Top 8 Things To Do in New Delhi is the capital of India, and as a tourist, offers plentiful opportunities for sightseeing & having an enjoyable time. It served as the capital of British & Mughal empires in the past, both of which built magnificent structures during their rule. Many of them are top tourist attractions in Delhi, including Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Parliament House & Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Besides going on a sightseeing tour of Delhi to explore its historical legacy, shopping is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Delhi. The most famous shopping places in Delhi are Dilli Haat, Janpath Market, Khan Market, Sarojini Market, Lajpat Nagar & Chandni Chowk.
Connaught Place, with its colonnaded Georgian style buildings, global chain stores, stylish restaurants & bars. Taking a ride in the Delhi Metro is an easy & convenient way of exploring Delhi, since several tourist attractions are located in close proximity to the metro stations Delhi Tour Packages.
Delhi also offers ample scope for those tourists who possess a spiritual bent of mind & wish to visit religious places. The most famous religious places in India visited by tourists are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Mandir, Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Kalkaji Mandir, Chhatarpur Temple, Sri Aurobindo Ashram & Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Visit India Gate
India Gate, one of the most popular Indian monuments and one of the first stops on most traveler itineraries, is famous for its majestic structure, beautiful fountains that have been carved in sandstone, and plush lawns. The gate was built by Lutyens to commemorate the thousands of Indian soldiers who died during World War I and during the Afghan war. The names of each soldier has been inscribed on its walls and an eternal flame burns below the gate ever since 1971. An ideal time to visit the India Gate is during the evening, once the structure is bathing in the surrounding lights.
Good to know: India Gate stands in the centre of a large park – the park is always open, and entrance is free. It is a popular picnic spot for Delhiites and is usually busy, making it a good place for people-watching.
Do not miss the Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple, a sanctuary for those looking for some peace and quiet, is considered to be one of the most recognizable landmarks in Delhi because of its unique architecture. The temple has been designed to resemble the shape of a lotus, with 27 petals created out of marble. The temple might be dedicated to the Bahá’í people, but people from all sorts of religious backgrounds come here for worship. Don’t forget to leave your shoes in the shoe room before entering the temple and spend some time in its beautifully manicured gardens.
Good to know: The Lotus Temple is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:30.
Spend some time at Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb is famous as the most captivating and perfectly proportioned mausoleum in Delhi. The tomb has been built in such a way that it seems to float over the lush gardens that surround it. Designed for the Mughal emperor Humayun, the structure is known to date back to the mid-16th century. It features Mughal and Persian elements and is totally worth a visit. The entire complex follows the rules of Islamic geometry and special emphasis has been provided to the number 8. To the right of the complex, you can also find the Isa Khan tomb, which is considered to be one of the best examples of Lodi-era architecture.
Good to know: The monument is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There is a charge of USD 7 for foreign visitorsThere is no charge for photography but a fee is payable for filming. The nearest metro station is JLN Stadium.
Go to Qutub Minar
The ancient Qutub Minar finds its way into most of the things to do in Delhi lists because of the experience that it offers. Considered to be the tallest brick minaret in the world, Qutub Minar is an exciting example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It features 5 distinct storeys, with each storey covered with writings from the Koran and intricate carvings. The complex is full of ancient ruins and monuments and the architectural magnificence on display is truly special. Other popular sights in its immediate vicinity include the Ashokan pillar, an iron column which is believed to be about 1600 years old, and the Quwwat-ul-Islam, the very first mosque of India.
Good to know: Foreign visitors must pay an entrance fee of USD 8. The monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Fun fact: The Qutub Minar complex is considered the first set of monuments of Muslim India – the Qutab Minar itself was begun in 1200 CE by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi.
Explore the Red Fort
The Red Fort of Delhi, or Lal Qila, is a Mughal fortress which surrounds an ancient city. Tourists are allowed to view its ancient mosques, architecture, halls and structures and discover the rich history associated with the Mughal-era Delhi. This massive fort might be a shadow of its former self, but it is still known to evoke feelings of splendor and remind visitors of the grandeur of this historic Delhi. Although most of the precious stones and gold that once decorated this fort were cleared out by its conquerors, the fascinating architecture still manages to make the fort stand out among the countless historic wonders located all over the Indian capital.
Good to know: Red Fort is open Tuesday to Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for foreign visitors is priced USD 7, and there is an additional fee for filming. Prices for the daily light and sound show are USD 1.
Fun fact: Red Fort was originally known as Qila-e-Mubarak, meaning ‘Blessed Fort’ and is the largest historical monument in Delhi.
Be awe-inspired in Akshardham Temple
A relatively new addition to the capital’s collection of monumental architecture, the Akshardham Temple, consecrated in 2005, is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘largest comprehensive Hindu temple’ in the world. Consisting of intricately-decorated central temple building — the Akshardham Mandir, as well as exhibition halls, a water fountain and an expanse of ornate gardens, the complex took 11,000 artisans five years to construct, and it is estimated that 70% of all tourists to Delhi now visit the site. The Akshardham Temple showcases 10,000 years of Indian culture and proudly represents the country’s rich architectural heritage and profound spirituality. Since its opening, it has quickly established itself as one of Delhi’s most unmissable sights.
Good to know: The Akshardham Temple opens at 9:30 and last entry is at 18:30. Entry to the temple complex is free but tickets are required to the exhibition and the Musical Fountain. Children under 4 are free. Photography is forbidden inside the complex and all electronic equipment must be left in the cloakroom.
Relax at Lodi Gardens
This enchanting park is considered to be one of the most favorite hangouts in Delhi. From power yielding politicians to ardent teenagers, you can find all sorts of people at the Lodi Gardens. The gardens were created to host the tombs of Lodi and Sayyid rulers, but are mostly famous as a much needed respite of green in an oasis of concrete. The tombs of Sikander Lodi and Mohammed Shah are also known to be worth a watch. There’s an ancient eight piered bridge known as the Athpula which dates back to the time of Emperor Akbar as well.
Good to know: Lodi Gardens is open every day from morning to evening (from around 05:00 to 20:00). Entrance is free and there is no fee for photography either. The nearest metro station is JLN Stadium.
Experience a different culture at Jama Masjid
The largest Islamic mosque in the city, Jama Masjid, was constructed way back in the 17th century. The imposing building is an iconic landmark of Old Delhi and an important place of worship.
The mosque can hold up to 25,000 people and the sight of such a number, especially during Friday prayers, is a scene to behold.
The main structure has multiple entry points, all of which eventually lead to the main deck. Entry is free and open to all nationalities, except that you need to cover up from head to toe. A nominal fee for photography is levied if one intends to take pictures Top 8 Things To Do in New Delhi.
