10 important places to visit in Delhi is both a union territory within India, as well as a city, and features two very different worlds: New Delhi and Old Delhi. The former, inaugurated by the British in 1931 to serve as the imperial capital, is the nation’s modern capital and seat of government, while Old Delhi is considered by many as the symbolic heart of the greater metropolitan area.
One of the most populous regions in the world – it boasts a population of nearly 20 million people – Delhi is a heady mix of tradition and modernity, and is important as both a religious center and India’s busiest international gateway. Its history is as old as the ancient Yamuna River, one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism and a natural dividing line between New Delhi to the west and Old Delhi to the east.
Things to see and do in Delhi and New Delhi are plentiful and include experiencing its diverse arts and crafts industry, its many magnificent monuments, and countless performing arts venues. The area is also well known for its excellent cuisine, which includes delicacies from every corner of India. Delhi is also a shopper’s paradise with numerous bazaars and markets, including Chandni Chowk, the country’s most famous commercial area Delhi Tour Packages.
Find the best places to visit in this bustling, vibrant city with our list of the top tourist attractions in Delhi, India.
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 Delhi Tourism.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed on Sundays.
Entry fee: Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC: 10 INR. Foreigners: 250 INR. No fees for children below the age of 15.
Nearest metro station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station.
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.
The white dome and the Mughal Gardens, both compete for your attention upon your visit. 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 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: 10 INR for Indians & 250 INR for Foreigners (Adults), Video Filming: 25 INR, Photography: Free.
Nearest metro station: Jor Bagh
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar, the 238 feet 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.
The minar though, is a part of the Qutub complex, which consists of other significanthistorical structures like Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar and a pillared cuppola called “Smith’s Folly” (because Major Robert Smith of the British Indian Army thought he was enhacing its aesthetic value by creating a 6th storey by adding the cupola, only to realize how silly it looked & having it removed) 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Qutub Minar also finds a place in any list of top 10 most visited tourist attractions by foreign tourists in Delhi.
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. It remains closed on Sundays.
Entry fee: INR 40 for Indians, SAARC & BIMSTEC, INR 600 for Foreigners, Free for children up to 15 years.
Nearest metro station: Qutub Minar
India Gate
Among the other historical monuments in Delhi, India Gate strikes a different chord. Standing at 42 meters, and bearing a striking resemblance to the Arch de Triomphe in France, it is the largest war memorial in India. It is also the site where the parade is organised on Republic Day every year.
Designed by Sir Edward Lutyems, it is dedicated to 82,000 Indian and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and Third Anglo-Afghan War. Just beneath the archway stands the Amar Jawan Jyoti, constructed in December 1971 to commemorate the soldiers of the Indian Army who attained martrydom. You can enjoy a picnic near India Gate and enjoy an early morning walk towards it 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
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.
Timings: Open all day.
Nearest metro station: Mandi House
Lotus Temple
Try to fit Lotus Temple in South Delhi in your one day Delhi sightseeing itinerary, the experience will be worth it. The temple, which is a Bahai house of worhsip, is built like pristine white petals of a lotus neatly arranged side by side. 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. The message of the temple is that Almighty is One. Meditating in a place of worship without any distractions, this is the place to have that experience 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: October-March: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, April-September: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM. The temple is closed on Mondays.
Nearest metro station: Kalkaji metro station
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 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. The prime attraction is the idol of Lord Swaminarayana along with 20,000 deities 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibition fee: 220 INR for adults, 170 INR for senior citizens, 120 INR for children from 4 to 11 years.
Nearest metro station: Akshardham Mandir
Lodhi Gardens
Among the popular historical monuments in Delhi, Lodhi Gardens attract two types of tourists. Those who visit it for its historical importance and fitness enthusiats 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.
The gardens house the tomb of the Sayyid ruler, Mohammad Shah and Lodhi king, Sikandar Lodhi. Some of the monuments located inside the gardens are Tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyad, Bara Gumbad, Sikandar Lodhi’s Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad, Water Tank and Eight Pier Bridge 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
Nearest metro station: Jor Bagh
Agrasen Ki Baoli
Before modern plumbing, people relied on stepwells 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, a film shoot and people looking to experience the paranormal.
There are 103 stone steps, and as my descend, you 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 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Nearest metro station: Barakhambha Road or Rajiv Chowk Metro Station
Jama Masjid
Any list with the title “top 10 tourist attractions in Delhi” will mention Jama Masjid, built under the reign of Shah Jahan. 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.
Here are some statistics to prove that: its courtyard can accommodate 25,000 people at any given time, it stretches across 1200 square meters, there are 3 gateways, 4 towers & 2 minarets, each of which are 40 meters high, and is visible from a distance of 5 kilometers 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM, Non Muslims: 8:00 AM – 30 minutes before sunset, Minaret 9 AM – 5.30 PM.
Entry Fee: INR 200 – Photography; INR 100 – Tower.
Nearest metro station: Jama Masjid
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 kilometers, but today, only a few sections of it are accessible to the visitors.
It is 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 10 important places to visit in Delhi.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 5 – Indians, INR 200 – Foreigners, Video – INR 25
Nearest metro station: Pragati Maidan