The question which you are likely to face while exploring Delhi is not if there are enough tourist places, but rather, which of them should you select for a sightseeing tour? It is rich in heritage, culture, bustling markets, swanky neighbourhoods and gardens, should you want to see the greener side of this capital city of India.
The city is also one of contrasts, in almost any way you think. One fine morning, you may find yourself wading through a sea of humanity at Chandni Chowk, and in the evening, enjoying the solitude of Lodhi Gardens, a famous tourist attraction that is an island of peace. What is certain is that a dull moment is hard to come by, there is so much on offer! It is crowded, and often chaotic, but that is the essential character of the city, and with time, you learn to fall in love with it. In this blog, we bring you the best 15 places to visit in Delhi in 2021 which show you the city in all its colours and flavours.
List of 15 Must Visit Tourist Attractions in Delhi Sightseeing Tour
- Red Fort
- Akshardham Temple
- Cannaught Place
- Humayun’s Tomb
- National Zoological Park
- Qutub Minar
- Chandi Chowk
- India Gate
- Lotus Temple
- Agrasen Ki Baoli
- Jama Masjid
- Lodhi Gardens
- Dilli Haat
- Rajghat
- Purana Qila
Check out: Delhi Sightseeing Tourism Packages
Red Fort
If you ask anybody about the best places to explore in Delhi, they will, most of the time, begin by saying the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is enormous and gets people thinking about the duration and effort that must have gone into building it.
It served as the official set of Mughal authority from 1648, after Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal emperor, decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. It gets its reddish look from red sandstone which was the primary material used in its construction.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed on Sundays.
Entry fee: Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC: 10 INR. Foreigners: 250 INR. No fees for children below the age of 15.
Nearest metro station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station.
Also Read: Popular Heritage Tourism Sites in Delhi
Akshardham Temple
A sightseeing tour in Delhi is incomplete without visiting the Akshardham Temple, particularly so for those with a spiritual bent of mind. Built in 2005, it finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple. That is reason enough to visit it.
The architecture dominates the skyline as well as the minds of those who visit it. There is also a stepwell within the temple complex, believed to be the largest in India. The prime attraction is the idol of Lord Swaminarayana along with 20,000 deities.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibition fee: 220 INR for adults, 170 INR for senior citizens, 120 INR for children from 4 to 11 years.
Nearest metro station: Akshardham Mandir
Also Read: Popular Hindu Temples in Delhi
Connaught Place
To others, it’s Connaught Place, to Delhiites, it’s simply “CP”. You will recognise it from a distance by its colonnade and the rows of swanky stores with globally renowned brands, besides fast food chains, bars and restaurants. This is still the go to place for those that prefer the traditionally stylish way of doing things, or spending a day out.
What should you know before visiting it is that there are 2 concentric circles: Inner Circle & Outer Circle. Other than Hauz Khas, this is where most of Delhi’s nightlife comes to life, making it the best place to visit for couples in Delhi!
Timings (for the markets): 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM (except Sundays)
Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk
Also Check out: Popular Shopping Markets in Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb is first in two things: it was the first garden tomb on the subcontinent of India and also the first structure built using red sandstone. This famous tourist attraction of Delhi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
The white dome and the Mughal Gardens, both compete for your attention upon your visit. Its construction was commissioned by Empress Bega Begum, the first wife of Emperor Humayun. Today, the mausoleum houses the remains of several famous Mughal emperors, wives, sons and descendants.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: 10 INR for Indians & 250 INR for Foreigners (Adults), Video Filming: 25 INR, Photography: Free.
Nearest metro station: Jor Bagh
Also Check out: Must Visit Memorials in Delhi
National Zoological Park
Try including the National Zoological Park during your Delhi Darshan Sightseeing Tour. You will have a wonderful time watching the various animals, particularly the visitors’ favourites like Royal Bengal Tiger, spider monkey, chimpanzee, hippopotamus and Indian Rhinoceros.
Bird lovers can spot exotic birds like the Great Indian Hornbill, while reptiles like Indian Cobra, diadem snake and Indian Sand Boa always manage to extract admiration from visitors.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Entry Fee for Indians:
- Adults – INR 40.
- Children (below 3 ft.) – Free.
- Children (between 3-5ft)- INR 20.
- Senior Citizens- INR 40.
Entry Fee for Foreigners
:
- Adults – INR 200.
- Children (below 5 yrs) – Free.
- Children (above 5 years)- INR 100.
Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan
Also Check out: Best Children Entertainment Parks in Delhi
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar, the 238 feet tall minaret, is a matter of pride for Delhi Tourism, so much so that it is featured on the tokens & travel cards issued by the DMRC. Take a closer look next time you are issued one! It was in 1993 that UNESCO declared it a heritage site and is the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks.
The minar though, is a part of the Qutub complex, which consists of other significanthistorical structures like Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar and a pillared cuppola called “Smith’s Folly” (because Major Robert Smith of the British Indian Army thought he was enhacing its aesthetic value by creating a 6th storey by adding the cupola, only to realize how silly it looked & having it removed).
Qutub Minar also finds a place in any list of top 10 most visited tourist attractions by foreign tourists in Delhi.
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. It remains closed on Sundays.
Entry fee: INR 40 for Indians, SAARC & BIMSTEC, INR 600 for Foreigners, Free for children up to 15 years.
Nearest metro station: Qutub Minar
Also Read: Jantar Mantar Delhi: History, Visiting Time & Interesting Facts
Chandni Chowk
Chances are that Chandni Chowk will find a mention in any travel guide to Delhi. Despite the crowds which shoulder its way right and left, you should pay a visit to it to feel the pulse of this city. Chaotic, overpopulated and yet, seemingly finding a way to function. It also has a historical significance, like most things in Delhi, as it’s the one of the oldest markets.
Chandni Chowk is one of the popular shopping places in Delhi. Stretched out opposite the Red Fort, it’s a lively hotpotch of people, shops, rickshaw pullers, eateries & entangled wires overhead that seem to reflect the entanglement below. You will find items ranging from electronics, perfumes and lifestyle goods to jewellery, at incredible discounts!
Famous Shopping Markets in Chandi Chowk
- Dariba Kalan
- Nai Sarak
- Bhagirath Palace
- Katra Neel
- Kucha Choudhary Market
- Ballimaran Market
- Chawri Bazaar
- Kinari Bazaar Khari Baoli
- Fatehpuri Market
Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Market is closed on Sundays.
Nearest metro station: Chandni Chowk
Also Check out: Palika Bazaar Shopping Market
India Gate
Among the other historical monuments in Delhi, India Gate strikes a different chord. Standing at 42 meters, and bearing a striking resemblance to the Arch de Triomphe in France, it is the largest war memorial in India. It is also the site where the parade is organised on Republic Day every year.
Designed by Sir Edward Lutyems, it is dedicated to 82,000 Indian and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and Third Anglo-Afghan War. Just beneath the archway stands the Amar Jawan Jyoti, constructed in December 1971 to commemorate the soldiers of the Indian Army who attained martrydom. You can enjoy a picnic near India Gate and enjoy an early morning walk towards it.
You can enjoy a picnic near India Gate with your family, as it’s also a famous picnic spot, and also enjoy an early morning walk towards it.
Timings: Open all day.
Nearest metro station: Mandi House
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Lotus Temple
Try to fit Lotus Temple in South Delhi in your one day Delhi sightseeing itinerary, the experience will be worth it. The temple, which is a Bahai house of worhsip, is built like pristine white petals of a lotus neatly arranged side by side. Anybody can visit the temple, regardless of religion, race or gender.
The all-inclusiveness of the temple goes further than that: inside, you can read or chant religious texts of any faith. The message of the temple is that Almighty is One. Meditating in a place of worship without any distractions, this is the place to have that experience.
Timings: October-March: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, April-September: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM. The temple is closed on Mondays.
Nearest metro station: Kalkaji metro station
Also Read: Famous Temples in Delhi
Agrasen Ki Baoli
Before modern plumbing, people relied on stepwells for their daily water requirements like drinking, washing and bathing. Agrasen Ki Baoli is one such stepwell which was later abandoned. This must visit place in Delhi today, serves the purpose of photography shoots, a film shoot and people looking to experience the paranormal.
There are 103 stone steps, and as my descend, you feel a drop in temperature. The steps are built over 3 levels, with each level consisting of a landing where people can sit, rest, relax and just take in the ancient feel.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Nearest metro station: Barakhambha Road or Rajiv Chowk Metro Station
Other Interesting Blog to Read
Jama Masjid
Any list with the title “top 10 tourist attractions in Delhi” will mention Jama Masjid, built under the reign of Shah Jahan. It is a mosque, and therefore, a place of worship for Muslims primarily. But it is also a heritage attraction, as much for its historical significance as its impressive proportions.
Here are some statistics to prove that: its courtyard can accommodate 25,000 people at any given time, it stretches across 1200 square meters, there are 3 gateways, 4 towers & 2 minarets, each of which are 40 meters high, and is visible from a distance of 5 kilometers.
Timings: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM, Non Muslims: 8:00 AM – 30 minutes before sunset, Minaret 9 AM – 5.30 PM.
Entry Fee: INR 200 – Photography; INR 100 – Tower.
Nearest metro station: Jama Masjid
Also Read: Popular Mosques & Muslim Pilgrimage Sites in Delhi
Lodhi Gardens
Among the popular historical monuments in Delhi, Lodhi Gardens attract two types of tourists. Those who visit it for its historical importance and fitness enthusiats who find it the best place to enjoy their morning & evening walks. Those who organise or take a heritage walk cannot miss out on this popular tourist attraction in Delhi.
The gardens house the tomb of the Sayyid ruler, Mohammad Shah and Lodhi king, Sikandar Lodhi. Some of the monuments located inside the gardens are Tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyad, Bara Gumbad, Sikandar Lodhi’s Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad, Water Tank and Eight Pier Bridge.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
Nearest metro station: Jor Bagh
Check out: Must Visit Gardens & Parks in Delhi
Dilli Haat
All that is beautiful in rural India, tasty, artistic, exotic, aesthetic and wonderful, can be found in the popular point of tourist attraction in Delhi known as Dilli Haat. Although there are 3 of them, the most famous one is located in South Delhi, and is popularly known as Dilli Haat INA. The market, or haat, as it’s called in a rural setting, resembles a traditional village fair.
You come across rows of stalls selling traditional crafts, handloom products, camel hide footwear, sophisticated fabric and drapery, gems, beads, metal crafts. You can also get a taste of the various cuisines from all over India at the various food stalls.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
Nearest metro station: INA
Other Interesting Blog to Read
Rajghat
Mahatma Gandhi’s message was easy to understand but effective: simple living, high thinking. This simplicity is reflected in the cenotaph which commemorates his memory at the Rajghat. It is a simple black marble structure which sits in the middle of a beautiful garden.
This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Every Friday, a prayer is held, since that is the day he died. There is also a museum beside the Rajghat called the National Gandhi Museum where a gallery showcases his personal artefacts like paintings, walking sticks, shawls and shoti. It is a popular tourist attraction obviously, attracting tourists not just from India but also from abroad.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Nearest metro station: Delhi Gate
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Purana Qila
Purana Qila is a popular heritage attraction in Delhi which lies close to the National Zoological Park. It is gigantic in size, spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers, but today, only a few sections of it are accessible to the visitors.
It is believed to be the same fort where Emperor Humayun lost his life by falling down the stairs in his library. Do not miss out the light and sound show on the “seven cities of Delhi” held every evening.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 5 – Indians, INR 200 – Foreigners, Video – INR 25
Nearest metro station: Pragati Maidan
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These are the 15 best places which you should visit in Delhi that give you an overall idea about its rich past and present. There are plenty of options for sightseeing, shopping and other activities which you can enjoy with your family or as a couple. What do you think about these tourist places in Delhi?
What makes them so famous and how many of them have you visited so far? Let us know!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What are the popular memorials to see in Delhi?
Some of the best memorials to see in Delhi are Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Safdarjung’s Tomb, Rajghat, Veer Bhoomi, Shakti Sthal, Shanti Vana, Vijay Ghat and APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial and All India War Memorial.
Q.What are the top places to visit in South Delhi?
The top places which you can visit in South Delhi are Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Agrasen ki Baoli and Garden of Five Senses.
Q.What are some of the popular shopping markets in Delhi?
Some of the popular shopping markets in Delhi are Dilli Haat, Janpath Market, Khan Market, Chadni Chowk and Connaught Place.
Q.What the best places to visit in North Delhi?
A few places which you can visit in North Delhi are William Fraser’s Bungalow, Kamla Nehru Ridge and Kamla Nagar Market.
Q.What the popular places to visit in West Delhi?
A few popular places to visit in West Delhi are Jhandewalan Temple, Rock Garden, Delhi Haat and Tilak Nagar Market.
Q.What the must visit places in East Delhi?
Q.What are the best places to visit in Central Delhi?
Q.What are the best location for photography in Delhi?
The best locations for photography in Delhi are Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Presidential Palace, India Gate and Agrasen ki Baoli.
Q.What are the opening time of monuments in Delhi?
The monuments in Delhi open around 7 AM and close around 6-7 PM.
About the author
Writing, for me, is an artistic expression of the countless thoughts flooding my mind. For now, travel content writing is what keeps me going! In my spare time, I like nothing better than immersing myself in a book, along with a cuppa! A classic movie helps too! I define traveling as a process of self-discovery. Hailing from Darjeeling, my ultimate desire is to escape to the hills, with the mountain air and solitude as my constant companions!
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