The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a historic old Delhi and the modern New Delhi. From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from an extensive network of the modern metro system to Delhi University campus, Dilli has multiple personalities and is considered to be the city with a heart.
The narrow, winding lanes and by lanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country’s oldest and busiest markets – Chandni Chowk.
Take time to explore historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila if you want to explore the Mughal History. Delhi has famous temples scattered all across the city, a few noteworthy ones being the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKCON Temple.
People in Delhi love to eat, and tourists will find themselves spoilt for choice between the multitude of dishes on offer at every corner of every street. From kebabs and tikkas to Chhole Bhature, Delhi is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and this fact is reflected in the culinary palette of the city. There are a number of cafes and restaurants for the travellers.
Central Delhi is the concentration of the country’s political power, and the must-visit places here include the Connaught Place, drive from outside of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill (visitors are not allowed to go inside), the Rajpath, and the India Gate. The best place to visit this area is in the evening, as all the buildings are lit up, and you can see the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate shining brightly.
Delhi is a shopper’s paradise with some colorful bazaars and upscale markets. The wide variety of markets in Delhi ensures that travellers go back home with double the luggage they came with!
Places to visit in Delhi
India Gate: The All India War Memorial, popularly known as the India Gate, is located along the Rajpath in New Delhi. Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path in September 2022. The imposing structure of India Gate is an awe-inspiring sight and is often compared to the Arch de Triomphe in France, the Gateway of India in Mumbai and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This 42-meter tall historical structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is one of the largest war memorials in the country. India Gate is also famous for hosting the Republic Day Parade every year.
Lal Quila: The Red Fort is a historical fortification in the old Delhi area. Shah Jahan constructed it in the year 1639 as a result of a capital shift from Agra to Delhi. Used as the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty, this imposing piece of architecture derives its name from its impregnable red sandstone walls. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region.
Akshardham Temple: An epitome of Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture, Akshardham Temple is a famous Hindu temple and a spiritual-cultural complex. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, it is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. Akshardham has made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.
Lotus Temple: Located in the national capital of New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is an edifice dedicated to the Baha’i faith. The magnificent structure of this building unfolds in the form of a stupendous white petal lotus and is one of the most visited establishments in the world. The design of this shrine was conceptualized by Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba and was completed in the year 1986.
National Zoological Park: Inaugurated in 1959, National Zoological Park also known as Chidiya Ghar is situated near The Old Fort in Delhi and is a favorite weekend spot among adults and children alike. National Zoological Park is well maintained and is largely visited by tourists. It has canteens inside for the visitors and battery-operated vehicles at very reasonable prices, which you could use if exhausted.
Qutub Minar: Qutub Minar is a minaret or a victory tower located in Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi’s Mehrauli area. With the height of 72.5 meters (238 ft), Qutub Minar is the second tallest monument of Delhi. Its construction began in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate after he defeated the last Hindu Ruler of Delhi.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is a Sikh temple as well as tourist places in Delhi. Built to commemorate the visit Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh guru in 1664, this magnificent shrine was built by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
Chandni Chowk: One of the oldest markets in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk is Old Delhi’s main thoroughfare which is a chaotic wholesale market lined by hawkers and porters offering full medieval bazaar experience. It is an important historical site renowned for the availability of every kind of goods as well as food. It was constructed in the 17th-century b the Mughal ruler of India Shah Jahan.
Connaught Place: Connaught Place or ‘CP’ as it is more commonly known is a massive commercial and financial center in New Delhi. Named after the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, this confusing market complex houses almost all famous international chain stores, famous food chains, restaurants and bars. Connaught Place has one of the largest national flags in the country.
Delhi Street Food: Delhi and Delhi-ites are known as much for their insatiable appetites as they are for the unending variety of food found in the city. Any cuisine, Indian or international, you name it, we have it. But what really captures the essence of the city is the street food that changes color and taste but gets only better with discovering the city.
Dilli Haat: Designed to invoke the ambience of a traditional village fair, Dilli Haat is every shopper’s paradise and a foodie’s haven. There are three Delhi Haats in Delhi: Pitampura, Janakpuri and INA, with INA being the most popular one. Delhi Haat INA is located in the commercial center of South Delhi, bang opposite the INA Market.
Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya: The Prime Ministers’ Museum or the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14th April 2022. Located next to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) on Teen Murti Marg, the museum pays tribute to all the Prime Ministers of India since Independence. Besides memorabilia, there is an audio and visual tour of speeches from the Red Fort and a virtual helicopter ride.
Best time to visit Delhi
While October to March is the best time to visit Delhi because of cool weather. However, some weeks in late November to January should be avoided because of heavy smog cover. February and March have great weather and relatively clean air to travel outside. Delhi experiences extreme temperatures in summer and winter seasons.
How to Reach Delhi
Being the capital of the country, New Delhi is well connected to all the major parts of India and the world. The Delhi Airport serves for domestic as well as international flights. New Delhi also is the main railhead, being well connected to all major cities in India. State buses also run to and from neighboring cities.
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