Delhi is usually a good starting point for other big trips like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, North India temple tour, etc and often the first stop for foreign travelers visiting India. Some of you might also be traveling to Delhi for work. This guide will help you see a bit of Delhi within a short time. In fact, you can cover most of these places in a day if you start early.
Delhi has something in store for everyone, whether you are a history buff, a crazy shopaholic or a big-time foodie and it would be a blunder to miss out on what Delhi has to offer!
I was in Delhi at the end of October for some work and made the most of my free time doing Delhi Darshaan!
Delhi Sightseeing
Red Fort
The Red Fort is a historic fort, which served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. The construction of the Red Fort was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.
The entire compound of the Red Fort is huge, so be prepared to walk a lot if you want to cover everything.
Every year on the Independence day of India, the Prime Minister hoists the Indian flag at the main gate of the fort.
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb was built to house the mortal remains of the second Mughal Emperor of India and was commissioned by his beloved wife.
It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The earliest example of Persian influence in Indian architecture, the tomb has within it 100 graves, earning it the name ‘Dormitory Of The Mughals’. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
The Humayun’s Tomb compound also houses the Isa Khan Tomb. Isa Khan Niyazi was a noble in Sher Shah Suri’s court and his tomb pre-dates Humayun’s Tomb by 20 years.
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar, a 73 m (240 ft.) high tower made of red sandstone and marble is not only the highest brick minaret in the world but also one of the most famous historical landmarks of India. The foundations were laid by Qutbuddin Aibak of the Mamluk dynasty and later completed by his son-in-law Iltutmish. Located in the heart of Delhi, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is visible from different parts of the city and attracts thousands of visitors every day.
Since Qutub Minar is not too far from the airport, you’ll notice planes at frequent intervals. Try to include one in your frame for a perfect photo.
Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple is one of the most popular highlights of Delhi, attracting tourists from all over the world. The temple preaches Bahá’í Faith, a concept that includes all religions of the world as one. A person of any religion or creed can visit the temple and take part in the rituals. No religious script is allowed inside the temple, no lectures, sermons or spiritual meetings. The temple holds no pictures or statues of any worship form.
The Lotus Temple was definitely the highlight of our Delhi sightseeing for that day. Visiting the Lotus Temple during sunset was just perfect. Sitting inside the Lotus Temple auditorium, we felt the kind of peace that can’t be expressed in words.
Safdarjung Tomb
Safdarjung Tomb is definitely my favourite monument in Delhi. Inspite of being located in the heart of Delhi it’s not at all crowded. It is the last monumental garden tomb depicting Mughal architectural style and is one of the most beautiful monuments in Delhi.
We spent a lot of time here and it felt like our own little world! If you are a photography enthusiastic, this place is a must visit!
Agrasen Ki Baoli
A mosaic of different assortment of stones and rocks, Agrasen Ki Baoli is an ancient stepwell which rises from the depths of the earth to stand atop 103 stone steps. It is believed to have been built somewhere around the time of Mahabharata!
The water inside the well of Agrasen Ki Baoli is said to hypnotise people and allure them to commit suicide. It is said that the well had black water, which mysteriously killed people. But the well is almost dry now, so it’s difficult to access these rumours!
There have also been reports of the Baoli being haunted!
Agrasen Ki Baoli has been used to shoot various popular Bollywood films like PK & Sultan.
India Gate
India Gate was built as an ode to the fallen Indian soldiers of World War I.
At nightfall, the India Gate is lit in the Indian tricolor and looks glorious.
Note: Most monuments open at 7am and close at 5:30pm, so plan accordingly. You can visit the India Gate at any time of the day.
Special Mention- Sarojini Market
Although this is not a typical sightseeing spot, Sarojini Market is one place you can’t miss if you love to shop. I can totally understand now why Delhites are obsessed with Sarojini! You can find great stuff if you keep your eyes open and it’s unbelievably affordable.
Planning Guide
How To Reach Delhi
By Air: The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. New Delhi being the capital of India, this airport is well-connected to most of the major airports in India and around the world.
Check out the flights on Skyscanner and compare to find the best deals. If you are flexible with the dates, make sure to try their ‘Whole Month’ or ‘Cheapest Month’ options instead of entering specific dates.
By Train: New Delhi railway station is the most important railway station in Delhi. You can also get down at Old Delhi station if your accommodation is in Old Delhi.
Where To Stay In Delhi
The most convenient areas to stay in Delhi are Connaught Place, Paharganj, Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk. We stayed in Paharganj in New Delhi and this place has lots of good affordable hotels. It is also the perfect choice for backpackers and budget travelers. You can also stay in Connaught Place if you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks on accomodation. This area is really posh and has some of the best hotels in Delhi.
Check out Booking.com for really great hotel deals. You can also consider booking an Airbnb, especially if you plan to stay for more than 2 nights and get ₹3025 off on your first trip (for new sign-ups only).
Best Time To Visit Delhi
- Autumn months from September to October and spring months from mid February to March are considered as the best time to visit Delhi as the weather remains pleasant during this period.
- Delhi experiences extreme conditions during both summer and winter.
- Smog in Delhi has become a huge issue during the winter months and it becomes very difficult for the everyday commuters to travel due to heavy smog. Also, flights get cancelled/redirected and trains get delayed due to extremely poor visibility. So November to mid February should be avoided.
How To Get Around The City
Most places in Delhi are really well-connected by metro. Auto service seemed good for set routes. But they charge exorbitant fare if you need to book the full auto for a different route. Uber is really affordable in Delhi and was our go to transport for the few days we stayed. Infact we got an Uber from India Gate to our hotel at a price less than half of what the auto charged!!
Delhi Sightseeing Cost
You can hire a car for the full day and visit most of the places mentioned above. Car fare is around Rs. 1800 (AC, 4-seater) for 8 hours. There are lots of tour buses for Delhi sightseeing as well. Luxury AC bus fare starts from Rs. 250 per head. You can also buy the Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Pass which gives more flexibility to spend more time in attractions of your choice and skip places you don’t want to see.
I really hope you enjoyed reading this article and you’ll find the information useful whenever you plan to visit Delhi.
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Happy Travelling! 🙂
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