Delhi, as you know, is the vibrant capital of India. This capital city balances its modern dynamism with historical charm. From the serene gardens, bustling markets and the grandeur of Mughal architecture, the city offers many places to visit. The purpose of this post is to help you know about the best places to visit in Delhi.
You might be a history buff. Otherwise, you might be a culture enthusiast. Even if you are a food lover, you will find a lot of places to visit in Delhi. You can find places that cater to all your interests. For this post, I have considered the New Delhi Railway Station as the central point. This post discusses the best places to visit in the city:
Best Places to Visit in Delhi
1. Red Fort
From the New Delhi Railway Station, you can reach Red Fort within a 3.3 km drive. Apart from being one of the best places to visit in Delhi, Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. For nearly 2 centuries, this fort functioned as the residence of Mughal emperors. The construction of this fort was ordered by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
- You can spend around 2-3 hours in this fort
- Within the Red Fort, you can visit the Hall of Public Audiences and the Drum House
- Also, when you visit this place in the evening, you can watch the sound and light show
- On your way to Red Fort, you can explore Chatta Chowk, a vibrant shopping centre.
2. India Gate
Within a 5.6 km drive from New Delhi Railway Station, you can reach India Gate. This is a war memorial constructed to honour the India Soldiers, who have lost their lives during World War I. India Gate is located on Rajpath and this arch monument is 42-metre high. It is surrounded by many government buildings and huge well-manicured lawns.
- You can spend around 30 minutes to one hour at India Gate
- When you are here, go for an evening walk to Raisina Hill
- You can spend some time in the garden attached to India Gate
- You can go boating at India Gate.
3. Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb is one of the best places to visit in Delhi and it is a royal mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. The structure was designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and sanctioned by Humayun’s widow Hamida Baga Begum. It is again a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi.
- You can spend a couple of hours in this historical place
- The four-garden layout is one of the key attractions of Humayun’s Tomb
- You can find a nursery within the complex
- The entry fee to this tomb is Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners.
4. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is one of the best places to visit in Delhi that can be reached from New Delhi Railway Station within a 1.7 km drive. You can also take an auto to reach Jama Masjid from Delhi Railway Station. You can experience the best of Mughal architecture at this mosque. The courtyard in this monument can accommodate 25,000 devotees at the same time.
- Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India
- The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built this masjid between 1644 and 1656.
- You can climb the southern minaret to get a bird’s eye view of Old Delhi.
- In Jama Masjid, you can admire the intricate carvings and grand marble domes.
5. Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk holds the pride of being one of the popular marketplaces in Old Delhi. It is one of the best places to visit in Delhi that you can reach within a 1.3 km drive from New Delhi Railway Station. This market is particularly popular for its fabric collection that features detailed patterns.
- This market was established by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan during the 17th century
- You can find everything right from street food to wedding dresses in this market
- The market has a lot of shops that sell jewellery, spices and sweets.
6. Akshardham Temple
When you travel via the Vikas Marg for 8.9 km from the New Delhi Railway Station, you can reach Akshardham Temple. It is one of the spiritual places to visit in Delhi. The temple is dedicated to Swaminarayan Temple. It reflects the contributions, traditions and culture of India. The name of this temple is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the world’s largest culturally rich temple.
- When you are here, you can see the Hall of Values
- Do not forget to catch a film screening
- Engage in a boat ride
- Spend some time relaxing in the 6-acre garden
- Visit the Lotus Garden
- Do not miss out on the musical fountain in the evening
- The temple opens at 9.30 am and remains open until 6.30 pm.
7. Lodhi Garden
If you are looking for one of the best places to visit in Delhi to unwind, you can choose Lodhi Garden. This luscious garden houses the tombs of Sayyid ruler Mohammed Shah and Lodhi King Sikandar Lodhi.
- You can spend around an hour or two in this garden
- The garden remains open from 6 am every day and closes at 7.30 pm
- The best time to visit the garden is between October and March
- You can visit this garden either for a morning or evening walk
- The garden has a water body with a lot of ducks
8. Rashtrapati Bhavan
This residence of the President of India is one of the important places to visit in Delhi. You might wonder whether tourists are allowed inside this building. Yes, you will be allowed. However, you will have to carry a valid ID and you should visit on time.
The circuits of the President’s house are open only on particular days for the general public. Each circuit has some attractions. The third circuit is open from August to March on Sundays, Saturdays and Fridays. The second circuit is open all day other than Mondays. The first circuit is open on Sundays, Saturdays and Fridays.
- To enter some parts of Rashtrapati Bhavan, you can visit between 9 am and 4 pm.
- Remember that prior online booking is important to visit this residence of the President of India
- Carry a valid ID proof
9. Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat is one of the best places to visit in Delhi. It is the memorial of the Father of our nation. Raj Ghat is the place, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. It is seen as a symbol of peace and a place of national importance.
- At Raj Ghat, you can pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi
- You can visit the memorials nearby as well
- You can find the memorials of Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru near Raj Ghat
- Rajghat Memorial remains open from 6 am to 6.30 pm
- Every week on Friday evening, a special prayer is conducted in Raj Ghat.
10. National Museum, New Delhi
The National Museum is one of the important places to visit in Delhi for history enthusiasts. It is one of the latest museums in the country. From this museum, you can gain a deep dive into the art, culture and history of India. The museum has a collection that dates back to the Harappan Civilization.
- You can explore galleries that showcase artefacts from different eras
- You can find relics from Buddhist, Mughal art and Indus Valley civilization
- The entry fee is Rs.20 for Indian nationals and Rs.200 for foreigners
- You can reach this museum within a 3.9 km drive via Janpath Road.
11. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
If you are looking for one of the spiritual places to visit in Delhi, you can choose Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. You can reach this place within a 3.5 km drive from the New Delhi Railway Station. It is the house of worship for Sikhs. It is dedicated to the 8th Sikh Guru named Guru Har Kishan. The exterior of the temple looks attractive with golden domes and white marble.
- You can spend around 1 to 2 hours in this Sikh temple
- People from all faiths are allowed to visit this temple
- Also, you have the option to volunteer at the community kitchen in this temple
- The temple remains open on all days
12. Connaught Place
Located within a 2.1 km drive from the New Delhi Railway Station, Connaught Place is one of the best places to visit in Delhi. It is a huge financial centre located in the heart of New Delhi. The marketplace has popular bars, restaurants, food chains and international brand stores.
- Connaught Place shortly called CP offers an incomparable nightlife experience.
- You can visit Janpath for a fun street shopping experience
- You can find many eateries
- CP houses many contemporary art galleries, antique theatres like Regal Cinema and many toy stores.
13. Safdarjung Tomb
Located at a distance of around 9 km from New Delhi Railway Station, Safdarjung Tomb is one of the best places to visit in Delhi. It is a marble and sandstone mausoleum constructed in 1754. It was constructed for Safdarjung, who was the prime minister of the Mughal Empire.
- At this mausoleum, you can feel excited about the intricate Mughal architecture
- Also, you can stroll through the lush gardens at this attraction
- Do not forget to take some stunning pictures of the tomb
- The entry fee is Rs.25 for Indians and Rs.300 for foreign nationals.
14. Jantar Mantar
How about choosing an astronomical observatory as one of the best places to visit in Delhi? Yes, you can choose to visit Jantar Mantar with your family and kids. It was constructed in 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. You can spend around 1-2 hours in this attraction.
- Jantar Mantar is located within a 2.3 km drive from the New Delhi Railway Station
- At this observatory, you can explore the giant sundial
- You can see many instruments used for astronomical calculations
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The entry fee is Rs.5
15. Agrasen ki Baoli
Located around 3 km away from New Delhi Railway Station, you can reach Agrasen Ki Baoli via the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Marg. It is one of the important places to visit in Delhi. It is nothing but a stepwell that is 15 meters wide and 60 metres long. It is believed to have been constructed by the legendary King Agrasen. In addition to being an architectural gem, it is an ancient structure as well.
- You will have to walk down 108 steps
- This attraction will help you admire the ancient stonework
- Also, you might be interested in learning about the haunted stories associated with this place.
16. Khan Market
If you are thinking about places to visit in Delhi, where you can shop, you can choose Khan Market. This market is reachable within a 6 km drive from the New Delhi Railway Station. It is popular as a stylish marketplace in Delhi. This market houses a lot of cafes, homeware shops, bookstores, fashion boutiques and opticians.
- If you are looking for a market that offers luxurious shopping options, you can choose Khan Market
- Do not forget to try Tikka in the restaurants in this market
- Many bars in this market offer a vibrant nightlife
- The area is known for many famous restaurants
Conclusion
In addition to these places to visit in Delhi, you can find many other attractions that are located more than 10 km away from the New Delhi Railway Station. Many water parks in and near Delhi can help you beat the heat. Also, you can find many waterfalls near Delhi that can help you manage the hot summer in the capital of India. There are many places to visit in Delhi. So, you will have endless options to explore if you are staying in Delhi for a few days.
Do check out my other posts on Delhi:
9 Most Recommended Destinations Around Delhi