Delhi Destination Guide
Delhi's charm will have you enchanted and it's a city not to miss on a visit to India. Delhi has witnessed the rise and the fall of many mighty empires and has re-invented itself after each period of its decimation. The city, as has the timeless Yamuna River, been a witness and participant to the passage of time, from the grand medieval times of emperors to the modern period of cosmopolitan India. The city bears its cloak of contemporary India woven with its ancient culture and traditions with great poise.
With wonderful sites such as the marvellous Lotus Temple of New Delhi, take your time to explore this beguiling city.
Our Delhi destination guide together with our Delhi tour suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Delhi. We also have some useful travel information for your India holiday.
You can also check out all the local exciting things to see and do in these other great India destinations:
- Chennai
- Goa
- Jaipur
- Karnartaka
- Kerala
- Mumbai
- Pune
Things to See & Do in Delhi
The capital city of India, New Delhi, is a modern metropolis with a historical past. Located on the western edge of the Gangetic Plain (a topographical feature of India), New Delhi has mostly been the capital of foreign rule in India. The art, architecture, culture and history of all these rulers have influenced the unique tapestry of this city. As the seat of Government, it is home to people from all over India and this cosmopolitan diversity creates a distinctive aura of rich cultural heritage. Delhi is the perfect blend of two contrasting yet complimentary parts: Old Delhi and New Delhi. The city, the third largest in India, offers an opportunity to visit the best monuments, museums, galleries and gardens, and is undoubtedly a travel hub of India.
New and Old Delhi
New Delhi, on the other hand, is impeccably designed and a walk around the cobbled roads of Connaught Circus gives you a chance to soak in the local spirit. All tourists in Delhi make it to the Rajpath, a grand pathway from the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s house) to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the India Gate. The vista reminds one of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Shaped like a lotus, the Bahai Temple is a must visit and is located to the south of the city.
What strikes you most about this city is its chaotic colourfulness, the merger of the old and the contemporary and the boisterous but charming ambience. Here in Delhi, you can shop till you drop, with a host of items being available at down-to-earth prices at the numerous bazaars (markets) that are to be explored. In contrast to Old Delhi, New Delhi displays the glory of the British Raj. The spacious tree-lined avenues and the imperial Government buildings are reminiscent of the architecture and grandeur of the days of British rule.
Delhi Sights
The Bahai Temple
One of the predominant symbols of the city’s multicultural, multi-religious ethos is the Bahai temple. Built along the lines of a lotus flower, the temple built of marble, welcomes people of all faiths to worship in tranquillity. It is surrounded by nine pools set amidst well-designed gardens.
ISKCON Temple
The followers of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement have built a temple for Lord Krishna on a hillock called the Hare Krishna Hill. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, stated to be one of the largest temple complexes in India, has graceful idols of Lord Krishna and his consorts.
India Gate
One of the most admired monuments in Delhi is the India Gate, an imposing stone arch built in the colonial style by the British in memory of the Indian soldiers killed in World War I. This is also the spot of the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', a permanent flame in tribute to the Indian soldiers who have lost their lives in various wars since 1918.
Red Fort
Perhaps the most impressive display of Mughal architecture is the Red Fort in Delhi. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the walls of the Fort run to a length of two km with their height varying from 18 m to 33 m. Built with red sandstone, in medieval times, the imposing fort was designed to hold off invaders; currently, the fort with its landscaped gardens and pavilions provides a calm and serene sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Qutab Minar
The Qutab Minar, built in red sandstone, is the highest stone tower in India. In 1199 AD Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of this minaret for the muezzins to raise the call for prayer. This tower, an icon of the establishment of Islamic rule over the city, has a base area of 14.32 m in diameter and 2.75 m at the top with a height of 72.5 m. It was completed by Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak’s heir and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish.
Humayun's Tomb
The tomb of Humayun, one of the prominent Mughal rulers, was built by his widow Hamida Begum in 1556. This magnificent symbol of Mughal architecture with its display of intricate craftsmanship is said to been a precursor of the grand Taj Mahal. The imposing double storey gateway leads to the tomb set on a dais. The surrounding landscaped gardens and fountains also reflect the Mughal sensibilities of design and style.
Jama Masjid
The largest mosque in India is the Jama Masjid built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. This grand mosque, where many Muslims worship every day, is built of red sandstone and white marble. With three gateways, two minarets and a large courtyard with a marble tank at its centre, the mosque presents a striking picture of Islamic faith.
Old Fort
While according to legend, the old fort is said to refer to the site of Indraprastha, the ancient capital of the Pandavas as stated in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, it was built by Sher Shah Suri between 1538 and 1545 AD. The fort, once the seat of administration for various empires, is now in ruins. The structure is surrounded by a moat and houses a mosque, along with a double storied marble and sandstone octagonal tower.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The official residence of the President of India is the sprawling Rashtrapati Bhavan which reflects a harmonious combination of Indian and European architectural styles. Set in lush area of about 330 acres with 340 rooms, the Bhavan is famed for the grand Durbar Hall, the Ball Room, and the State Dining Room that is used for state functions. It is also renowned for its landscaped gardens such as the Mughal and Rose gardens that are open to the public during select months of the year.
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk was the commercial heart of Delhi during the Mughal period. Planned by Shah Jahan’s daughter Jahanara, the area was earmarked as a marketplace and also housed many affluent families. Over the years, the market has grown exponentially and though crammed with a multitude of shops, it is immensely popular for the items on sale, ranging from saris and electronic goods to sweet stalls.
Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham temple complex built on the banks of the Yamuna river in 2005, houses the Swaminarayan temple, the Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace, a theatre, a theme-based restaurant and an Ayurvedic bazaar, lending it the moniker of ‘India’s Spiritual Theme Park.’ The sprawling complex set in 100 acres was built within a short time frame and also includes well-maintained gardens and musical fountains.
National Museum
The largest museum in India is in Janpath, Delhi and plays hosts to the symbols of the rich culture and heritage of the country. Its exhibits range from bronze, wood and terracotta sculptures from the third century BC, vibrant murals and paintings to contemporary modern art.
Connaught Place
Connaught Place, the centrally located commercial district of Delhi, is famed for its business establishments – domestic and multinational, and also for its multiproduct retail markets and multi-cuisine/specialty restaurants.
Dilli Haat
India’s cultural heritage is on display at Dilli Haat that houses a floating population of local artists with their live art shows, art and craft stores and even region-based restaurants offering authentic traditional cuisine.
Talkatora Gardens
The Talkatora gardens on Wellingdon Crescent road, are structured in the form of a bowl, drawing its name from the ancient walled tank (taal = tank, katora = cup) upon which it was built. It currently houses a pool set amidst beautiful lawns, shrubs and flowering plants.
Things to Do in Delhi
The Lodhi gardens are situated adjacent to the India International Centre. This garden is set around the tombs of the Sayyid and Lodhi rulers. The garden was built during the 16th century by the Sayyid and Lodhi kings. The design of the tombs is believed to have influenced the style of the tombs of the Taj Mahal. The garden has small steams, water bodies, well-designed lawns and a jogger’s track – a favourite with the fitness conscious residents of Delhi who often seek out this oasis of tranquillity set in the heart of this busy city.
Golf Courses
The Delhi Golf Club near the Oberoi hotel is a perennial favourite with golfers. Over the years, apart from the Army Golf Club and Air Force Golf Club, and the NOIDA golf course, golf courses designed by world famous players such as Jack Nicklaus (ITC Classic Golf Resort) and Arnold Palmer (DLF Golf & Country Club) have been established in Gurgaon to attract golfing enthusiasts.
Entertainment and Nightlife in Delhi
Some of the happening places in Delhi are ‘C.J.'s’ at Le Meridien, ‘Annabelle's’ at The Hilton, ‘Dubliner’ at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel, ‘Agni’ at the Park Hotel, ‘Oasis’ at Hyatt Regency, ‘Djinn's’ at Hyatt Regency and ‘My Kind of Place’ at the Taj Palace. Saket has a number of prominent places such as ‘Voda’, T’zers and ‘Buzz’. ‘Shalom’ in Greater Kailash and ‘Punjabi by Nature’ in Vasant Vihar are also popular destinations. ‘Fabric’, situated on the Gurgaon-Mehrauli road, is a little out of the way but nonetheless a great option.
The city also has a host of malls, particularly in Gurgaon, which can easily have the highest concentration of malls in the country.
Sport in Delhi
Cricket is the most popular sport, surpassing hockey, and is like a national religion. If you are a cricket enthusiast, watching a cricket match at the Feroz Shah Kotla, one of the oldest cricket grounds with international status, should be an item on your itinerary. Other sports such as soccer, tennis, golf, badminton, swimming, kart racing, weightlifting and table tennis are also popular.
Delhi was the host for the first and ninth Asian Games. The 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in the city will be the largest sports extravaganza to feature in the history of this sports loving country.
