Delhi is the capital of India and it has a lot of popular destinations for tourists. It is heaven for people who love shopping and food. As per the 2011 census, the population of Delhi was over 11 million. Delhi is the commercial hub as well as the political center of India. There are a lot of historical places in Delhi like Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, etc. The best time to visit Delhi is between October and March. It is a perfect place to visit for a family in one day as you can find various places for sightseeing and adventures. It is heaven for shoppers as you can find a lot of markets. Also, you can find a lot of cafes and coffee shops in Delhi where you can chill and relax with your friends.
Delhi Darshan:
Tourists can view all the beautiful places to visit in Delhi easily with the help of Delhi Darshan. You will travel in an AC bus and it will take you to all the places for sightseeing in Delhi. This way you can comfortably travel, and you don’t even have to face the heat of Delhi. There are fixed timing and fair prices, and you can see which places are included in Delhi Darshan. If you do not want to opt for this then you can travel by yourself. There are various modes of transportation available like Bus, Metro, Auto, etc. in Delhi with the help of which you can easily reach anywhere.
Things to Do in Delhi:
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or someone who simply enjoys the company of loved ones, Delhi has something for everyone. We’ll guide you through a diverse range of activities and things to do in Delhi.
- Visit India Gate.
- Visit famous landmarks to explore historical treasures and take memorable photos.
- Visit Akshardham Temple.
- Adventure at Kingdom of Dreams.
- Dilli Darshan by Metro.
- Visit various art galleries in Delhi.
- Have a picnic at Lodhi Gardens.
- Spend quality time with your family at the Delhi Zoo.
- Enjoy a family outing to the National Rail Museum.
- Pay your respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
- Discover the hidden roadways of Old Delhi.
Famous Places to Visit in Delhi
Delhi is a very busy place throughout the year. This incredible city is home to three world heritage sites and that is Humayun’s tomb, Red Fort, and Qutub Minar. In Delhi, you can find everything including cultural monuments, amusement parks, delicious street food, religious places, etc. Here, we have mentioned some of the best places to visit in Delhi.
1. India Gate – War Memorial of All India
Earlier, it was known as the ‘All India War Memorial‘ and it was built to commemorate 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives during the First World War between 1914 to 1921 and the third Anglo-Afghan war. The India Gate is 42 meters tall and it was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The foundation stone of the India Gate was laid down in the year 1921 and it was unveiled in the year 1931 by Indian Viceroy Lord Irwin.
Below the India Gate, there is a small shrine-like structure that is known as ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ and it always has a fire burning in it. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was erected to commemorate the Indian soldiers martyred in the war of the liberation of Bangladesh. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 26th January 1972. There is no entry fee to visit India Gate and it is open 24/7. India gate looks astonishing at night and you can visit here with friends and family.
2. Red Fort – A Historic Fort In Delhi
The Red Fort was built in the year 1638 by emperor Shah Jahan. Every year on Independence Day Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the fort’s main gate and delivers a speech. It is built from red sandstone and has marvelous architecture which is also included in the list of historical sites of India. One of the major attractions of Red Fort is the amazing light and sound show.
Earlier it was known as Quila-E-Mubarak or the Blessed fort. The light and sound show is held every evening except Monday, and you can learn about the history of the fort. The show is in English and Hindi language. The timings for the Hindi show are from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM and for the English, the show is 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Best Time to Visit Red Fort
The best time to visit the Red fort is between September and March because the weather is pleasant during that time.
3. Akshardham Temple – Famous Hindu Temple In Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is one of the largest Hindu temples that is constructed in pink sandstone and Carrara marble. The temple is 43 meters high and 96 meters wide and you can see flora, fauna, deities, musicians, and dancers carved in it. There are various activities that you can do here at Akshardham temple,
Sahjanand Darshan (Hall of Values)
It displays the incidents from the life of Swaminarayan and displays his message related to the importance of peace, harmony, and devotion to God.
Neelkanth Darshan (Theatre)
It is a theatre that shows a 40-minute film, Neelkanth Yatra which displays a seven-year pilgrimage made by Swaminarayan. The duration of this film is 45 minutes, and it is available in both Hindi and English language.
Sanskruti Darshan (Boat Ride)
It is a 12- to 15-minute journey that shows the contribution of Vedic Indians in different fields like Science, Yoga, Astronomy, Literature, etc.
Musical Fountain
It is also known as Yagnapurush Kund and it is the largest step-well in India. There is a 24-minute musical fountain show, which is known as the Sahaj Anand water show and it is beautiful to experience for everyone.
The timings for Akshardham temple are from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and it is closed on Monday.
4. Lotus Temple – One of the Most Visited Monuments in the World
The Bahai temple, which is known as the lotus temple is one of the major attractions in New Delhi and it is a place for people of all religions to gather and worship. It is made up of 27 free-standing marble-clad petals that are arranged in a cluster of three to form nine sides. The nine doors open onto a central hall and it has a capacity of 2500 people.
Lotus Temple Timings
The timings during summer are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and during winter it is 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The Lotus temple is closed on Monday.
5. Jantar Mantar – Popular Observatory in Delhi
The meaning Jantar Mantar is an instrument for measuring the harmony of the heavens. It was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur and it has 13 architectural astronomy instruments. There are four principal instruments in the observatory and that is Samrat yantra, Jaya Prakash Yantra, Rama Yantra, and Misra Yantra. It is a scientific marvel and a famous spot among tourists.
6. Rashtrapati Bhavan – Residence of the President of India
It is the official residence of the President of India. In terms of area, it is one of the largest residences of a head of state. Rashtrapati Bhawan has 340 rooms, huge open spaces, and Mughal gardens. It is a beautiful place for sightseeing and a lot of tourists visit this place throughout the year.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Timings
You can visit Rashtrapati Bhawan on all days from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The gardens are open from August to march and that too only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
7. Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib – Famous Pilgrimage Destination for Sikh Religion
It was built in the year 1783 by Sikh general Baghel Singh. The Gurudwara has a kitchen, a large holy pond, a school, and an art gallery. Here, tourists can attend the prayer and spend some quiet and peaceful time near the Sarovar. Make sure that your heads are covered while you visit the Gurudwara. The beauty and calmness of this place make it one of the must-visit places to visit in Delhi for tourists.
8. Connaught Place
Connaught Place is the perfect place to visit in Delhi for couples who love shopping. Here, you can find a lot of shops and restaurants. Connaught Place is extremely busy throughout the day and you can also enjoy the nightlife here. The shops at Connaught Place usually stay open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
9. Paharganj
Paharganj got its name from Raisina hills, which means ‘Hilly neighborhood’. It was one of the five major markets in Delhi under the rule of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Paharganj is a perfect place for people who are conscious of their budget. Here you can find budget-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
10. National Rail Museum – First Railway Museum of India
The National Rail Museum is in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi and it shows the history of rail transport in India. It was inaugurated on 1st February and it is built on over 11 acres of land. Tourists can enjoy the toy train ride around the museum and there are various items on display like a Steam simulator, Coach simulator, Diesel simulator, etc.
National Rail Museum Entry Fees and Timings
There is a 20 ₹ entry fee and it is open on all days except Mondays and national holidays. Timing of the National Rail Museum is from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
11. Raj Ghat – Famous Memorial in Delhi
It is a memorial that is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and it is located near the Yamuna river. There is a black marble platform that shows the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. At Raj Ghat you can also see the memorials of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Chandra Shekhar. Tourists can also see the National Gandhi Museum at Raj Ghat, which is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
Raj Ghat Timings
Raj Ghat is open from 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM every day.
12. Garden of Five Senses
It is a theme park in Delhi that is spread over 20 acres of land. The Garden of Five Senses was inaugurated in the year 2003 and it is one of the perfect places to visit in Delhi for fun and to spend some quality time with your friends and family. The park has natural surroundings, and it is designed to stimulate your five senses that are touch, smell, sound, sight, and taste. Here you can find pools of water lilies, herb gardens, solar energy parks, food courts, etc.
Garden of Five Senses Timings
The timings of the Garden of Five Senses during Summer are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, whereas during winter it is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
13. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON temple was established in the year 1988 and it is in the Hare Krishna hills. It has beautiful architecture and there is a center for learning Vedic sciences. At ISKCON temple you can find the Museum of Vedic culture, Ramayana art gallery, Bhagavad-Gita animatronics robot show, light, and sound show that shows the story of Mahabharata, etc.
ISKCON Temple Timings
The timings of the ISKCON temple are from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
14. National Museum – One of the Largest Museums in India
It is one of the largest museums in India that was established in the year 1949. The National Museum has around 200,000 pieces of artwork of Indian and foreign origin. Here, you can find various galleries that show ancient culture and heritage like the Harappan gallery, Kushana gallery, Gupta gallery, etc. The museum has various departments that include Archaeology, Manuscripts, Numismatics, Anthropology, Western art collections, etc.
National Museum Timings & Entry Fees
The National Museum opens at 10:00 AM daily and is closed on Mondays. There is also a 10 ₹ entry fee for Indians and 300 ₹ for foreigners.
15. National Gallery of Modern Art
The national gallery of modern art displays more than 14,000 works done by various artists from all over the world. Some of the artists whose work is presented here are Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Thomas Daniell, etc.
Also Read: 20 Best Beautiful Hill Stations Near Delhi In 2023 To Escape The Summer
National Gallery of Modern Art Timings & Entry Fees
Timings of the National Gallery of modern art are from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM and it is closed on Sundays and national holidays. There is a 20 ₹ entry fee for Indians and 500 ₹ for foreigners. Entry for children up to 18 years is completely free.
16. National Zoological Park
It is commonly known as Delhi zoo and it is spread over 176-acre land. The zoo has around 1350 animals and visitors are not allowed to bring any food and water, however, there is a canteen available at the zoo. It is one of the perfect tourist places to visit in Delhi where you can spend a day with your family and friends.
National Zoological Park Timings
The timings of the zoo from March to mid-October are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and from mid-October to mid-March, it is 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
17. Mehrauli Archaeological Park – Historical Place in Delhi
It is an archaeological area, and it is spread across 200-acre land. The Mehrauli archaeological park has over 100 historically significant monuments. Some of the structures inside Mehrauli archaeological park are Lal Kot, Balban’s tomb, Rajon Ki Baoli, Quli Khan’s tomb, Jamali Kamali Masjid and tomb, etc. The park is open every day and there is no entry fee.
18. Paranthe Wali Gali – Famous Street in Delhi
It is a street in the Chandni Chowk area where you can find numerous shops selling paratha. Here, you can find various types of paratha like mix paratha, rabri paratha, khoya paratha, etc. It is one of the must-visit places in Delhi for people who love food. The Paranthe wali Gali is open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
19. Dilli Haat – Popular Trade Centre in Delhi
It is an open-air craft bazaar and food plaza. Dilli Haat is a perfect place to visit if you love shopping and food. Tourists can find a lot of traditional and handloom products like sandalwood carvings, jute products, metal crafts, etc. Dilli Haat is open every day from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
20. Crafts Museum
The crafts museum has a collection of over 33,000 crafts. You can find collections of Jewellery & valuables, metal objects, textile products, and metal objects. Crafts museum has various galleries like Bhuta sculpture gallery, folk and tribal crafts gift gallery, cultic crafts gallery, court craft gallery, etc. The major attraction at the Crafts museum is Cafe Lota, which serves delicious regional Indian dishes.
21. Teen Murti Bhavan
The Teen Murti Bhavan was the residence of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Now, Teen Murti Bhavan houses various institutions like Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. The place has beautiful architecture and at the museum, you can find a collection of Jawaharlal Nehru’s personal items. There is a Nehru Planetarium in Teen Murti Bhavan that hosts various events for students.
22. Sanskriti Museums
It is a set of three museums that are known the Museum of everyday art, the Museum of Indian terracotta, and the Textile Museum. The museum of everyday art showcases the objects that are used in everyday life in the form of art. The museum of India terracotta has more than 1500 objects of Terracotta art. Whereas, the museum of Indian textiles showcases the diversity of the Indian textile heritage.
23. National Bal Bhavan
It was founded in the year 1956 and it is a very popular spot among kids. At National, Bal Bhavan kids can learn and explore new things in a fun way. Some of the fun activities for kids at Bal Bhavan are the Toy train, Mini zoo, Jawahar fish aquarium, Museum, Library, Magic mirror, Science park, etc. The Bal Bhavan remains open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
24. Talkatora Garden – Mughal Era Garden in Delhi
It is a well-maintained and beautiful place with huge green lawns. One of the major attractions here is Talkatora stadium. It is an indoor stadium that has a capacity of 3035 people. A variety of trees and flowers are available in the garden, which adds to its beauty of it. The best time to visit the Talkatora garden is during the spring season.
25. India Art Fair
Earlier, the India Art Fair was known as India Art Summit and it is held annually in New Delhi. At this fair, you can find sculptures, paintings, photography, drawings, etc. The first Indian art fair was held in the year 2008 and since then it has gained huge popularity.
We have covered most of the places to visit in Delhi and would be helpful in your Delhi trip. Still, you can also provide references to tourist places in Delhi which we can cover in the article.
FAQs Related to Delhi
The most romantic open places in Delhi include Lodhi Gardens and Mohammed Shah’s Tomb. If you want to visit indoors, go to Mocha Art House in Vasant Kunj II, Little Owl Café in Sector 16, Rohini, etc.
Shimla is one of the closest and most beautiful hill stations at 340 km. There are many other weekend getaways near Delhi. Other popular and picturesque hill stations near Delhi are Lansdowne at 280 km, Nainital at 323 km, and many more.
There are some interesting getaways from Delhi for a short trip. These places include forts at Nahan, a landscape view of Lansdowne, and stunning hill views of the hills in Parwanoo in Ramnagar. Apart from these places, you can also have a quick trip to Dehradun, Sattal, Kasauli, and Nainital.
Gurgaon has many interesting spots to let your hair down. When in Gurgaon, you can visit DLF Cyber Hub, Kingdom of Dreams at Sector 29, Ambience Mall at Sector 24, Leisure Valley Park at Sector 29, Appu Ghar Gurgaon – Oysters Beach Water Park, and Rangmanch Farms for a great time.