The 18 Best Places to Visit in Delhi to Get a Taste of the City in All Its Flavours

The question which you are likely to face while exploring Delhi is not if there are enough tourist places, but rather, which of them should you select for a sightseeing tour? It is rich in heritage, culture, bustling markets, swanky neighbourhoods and gardens, should you want to see the greener side of this capital city of India.

The city is also one of contrasts, in almost any way you think. One fine morning, you may find yourself wading through a sea of humanity at Chandni Chowk, and in the evening, enjoying the solitude of Lodhi Gardens, a famous tourist attraction that is an island of peace. What is certain is that a dull moment is hard to come by, there is so much on offer! It is crowded, and often chaotic, but that is the essential character of the city, and with time, you learn to fall in love with it. In this blog, we bring you the best 18 places to visit in Delhi which show you the city in all its colours and flavours.

List of 18 Must Visit Tourist Attractions in Delhi Sightseeing Tour

• Prime Minister Museum
• Red Fort
• Akshardham Temple
• Connaught Place
• Humayun Tomb
• National Zoological Park
• Qutub Minar
• Chandi Chowk
• India Gate
• Lotus Temple
• Agrasen Ki Baoli
• Jama Masjid
• Lodhi Gardens
• Dilli Haat
• Rajghat
• Purana Qila
• Mughal Garden (Amrit Udyan)
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Check out:  Delhi Sightseeing Tourism Packages

Prime Minister Museum (Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya)

On April 14, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, also known as the Prime Ministers’ Museum. Situated on Teen Murti Marg, the museum honours every Indian prime minister since independence and is next to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML). In addition to mementos, there’s a simulated helicopter ride and an audio-visual tour with talks from the Red Fort.

The estate was the ideal location for the museum because it was formerly home to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Toshakhana Zone, located in Building I of the museum, showcases the valuables that were donated to notable figures including Nehru, Manmohan Singh, Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi. The documents and discussions produced by the Constituent Assembly are on display in the Making of the Constitution chamber. The India-China War Room contains wartime photos and documents.

The Prime Ministers of India are introduced in a Parichay chamber located in Building II. Each Indian prime minister’s zone features their bio, speeches, and other content.

Timings:

• March to October – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• November to February – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays and Gazetted Holidays

Entry Fees:

• Students up to Class 12 – Free
• Adult – INR 20
• Foreign nationals – INR 350

Nearest Metro Station – Lok Kalyan Marg

Red Fort

If you ask anybody about the best places to explore in Delhi, they will, most of the time, begin by saying the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is enormous and gets people thinking about the duration and effort that must have gone into building it.

It served as the official set of Mughal authority from 1648, after Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal emperor, decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. It gets its reddish look from red sandstone which was the primary material used in its construction.

This massive work of architecture, which served as the Mughal rulers’ primary home, gets its name from its impenetrable walls made of red sandstone. It served as the residence for the emperors and their families as well as the Mughal state’s political and ceremonial hub and the scene of important events that influenced the surrounding area.

Today, this monument houses many museums that showcase a variety of valuable items. The Indian Prime Minister hoists the national flag here on Independence Day each year.

Timings – 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed on Sundays.

Entry Fee:

• Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC – 10 INR
• Foreigners – 250 INR
• Children below the age of 15 – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Chandni Chowk

Also Read: Popular Heritage Tourism Sites in Delhi

Akshardham Temple

A sightseeing tour in Delhi is incomplete without visiting the Akshardham Temple, particularly so for those with a spiritual bent of mind. Built in 2005, it finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple. That is reason enough to visit it. The temple features eight grandly carved mandapams, and its walls are covered in vibrant devotional traditions and ageless Hindu teachings.

The architecture dominates the skyline as well as the minds of those who visit it. There is also a stepwell within the temple complex, believed to be the largest in India. It is devoted to Lord Swaminarayan and is also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham. The prime attraction is the idol of Lord Swaminarayana along with 20,000 deities. The captivating water display, an open garden, Narayan Sarovar, several excursions, and ceremonies are all located inside the Akshardham complex.

Timings – 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Exhibition Fee:

• Adults – 220 INR
• Senior citizens -170 INR
• Children from 4 to 11 years – 120 INR

Nearest Metro Station – Akshardham

Also Read: Popular Hindu Temples in Delhi

Connaught Place

To others, it’s Connaught Place, to Delhiites, it’s simply “CP”. You will recognise it from a distance by its colonnade and the rows of swanky stores with globally renowned brands, besides fast food chains, bars and restaurants. This is still the go-to place for those who prefer the traditionally stylish way of doing things or spending a day out. This place is named after the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.

Constantly buzzing with hustle and bustle, it is covered with toy stores, vintage cinemas like Regal Cinema, and galleries of contemporary art. This was the location of the first ice cream shop, toy store, and art gallery in Delhi. It is pricier than Shanghai, downtown Boston, and Dubai, and the tenth most expensive office market.

What should you know before visiting it is that there are 2 concentric circles: the Inner Circle & Outer Circle. Other than Hauz Khas, this is where most of Delhi’s nightlife comes to life, making it the best place to visit for couples in Delhi!

Timings (for the markets) – 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM (except Sundays)

Nearest Metro Station – Rajiv Chowk

Also Check out: Popular Shopping Markets in Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb is first in two things: it was the first garden-tomb on the subcontinent of India and also the first structure built using red sandstone. This famous tourist attraction of Delhi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Humayun Tomb is located in Delhi’s Nizamuddin East neighbourhood, beside the Yamuna River’s banks.

The mausoleum of Humayun is a prime example of Mughal architecture blended with Persian elements, masterminded by the renowned Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. Its construction was commissioned by Empress Bega Begum, the first wife of Emperor Humayun. Today, the mausoleum houses the remains of several famous Mughal emperors, wives, sons and descendants. The white dome and the Gardens, both compete for your attention upon your visit.

Timings – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Indians – 10 INR
• Foreigners (Adults) – 250 INR
• Video Filming – 25 INR
• Photography – Free.

Nearest Metro Station – Jor Bagh

Also Check out:  Must Visit Memorials in Delhi

National Zoological Park

Chidiya Ghar, also known as the National Zoological Park, was established in 1959 and is a popular weekend destination for both adults and kids in Delhi. It is located close to The Old Fort. The majority of visitors to the well-maintained National Zoological Park are tourists. If one runs out of fuel, one can utilise the reasonably priced battery-operated cars and canteens inside for other guests. But taking a foot tour of the area is where the true enjoyment lies.

Try including the National Zoological Park during your Delhi Darshan Sightseeing Tour. You will have a wonderful time watching the various animals, particularly the visitors’ favourites like the Royal Bengal Tiger, spider monkey, chimpanzee, hippopotamus and Indian Rhinoceros. Bird lovers can spot exotic birds like the Great Indian Hornbill, while reptiles like the Indian Cobra, diadem snake and Indian Sand Boa always manage to extract admiration from visitors.

Timings – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Entry Fee for Indians:

• Adults – INR 40
• Children (below 3 ft.) – Free
• Children (between 3-5ft)– INR 20
• Senior Citizens– INR 40.

Entry Fee for Foreigners:

• Adults – INR 200
• Children (below 5 yrs) – Free
• Children (above 5 years) – INR 100

Nearest Metro Station – Supreme Court

Also Check out: Best Children Entertainment Parks in Delhi

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar, the 238-foot-tall minaret, is a matter of pride for Delhi Tourism, so much so that it is featured on the tokens & travel cards issued by the DMRC. Take a closer look next time you are issued one! It was in 1993 that UNESCO declared it a heritage site and is the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. Qutub Minar also finds a place in any list of the top 10 most visited tourist attractions by foreign tourists in Delhi.

Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, began building it in 1192 after defeating Delhi’s last Hindu ruler. Iltutmish, his son-in-law and heir, took on the construction after he finished building the basement, adding three more storeys. Firoz Shah Tuglak constructed the building’s fourth and fifth stories.

The minar though, is a part of the Qutub complex, which consists of other significant historical structures like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar and a pillared cupola called “Smith’s Folly” (because Major Robert Smith of the British Indian Army thought he was enhancing its aesthetic value by creating a 6th storey by adding the cupola, only to realise how silly it looked & having it removed).

Timings – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Closed on Sundays.

Entry Fee:

• Indians – SAARC & BIMSTEC – INR 40
• Foreigners – INR 600
• Children below 15 years – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Qutub Minar

Also Read: Jantar Mantar Delhi: History, Visiting Time & Interesting Facts

Chandni Chowk

Chances are that Chandni Chowk will find a mention in any travel guide to Delhi. Despite the crowds which shoulder their way right and left, you should pay a visit to it to feel the pulse of this city. Chaotic, overpopulated and yet seemingly finding a way to function. It also has a historical significance, like most things in Delhi, as it’s one of the oldest markets.

In Delhi, this area has been called a “shoppers paradise” since the 17th century. Its centre included a canal bordered by trees that reflected the moon under the rule of Shah Jahan. Thus, the term “moonlight place,” or Chandni Chowk, was formed.

Chandni Chowk is one of the popular shopping places in Delhi. Stretched out opposite the Red Fort, it’s a lively hotpotch of people, shops, rickshaw pullers, eateries & entangled wires overhead that seem to reflect the entanglement below. You will find items ranging from electronics, perfumes and lifestyle goods to jewellery, at incredible discounts!

Famous Shopping Markets in Chandni Chowk

• Dariba Kalan
• Nai Sarak
• Bhagirath Palace
• Katra Neel
• Kucha Choudhary Market
• Ballimaran Market
• Chawri Bazaar
• Kinari Bazar Khari Baoli
• Fatehpuri Market

Timings – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

• The market is closed on Sundays

Nearest Metro Station – Chandni Chowk

Also Check out: Palika Bazaar Shopping Market

India Gate

Among the other historical monuments in Delhi, India Gate strikes a different chord. Designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, it is dedicated to 82,000 Indian and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Standing at 42 metres, and bearing a statue of Subhas Chandra Bose, it is the largest war memorial in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the newly constructed statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in front of the India Gate on September 8, 2022. It is also the site where the parade is organised on Republic Day every year.

Amar Jawan Jyoti, also known as the flame of the immortal soldier, is a memorial to Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971.  Every year on Republic Day, Vijay Diwas, and Infantry Day, the Chiefs of the Armed Forces and the Prime Minister lay tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial and the one at India Gate combined on January 21, 2022.

The government announced plans to build a National War Memorial and an associated National War Museum in the C-Hexagon (India Gate Circle) in July 2014. In January 2019, the National War Memorial was finished and has housed the Amar Jawan Jyoti since January 2022.

You can enjoy a picnic near India Gate with your family, as it’s also a famous picnic spot, and also enjoy an early morning walk towards it. One can take long walks in the newly built Kartavya Path. The recently renamed Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath, runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and has red granite paths with vegetation all around, renovated canals, state-specific food stalls, new utility blocks, and vending kiosks, was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Timings – Open 24hrs

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Mandi House or Central Secretariat

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• Delhi Darshan Day Sightseeing Tour

Lotus Temple

Try to fit Lotus Temple in South Delhi into your one-day Delhi sightseeing itinerary, the experience will be worth it. The temple, which is a Bahai house of worship, is built like pristine white petals of a lotus neatly arranged side by side. Lotus Temple is one of the world’s seven Baha’i Houses of Worship. Fariborz Sahba, a Canadian architect, conceptualised and designed this shrine, which was finished in 1986. Anybody can visit the temple, regardless of religion, race or gender.

The all-inclusiveness of the temple goes further than that: inside, you can read or chant religious texts of any faith. As you enter the temple complex, you will notice an amazing entrance gate, gorgeous floral gardens, and dazzling lakes. The message of the temple is that Almighty is One. Meditating in a place of worship without any distractions is the place to have that experience.

Timings:

• October-March – 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• April-September – 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Kalkaji

Also Read:  Famous Temples in Delhi

Agrasen Ki Baoli

This historical landmark, also known as Agar Sain Ki Baoli or Agrasen ki Baoli, is located on Halley Road in New Delhi. Nestled among downtown Delhi’s residential complexes and corporate skyscrapers. Before modern plumbing, people relied on step wells for their daily water requirements like drinking, washing and bathing. Agrasen Ki Baoli is one such stepwell which was later abandoned. This must-visit place in Delhi today serves the purpose of photography shoots, film shoots and people looking to experience the paranormal.

Agrasen Ki Baoli is an outstanding structure that spans 60 metres in length and 15 metres in breadth. It is thought to have been constructed sometime around the Mahabharata period. The lowest portions of the baoli are occasionally visible to be immersed in water, indicating that the reservoir continues to fulfil its original function. There are 103 stone steps, and as one descends, one can feel a drop in temperature. The steps are built over 3 levels, with each level consisting of a landing where people can sit, rest, relax and just take in the ancient feel.

Timings – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Barakhamba Road or Rajiv Chowk

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• Top Attractions for Art Lovers in Delhi

Jama Masjid

Any list with the title “top 10 tourist attractions in Delhi” will mention Jama Masjid. The greatest mosque in India was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is called the Jama Masjid, or “Masjid-I Jahan-Numa,” in Delhi. It is a mosque, and therefore, a place of worship for Muslims primarily. But it is also a heritage attraction, as much for its historical significance as its impressive proportions.

Situated in the heart of Chandni Chowk, an older area of Delhi, Jama Masjid is encircled by stunning Mughal buildings. It took five thousand people, one million rupees at the time, and six years (1650–1656) to finish the structure. There are 121 stairs leading up to the entryway, and in the evening, these steps are lined with food and bookstalls.

Every year on the holy day of Eid, the mosque welcomes thousands of pilgrims who come to perform a special morning Namaz. Here are some statistics to prove that: its courtyard can accommodate 25,000 people at any given time, it stretches across 1200 square metres, there are 3 gateways, 4 towers & 2 minarets, each of which are 40 metres high, and is visible from a distance of 5 kilometres.

Timings:

• All days – 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Non-Muslims – 8:00 AM – 30 minutes before sunset
• Minaret – 9:00 AM – 5.30 PM

Entry Fee:

• Photography – INR 200
• Tower – INR 100

Nearest Metro Station – Jama Masjid

Also Read: Popular Mosques & Muslim Pilgrimage Sites in Delhi

Lodhi Gardens

After India won its freedom from the British, Lodhi Garden was renamed from its previous name, Lady Willingdon Park. Among the popular historical monuments in Delhi, Lodhi Garden attracts two types of tourists. Those who visit it for its historical importance and fitness enthusiasts who find it the best place to enjoy their morning & evening walks. Those who organise or take a heritage walk cannot miss out on this popular tourist attraction in Delhi. Lodhi Garden is Located near the Safdarjung tomb and Khan Market of Delhi.

This structure is the pinnacle of fine engineering that pays homage to Delhi’s rich past. It combines the styles of Sayyids and Lodhis. This site is now looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. The gardens house the tomb of the Sayyid ruler, Mohammad Shah and the Lodhi king, Sikandar Lodhi. Some of the monuments located inside the gardens are the Tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyad, Bara Gumbad, Sikandar Lodhi’s Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad, Water Tank and Eight Pier Bridge.

Timings – 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Jor Bagh

Check out: Must Visit Gardens & Parks in Delhi

Dilli Haat

All that is beautiful in rural India, tasty, artistic, exotic, aesthetic and wonderful, can be found in the popular tourist attraction in Delhi known as Dilli Haat. Although there are 3 of them in Delhi: Pitampura, Janakpuri and INA. The most famous one is located in South Delhi, and is popularly known as Dilli Haat INA. The market, or haat, as it’s called in a rural setting, resembles a traditional village fair.

Covering an enormous 6 acres, the area was first taken back as part of a restoration operation, and in 1994 it was transformed into a food plaza and cultural market. After clearing the area and laying the foundation, little thatched-roofed homes and cottages were built to create a village atmosphere, and the food market plaza was ready to go. There are now numerous stalls there, some of which are shifted to other craftspeople every 15 to 30 days.

The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) manages it. You come across rows of stalls selling traditional crafts, handloom products, camel leather footwear, sophisticated fabric and drapery, gems, beads, metal crafts. You can also get a taste of the various cuisines from all over India at the various food stalls.

Timings – 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Adults – INR 30
• Kids up to 12 years – INR 20
• Foreigners: INR 100

Nearest Metro Station – Delhi Haat – INA

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• 100 Holiday Activities for Kids in and around Delhi

Rajghat

Mahatma Gandhi’s message was easy to understand but effective: simple living, high thinking. This simplicity is reflected in the cenotaph which commemorates his memory at the Rajghat. It is a simple black marble structure which sits in the middle of a beautiful garden.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Choudhary Charan Singh, Giani Zail Singh, Jagjivan Ram, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Devi Lal, Chandra Shekhar, and I.K. Gujral have samadhis or memorials in Rajghat. Raj Ghat, which means King’s Bank, originates from its location on the bank of the Yamuna River.

This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Every Friday, a prayer is held, since that is the day he died. There is also a museum beside the Rajghat called the National Gandhi Museum where a gallery showcases his personal artefacts like paintings, walking sticks, shawls and dhoti. It is a popular tourist attraction obviously, attracting tourists not just from India but also from abroad.

Timings – 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Delhi Gate

Also Read About

• Veer Bhumi Rajiv Gandhi Memorial
• APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Delhi

Purana Qila

Purana Qila is a popular heritage attraction in Delhi which lies close to the National Zoological Park. It is gigantic in size, spread over an area of 1.5 kilometres, but today, only a few sections of it are accessible to the visitors. The massive fort includes three gates and a lake, which is presently utilised for boating. If one wants to spend some peaceful time in the summer, the lush green lawns gently graced with various shade trees are a refuge. The fort, built in typical Mughal design and embellished with lavish ornamentation, draws history followers and archaeology enthusiasts on a daily basis.

Built on the banks of the Yamuna, the monument is filled with mediaeval tales and stories. The most intriguing of which claims that the Pandavas constructed the mediaeval Hindu city of Indraprastha here, and the fort was the great assembly hall documented in the epic Mahabharat. It is also believed to be the same fort where Emperor Humayun lost his life by falling down the stairs in his library. Do not miss out the light and sound show on the “seven cities of Delhi” held every evening.

Timings – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Indians – INR 5
• Foreigners – INR 200
• Video – INR 25

Nearest Metro Station – Supreme Court

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• Delhi Nightlife Guide

Amrit Udyan (Mughal Garden)

On the occasion of the commemoration of 75 years of independence as “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” the famous Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi was recently renamed as Amrit Udyan.

The Mughal Gardens, situated within the Rashtrapati Bhawan Complex, are the well-known “soul” of the Presidential Palace. The gardens, which span 13 acres and were created by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1917 for Lady Harding, are a magnificent example of how Mughal and British architectural styles can coexist.

The Mughal Gardens in Delhi have succeeded in replicating the attractiveness and producing the ideal verdant vista, drawing inspiration from the ones situated in Jammu and Kashmir. Awe-inspiring circular, spiritual, bonsai, herbal, tactile, and musical gardens are found throughout the whole complex. The gardens are home to a wide range of flowers that bloom according to the seasons, creating an overall euphoric and stunning scene.

Timings – The time and the dates of public visits change annually.

Entry Fee – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Central Secretariat

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Delhi’s Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a popular tourist destination as well as a Sikh shrine. This exquisite monument was constructed in 1783 by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh temples in Delhi the same year under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The shrine was established to commemorate the visit of Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh guru, in 1664. The Gurudwara, which is open twenty-four hours a day, is a symbol of the generosity of Sikhs. In a single day, almost a thousand individuals visit this haven of comfort.

The Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a higher secondary school, a hospital, a library, and a sacred Sarovar, or lake, are all placed inside the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib complex. Visitors get “Kada Prasad” and at a certain hour, complimentary langar or “community meals” are offered. It is required to cover one’s head, place shoes outside of doorways, and wash one’s feet in warm water before entering. Additionally, it features a “Yatri Niwas,” or tourist house. The almost 24-hour-long Paath and Shabads (holy chants) establish a direct line of communication with the divine force.

Timings – Open 24hrs

Community Meals or Langar Timings – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Entry Fees – Free

Nearest Metro Station – Rajiv Chowk

These are the 18 best places which you should visit in Delhi that give you an overall idea about its rich past and present. There are plenty of options for sightseeing, shopping and other activities which you can enjoy with your family or as a couple. What do you think about these tourist places in Delhi?

What makes them so famous and how many of them have you visited so far? Let us know!

Other Important Delhi Tourism Resources

• Complete Delhi Travel Guide
• Best Time to Visit Delhi

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