Delhi is one of the most amazing cities in India and it has a lot of amazing things you could do. I grew up in Delhi so visiting some of these places was a regular occasion. Khan Market for example has been a staple in my family’s life and every birthday or special occasion was celebrated at a restaurant there. New Delhi is a clash between the old and the new and I think the places to visit in New Delhi I have listed cover a little bit of all the city has to offer.
Making your way to Jaipur next? I wrote this ultimate guide to things to do in Jaipur: Insider’s Guide to Top 25 Things to do in Jaipur, India.
1. India Gate
India Gate is one of the top places to visit in New Delhi for the locals as well as tourists. From practicing my skating early in the morning to going here with friends late at night, India Gate is a grounding point for the neighborhood around and a place for the locals to enjoy together. It has multiple gardens with fountains around that light up at night. I always love coming here and walking around between the children blowing bubbles and balloons everywhere and people just walking around eating popcorn.
The monument lies at the end of Janpath which is the most famous road in India. At the other end of the road is the Rashtrapati Bhawan where the president resides. India Gate was built in 1931 to honor those who died in WW1 and the Afghanistan War. The Amar Jawan Jyoti is the fire that has been burning continuously since 1971 under the monument now. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, I suggest taking a walk along Janpath to Rashtrapati Bhawan which looks so grand and imposing lit up by a thousand lights.
The area around India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan is also known as Lutyens Delhi which was developed much later by the Britishers. There are some amazing tours that cover major monuments in the area. I have done a few of these with my mom and we always found a new monument we hadn’t seen before. These trips are a great way to see this area.
Entry fee: None.
Timings: Open 24 hours.
Location: Rajpath, New Delhi.
Metro Station: Pragati Maidan.
Photography Charges: Nil.
Duration: 1-2 hours.
Things to do
- Have a picnic and enjoy the ice cream, bubbles and vendors in the park.
- Visit the Children’s Park situated in the garden.
- Take a tour of India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan and the surrounding area known as Lutyens Delhi.
- Walk along the Rajpath road to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
2. Qutub Minar
There are so many amazing monuments and places to visit in New Delhi but Qutub Minar is probably my favorite monument of them all. Qutub Minar is a gorgeous 73 meter tall stone structure built by the first Muslim king of India, Qutub-ud-din Aibak. It was built in 1192 and is almost a 1000 years old. It is now part of the Qutub Complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I really love this area because Mehrauli, which is where the Minar is situated is one of the oldest villages in Delhi and pretty much feels like a different world. You will see goats tied up outside houses and really old havelis with lattice work all around. I highly recommend doing a walking tour of the Mehrauli area after your visit to Qutub Minar.
For the Qutub Complex you can find guides at the gate and hire one on the spot or you can go by yourself. The Qutub Complex along with Qutub Minar contains the magnificent Alai-Darwaza gate, the Queeatu’l-Islam which is the oldest mosque in India and other funerary buildings. The Indo-Islamic architecture which makes the main pillars and the surrounding architecture is one of the most beautiful examples of monuments from this ancient era. Out of all the places to visit in New Delhi, this is the top rated monument by me.
Entry Fee: Rs.40 for Indians, Rs.600 for foreigners. Free for children under 15 years.
Timings: 7am – 5pm, daily.
Location: Mehrauli, South Delhi.
Metro Station: Qutub Minar.
Photography Charges: Nil (Rs.25 for video filming)
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Things to do
- Observe the carvings on the walls of verses of the Holy Quran.
- Visit the Queeatu’l-Islam, the oldest mosque in India.
- Walk along the compound and see the Mughal monuments such as the Alai-Darwaza and other funerary buildings.
- See the Iron Pillar, built before the muslim invasion and known for not having rusted for a 1000 years.
- Photograph the Minar from between the red columns for some amazing shots.
3. Humayun’s Tomb
I went to visit Humayun’s Tomb again during summer 2019 with my mom again. Since I grew up in Delhi it was tradition for our school to take us for picnics and they chose Humayun’s Tomb a lot. The monument itself is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture and a serene oasis in the middle of Delhi. We climbed the main mausoleum to the top and walked around to the back, admiring the red stone work as we went. At the back we climbed down and took one of my favorites pictures ever where the reflection of the monument is shining in the water. I record Humayun’s Tomb as one of my favorite Instagramable places to visit in New Delhi.
While coming back my mom gave me a tiny history lesson which was really cool to know. Turns out Humayun’s Tomb was built by his wife after his death to honor him near the grave of the Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. It is believed that being buried near a saint’s grave gives you access to heaven after death. For this reason this became a very significant burial site which hosts other tombs such as the Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan, Bu Halima, Afsarwala, Barber’s Tomb and the Arab Serai.
Humayun’s Tomb is also the first record of the charbagh, a four quadrant garden with four rivers joining pools around the main structure as the Quranic paradise is said to be. It is one of the top places to visit in New Delhi for both its history and architecture.
Entry Fee: Rs.40 for Indians, Rs.600 for foreigners. Free for children under 15 years.
Timings: 8am – 6pm daily (sunrise to sunset).
Location: Opp. Dargah Nizamuddin, Mathura Road, New Delhi.
Metro Station: JLN Stadium.
Photography Charges: Nil (Rs.25 for video filming)
Duration: 1-2 hours.
Things to do
- Climb up to the second storey of the Main Mausoleum, built by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.
- Visit the tomb of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
- Take an Instagram picture at the backside of the mausoleum.
- Walk along the complex and observe the smaller Mughal monuments erected all over the area.
4. Jama Masjid
Now we venture out to Old Delhi. In the old part of town lies one of the largest mosques in India and one of the most popular places to visit in Delhi. It can hold more than 25,000 people inside. I have visited Jama Masjid with my best friend a few time and its beauty never ceases to amaze me. The entire atmosphere inside the mosque is one of deep tranquility and harmony. We saw people washing themselves in the pools in the middle and praying under the shade along the walls.
One of the reason this is a huge favorite amongst places to visit in Delhi are the two minarets rising up into the sky. One of these can still be climbed for an amazing view over the city.
Since this is a place of worship you should dress conservatively and women should bring a cloth to cover their heads. I recommend wearing socks if you go during the day since the marble floor heats up very quickly and your feet will probably get burnt. You have the option of leaving your shoes outside or carrying them in your hands inside if you are worried about having them stolen. Jama Masjid is bang right in the middle of the crazy Chandni Chowk so you can easily do both within a few hours.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: 7am – 12pm, 1:30pm to 6:30pm daily.
Location: Off Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Delhi.
Metro Station: Chawri Bazar.
Photography Charges: Rs.200.
Duration: 1-2 hours.
Things to do
- Climb the 41 meter high minaret to see a birds eye view of the surrounding Old Delhi.
- See the Quranic inscriptions on the walls of the mosque.
- Walk around the mosque and see one of the finest displays of Indo-Islamic style.
- Exit the mosque and explore the busiest market in Delhi, Chandni Chowk or the Moonlight Square.
5. Lodhi Gardens
My favorite thing in the list of places to visit in New Delhi is Lodhi Gardens. Lodhi Gardens are the most beautiful and expansive gardens in Delhi filled with historical monuments over its 90 acre area. It has tombs from the 14th century Tughlaq dynasty up to the 16th century Mughal period. My mom, my sister and me used to go take a walk here every single day in high school so it’s no surprise I love this place.
We spent the time walking the garden around in a loop which takes about 40 minutes. It is especially interesting to climb up the larger monuments and look at the blue glazed tiles. The gardens are filled with so much stuff to do that we didn’t get bored in 18 years, pretty sure you won’t either. The gardens today have a glass house for plants, a lake with ducks, the National Bonsai Park, rose gardens, a butterfly park and a herb garden. These gardens have so much to do that you wont run out of places to visit in New Delhi.
This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon and go for a picnic. The park is so big that you can almost always find a place just for yourself amongst nature. The park is expansive enough that you might like to take a walking tour of it. The best walking tours are offered by Delhi Heritage Walks and Delhi Walks.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: Sunset to sunrise daily.
Location: Lodhi Road, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.
Metro Station: Jor Bagh
Photography Charges: Nil.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Things to do
- Sultan Muhammad Shah Sayyid’s tomb with Indo-Islamic design and Hindu style chhatris.
- Bara Gumbad is the largest structure which was the gateway to the attached mosque. The Islamic writings on the walls are gorgeous.
- Sheesh Gumbad faces the Bara Gumbad and is known for the blue glazed tiles which used to once cover the entire dome.
- Sikandar Lodhi’s tomb is a garden in itself with a closed elaborate gateway that leads to a smaller tomb inside the compound.
- National Bonsai Park near Gate 1 and glasshouse next to Muhammad Shah Sayyid’s tomb.
- Lodi – The Garden Restaurant is a highly acclaimed outdoor restaurant right next door that serves a delicious menu. One of my best family dinners was here! If you are looking for a dinner place then this is the perfect place to make a reservation.
6. Purana Qila
I have fond memories of this place because Purana Qila hosts Ananya Dance Festival, a dance festival of ancient Indian dance forms in the winter. Imagine watching a kathak dance performance on a cold winter night, and seeing the ruins of the fortress rising in the background with only the dancers lit up in vibrant colors. Yes it was exactly as magical as it sounds! Seher takes places at the start of winter every year and you should not miss this!
In the morning the fortress has a completely different vibe and an amazing addition to your list of places to visit in Delhi. We saw the Qila-i-Kuna Mosque with its finely painted walls and did a photoshoot here. This gorgeous stone mosque was built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun for his new capital Din Panah. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in 1540 and added more structures to this already magnificent fortress. The stone walls of the fortress run over a mile long with 3 gates, the most famous of which is the Talaqi Darwaza or Forbidden Gate though no one knows why it has been named as such.
After recent excavations, pottery fragments found here dating as far back as 1000 BC have revealed that this fortress was built on the site of the oldest settlements in Delhi; Indraprastha. Indraprastha is an ancient city which was the capital of the Pandavas, the five brothers mentioned in the holy Hindu text, The Geeta, who were known to be friends with the God Krishna.
Entry Fee: Rs.30 Indians, Rs.300 foreigners.
Timings: 7am – 5pm daily.
Location: Near Delhi Zoo, Mathura Road.
Metro Station: Pragati Maidan.
Photography Charges: Nil (Rs.25 for video).
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Things to do
- Qila-i-Kuna Mosque which is a single domed mosque built by Sher Shah Suri.
- Sher Mandal, a double storied tower which was Humayun’s observatory and library. He later died from falling down the stairs of the tower.
- The three gates – Talaqi Darwaza, Humayun Darwaza, Bada Darwaza that were the only entrances into the fortress.
- Purana Qila Museum located next to the main entrance has some great exhibits to see including prehistoric tools, textiles, pottery and manuscripts from the Mauryan, Gupta Sunga, Kushana and Sultanate periods.
- Timings: 9am – 5pm, closed on Fridays and public holidays.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- Light and Sound Show is one of the top light and sound shows in all of India. The show is named Ishq-e-Dilli, and given you the history of Delhi from ancient times to the present day. This is one of the top things to do in Delhi that you must not miss!
- Duration: 60 mins.
- Timings:
Hindi – 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
English – 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
No shows on Fridays - Tickets: Rs.100 for adults, Rs.50 for students, senior citizens, differently abled people, and children (3 to 12 years).
7. National Crafts Museum
The National Crafts Museum is my local hidden gem. This is an insider’s secret that only people who are really into culture and art would know. I generously credit my mom for introducing me to this place. You should immediately add this to your places to visit in New Delhi.
The National Crafts Museum is an experience in itself wherein you can immerse yourself into culture from all across the country. The museum has a collection of over 30,000 artifacts collected from each and every state of the country from Kerala to Himachal to Rajasthan and Nagaland. The museum is spread over 5 acres with 15 outdoor areas depicting villages from across India, indoor galleries and live crafts demonstrations by artisans. Every month different artisans are invited to come and spend a month here and showcase their crafts. This one museum is enough to give you a tiny glimpse of what this magnificent country actually feels like.
On our trips we would roam around the village structures and then make our way to the artisans which was my favorite part of this! The Crafts Museum periodically has festivals where a huge number of artisans come from all over the country and set up stalls so you can buy cool things like Madhubani paintings, bamboo chairs and the cutest pottery animals. I love going here whenever I am back in Delhi. The best part about this is that we always go to lunch at Cafe Lota where the coffee and food is to die for!
Entry Fee: Rs.10 Indians, Rs.150 foreigners.
Timing: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (Monday closed).
Location: Bhairon Road, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Metro Station: Pragati Maidan.
Photography Charges: Nil.
Duration: 3-4 hours.
Things to do
- Folk and tribal gallery with tribal art from Nagaland and paintings from Rajasthan and the famous paper puppets or kathputlis.
- The Bhuta gallery has a collection of Bhutas believed to be the spirits of ancestors and a collection of Madhubani paintings.
- The Textile gallery has a collection of textiles dating back to the Harappan civilisation with styles such as khadi, brocade, phulkari, Banjara embroidery etc.
- Cult craft gallery has a collection of masks, chariots, and other objects used in temples and other places of worship.
- Live craft demonstrations from over 50 artisans such as pottery, Madhubani painting, Rajasthani dances, wooden carving etc.
- Cafe Lota with its bamboo curtains and quintessential Indian ambience is known as one of the best cafes in all of Delhi for Indian cuisine and people come to the Crafts Museum especially to have lunch here.
8. Sunder Nursery
Sunder Nursery is the city’s first arboretum with historical monuments dotting the grounds. It was named as The Times’s top places to visit in New Delhi in 2018 and a designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We ended up going to Sunder Nursery pretty much every weekend for the 3 months I was in India in 2019. Sunder Nursery is quickly becoming a very popular place to see in New Delhi.
The 90 acre horticultural area of Sunder Nursery has many restored Mughal-era monuments and natural water features. It is an absolutely gorgeous with a water body that has 80 species of birds flocking to it. It is filled with 4500 trees including a tiny tree house that my sister loved to climb. The Mughal monuments have been restored with immaculate care and shine in the sun.
The park is still very new and is a secret spot that not many know about. We used to go every Sunday for the small farmer’s market next to the car park that sells delicious Indian breakfast, organic groceries, honey and cakes. We bought groceries, seeds, some juices and then took some breakfast and sat on the tables under the trees to chill out and eat. It is literally the most perfect way to start your weekend. If you want to start your day with some authentic local cuisine, culture and nature then this is the best spot to be during the weekend.
Entry Fee: Rs.35 Indians, Rs.100 foreigners.
Timing: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily (sunrise to sunset).
Location: Nizamuddin, New Delhi.
Metro Station: JLN Stadium.
Photography Charges: Nil.
Duration: 3-4 hours.
Things to do
- Sunday morning farmer’s market for an outdoor picnic and authentic Indian cuisine made by local farmers.
- Sunder Burj, Lakkarwala Burj, Mughal’s tomb, Chota batashewala, Sundarwala Mahal and Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb are a few Mughal monuments inside the park.
- 80 different species of birds and butterflies have a home here. Rare trees like the Pink Cedar (the only one in Delhi), Chukka and Carrotwood can be found here.
9. Chandni Chowk
Out of all the places to visit in Delhi, this is the most Indian if you might. You know that image that pops up in your head when you hear the word India? Cows in the middle of the road, the smell of spice so strong your driver walks into a wall coughing, people and tuk tuk occupying every single goddamn inch of the road ? Yep you have found Chandni Chowk. The ‘Moonlight Square’ or Chandni Chowk will be your most existential Indian experience ever. It is the busiest and the most popular market in Delhi selling everything from spices, sweets, clothes, bangles, tires, chickens to whatever else you can think of.
When I went there I was trying to find this rooftop near the spice market to take an Instagram picture. While coming back, the air in the spice market was so saturated with spices that it was difficult to even breathe or keep your eyes open. My driver who was with me and had managed to find the way, straight up walked into a wall behind me and I, in my hurry to get out kept walking and got lost for almost 10 minutes while trying to figure out why he had abandoned me. It is an experience for sure…
Things to do in Chandni Chowk
- Khari Baoli which is the largest spice market in Asia and filled with so much spice in the air that my driver walked right into a wall trying to cough it out and consequently I walked ahead and got lost. In hindsight it was very funny.
- Dariba Khan is the market that was known in Shah Jahan time for its precious stones and jewels. These days it is a famous market for silver jwelery priced much more affordably than anywhere else in Delhi.
- Gulab Singh Johri Mal in this area is the oldest perfumery in Delhi the founder of which is known to have sold perfumes to the Mughal emperors.
- Paranthe Wali Gali is where the famous Indian stuffed bread called parantha is sold through this whole street filled with the smell of butter and spices.
- Havelis of Begum Samru, Mirza Ghalib, and Zeenat Mahal. Moreover, the Khajanchi Haveli is yet another gem that needs more limelight.
- Haveli Dharampura is a gorgeous hotel in the middle of Chandni chowk to take a quick break from walking.
10. Khan Market
I have been going to Khan Market for almost 18 years at this point. Every single birthday and special occasion has been spent in one of the many restaurants in this market. No wonder this is one of the most popular things to do in Delhi for shopping.
The market has local brands such as Fabindia, Good Earth, Kama Ayurveda, Play Clan and Forest Essentials which do a great job of sourcing locally. These are some of the best brands that you can find in India and I have personally used their products for years now. The one place not to miss in Khan Market is SodaBottleOpenerWala which is a Parsi restaurant that has the most delicious food in all of Delhi. Don’t believe me? Try out their Pav Bhaji or Mutton Berry Pulao and you will pretty soon.
Restaurants in Khan Market
SodaBottleOpenerWala
My favorite restaurant in Delhi is this Parsi restaurant in Khan Market. The Parsis are a group of people that migrated from ancient Persia to India and brought with them some amazing recipes. This restaurant has taken those age old recipes and given them a modern twist. I cannot fucking stress enough how good the food here is. Their Pav Bhaji comes with goat cheese and is basically my favorite food here. One of their top recommended foods is Mutton Berry Pulao. If you go to Delhi you have to try this place out!
Mamagoto
This restaurant in famous for its pan Asian cuisine. It has a very cheerful vibe with yellow oriental patterned wallpaper and an interior that begs to be Instagrammed. The music is very peppy and the staff are cheerful. This restaurant has pulled in a loyal crowd for almost a decade now. They have a good selection of both vegetarian and non-veg dishes synch as crispy lotus stem, hot basil chicken cups, crispy chili potato which is my go to dish for appetizers. I once remember seeing a review where someone has said that whenever she misses Bangkok she goes to Mamagoto. Those are some strong words and the restaurant lives up to their promise very well.
Shops in Khan Market
FabIndia
This is a great shop for Indian fabrics, suits and dresses. They have a huge collection of all types of garments and other dresses. If you are looking for some cloth dresses to wear while on your tour to India I recommend stopping here on the first couple days and picking up your wardrobe. The clothes are not expensive and they support local craftsmen.
Good Earth
This is one of the top places to visit in New Delhi for Indian cloth apparel, Indian patterned cushion covers and Aromatherapy oils. They basically have everything Indian you could want to buy for yourself or as souvenirs.
Kama Ayurveda
The ultimate shop for all your Ayurvedic needs. They have collections ranging from skincare, haircare, bath and body to Aromatherapy oils in more than 30 essential oils like Citronella, Bergamot, Citrathai and Sambrani.
Play Clan
This shop has an eclectic take on Indian culture. It has the pop that I really enjoy incorporating into my home. I have so many different knick knacks and cushions around the house that I have bought from them over the years.
Forest Essentials
This is the ultimate luxury Ayurveda store and my TOP choice to shop for gifts back home. Their prices are considerably higher than other stores but it is very very good in quality. I always splurge and buy myself a couple things from Forest Essentials whenever I go home to Delhi. As soon as you step inside their shop you can expect your senses to get overwhelmed with how delightful it is. They have amazing service inside the store and they pack your stuff with flower petals and make it an all around 5 star experience.
Wow! This list makes me wanna visit New Delhi right now! Cant wait to go there soon
Wow! This list makes me wanna visit New Delhi right now!
This is such a fab guide, thankyou. India is high on my bucket list and often Dehli is portrayed as overwhelming for new tourists, so it’s lovely to read your guide with your personal memories. I’ll definitely be referring back to it when I get to go.
I would totally visit Delhi for their street food as I have heard sooo much about it!
Wow this guide was so incredibly thorough! I can’t wait to visit! The first stop on my itinerary will definitely be Humayun’s Tomb! And thennnnn ALL THE RESTAURANTS! They sound delicious!
I need to visit New Delhi and your blog is packed with amazing information. I would love to visit the markets and Jama Masjid. I am saving this guide for the future.
What an extensive and detailed guide! Definitely saving for my future trip to India, thanks!