25 Tourist Places In Delhi That Everyone Must Visit
So a close buddy is visiting Delhi for the first time and you are excited yet confused about showing him the tourist places in Delhi. Not your fault. The long list of tourist attractions in Delhi often gives nightmares to most established trip planners. Chill!
All you have to do is figure out what they like, and choose from our list of famous tourist places in Delhi across different categories. From monuments & temples to parks & museums, Delhi has so much in store that it won’t stop amusing you. Don’t believe us? Consider the list given below.
MONUMENTS and TEMPLES
1. The grand ‘Red Fort’
The Red Fort is an epitome of the Mughal era in India and is the face of tourist attractions in Delhi. Built in 1638, it is an outstanding marvel of Mughal architecture made of red sand stone. Within its magnanimous walls, the chhata bazaar and an every evening sound and light show are special attractions. It is one of the most famous places in Delhi.
Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians, and INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Digambar Jain Mandir, Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Paranthe wali Gali nearby
2. The glorious ‘India Gate’
India Gate is one monument that defines Delhi or India for that matter. It was built in 1931 as a memorial for martyrs of World War I and war in Afghanistan. At Rajpath, the structure looks amazing in evening lights. The gardens that line the structure are a must visit among the sightseeing places in Delhi.
Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Always open
Must visit: National Gallery of Modern Art
3. The architectural beauty called ‘Rashtrapati Bhawan’
On the opposite of the Rajpath is residence of the President of India. Not among the typical tourist places in Delhi, access to this grand piece of architecture is restricted. With four floors and 340 rooms in a floor area of 200,000 square feet, it has a huge presidential gardens (Mughal Gardens), large open spaces, residences of bodyguards and staff, stables, other offices and utilities within its perimeter walls. Just a walk past the monument will give you the idea of how grand the monument is.
Opening hours: 9 am till late evening. For an inside visit, one can pre book at the official Rashtrapati Bhawan website.
Must visit: Stroll through the road and you will get a glimpse of Parliament House, National Secretariat and Defence Headquarters
4. The mysterious ruins of ‘Qutub Minar’
Among the other places to visit in Delhi, Qutub Minar stands tall with its 73 meter tall brick minaret. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the structure has five stories abundant with chiseled carvings and scriptures.
Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: Sunrise until sunset, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Chhatarpur Temple
5. The equinoctial sundial called ‘Jantar Mantar’
Constructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory. Fascinating for their ingenuity, the instruments at Jantar Mantar can no longer be used accurately because of the tall buildings around. However, a visit to admire the science of Indian astronomy makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi.
Entry fee: INR 5
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Central Park in Connaught Place and get a selfie with the largest Tiranga
6. The first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent: ‘Humayun’s Tomb’
A world heritage site under UNESCO, the Humayun’s Tomb was built in 1570 by Humayun’s wife Haji Begum. It is unarguably one of the most amazing works of Mughal Architecture to which Taj Mahal owes its design.
Entry fee: INR 10 for domestic and SAARC Visitors, INR 250 for others
Opening hours: Daily, up till sunset. Best viewed in the morning or a full moon evening.
Must visit: If on Thursday, walk to the Dargaah of Nizam-ud-din Auliya for a spiritual qawwali evening
7. The wonderful Swaminarayan ‘Akshardham Temple’
While sightseeing in Delhi, a visit is necessarily suggested to Swaminarayan Akshardham – one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. Built by the BAPS spiritual organization, it’s a stunning architectural work made of the pink stone and white marble.
Entry fee: Free, separate fee to view exhibitions
Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Closed on Mondays8. ‘Chattarpur Temple’ for its wonderful architecture
Set amid the beautiful surroundings of South Delhi, Chattarpur is a popular temple founded in the 1970s by Sant Shree Nagpal Baba. This divine temple has an incredible architecture and it’s a perfect blend of north and south. There are beautiful statues of Shiv-Parvati, Ram-Darbar, Maa Katyayani, Radha-Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Hanuman.
Opening hours: 4:00 am – 11:00 pm
9. The stunning ‘ISKON Temple’
ISKCON is a spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. You can see the beautiful visual presentations of Bhagavad Gita with colourful lights that create wonderful effect on the huge screen. They also organize beautiful robotics and Mahabharata show during the evenings. There’s a simple Govinda’s restaurant inside the temple premises, where you get veg food.
Opening hours: 4:30 am to 8:30 pm
10. A remarkable landmark of Delhi: ‘Lotus (Bahai) Temple’
Famously known as the Lotus temple in the list of famous tourist places in Delhi, Lotus in the Bahai Temple symbolizes four religions namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam. This temple belongs to the Bahai faith which proclaims that all people and religions are united. Worshippers of every religion are welcomed here.
Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Rrom 9 am till sunset
Must visit: Kalkaji and ISKCON Temple nearby
11. One of the largest mosques in India called ‘Jama Masjid’
Among the other tourist attractions in Delhi is the largest mosque in India–Jama Masjid. It can hold 25000 devotees at a time. It was Shah Jahan’s first architectural marvel. The mosque has four towers and the southern tower gives a stunning view of the city. You’ve to be dressed appropriately to enter the mosque. If not, rent an attire provided by the mosque authority.
Entry fee: Free, but videography fee is INR 300
Opening hours: Daily, 7 am-12 pm: 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. It is closed during prayers and the timings depends upon the direction of the moon
Must visit: Try Changezi chicken at Karim’s Hotel nearby
12. One of the oldest forts in Delhi: ‘Old Fort’ (Purana Quila)
In the list of places to visit in Delhi, Purana Quila is one of the most ancient grandeurs of the city. With rectangular dimensions, it spreads over a circuit of nearly 2 kilometers. Boating in the lake nearby and a sound and light show in the evening are special attractions.
Entry fee: INR 5 for domestic, INR 100 for foreigners
Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
Must visit: National Zoo and Supreme Court Museum nearby
13. The holy ‘Bangla Sahib Gurudwara’
With the gurgling sarovar inside its complex, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783. The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital.
Entry Fee: Free
Opening hours: Everyday
Must visit: Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, Birla Mandir and St Cathedral Church nearby if you are on Delhi sightseeing
14. A memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi: ‘Raj Ghat’
Gandhi Smriti shows you the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The room is exactly how Gandhiji left it and that’s where he built his abode for 144 days until his time of death. The room where he slept and the prayer ground is open to the public. It also has a display of paintings, sculptures, etc. On the other side of the road is Raj Ghat. Overall, if you want to pay your respects to Gandhiji and the work he did for India, then this is one of the best places to visit in New Delhi.
Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Feroz Shah Kotla fort
15. The gorgeous ruins of ‘Hauz Khas Fort’ and the happening village
The Hauz Khas Fort Complex rests amidst the splendid beauty of a lake and is a 10 pointer among the very famous tourist places in Delhi. Firoz Shah Tughlaq re–excavated the silted tank and cleared the channels to give shape to what is a famous recreational spot in South Delhi. Built in the 13th century, is a hub of activities, a bird-watcher’s delight and a favored picnic spot for the locals.
Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Green Park (attached to the fort)
16. The haunted ‘Agrasen Ki Baoli’
Agrasen Ki Baoli, which is also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli is one of the coolest places to visit in Delhi. It became quite popular after Amir Khan’s PK movie and on the other hand is also infamous for its haunted activities at night. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide step well in Connaught Place attracts many. You must pay a visit to this place while exploring the lanes of CP.
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
PARKS and MUSEUMS
17. The peaceful and colorful ‘Nehru Park’
One of the most beautifully landscaped green areas, the Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri is one of the best places to visit in Delhi and is a hub for recreational activities. Any sightseeing in Delhi is incomplete without attending any of the Spic Macey Concerts and Morning- Evening Ragas concerts by MCD (organized every month). The famous annual Bhakti Festival draws audiences from all parts of India.
Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 6 am to 8 pm
18. The unique ‘Crafts Museum’
With the theme set up of a traditional village, this vintage museum in Pragati Maidan of Delhi has been preserving and nurturing the traditional crafts of India. An enormous carved temple chariot, a Gujarati haveli are the main highlights. The rear courtyard sells handicrafts made by local artisans. And the breakfast at Cafe Lota is a treat.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5 am (July to September); 9:30 am to 6 pm (October to June); closed on Mondays and national holidays
19. The fun ‘National Rail Museum’
With an exotic collection of over hundred exhibits of trains from Indian Railways, National Rail Museum is one of the coolest must visit places in Delhi, especially with your kids. Static and working models, signaling equipment, antique furniture, historical photographs, Prince of Wales’ Saloon, Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon are the major attractions. A mono toy train is the star attraction among kids.
Entry fee: INR 20
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed on Mondays and national holidays
20. The unique ‘Shankar’s International Dolls Museum’
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in New Delhi is a wonderful place to visit on your trip to Delhi. The doll museum was envisaged by the popular cartoonist, K Shankar Pillai. The museum has exclusive costume dolls collected from USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and from Asian countries. The number of dolls have increased from 3000 dolls to 6500 dolls collected from over 85 countries.
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 5.30 pm. All days of the week except Monday.
Entry fee: INR 15 for adult and INR 5 for children
MALLS and MARKETS
21. The buzzing ‘Chandni Chowk’
The main street of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk is the heart of Delhi. Chaotically competing for space, its narrow lanes are filled with shops to buy inexpensive stuff. Also, Street food just doesn’t get better than Chandni Chowk.
Must visit: The Flea Market every Sunday morning, Nayi Sadak, Dariyaganj
22. The inexpensive ‘Palika Bazaar’ and ‘Janpath Market’, CP
An underground market located between the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place, Palika Bazar houses 15,000 people within its confines at any given time. Set up in the late 1970s, it has 380 numbered shops selling a varied range of objects where electronic items and clothing are dominant and is one of the best places to visit in Delhi for all the shopaholics.
Janpath Market is another market in CP & the lane connects it to Lodhi Road. This place overflows with the shops and stalls at the roadside selling large numbers of goods.
Opening hours: 10 am till late late evening
P.S. Apart from these, there are places, I bet you, which offer such wide ranges and throw away prices that you can be that ‘must-to-go-shopping-with guy’. Go to Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, and Karol Bagh.
23. ‘Sarojini Nagar Market’, a heaven for shopaholics
One of the best places to shop accessories and clothes in Delhi at cheap prices is Sarojini Nagar Market, and everyone who’s exploring Delhi must visit this market. It’s probably the biggest and the most important markets of the city. From gorgeous pair of cheap to branded dresses for parties, one can get everything in this market at a throwaway price.
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. All days of the week except Monday
24. The classy ‘Select Citywalk’, Saket
A premier shopping mall located in the Saket District Centre, Select Citywalk is a 1,300,000 square feet retail development is spread over 6 acres. It includes a multiplex, serviced apartments, offices, 180 odd retail outlets and a food court along with an open plaza. It is one of the finest and classiest places to visit in Delhi and a heaven for shopping enthusiasts.
Opening hours: 11 am till late evening
ART and CULTURE
25. An open-air craft bazaar called ‘Dilli Haat’
An open air food plaza cum craft bazaar, Dilli Haat is situated near INA and is run by the Delhi Tourism Authority (DTTDC). Artisans and craftsmen from all over the country gather here to showcase and sell their handicrafts. And for the guests, there is plenty of options when it comes to food. It offers savory cuisines from all over.
Entry fee: INR 20
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm, Daily
Must visit: For theatre performances in Delhi, a visit to any of the theatres near Mandi House is suggested.
For someone who is religiously Delhiite, it has been a tough time zeroing down on a list of 20 tourist attractions in Delhi. The blogger has brought to you the marquee places of the City and, trust me you, the list goes way beyond 20. With a lot more to offer – dilwalon ki Dilli is a huge amusement park with free entry.
So, show your Delhi to your friend and tell us how useful the list came out for you?
Awesome Information!!!!
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