Top 10 Tourist Places in Delhi and New Delhi
1. The Red Fort
Address: Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, India
Shah Jahan built the stunning Red Fort (Lal Qila) in 1648 and it served as the seat of Mughal power until 1857. This magnificent structure, with its tall, red sandstone walls, spans more than two square kilometres and is crescent-shaped and surrounded by a moat.
The impressive main entrance, the Lahore Gate, is so named because it faces Lahore in Pakistan, whereas the emperor used the even grander Delhi Gate for ceremonial processions. Visitors enter through the Lahore Gate and arrive at Chhatta Chowk, a 17th-century covered bazaar where they can buy silks, jewellery, gems, and silverware, as well as souvenirs and food. The Red Fort’s Naubat Khana once housed the musicians who performed for the emperor, and its fine galleries still contain many interesting musical instruments such as kettledrums, gongs, and cymbals.The magnificent white marble Diwan-i-Am, the Hall of Public Audiences, where the emperor would receive his subjects, is also worth seeing.
2. Qutub Minar
Address: Mehrauli, New Delhi, 110030, India
The beautiful Qutub Minar, completed in the 12th century, is India’s tallest minaret. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many international visitors come to see the breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
This ornate five-story tower rises more than 70 metres and is covered with intricate carvings depicting Qutub’s history as well as Koranic inscriptions. It is also notable for being built with a variety of stone types (the first three stories are made of red sandstone, while the fourth and fifth stories were built with marble and sandstone).
The Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, a mosque at the base of the tower, a 1310 gateway, and the tombs of Altamish, Alauddin Khalji, and Imam Zamin are also part of the complex. The Alai Minar, a 2,000-year-old iron pillar, is also worth seeing.
3. Lodi Gardens
Address: Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India
The 90-acre Lodi Gardens, one of New Delhi’s most popular parks among locals, is well worth including on your Delhi itinerary. Aside from its lush gardens, the park contains numerous relics from the Lodi period prior to the 16th century, including a number of important tombs and ruins.
Architectural highlights include 15th-century mausoleums housing the Lodi Sultans’ remains, a picturesque triple-domed mosque, the Glazed Dome, known for its blue tiles, and the ruins of a massive dome dating from around 1490. Look for the Athpula, an eight-pier bridge from the 16th century with beautiful columns and arches that spans the park’s lake. Lodi Gardens is also known for its flora and fauna, which includes over 100 species of native trees, 50 species of butterflies, and an abundance of birdlife. It also serves as the location of the country’s National Bonsai Park.
4. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
Address: Ashoka Road, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.
The 18th-century Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi’s most important Sikh temple, is located near Connaught Place and is well worth a visit.. The magnificent pool, the Sarovar, at the heart of this vast complex, as well as its famous gold dome and flagpole, are highlights.
The large temple building itself, as well as its art gallery and a small museum dedicated to the history of the Sikh religion, are also noteworthy. Visitors are always welcome, and an excellent meal is provided free of charge in the large Gurdwara Kitchen. All that is required in return is that your hair be covered and your shoes be removed (free headscarves and shoe storage are provided).
5. The Lotus Temple
Address: Lotus Temple Road, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur, New Delhi, India.
The magnificent Bahá’ House of Worship, also known as the Lotus Temple because of its nine sides and stunning central dome, is a work of architectural art. The entire structure, made of white concrete and marble, appears as delicate as the flower it is modeled after. It almost appears to be about to bloom as it rises from the surrounding nine pools of water.
The temple, which was built in 1986, has received over 70 million visitors, making it one of the world’s most visited attractions. Surprisingly, there are no idols, religious pictures, or outward religious symbols in this remarkable place of worship.
6. India Gate
Address: Rajpath, India Gate, New Delhi, India
The equally impressive India Gate, which resembles Paris’s famous Arc de Triomphe, is a magnificent stone arch built as a memorial to Indian soldiers killed in WWI. Underneath the massive structure, an eternal flame burns, and its walls are inscribed with the names of more than 90,000 soldiers who died in the conflict.
The structure dominates the surrounding parkland, which is always busy with tourists and locals alike enjoying a picnic or simply relaxing. It stands on a red stone base and features a shallow domed bowl on top that is occasionally filled with burning oil (usually only on important anniversaries).
7. Jama Masjid
Address: Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, India
The Jama Masjid, is one of India’s largest mosques. This stunning structure, completed in 1658, has three gateways, four angled towers, and two 40-meter-high minarets made of red sandstone and white marble alternated in vertical stripes.
Climb to the top of the southern minaret for panoramic views of Old Delhi, then visit the large central pool used for washing before prayers. Please keep in mind that visitors must remove their shoes and dress appropriately before entering; non-Muslims are not permitted during prayers. After that, make your way to Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s main thoroughfare and a market area dedicated to shopping and eating. Naya Bazaar and Gadodial are popular spice markets with hundreds of items on display, including aniseed, ginger, pomegranate, saffron, lotus seeds, pickles, and chutneys.
8. Humayun’s Tomb
Address: Mathura Road, Nizamuddin, New Delhi, India
Humayun’s Tomb is a lofty mausoleum made of white marble and red sandstone that is set in a lovely, large square garden. It was built as a prototype for Agra’s Taj Mahal and is an excellent example of Mughal architecture.
The tomb was built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum as a memorial to her husband by Humayun’s senior widow, and it is surrounded by lush formal gardens and other tombs, including Humayun’s barber and the Tomb of Isa Khan (the architect of the Taj Mahal), which is octagonal in shape and a fine example of Lodi architecture.
Try to catch a glimpse of this magnificent structure after nightfall, when it is illuminated.
9. Akshardham
Address: Noida Mor, New Delhi, India
Although it was only recently completed (it opened in 2007), the magnificent Hindu Akshardham temple appears to be centuries old. This magnificent building, adorned with intricate and elaborate carvings, attracts a large number of visitors due to its majestic beauty.
The stunning 43-meter-high main monument, made of pink sandstone and marble, features rich carvings of animals, plants, gods, dancers, and musicians. The 234 ornate pillars that support its nine domes are particularly noteworthy, as is a stunning stone tribute to elephants, the centrepiece of which is a massive 3,000-ton statue of one of these beasts. A theater showing a movie about the building’s construction, a fun 15-minute boat ride depicting India’s rich history and diverse culture, and the spectacular Yagnapurush Kund, a large musical fountain that is especially beautiful when lit up at night, are also highlights.
10. Purana Qila (The Old Fort)
Address: Mathura Road, New Delhi, India
Although most tourists head straight for the more famous Red Fort, Purana Qila (Old Fort) is well worth fitting into your Delhi travel itinerary. With a 2,500-year history, much of the current impressive edifice dates back to the 1500s, though evidence of earlier structures dating back to the 3rd century has been discovered.
The current structure has played an important role in the region’s affairs for centuries and has been heavily influenced by the Muslim religion, as evidenced by structures such as theBuilt in 1541, the Qila-i-Kuna Mosque is a single-domed place of worship.. The site is two square kilometres in size, and you’ll enjoy exploring its thick ramparts and three large gates, one of which is an especially impressive sight during the nightly illuminations. The 200-acre Mehrauli Archaeological Park is also worth a visit, with numerous important structures dating back more than 1,000 years. Highlights include the ancient ruins of Lal Kot, as well as more recent evidence of British occupation during Queen Victoria’s reign.
