Delhi Travel Guide: Things to do in Delhi

Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by admin

This Delhi travel guide covers Old Delhi’s history and charm and New Delhi’s modernity and vibrancy. It showcases all the best things to do in Delhi.

The first time I visited Delhi was for work back in 2014. I was super nervous and did not know what to expect while visiting Delhi. After many one-day trips to Delhi over the last decade, it was only recently that I visited all the tourist places in Delhi. Based on my visit, here is a Delhi Travel Guide for the best things to do in Delhi. It covers offbeat gems like Waste to Wonder park, Delhi to UNESCO Heritage sites like Qutub Minar Complex.

But before I dive into best places to visit in Delhi, let me cover some basics.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR DELHI | DELHI TRAVEL GUIDE

How many days to spend in Delhi?

It totally depends upon the time one has! It is possible to have a good experience by spending 24 hours in Delhi, 36 hours in Delhi, 2 days in Delhi, 3 days in Delhi, one week in Delhi and even 10 days in Delhi. Depending upon the slow and fast travel one prefers, one can try various combinations. 

Why visit Delhi? Is Delhi worth visiting?

There are always questions like what to do in Delhi, and what are the Delhi travel places. Being the capital of India, Delhi is sought after for a visit. Since it has good connectivity with international destinations, most tourists land here. It is only obvious to spend some time here before heading anyplace else. Delhi also forms the famous tourist circuit – The golden triangle of India that includes Jaipur, Agra and Delhi.

Delhi is the capital of modern India and has been the capital of at least seven previous civilizations. Each civilization has left behind a trail of monuments that still exist here. Delhi’s historical charm includes three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Red Fort, Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

So let’s get to the next question –

How to get around Delhi

Delhi has an excellent transportation system. Metro and public buses are conveniently available. The Metro train system, just like most big cities in the world, exists, but getting to the visitor places from the metro train station could be a hassle while on a short trip. Auto rickshaws are available right outside the metro stations.

If visitors are on a short trip to Delhi then it is best to simply hire a car and driver for the duration of your stay to get around. Another option is the travel-based apps – Uber and Ola which are a blessing to move from one place to another.

Keep in mind the heavy traffic timings and avoid them if possible. Heavy traffic timings are 9 am to 11 am, and 5.30 pm to 7 pm.

THINGS TO DO IN DELHI

It is obvious to get overwhelmed by the capital of India whether you are a first-time visitor in Delhi or a regular one. Right from deciding the safest mode to reach the city from the airport to deciding places to visit in Delhi, from deciding what to eat in Delhi to deciding where to shop in Delhi, the questions are unending.

There are so many things to do in Delhi, it is hard to even know how to begin a Delhi city guide, and what Delhi travel tips to offer to visitors who want to explore and experience the best sights in Delhi, the best nightlife of Delhi, best attractions of Delhi and must-visit landmarks of Delhi. 

What to do in Delhi and what are the best places to see in Delhi? These are common questions. Delhi is a big city so in order to cover the maximum number of places one has to carefully plan the day and places that are near to each other. Following is a must-see list for Delhi.

Jama Masjid

The highlight of Old Delhi is Jama Masjid. Also known as Masjid-i-jahan-Numa, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. While Jama Masjid exists in many Indian cities, Jama Masjid Delhi is able to contain over 25,000 people who pray together on the occasion of Eid. Jama Masjid is also a must-visit while in Ahmedabad.

Jama Masjid and its courtyard took the efforts of over 5000 workers to construct the monument. The mosque comprises three highly decorated gates, two 40-meter-high minarets and four towers. The mosque is constructed of white marble and red sandstone. Above the prayer hall’s entrances are calligraphic inscriptions in Persian. Three large marble domes rise from the prayer hall’s roof.

Timings of Jama Masjid: 7 am to Noon,1:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Note: Tourists are not allowed during prayer hours.

Entry fees for Jama Masjid: Free (Photography charges are extra INR 300).

Red Fort – must visit place in Delhi

Also known as Lal Qila, Red Fort is of historical as well as present-day importance. Red Fort is the place from which India’s Prime Minister addresses the nation on Independence Day. Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the must-visit tourist places in Delhi. Red Fort, Delhi was also built by Shah Jahan in the 17th Century and served as his residence.

Constructed in red sandstone, the Red Fort is spread over an area of 250 acres. The fort is a complex that encloses palaces, entertainment halls, projecting balconies, baths, indoor canals, gardens, and a mosque. Among the most famous structures of the complex are the Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-ʿAm), which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof, and the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-i-Khas), which has a pavilion of white marble.

Timings of Red Fort, Delhi: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. 

Entry fees of Red Fort: INR 35 for Indian nationals and INR 500 for foreigners. Light and Sound Show, Red Fort tickets charge is extra. (Note: Light and Sound show, Red Fort has been closed since COVID-19).

Jantar Mantar | Delhi Observatory

Jantar Mantar, also called the Delhi Observatory, is one of the most prominent astronomical observatories in the country. The Jantar Mantar observatory in Delhi comprises 14 astronomical instruments of which four are primary devices. These are Samrat Yantra, the Jayaprakash Yantra, the Rama Yantra, and the Misra Yantra. The sundial is one of the most popular here and is based on the ancient Egyptian Ptolemaic structure. It is one of the largest in the world and is used to tell time accurately to half a second. Most of these instruments were designed by Maharaja Jai Singh II.

Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a similar but smaller version exists in Jaipur.

Timings for Jantar Mantar Delhi: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Entry fees for Jantar Mantar Delhi: INR 25 for Indian nationals and INR 300 for foreigners.

Qutub Minar Complex

Qutub Minar or Qutb Minar is one of the top things to do in Delhi. Built in the 12th century by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, Qutub Minar is India’s highest tower. It is another UNESCO Heritage Site in Delhi and also the tallest brick minaret in the world. The total height of the minaret is 240 meters which is almost 5-storeys high. The first 3 storeys of the Qutub Minar are made using red sandstone whereas the top 2 storeys are made up of marble. It is hard not to miss that all structures in the complex have carvings of Hindu motifs or gods on them. 

The complex has several other related historical monuments, including a collection of tombs and gardens. The most significant of these is the Quwwat-ul-Islam (the Might of Islam) mosque. The 

Iron Pillar at Qutub Minar, was built in honour of Chandragupta II during Gupta reign in the 4th century. It is a fine example of ancient Indian metallurgy, because of its baffling property of not rusting in spite of being open for 2000 years.

Timings of Qutub Minar, Delhi: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Entry fees for Qutub Minar: INR 35 for Indian nationals and INR 550 for foreigners. Light and Sound Show tickets charge extra.

Humayun’s Tomb

Another important Delhi highlight among the places to visit in Delhi includes Humayun’s Tomb. It is a mausoleum constructed in red sandstone and white marble and spread over 52 acres. Humayun’s Tomb was constructed in the 16th century after the death of the Mughal emperor Humayun. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1933.

The entire complex is divided into four large squares by means of causeways and water channels. Each of the four squares is further subdivided in like manner so that the whole is subdivided into 36 smaller squares. The tomb structure occupies the four central squares and is surrounded by gardens all around.

The structure inspired several other significant architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal.

Timings of Humayun’s Tomb: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Entry fees for Humayun’s Tomb: INR 35 for Indian nationals and INR 550 for foreigners.

Purana Qila | Old Fort Delhi

Purana Qila, or Old Fort is a 16th-century stone fort near the eastern edge of the city. History runs deep in Purana Qila as excavations in the fort show the area was inhabited reportedly back to 300 BC. The fort is said to be built at the site of Indraprastha, which according to the Mahabharata, was the capital of the kingdom of the Pandavas.

The fort has three gateways – Bara Darwaza facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south, and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate. All of the gates are double-storeyed and consist of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.

The complex is spread across a huge area some that have gardens and some areas that have wild trees. Some other noteworthy structures inside the Purana Qila complex include a mosque – Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, a stepwell, a squat tower used as a library-cum-observatory called Sher Mandal and an Archeological Museum.

Talking about forts, read about the second longest wall in the world – Kumbhalgarh or trek at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Lohagarh Fort. 

Timings for Purana Qila, Delhi: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Entry fee for Purana Qila, Delhi: INR 15 for Indian nationals and INR 300 for foreigners. Boating charges are extra.

Agrasen ki Baoli

Lately, I have been obsessed with stepwells and I leave no chance to visit a stepwell that exists in the city. Having visited stepwells like Panna Meena Kund, Jaipur, Sevasi Vav, Vadodara, Rani-ki-vav, Patan, I wanted to tick off Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi. 

The stepwell measures 60 meters north-south and is 15 meters wide at ground level. The steps are flanked on both sides by thick walls with a series of arched corridors.

Timings for Agrasen ki Baoli: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Entry fee for Agrasen ki Baoli: Free

Delhi Travel Guide – Visit Lodhi Gardens

Delhi is a green city with ample gardens. Lodhi garden is one of the Delhi Tourist places that should be ticked off. Lodhi Gardens is a public park situated in the upscale locality of New Delhi. Apart from the garden, the 90 acres of area houses a lake and architecturally beautiful complexes from the 14^th and 15^th Century such as Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad.

Visitors include not only joggers and picnic lovers but architectural enthusiasts and heritage lovers. Many heritage walks are conducted here.

Timings: 5:00 am to 8:00 pm

Entry fees: Free

India Gate and National War Memorial

India Gate is the largest war memorial in India and is very similar to the Arc de Triomphe of Paris in its architecture. The memorial is a monumental sandstone arch dedicated to 70 thousand soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives between 1914 and 1921 during the Anglo-Afghan War and the First World War and has names of over 13 thousand soldiers inscribed in the structure.

The National War Memorial symbolizes the nation’s gratitude for the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces who made the sacrifice in the defence of the country since independence. It is possible to pay homage to the martyrs by clicking on the many screens in the complex or even in online mode.

Timings: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm

Entry fees: Free

Connaught Place

Connaught Place, commonly called CP is an upscale business and commercial hub, centred on a ring of collonaded Georgian-style buildings. It houses global chain stores, theatres, bakeries, bars and Indian restaurants. There also exists the newly opened Museum of Illusions.

It is said that Delhi nightlife happens in CP. Whether one visits during the day or night, spending some time here is worth it.

Connaught Place Timings: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm. The restaurants are open till 11:00 pm.

Entry fees: Free

National Museum

The National Museum is one of the largest museums in India with over 210,000 art objects, paintings, wood carvings, sculptures and murals on display, some of which date back to prehistoric times (4^th and 5^th Century). This 3 storeys premier museum of India, houses galleries that have an impressive collection of artefacts from across the country and the world. 

Timings of National Museum: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed on Mondays and National Holidays)

Entry fees of National Museum: INR 20 for Indian nationals and INR 650 for foreigners

National Railway Museum

Indian Railways has been special for travellers. The National Rail Museum comprises India’s railway heritage, exclusive exhibits, antique locomotives, train rides, a showcase of technical enhancements done in railways, and a lot more. It showcases both indoor and outdoor exhibits. 

There is a toy ride inside the museum, in which the visitors can take a round of the entire outdoor museum and get a glimpse of all the exhibits in one go. The National Rail Museum is spread over an area of 11 acres and offers a treat for not just kids but a learning experience for adults too.

Timings of National Rail Museum: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed on Mondays and National Holidays).

Entry fees of National Rail Museum: INR 50 on weekdays, INR 100 on weekends. Kids entry fees are INR 10 on weekdays and INR 20 on weekends. Toy train charges are INR 50 per adult and INR 20 for a child. and INR 650 for foreigners.

Lotus Temple

Constructed in the shape of a blooming lotus flower, Lotus temples houses a big prayer hall and has manicured gardens and nine pools bordered by red sandstone walkways, all around giving the feeling of a white lotus blooming in a green pond. 

Also known as Bahá’í House of Worship, this magnificent structure stands for the principle of the oneness of humankind. People of all racial, religious, and national backgrounds, are welcome to pray and meditate within its precincts.

Timings: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Entry fees: Free

Akshardham Temple 

Akshardham Temple is a spiritual complex in New Delhi. The term Akshardham is the combination of two words ‘Akshar’ means ‘eternal’ and ‘Dham’ means ‘abode’. Akshardham displays numerous traditional aspects, beautiful architecture, Indian culture and spirituality. In the centre the main complex is built on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shashtra which is called Akshardham Mandir. 

The temple is constructed using Italian Carrara marble and pink sandstone. It has more than 234 beautifully carved pillars, 9 elaborate domes, 20 quadrangle spires and 20,000 sculptures of spiritual personalities from India. While this one is spread over 100 acres, a smaller version of Akshardham temple is present in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Timings: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm

Entry fees: While the temple entry is free, the exhibition costs INR 170.

Hauz Khas Village

Known as ‘The National Capital of Ethnic Chic’, the hip and trendy Hauz Khas Village is a beautiful urban village nestled in a corner among the ruins of Hauz Khas Fort. Hauz Khas village is a popular place amongst the locals for the best nightlife in Delhi as it offers retro clubs, pubs and fine dining restaurants. 

Adjacent Deer Park has picnic huts, Hauz Khas lake facing tombs and religious monuments dating back to the 14th century. There are many hostels for tourists who want to enjoy a slow urban life.

Timings for Hauz Khas: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. Restaurants are open till 1 am.

Entry fees for Hauz Khas: Free to the village. INR 25 for Hauz Khas fort.

SHOPPING IN DELHI

Shopping in Delhi needs a dedicated blog post as Delhi is a shopaholic paradise. Whether you are looking for affordable streetwear or upscale designer wear, there are markets for one and all. There are specific markets for buying wedding wear, street shopping, antiques, home furnishing and crockery. The city is full of markets, stores, shopping centres, and street stalls.

Shopping markets in Delhi

Khan Market, Delhi: For upscale shopping, Khan Market is a one-stop shopping centre in central Delhi. 

Sarojini Market and Kamala Nagar market: They are traditional markets that make their presence felt with affordable clothes. 

Janpath Market: Is popular for souvenirs and jewellery, especially for international travellers.

Lajpat Market: It is a home-maker’s favourite with a variety of housewares. 

Dilli Haat: It is also a popular place with tourists for fixed-price souvenir shopping.

FOOD IN DELHI

Food is a big part of Delhi life so I have to include it in this Delhi Travel Guide. Food in Delhi is a representation of all states in India. There are hotels, roadside cafes and dhabas serving Punjabi chole-kulche and lassi, Bombay Pav-bhaji, Samosa, Chaats, Masala-Dosa, and contemporary dishes such as pasta, Maggi, pizza and others. Each area in Delhi has a special restaurant and cafe. However, some of the must-visit places in Delhi for popular food in Delhi is

Chandni Chowk

Paranthe wali Galli is famous for vegetarian food in Chandni Chowk. Some of the legendary places in Chandni chowk include Babu Ram Devi Dayal Paranthe Wale, Kake Di Hatti, Lotan Chole Wala, Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, Padam Chaat Corner, Hazari Lal Khurchan Wale, Khan Omelet Corner and Old Famous Jalebi Wala.

Jama Masjid

The alley just outside near Jama Masjid is a haven for non-vegetarian items. The area is lined with stalls and carts selling everything from kababs to biryanis to curries, made from chicken and mutton. The most popular outlets here are Aslam Chicken and Karim’s. A popular dessert here is Shahi Tukda.

INA Market 

INA Market is home to many small South-Indian eateries. Completely different from their North Indian counterparts, these places serve authentic meals and snacks.

Chawri Bazar

Chawri Bazaar has a fan following of breakfast lovers. The must-try items include nagori halwa and puri at Shyam Sweets and Bedmi kachori. Ashok Chaat Bhandar for a variety of chaats is a must, followed by kulfi at Kuremal.

WHERE TO STAY IN DELHI

Since all touristy things are spread across Delhi, it may be difficult to decide the area of accommodation in Delhi. Pahar Ganj, Karol Bagh, and Connaught Place are some of the popular choices for hotels in Delhi. South Delhi and Mehrauli offer a few upscale spaces but are safer. Most places have good connectivity with auto-rickshaws, app-based taxis and metro.

There are great options for hotels, resorts, homestays and hostels in Delhi. Some of the options are:

Luxury hotel: ITC Maurya, The Imperial Hotel, The Lodhi

Mid Range hotel: The Claridges, New Delhi, Radisson Blu, CP, Radisson Blu, Dwarka

Homestay: Prakash Kutir B&B, Thikana Delhi

Hostel: The Hosteller, Madpackers Delhi, Zostel Delhi

BEST TIME TO VISIT DELHI

Delhi’s climate fluctuates from lows of about 3 Celsius in early January to close to 46 Celsius in May and June. The most pleasant months are October, February and March when it is not too cold, hot or humid to travel around. However, if you want to enjoy Dilli ki sardi (Delhi cold weather), with delicious food and unlimited cups of chai, then the winter months are the best.

HOW TO REACH DELHI

Being the capital of India, Delhi is well-connected through air, rail, and roads.

By air

Delhi is connected to all international destinations with direct flights as well as domestic destinations. The airport is also connected through a special section of the Delhi Metro – Airport Express which will take visitors directly to the centre of the city.

By train

Delhi is a major junction for covering Northern India and it has more than 6 railway stations. Out of these the New Delhi Railway station and Old Delhi railway station are the most used.

By road

Delhi has 2 major bus terminals – Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. Comfortable Volvo buses are available for nearby states. Delhi to Manali, Delhi to Dharamshala/Mcleodganj, Delhi to Rishikesh Volvo buses, leave from here.

FAQs on DELHI TRAVEL GUIDE

Is Delhi Safe?

Delhi has a bad reputation for being the most unsafe city in India. But that goes for any big city in the world. With that being said, tourists staying in a safer area, are unlikely to experience any problems if you practise a reasonable degree of caution. It is also best to retire to hotels sooner (9 pm). 

What is Delhi weather like?

Delhi remains hot during the summers ( March to June). Heatwaves also take place in June in Delhi. Delhi winters set in around December, peaking in January and February when the temperature reaches 3 degrees celsius.

Sustainable tips for Delhi Travel Guide: Things to do in Delhi

• Do not use single-use or disposable plastic. Even if you do, do not litter it in any tourist area or any museums or archaeological sites.
• Respect the ancient structures of step wells, temples and mosques by not sitting on them. Use the garden space instead.
• Respect the places which prohibit photography. 
• Do not write on the pillars and walls of archaeological sites.

I hope this Delhi Travel Guide helps to plan a trip to Delhi. Have you already visited Delhi? What were the places you liked, loved or hated? Tell me the comments below!

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