I asked my soul: What is Delhi?
She replied: The world is the body and Delhi its life! Click to Tweet
Delhi, the capital of India is full of rich history and culture.
Tourists around the world are constantly astonished by the incredible proximity of freshness and Indian culture of Delhi.
Why is that so?
Well, Delhi has it all!
India's LARGEST mosques Jama Masjid, imposing Red Fort, beautiful Humayun Tomb, Gandhi Smriti, grandiose Akshardham, picturesque gardens of Mughal era, and not to forget variety of museums and art gallery.
Moreover,
Delhi boast of being hub to variety of lip-smacking local cuisines.
Chandni-chowk in Old Delhi is reminiscent of soul of Delhi-Food.
One can find variety of local-cuisines which you will not find anywhere in the world!
Delhi is also very popular among tourists for shopping art-facts, hand-crafts, garments. Let the journey begin!
Note: The page has been updated with New places added in 2018 with update entry ticket fares and timings.
Also Read : : Google Top List of Places to Visit in Delhi
Best Tourist Places to Visit in Delhi
1. The Red Fort
Red fort an UNESCO Heritage monument. It was built by mughal emperor shah jahan in the year of 1648, who also built the
Taj Mahal in Agra.
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While Agra was the capital of the Mughal empire, emperor Shahjahan wanted to setup his new capital in Delhi with the name of Shahjahanabad.
It eventually became the seventh city of Delhi currently known as old delhi or Delhi-6.
On 15’th of August every year the Prime Minister of India hoists the National flag of India from Red Fort as a symbolic mark of celebration of the Independence day.
The main entrance of red fort is known as Lahori gate.
Do You know why?
Because that gate opens towards the city in Lahore in Pakistan. Click to Tweet
As you go along you will find Diwan-i-Am, used by the emperor to meet with local people and Diwan-i-khas, used for ministerial court gatherings.
Next you should also explore the chandni chowk market which stands opposite to the red fort, which is famous for street food and traditional items.
You must visit Paranthewaligali – famous for delicious Parathas and for Non-vegetarians Karims – famous for its Mughlai Delicacies
Read More : http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_delhi_redfort.asp
Entry Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Open On: All days except Monday
Entry Ticket: Book Online & Skip Queues
Entry Fee: INR 45 + Museum INR 21 (Indian)
INR 550 + Museum INR 320 (International)
Photography: Allowed
Videography: INR 25
2. Humayun's Tomb
Our next attraction is a ASI heritage monument - Humayun's Tomb
It is among the must places to visit in Delhi for tourists.
Any idea, who built the monument?
Well, Humayun’s wife, Hamida Banu, or Hazi Begum, was instrumental behind the construction of this magnificent tomb.
The tomb took 14 years to construct! Click to Tweet
Time for some interesting fact.
Did you know this was the first garden tomb in India, and was a precursor to the magnificent Taj Mahal which was built by Humayun’s great grandson Shah Jahan 60 years later in Agra. Click to Tweet
The tomb complex has several interesting monuments apart from the main tomb itself like the Barber’s tomb.
It is believed to be the tomb of Humayun’s barber – the importance accorded signifies the position of high trust that the royal barber enjoyed amongst royal servants.
Also Read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humayun-Tomb
Entry Ticket: Book Online & Skip Queues
Entry Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Open On : All Days
Entry Fee: INR 35 (Indian)
INR 550 (International)
Photography: Allowed
Videography: INR 25
3. Qutab Minar
Our next attraction is an heritage monument. Qutub Minar is a towering 73 meter high tower built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193. Click to Tweet
The tower was built to celebrate Muslim dominance in Delhi after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu ruler. CLick to Tweet
Did you know, the first three storeys of the Qutub Minar are made of red sandstone and the last two are made of marble and sandstone. Click to Tweet
The construction of the Qutub Minar was started by Qitub-ud-Din Aibak, but he only constructed the basement. Click to Tweet
The construction of the tower was later taken over by his successor Iltutmish who constructed three more stories.
The last two storeys were completed Firoz Shah Tuglak. The different architectural styles from the time of Aibak to Tuglak are clearly visible in the Qutub Minar. Click to Tweet
Apart from the tower, the Qutub Minar complex comprises of the the first mosque built in India Quwwat-us-Islam , the tomb of Iltutmish, Ala’i-Darwaza and the Ala’I Minar.Click to Tweet
Alai Minar construction was started by Alaudin Khilji, who probably wanted it to be bigger and taller than the Qutub Minar. The construction was halted when he died and not taken up again.
Another popular attraction is the Iron Pillar, a marvel of architecture, for the way it has resisted corrosion through the last 1,600 years.
Also Read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qutb_Minar
Entry Ticket: Book Online & Skip Queues
Entry Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Open On : All Days
Entry Fee: INR 35 (Indian)
INR 550 (International)
Photography: Allowed
Videography: INR 25
4. Lotus Temple
Our next attraction -The Baha’I House of Worship, more popularly known as the Lotus Temple, owing to its shape and design, is one of Delhi’s most recognized structures.
The Lotus temple, constructed entirely out of white marble from Penteli mountain in Greece, the very same from which many ancient monuments and other Bahá'í Houses of Worship are built. Click to Tweet
The temple consists of twenty seven massive marble petals shaped like an unfolding lotus flower. Click to Tweet
Unfolding lotus petals rises from nine pools and walkways. The number nine signifies the nine unifying paths of the Baha’i faith. Click to Tweet
This temple is one amongst the seven Bahai Houses of Worship around the world, and is open to people of all faith and religion. Click to Tweet
The temple does not have any idol or icon, but merely a meditation hall where people of all faith can meditate and be close to God. Click to Tweet
Also Read: http://www.bahaihouseofworship.in/
Entry Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Open On : All days except Monday
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed
Videography: Allowed
5. Akshardham
Akshardham Temple in Delhi is undoubtedly the best place to visit in Delhi for tourists, heralded by the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple. Click to Tweet
Akshardham is one the most biggest and beautiful temples of the world. The temple is spread over ground covering 83,342 sq feet. It is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high.Click to Tweet
Did you know the Akshardham temple is built in such way so that it lasts for another 1,000 years.Click to Tweet
In the last 800 years, this is the only and largest intricately carved wall in India with dimensions 611 ft x 31 ft. it comprises 200 sculptured stone figures of India’s rishis, sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine incarnations.Click to Tweet
This temple consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, Gajendra Pith and 20,000 statues of India’s divine figures.Click to Tweet
The Gajendra Pith weighs 3,000 tons, has 148 full-sized elephants, 42 birds and animals, 125 human sculptures and decorative stone backdrops of trees, creepers and royal palaces.Click to Tweet
It is a fascinating combination of a Vedic yagna kund and a musical fountain. It is the world’s largest yagna kund measuring 300’ x 300’ with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines.Click to Tweet
At night the temple comes to life with colourful musical fountain that echoes the Vedic sentiments of India.Click to Tweet
In the inner sanctum lies the 11 feet high beautiful statue of Lord Swaminarayan and other statues of Aksharbrahma, Yogiji Maharaj among others.
This huge temple was built in 5 years. It receives 100,000 visitors a week and around 850 volunteers work here daily Click to Tweet
Also Read: http://akshardham.com/
Entry Timings: : 9:30am to 6:30pm
Open On : All days except Monday
Entry Fee: Free
Exhibition Entry: Ticket (available 10am – 5pm)
- • Adults: INR 170
- • Senior Citizen: INR 125
- • Child (4-11 yrs): INR 100
- • Child (below 4yrs): Free
Musical Fountain Entry :
- • Adults: INR 30
- • Senior Citizen: INR 30
- • Child (4-11 yrs): INR 20
- • Child (Below 4 yrs): Free
Photography: Not Allowed (including mobiles)
Videography: Not Allowed
6. India Gate
India Gate is a must visit on every tourist Delhi Sightseeing itinerary. Edwin Lutyens was the architect of India Gate.
Did you know it took ten years to be completed and it was culminated in 1931. It is said to be inspired by the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.Click to Tweet
Lying in the heart of the city, the famous monument reaches a height of 42 m and has the names of 90,000 Indian soldiers inscribed on its walls, who gave up their lives in the Afghan Wars and World War IClick to Tweet
It houses the famous Amar Jawan Jyoti, the flame which stays alight 24X7, in the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Indo Pak War. The flame was unveiled by Mrs Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of the country on the occasion of Republic day of 1972.Click to Tweet
In addition to being a patriotic attraction, the monument is also a popular picnic spot, where people gather by the night in summers and afternoons in the winters to have a nice time in the lush green lawns surrounding the areas.Click to Tweet
Also Read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Gate
India Gate view from Helicopter
Entry Timings: Any Time
Open On : All days, (at times closed during Republic Day, Independence day due to security reasons)
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed
Videography: Allowed
7. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
It is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan.
Did You Know Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace. Click to Tweet
The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan resided here during his stay in Delhi in 1664. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan helped the ailing people by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on March 30, 1664.
A small tank was later constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well, its water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes
Also Read: 360 degree view of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Langar at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Entry Timings: Any Time
Open On : All days
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Not Allowed
8. Gandhi Smriti
Gandhi Smriti is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, located at Tees January Marg, New Delhi, Tees is a Hindi word which stand for numeric 30. He was assassinated on 30-Jan by Nathu ram Godse. Hence the road name was dedicated to his death anniversary date.
This places is significant as this is the place where he spent the last 144 days of his life.
Initially it belonged to the famous Birla family and now houses the famous museum. Click to Tweet
Taking a few steps back into its history would tell us that it got acquired by the Indian government in 1971 and later was converted into a museum. It took a couple of years before it was opened to public on 15th August, 1973.
Gandhi Smriti has a great collection of rare photographs, paintings, sculptures, relics and inscriptions that beautifully depict the time he spent here.
The management here has also preserved the rooms where Gandhi used to live and the prayer ground where he used to conduct an evening mass congregation.
Then there is a Martyr's Column which stands at the same spot where he was assassinated. With so much to explore and know here, you would definitely want to include this place in your list of attractions in Delhi.
Also Read: Rare Photographs of Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi Smriti
Entry Timings: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Open On : All days except Monday
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
9. Jama Masjid
Did you know 15000 workers were employed for the construction of Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque! Click to Tweet
The construction commenced from 1650 and took six years to complete. The mosque was build on the orders of Emperor Shahjahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort.Click to Tweet
The cost of construction at that time was Rs one million or ten lakhs. Click to Tweet
Also Read: Jama Masjid Tripadvisor Review
Peak Inside Jama Masjid
Entry Timings: 7:00 am - 6:30pm
Open On : All days except Prayer hours
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
10. Rashtrapati Bhawan
Our next destination, is the Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President's House. The main palace building was formerly known as Viceroy's House. The famous rose garden better known as the Mughal Gardens is located inside the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Did you know Mughal Garden opens only once in a year for general public in February during Udyanotsav.
Rashtrapati Bhavan the official residence of the President of India was designed as the residence of the Viceroy in the British Imperial capital. Edwin Lutyens designed this building, then known as Government House or the Viceroy’s House.
29,000 workers were employed to construct the Viceroy's House. Construction began in 1914 and continued till 1927. It is the largest residential complex ever built for a head of the state anywhere in the world and spread across 320 acres with 340-rooms which includes the official residence of the President of India, halls, guest rooms, offices etc.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan is an awe-inspiring structure, a stoic symbol of British imperialism (interestingly, its façade is the same length— 630 ft—as that of Buckingham Palace).
The North and South Blocks two identical building blocks facing each other across the King’s Way, sit on a plinth about 30 ft above the ground and are connected by an underground passage. Between them, the four-storied Secretariat buildings have about 4,000 rooms, several inner fountain courts, and miles of corridors.
The South Block is home to the Prime Minister’s Office, and the ministries of Defence and External Affairs. The ministries of Finance and Home Affairs occupy the North Block. The open space at the base of the Kings Way is known as the Vijay Chowk
Also Read: Rashtrapati Bhawan Tripadvisor Review
Peak Inside Rashtrapati Bhawan
Entry Timings: 9:00 am - 4:00pm
Open On : Fri, Sat & Sun
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
11. Madame Tussauds Delhi
Our next destination, is the internationally renowned wax museum - " Madame Tussauds", first founded in London. The museum is located in Connaught place, the heart of Delhi city.
Did you know it was the brain child of Anna Maria "Marie" Tussaud who was a French artist known for her wax sculptures and Madame Tussauds, the wax museum she founded in London.
Take the stage now at the world’s most popular wax-statue attraction and transport yourself back to history, Join “Satyagraha with Mahatma Gandhi” or, sing your heart out with the likes of Sonu Nigam, Shriya Ghoshal or get enchanted by the beauty, glamour and fun of hanging out with the Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. They create exciting, interactive and immersive experiences, placing their guests’ right at the heart of the action!.
Also Read: Why visit Madame Tussauds Delhi
Peak Inside Madame Tussauds Museum Delhi
Entry Ticket: Book Online
Entry Timings: 10:00 am - 6:00pm
Open On : All Days
Entry Fee: Rs 570-Rs 960 ( Special Offer with HOHO Bus )
Photography: Allowed
12. National War Memorial, Delhi (Museum)
Our next destination, is the proud of the Nation, the National War Memorial is a monument built by the Government of India to commemorate the valour of the Indian Soldier died since independence.
Did you know it happens to be India's first war memorial built by Government of India. Click to Tweet
Spread over 40 acres of land and situated next to one of the HOHO Tourist Attraction - India Gate
Also Read: PM Modi Inaugrates National War Memorial
Take a sneak Peak of the memorial.
Entry Ticket: Free
Entry Timings: 9 am to 6:30 pm (November to March) and from 9 am to 7:30 pm (April to October).
Open On : All Days
Photography: Allowed
13. Waste to Wonders Park, New Delhi
Our next destination, is the latest addition to New Delhi list of attraction, the waste to wonder park is a fascinating theme park built by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), where you get to see the replicas of 7 wonders including Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pyramids of Egypt, Eiffel Tower of Paris, Colloseum of Rome, Statue of Liberty & Christ the Redeemer of Brazil at one place.
The most interesting fact about these replicas is that theare built out of industiral waste
Did you know it happens to be World's first theme park made of waste that houses the replicas of 7 wonders of the world. Click to Tweet
Spread over 5 acres of land and situated 5 km away from one of the HOHO Tourist Attraction - Humayun's Tomb
Also Read: Home Minsiter Rajnath Singh Inaugrates Waste to Wonders Park
Entry Ticket: Based on young age
- • 0-3 years old – Free (No Charges)
- • 4-12 years old – Rs 25
- • 13-64 years old – Rs 25
- • 65 & Above – Free (No Charges)
Entry Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM
Open On : All Days
Photography: Allowed
14. Dilli-Haat (INA)
Dilli Haat one of the must places to visit in Delhi. It is one of a kind an open-air food plaza cum craft bazaar located in Delhi, run by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).
Dilli Haat has permanent food stalls representing each state of India, giving a complete variety of tastes available all over India.
Over the years, Dilli Haat has become a venue of crafts, music, dance and cultural festivals. Opposite of Dilli Haat , you will find a famous spice market opposite Dilli Haat known as INA market.
Did you know the stalls selling handicrafts are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen who are registered with DC Handicrafts, Govt. of India . They come from different corners of India and showcase the very best of arti-facts. Click to Tweet
Also Read: Delhi Tourism - Dilli Haat
Open Air Shopping Plaza - Dilli Haat
Entry Ticket: Adult: INR 20, Child: INR 10
Entry Timings: 7:00 am - 6:30pm
Open On : All days except prayer hours
Photography: Allowed
Bookmark this page.
Also read about the Food & Shopping Places to Visit with HOHO Bus
Also read about the some of the best places to visit while in Goa &, Finest places to visit in Agra: Same Day Agra Tour via agraone.com
[siblings]
[ Update - 27 Feb, 2021 : Entry Fee of the Heritage Monuments has been updated]
[ Update - 13 Mar, 2021 : Madame Tussauds Delhi Museum updated]
[ Update - 20 Mar, 2021 : Online Booking of ASI Monunent tickets updated]
Author : Surojit Ghosh