Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Delhi
Delhi is the Capital city of India. The contrast between rambling Old Delhi and well planned New Delhi is immense, and it’s interesting to spend time exploring both. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. New Delhi houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.
Here’s a list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Delhi which you can consider visiting during your Delhi tour.
Major Attractions in Delhi
Red Fort
Red Fort is one of the important tourist attractions in Delhi. It is located on the terminal point of the place called Chandni Chowk. Delhi’s most famous monument, the Red Fort, stands as a powerful reminder of the Mughal emperors who ruled India. Its walls, which stretch for over two kilometers (1.2 miles), were built in 1638 to keep out invaders. The Fort, built in 1638, is a magnificent monument that captivates your attention and exhibits the show of architectural splendor of Mughals.
Timings: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Entry Fee: Foreigners, INR 250 rupees. Indians, INR 10 rupees. Free for children under 15 years.
Jama Masjid
It is the largest mosque of India that is located opposite Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. The mosque was completed in 1656 AD with three great gates, four towers and two 40 m high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. It can accommodate around 25,000 people at once.
Timing: 7 am to Noon,1.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Visitors are not allowed during prayer hours
Entry Fee: Free.
Photography: INR 200
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk, a main marketplace in Delhi, keeps alive the city’s living legacy of Shahjahanabad. It is located close to Old Delhi Railway Station and the monument Red Fort is located within the Chandni Chowk. As one of the oldest and busiest markets in India, its narrow winding lanes are full of inexpensive jewelry, fabrics, and electronics. For the more adventurous, Chandni Chowk is an excellent place to come to sample some of Delhi’s street food.
Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham temple, carved by 7,000 sculptors out of pink sandstone and white marble, is beautiful in the way that all elaborately ornate things are beautiful.
Akshardham, also referred to as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays centuries of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. A traditional Mandir (Temple) dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan that reflects the beauty and spirituality of India’s ancient art, culture, and architecture.
Entry Fee: Free. However, tickets are required to view the exhibitions/shows.
Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. (last entry). Closed: Every Monday.
Humayun’s Tomb
This tomb was built in 1500’s but it will be renovated time to time just to safeguard the sculptures and arts over there. People visiting this tomb will be amazed with the architecture and exterior and interior of the tomb. This tomb is surrounded by the lavish green garden which will add a bit more pleasantness to your eyes. Humayun’s Tomb is located close to the Nizamuddin Railway Station.
Entry Fee: Foreigners, INR 250 rupees. Indians, INR 10. Free for children under 15 years.
Open: Daily.
Timing: Sunrise until sunset, daily. It’s best viewed in the golden light of the late afternoon.
Photography Charges: Nil (INR 25 for video filming)
India Gate
Located at Rajpath, New Delhi, India Gate is a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.
The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge moulding. During night, India Gate is dramatically floodlit while the fountains nearby make a lovely display with coloured lights. Visitors can visit this site any day.
Timing: Morning to Night
Entry: Free.
The Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith, located at near Nehru Place in south Delhi. Completed in 1986 it is set among the lush green landscaped gardens. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding “petals” made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. It looks spectacular at dusk when it is flood lit.
Open: Tue-Sun; Mondays closed
Timing: 9am to 5:30pm
Entry: Free
Lodi Gardens
The vast Gardens were built by the British in 1936 around the tombs of 15th and 16th century rulers. It contains, Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century by Lodhis, an Afghan dynasty. It is situated between Khan Market and Safdarjung’s Tomb on Lodhi Road, not far from Humayun’s Tomb. Joggers, yoga practitioners, and young couples all enjoy this park.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: Daily from sunrise until 8 p.m., Sundays are particularly busy.
Qutub Minar
At 72.5 meters, the 13th century Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minarety in the world, and the second tallest minar in India after Fateh Burj at Mohali. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. Qutub Minar, along with the ancient and medieval monuments surrounding it, form the Qutub Complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi.
Open: All days
Entry Fee: INR 10 (Indians), INR 250(foreigners). Free for children under 15 years
Timing: Sunrise until sunset
Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Parliament house is a circular colonnaded building. It also houses ministerial offices,numerous committee rooms and an excellent library as well. Conceived in the Imperial Style, the Parliament House consists of an open veranda with 144 columns.
Built with a mix of European and Mughal/Indian styles, Rashtrapati Bhavan was originally built for the Governor General of India. Inaugurated in 1931 as the Viceregal Lodge, the name was changed in 1959 after India became a republic. Now it is the Presidential Palace of India.