Delhi NCR Attractions

Excited to explore Delhi? Here is the perfect mini guide which has all the details about the places that you just cannot miss on your trip. Take a look to know all about it while you select the most extra ones in the capital city to explore!

Red Fort

The Red Fort is an epitome of the Mughal era in India and is the face of tourist attractions in Delhi. Built in 1638, it is an outstanding marvel of Mughal architecture made of red sand stone. Within its magnanimous walls, the chhata bazaar and every evening sound and light show are special attractions. If you are interested in the history of Red Fort, you will be thrilled to know that the Fort was built when Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan shifted his capital to Delhi. In 2007, this Fort has declared a UNESCO World Heritage. It is one of the most famous places in Delhi.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians, and INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Digambar Jain Mandir, Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Paranthe wali Gali nearby

India Gate

India Gate is one monument that defines Delhi or India for that matter. It was built in 1931 as a memorial for martyrs of World War I and war in Afghanistan. At Rajpath, the structure looks amazing in evening lights. The gardens that line the structure are a must visit among the sightseeing places in Delhi.

If you are in Delhi on the Republic Day, you must visit the India Gate Parade which is really a prestigious and the most ceremonious event of India. Lots of international guests and national leaders are present on the occasion and pay tribute to the freedom fighters and great leaders of the country.

Few Essential Tips:

• For the sightseeing tour at India Gate, the best time is from October to March. The weather is soothing this time to roam around.
• If you are having a family trip, go for a picnic near India Gate. Bring packaged or cooked food and have fun.
• Bus service is readily available to reach India Gate. Else, you can take rickshaw or shuttle rickshaw.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Always open
Must visit: National Gallery of Modern Art

Rashtrapati Bhawan

On the opposite of the Rajpath is residence of the President of India. Not among the typical tourist places in Delhi, access to this grand piece of architecture is restricted. With four floors and 340 rooms in a floor area of 200,000 square feet, it has a huge presidential gardens (Mughal Gardens), large open spaces, residences of bodyguards and staff, stables, other offices and utilities within its perimeter walls. This grand architectural building is the largest residence of any head of the state around the world. The architectural design of the building is based on the design of the Edwardian Baroque. The middle dome of the building is the perfect amalgamation of the Indian and the British architectural styles. Just a walk past the monument will give you the idea of how grand the monument is.

Opening hours: 9 am till late evening. For an inside visit, one can pre book at the official Rashtrapati Bhawan website.
Must visit: Stroll through the road and you will get a glimpse of Parliament House, National Secretariat and Defence Headquarters

Qutub Minar

Among the other places to visit in Delhi, Qutub Minar stands tall with its 73 meter tall brick minaret. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the structure has five stories abundant with chiseled carvings and scriptures. Qutub Minar is the part of the Qutub Complex and it has been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This red stone tower is a heritage site of India is the amazing example of the beautiful Iranian architecture along with Parso-Arabic and Nagari details.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: Sunrise until sunset, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Chhatarpur Temple

Jantar Mantar

Constructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory. Fascinating for their ingenuity, the instruments at Jantar Mantar can no longer be used accurately because of the tall buildings around. However, a visit to admire the science of Indian astronomy makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi. The principal instruments of the observatory are the Samrat Yantra, the Jai Prakash, the Ram Yantra, and the Misra Yantra. There is also a temple of Bhairava, located near the building. It was also built by Maharaja Jai Singh II.

Entry fee: INR 5
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Central Park in Connaught Place and get a selfie with the largest Tiranga

Humayun’s Tomb

Few Essential Tips:

• The best time to visit the mosque is during the morning hours as there is no crowd at that moment.
• Remember, you should always wear moderate clothes while visiting this mosque and women should always cover their heads with scarves.
• You have to be careful about the harassments about fees and all.
• You don’t need any fake guides who say they can make you enter at fewer amounts. Remember, the admission fee is zero.
• You can click pictures, but you have to pay Rs. 200 for taking your camera inside.

Entry fee: Free, but videography fee is INR 300
Opening hours: Daily, 7 am-12 pm: 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. It is closed during prayers and the timings depends upon the direction of the moon
Must visit: Try Changezi chicken at Karim’s Hotel nearby

Old Fort: Purana Quila

In the list of places to visit in Delhi, Purana Quila is one of the most ancient grandeurs of the city. With rectangular dimensions, it spreads over a circuit of nearly 2 kilometers. Boating in the lake nearby and a sound and light show in the evening are special attractions.

Entry fee: INR 5 for domestic, INR 100 for foreigners
Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
Must visit: National Zoo and Supreme Court Museum nearby

 

 

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

With the gurgling sarovar inside its complex, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783. The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital.

Entry Fee: Free
Opening hours: Everyday
Must visit: Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, Birla Mandir and St Cathedral Church nearby if you are on Delhi sightseeing

Raj Ghat

Gandhi Smriti shows you the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The room is exactly how Gandhiji left it and that’s where he built his abode for 144 days until his time of death. The room where he slept and the prayer ground is open to the public. It also has a display of paintings, sculptures, etc. On the other side of the road is Raj Ghat. Overall, if you want to pay your respects to Gandhiji and the work he did for India, then this is one of the best places to visit in New Delhi.

 

 

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Feroz Shah Kotla fort

Hauz Khas Fort

The Hauz Khas Fort Complex rests amidst the splendid beauty of a lake and is a 10 pointer among the very famous tourist places in Delhi. Firoz Shah Tughlaq re-excavated the silted tank and cleared the channels to give shape to what is a famous recreational spot in South Delhi. Built in the 13th century, is a hub of activities, a bird watcher’s delight and a favored picnic spot for the locals.

 

 

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Green Park (attached to the fort)

Agrasen Ki Baoli

Agrasen Ki Baoli, which is also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli is one of the coolest places to visit in Delhi. It became quite popular after Amir Khan’s PK movie and on the other hand is also infamous for its haunted activities at night. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide step well in Connaught Place attracts many. You must pay a visit to this place while exploring the lanes of CP.

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

 

Nehru Park

One of the most beautifully landscaped green areas, the Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri is one of the best places to visit in Delhi and is a hub for recreational activities. Any sightseeing in Delhi is incomplete without attending any of the Spic Macey Concerts and Morning- Evening Ragas concerts by MCD (organized every month). The famous annual Bhakti Festival draws audiences from all parts of India.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 6 am to 8 pm

Crafts Museum

With the theme set up of a traditional village, this vintage museum in Pragati Maidan of Delhi has been preserving and nurturing the traditional crafts of India. An enormous carved temple chariot, a Gujarati haveli are the main highlights. The rear courtyard sells handicrafts made by local artisans. And the breakfast at Cafe Lota is a treat.

Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5 am (July to September); 9:30 am to 6 pm (October to June); closed on Mondays and national holidays

 

National Rail Museum

With an exotic collection of over a hundred exhibits of trains from Indian Railways, National Rail Museum is one of the coolest must visit places in Delhi, especially with your kids. Static and working models, signaling equipment, antique furniture, historical photographs, Prince of Wales’ Saloon, Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon are the major attractions. A mono toy train is the star attraction among kids.

Entry fee: INR 20
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed on Mondays and national holidays

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in New Delhi is a wonderful place to visit on your trip to Delhi. The doll museum was envisaged by the popular cartoonist, K Shankar Pillai. The museum has exclusive costume dolls collected from USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and from Asian countries. The number of dolls have increased from 3000 dolls to 6500 dolls collected from over 85 countries.

Opening hours: 10:00 am to 5.30 pm. All days of the week except Monday.
Entry fee: INR 15 for adult and INR 5 for children

Chandni Chowk

The main street of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk is the heart of Delhi. Chaotically competing for space, its narrow lanes are filled with shops to buy inexpensive stuff. Also, Street food just doesn’t get better than Chandni Chowk.

Must visit: The Flea Market every Sunday morning, Nayi Sadak, Dariyaganj

 

 

Palika Bazaar And Janpath Market

An underground market located between the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place, Palika Bazar houses 15,000 people within its confines at any given time. Set up in the late 1970s, it has 380 numbered shops selling a varied range of objects where electronic items and clothing are dominant and is one of the best places to visit in Delhi for all the shopaholics.

Janpath Market is another market in CP & the lane connects it to Lodhi Road. This place overflows with the shops and stalls at the roadside selling large numbers of goods.

Opening hours: 10 am till late late evening
P.S. Apart from these, there are places, I bet you, which offer such wide ranges and throw away prices that you can be that ‘must-to-go-shopping-with guy’. Go to Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, and Karol Bagh.

Sarojini Nagar Market

One of the best places to shop for accessories and clothes in Delhi at cheap prices is Sarojini Nagar Market, and everyone who’s exploring Delhi must visit this market. It’s probably the biggest and the most important markets of the city. From gorgeous pair of cheap to branded dresses for parties, one can get everything in this market at a throwaway price.

Opening hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. All days of the week except Monday

Select Citywalk

A premier shopping mall located in the Saket District Centre, Select Citywalk is a 1,300,000 square feet retail development is spread over 6 acres. It includes a multiplex, serviced apartments, offices, 180 odd retail outlets and a food court along with an open plaza. It is one of the finest and classiest places to visit in Delhi and a heaven for shopping enthusiasts.

Opening hours: 11 am till late evening

Dilli Haat

An open-air food plaza cum craft bazaar, Dilli Haat is situated near INA and is run by the Delhi Tourism Authority (DTTDC). Artisans and craftsmen from all over the country gather here to showcase and sell their handicrafts. And for the guests, there is plenty of options when it comes to food. It offers savory cuisines from all over.

Entry fee: INR 20
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm, Daily
Must visit: For theatre performances in Delhi, a visit to any of the theatres near Mandi House is suggested.

The National Museum

The National Museum of India is one of the largest museums in Delhi. The main exhibits of this museum are the vivid collections of Indian and foreign art. There are a plethora of departments, like manuscripts, archeology, paintings, arms and armors and many more.
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm. All days except Mondays.
Entry fees: INR 20 for Indians and INR 650 for foreigners.

 

The Educational National Gallery Of Modern Art

This is one of the major and largest National galleries of modern art. You can visit more than 14000 works of renowned artists, whether national or international. If you are an art connoisseur, you will love to spend your day at this museum.
Opening hours: 11 am to 6.30 pm. This museum is closed on Mondays and on national holidays.
Entry fees: Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 500 for foreigners. Students’ entry is free.

 

Lodhi Gardens

Located near Khan Market, Lodhi Gardens is spread around 90 acres and the entire year is a heritage site. You will get to see lots of historical monuments, like the tomb of Sikandar Lodi and Mohammed Shah. If you want to arrange a picnic on Saturday morning, head towards Lodhi Gardens.

 

 

 

Garden Of Five Senses

This 20-acre park is full of lush greenery that will be soothing to you amidst the pollution of Delhi. This park is not for strolling around, but you can also enjoy numerous activities over here. If you are having the trip with kids, they will love to explore the area.

 

 

 

 

Khan Market

This is the place where you can find fancy branded items, along with the opportunity of shopping budget-friendly items from the street shops. You can find apparels, cosmetics, ayurvedic medicines and lots of other things here.

Opening hours: every day from 10.00 am to 11.00 pm except Sundays.

 

 

 

Karol Bagh Market

This is one of the oldest marketplaces in Delhi which is famous for traditional Indian wear, especially the bridal collection. The variety and design you can get here are difficult to find anywhere else. Besides these, you can also shop for jewelry, cosmetics, accessories, shoes, gadgets, books and lots of other materials.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

 

 

Tamra Shangri La’s

No food recommendations can be complete without Tamra. It is a fun and vibrant restaurant which serves up some local and delicious dishes. Situated in Eris Hotel at Connaught Place, Tamra is popular for serving up pan Asian, continental and north Indian cuisine. Head on over here for some R&R and tickle those taste buds.

Entry timings: 6 Am – 12 Pm
Cost for two: Around an average of INR 3,000 including drinks and alcohol.

Lajpat Market

It is a commercial and residential point located near the South Delhi district. Named after Lala Lajpat Rai, who was nicknamed as the lion of Punjab; Lajpat Nagar is presently famous for its collection of a variety of items spread over different shops, all of which you can get at incomparable rates. Keep in mind that the place is divided up into four parts like Lajpat Nagar 1, 2, 3 and 4 which includes the housing colonies like Dayanand Colony, Amar Colony and such.
But it is a central market which turns eyes with its collection of shoes, fabrics, food items and ornaments. You will find everything from local stuff to branded ones and is a great shopping destination who are here on a shoestring budget. Most items are at a fixed price and unless you have some superior bargaining skills, it won’t come down by much.

Timings: Open on all days of the week from 9:00 am to 10:00 PM except on Mondays.
Entry Fee: Nothing, just what you decided to buy.

Kunzum Travel Cafe

While in Delhi you can meet with the other travelers here and have a great time to share stories, getting to know others and making perhaps travel buddies as well. Foreign tourists flock here and you can share your knowledge about the city and its attractions with them. They also have their own website called Kunzum.com where you can upload pictures, no worries about wifi, they have a free one for you to use. Located in the Hauz Khas village, it has become a part of the historical landscape for the city as well. Kunzum has become a travel Mecca where people come to tell tales about places unknown and known.

Timings: Open all days a week from 11:00 am to 7:30 am except on Monday
Entry fee: No need to buy anything but if you do then you can pay whatever you want.

Paharganj

It is a famous neighborhood located in Central Delhi. It was known during the Mughal period as Shahganj marketplace. The current name came from its nearness to Raisina Hill where the Rashtrapati Bhavan is currently located. Paharganj was originally one of the main five markets in Delhi and was located outside of the fortified city.
Visitors here can find a variety of shops dedicated to current conversions and currency changes. Paharganj is actually one of the three major administrative subdivisions of Central Delhi district. It houses a lot of hotels, restaurants, lodges, dhabas, and shops. If you want to buy some amazing items at a cheaper price then this is the place to head to.

Timings: Open on all days of the week from 11:00 to 09:00 PM except on Mondays.
Entry fees: None
Tips: If hungry make sure to pay a visit to Multan Moth Bhandar for some delicious Kachoris, there are a large variety of leather items available in here and check out the unnamed shops for them. If you are after some cheap drinks then My Bar is your friend as it offers the cheapest rates in the city.

The Blue Bar

If you want to explore the nightlife scene of Delhi then this is the best bar to head to. It is one of the best luxurious lounge and bars in the city because of its charismatic and yet edgy decor of red on black that makes its patrons have a really unique experience. The ambient lighting and the DJ playing some popular tracks will make your night. Of course the drinks will just make it better.

Entry timings: Open from 12:30 PM to 12:45 AM during the weekdays while weekend timings are from 5 PM to 12:45 AM.
Cost for two: The average on food and alcohol comes to about 3500 INR but you will have to shell out 400 INR more for ordering up a pint of beer.

Club Pangaea

To enjoy some great food in here, make sure you mark Club Pangaea on a list. It is a luxury dining restaurant and bar which offer a class in all aspects. Come here to experience some of the best food, wines, spirits and other beverages in a comfortable ambiance. The venue serves up Turkish, American, North Indian and finger foods.

Timings: Entry is between 12 PM to 1 AM.
Cost for two: The averages cost which was incurred while ordering good at the club was between 4000 INR.

Khan Chacha

There is an amazing story behind this establishment which has become a part of Delhi’s landscape. It was founded back in the 1970s by Haji Banda Hasan whose modest little shop went on to become the mammoth that was the Khan Chacha. Come here for some delicious food and make sure to try out the Mutton Seekh and Chicken Tikka Roll.

Entry timings: 11 AM to 11 PM
Cost for two: It’s about 650 INR

 

Laxminarayan Temple

Birla Mandir refers to any temple which was built by the Birla family and there are many as such scattered over the various cities. This one is located on Mandir Marg is a very important Delhi tourist destination as well. It is dedicated to Laxminarayan or Lord Vishnu. Built in 1939, the temple is spacious and large to hold many devotees. The architecture resembles the Nagar style and there are a lot of side temples here as well which are dedicated to various other deities like Buddha, Shiva, and Krishna. The temple stretches for up to 7.5 acres and is flanked by a lot of shrines, large gardens, and fountains which display many nationalistic and Hindu sculptures as well.

Timings: It can be visited on all days of the week from 04:30 am to 1:30 PM and then again from 02:30 PM to 09:00 PM.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee here.

The Tomb Of Safdarjung

The tomb is a very famous attraction in Delhi and is made up of marble and sandstone. It was constructed in 1754 and then architect is in the late Mughal empire style. It’s domed and arched dark red-brown and also white colored structure has a special aura which engulfs the visitors. Safdarjung held the post of the prime minister for the Mughal empire when emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur was occupying the throne in the year 1748. The tomb was constructed by his son Nawab Shujaud Daula after his death in 1754. The tomb is the last of the monumental tomb which were built resembling the Garden of the Mughals and so it resembles an enclosed garden which is in the style of Humayun’s tomb. The main attraction of the tomb is the Char Bagh plan, the mausoleum at the center, the five-part facade, the nine-fold floor plan, and the hidden stairway.

Timings: It is open on all days of the week from sunrise till sunset.
Entry Fee: For SAARC members and Indian citizens, the fee is Rs15 but for foreign nationals, it’s Rs 200.

Feroz Shah Kotla Fort

Kotla is just the name which people of this city call the historic monument built by the Sultan Feroz Shah Kotla to mold the city in his vision of Firozabad. The fortress is an amazement to behold with its polished sandstone Topra Ashokan pillar that stands tall within the fortress. It was actually one of the multiple pillars which are still left standing that was once built by the Mauryan Emperor. The obelisk is full of inscriptions as the original ones are in the Brahmi script along with some Sanskrit and Pali inscriptions which were added on much later. Apart from the pillar, there is also the Jami Masjid, a huge garden complex as well as baoli. What one can see of the fortress nowadays is just some ruins of what was once a proud fortress that was destroyed by continued warfare between the emperors.

Timings: Open all days of the week from Sunday to Tuesday from 6:00 am to 6:00 PM.
Entry Fee: For SAARC members and Indian citizens, the fee is RS 15 but for foreign nationals, it’s Rs 100. Children below 15 don’t need to pay.

Pragati Maidan

Located on the Mathura Road, Pragati Maidan is both an exhibition as well as a complex center which has a total of 150 acres of land which is equipped with roads, paved lawns, outlets and gardens. The place houses about sixteen huge halls in its entirety and Pragati Maidan is thought to be the largest of the exhibition centers in the city. This is a great place to get some scenic shots.

Timings: The visiting times aren’t fixed and they depend on the event which is being held there. But the visit duration can last from two to three hours.
Entry fee: The package deal for per person begins at 9914 INR.

Nizamuddin Dargah

Fully known as the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, this is a famous tourist destination site in the city. The structure is actually a mausoleum of a very Sufi Saint called Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Auliya who lives between the years 1238 to 1325. Located in the area of the same name, it is visited by many Islam believers every week. The complex consists of tombs of poets like Hazrat Amir Khusro, Inayat Khan and that of Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum. Near the holy dargah, the neighborhood is divided up into two parts all along the Mathura Road. One is Nizamuddin West and it is here that the structure is located along with having a lovely market which is dominated by Muslim vendors. The dargah also provides social assistance for the needy by providing them with basic necessities like furniture, utensils, clothes and other such things. They also serve food at Khanqah for those who need it. Make sure to catch one of the Qawwali performances which take place every night in here.

Timings: The entry is from 5:00 am to 10:30 pm.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Tips: Make sure to take care of your belongings because the crowds are insane. Don’t wear footwear inside, parking will difficult to park at a little distance and then walk to the temple. Make sure that you cover up your head before entering the Dargah and remember that women aren’t allowed to enter the main shrine.

Best Places To Eat At

If you are a foodie then Delhi is the paradise for you. Whether you want to taste the amazing street foods, or you are fascinated by a dining experience at multi-cuisine restaurants, these are the places to visit for the food lovers.

North Campus

This is the ultimate destination of the food lovers as you can get street foods, fast foods, snacking cafes, and obviously, multi-cuisine eateries. Students around India come here with limited money in their pockets. Therefore, this is the place where you can find quality food at a reasonable price.

Famous Foods: sweets, street foods, regional foods, street foods, and snacks
Special Picks: Bille di Hatti, Bamboo Hut, Momo’s Point

South Campus

This is another place where you can get lip-smacking food in Delhi at an affordable price. For the cafes of this area, this place has always been on the list of the most favorites among the students. Tourists also find this place very appealing due to the cafes, like Big Yellow Door, Scooter on the Wall, etc.

Famous Foods: Italian, Chinese, American and North Indian Grill, shakes and fast foods.
Special Pick: QD’s, Kev’s, Echoes, Chowringhee Lane

Pandara Road

Are you looking for a place in Delhi where you can enjoy a fine dining experience with your family or friends or with someone special? Then, you need to head towards this place near India Gate where you can find several upmarket eateries

Famous Foods: North and South India delicacies, multi-cuisine, Pan Asian, sweets.
Special Pick: Gulati, Veg Gulati, Have More, Inchiban

 

Nizamuddin

You are in Delhi and don’t spend an evening at Nizamuddin will be a great miss. This is one of the oldest settlements in Delhi where you can find the most authentic foods of Delhi. From Kebabs to sweets, this place is famous for Mughlai cuisines.

Famous Foods: Tandoori Grill, kebabs, traditional sweets, and other Mughlai foods
Special Picks: Gulfam Kashmiri Wazwan, Karim’s, and Ghalib Kabab Corner

Connaught Place

From multi-cuisine restaurants to street-side cafes, this place is the perfect destination for all types of foodies. Whether you are looking for international cuisine or your love is authentic North Indian recipes, head towards Connaught Place to enjoy an evening.

Famous Foods: North Indian, regional, international, cafes
Special Pick: Minar, Kake da Hotel, Jain Chawal Wale, Parikrama and lots more.

 

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

The iconic shrine of Sikhs, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is visited by hundreds of people every day. Located near Cannought Place, the serene environs of the landmark provides an ambient atmosphere. The best part and the main reason why you should visit this Gurudwara is the ‘karha parshad’. There is a vast pond surrounding the premises and even art gallery that you can visit to know more about the Sikh Gurus and religion.

Timings: Open 24*7
Langar timings: 9 AM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 10 PM
Entry Fee: None

Parante Wali Gali

If you are a big time foodie and love paranthas, then you should straight head to Paranthe wali Gali in Delhi. The narrow street in Old Delhi will lure you with the appetizing aroma of paranthas and other traditional Indian delicacies. This place is a heaven for foodies. From rabri parantha, halwa paratha to mixed, you get all kinds of assortments here.

Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM
Cost for two: INR 150