful saris and scarves, flowing in bright shades of various colors.

White marble keeps barefoot visitors cool as they wait to reflect within the Taj Mahal.

The city of New Delhi displays the unique culture of India by blending modern wonders with ancient architecture. You’ll be missing out if you don’t visit the beautiful Lotus Temple, an alluringly exotic Bahá’í House of Worship built in 1986 in the shape of a budding flower. It is surrounded by nine turquoise pools, and people from any faith can enter its arching walls to enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility.

Another must-see place is the Lodhi Gardens: 90 acres of lush green fields and peaceful gardens dotted with tombs, mosques, and other ancient buildings dating back to the 1500s.

New Delhi is also home to a number of structures built from the region’s red sandstone, including the Red Fort, a seventeenth-century fortress; the eight-hundred-year-old Qutub Minar, one of India’s tallest minarets (towers used to call Muslims to prayer); and Humayun’s Tomb, a sarcophagus built in a 30-acre garden intersected by four azure rivers.

Agra: India’s Colors at a Slower Pace

After spending a few days in New Delhi, hire a driver and take the two-and-a-half-hour trip south to Agra. Here you’ll find colors in every aspect of the local scene, but at a much slower pace than in the busy metropolis of New Delhi.

The outdoor markets are certainly a sight to behold. Brooke Eddington, a recent visitor to Agra explains, “Everything is colorful. Fruit and vegetable stands burst with color, and the people are wearing vibrantly colored clothes, like bright pink, yellow, orange, all colors.” She adds, “Even on a cheap point-and-shoot camera, everything looks like professional photos. The colors are so pretty.”

Agra is the place to experience the most authentic Indian food, so make sure that you delve into the red, green, and orange curries. Try the delicious kormas as well, which are meat and vegetable dishes with bright orange sauces made with spices like white pepper, saffron, and curry leaves mixed with yogurt or cream.

Agra is also the home of the famous Taj Mahal, where sparkling white majesty sets the background for the bold textiles of its visitors. While you’re there, take a break from the crowds and stroll through the emerald Mehtab Bagh, the four-part garden complex located next to the Taj Mahal.

There is certainly an endless list of things you could do as you travel through these two vibrant cities. But no matter where you go, you are guaranteed to have a colorful experience.

—Jason Cronin