The city of Delhi has a rich historical foundation with many amazing monuments, tombs, forts along with beautiful churches, temples, and mosques. These wonderful structures are spread out throughout the entire city. Visiting these tourist attractions in Delhi can be a very fulfilling experience to have.
The city of Delhi is considered the heart of the cultural and historical heritage of North India. The city has two parts which include the Old Delhi and the City of New Delhi. The old part of Delhi is where most of the historical monuments are located which contains many monuments that are related to the Mughal rule in India. New Delhi is a metropolitan city with prestigious universities, business centers, and malls which are in pace with the modern times. Both these parts of Delhi are well-connected with the Metro train transportation service.
Delhi is also home to India’s Parliament and political offices where key political decisions are made. Traveling through Delhi will give you a glimpse into the modern culture of India and many experiences that are unique to this city.
9 Most Important Tourist Destinations That Worth Visiting On Your Trip To Delhi
1. India Gate
2. Qutub Minar
3. Lotus Temple
4. Dilli Haat
5. Chandni Chowk
6. Hauz Khas Village
7. Connaught Place
8. ISKCON Temple
9. The Red Fort
1. India Gate
India Gate, New Delhi (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This is one of the most popular sites to visit during your time in Delhi. This monument is originally called ‘All India War Memorial’ which was built in the memory of the Indian Army soldiers who fought in the First World War and the Afghan War.
India Gate is a world-famous monument and is visited by hundreds of international tourists every year. During the annual Republic Day of India, a ceremonious parade is a help here every year.
For the tourists, this monument is open 24 hours every day and there is no entrance fee required to visit this site. This place is an ideal destination for a picnic or hanging out with friends and family. India Gate is well connected to all parts of Delhi by road and by Metro train.
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2. Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar, Delhi (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Qutub Minar is an important destination for tourists visiting the city of Delhi during their sightseeing tour. This historic structure is built in the architectural style of Afghanistan and Iran. The structure is around 72 meters tall with inscriptions and carvings on its surface.
Qutub Minar is located on the outskirts of Delhi and should be considered as part of your itinerary of Delhi’s tour. There are some interesting facts about QutubMinar which makes it a very unique structure with much historical significance. One interesting fact is that Qutub Minar is one of the world’s highest minaret with a brick structure.
Qutub Minar is part of the ‘Qutub Complex’ which also includes the Iron Pillar, the famous Tomb of Iltutmish, and Imam Zamin’s Tomb. QutubMinar has been classified as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the most fascinating this about the Iron Pillar in the complex is that no rust has formed on the structure since its establishment for over 2,000 years. The unique construction of the Iron Pillar is still a mystery to modern science.
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3. Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple, Delhi (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This beautiful temple made out of marble stone is famous for its beautiful architecture. The shape of the temple resembles that of a lotus flower and after sunset, the temple is beautifully lit. Lotus Temple can be called the most peaceful Delhi tourist places.
The lotus temple is known as the place of worship for the Baha'i faith. There is no idol present inside the temple which is per the Baha'i faith. The Lotus Temple is constructed with nine sides to it. This is because the number nine has a special spiritual significance in the Baha'i tradition.
It is one of the most beautiful temples in the world and is famous for its unique style of construction. It looks like a blooming lotus suspended on the water which a wonderful sight to behold especially during the night when its lighting makes it come alive.
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4. Dilli Haat
Dilli Haat market, Delhi (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
‘DilliHaat’ is one of the biggest flea markets in Delhi with traditionally crafted handicrafts and art is exhibited from all around India. This is a popular market and one of the best tourist places in Delhi. This market is very popular among international tourists who wish to purchase authentic traditional souvenirs and handicrafts.
The market is full of stalls selling various locally made handicrafts, fabrics, furniture items, and art. Merchants from all over India come to this place to sell their art and DilliHaat has become an ideal place for these merchants to display their work. This market is the most diverse and well-known place in Delhi to find authentic items belonging to different parts of India.
Dilli Haat is also famous for its food stalls which offer delicacies from various parts of India with their own traditionally unique recipe. Many cultural performances such as traditional dances of Rajasthan are also part of some of the events held at Dilli Haat.
Dilli Haat is an initiative taken by the Indian Government to provide a platform for the local artisans where they can display their art and skills. Dilli Haat has been enormously successful in uplifting the artists and craftsmen by making their art available to the world.
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5. Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk Market, Old Delhi (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This place is an integral part of Old Delhi with its intricate streets and old shops selling food and items for almost 300 hundred years. It is among the list of very famous tourist places in Delhi. It is a world-famous market which can be quite intimidating to travel through for many international tourists. Chandni Chowk deserves an independent article on its own because of the many aspects of its experience.
However, this historic town is a quite huge shopping center in Delhi with good available at cheap prices as nowhere else in Delhi. As per the common saying, ‘You can find everything in this market’. Chandni Chowk is a combination of many small markets coming together as one big shopping hub.
Some of the market areas such as NaiSarak are known to be the best place to purchase educational textbooks and study material for all subjects taught in universities and schools. Also, all kinds of books are available here ranging from fiction, philosophy, psychology, and medicine.
The jewelry market of Dariba Kalan is full of artistic jewelry and perfumes. The spice market of Khari Baoli is famous for its spices, herbs, and nuts of various kinds. For exquisite fabrics, Kinari Bazar is unmatched with the unlimited variety of options of handcrafted fabrics you can find here. Many small markets dedicated to electronics, metals, chemicals, and footwear are also full of people looking for the best deal.
Lastly, the famous ‘ParantheWaaliGali’ is a food section of the market with a range of food items for all tastes. There are many varieties of the popular ‘Parantha’ which is a Punjabi food item. This place is a food adventure destination for people looking for something tasteful. Sweet shops with many traditional Indian sweets like ‘Jalebi’ are popular among the people of Delhi. This market has no shortage of food items of almost all kinds of Indian cuisine.
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6. Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas Market, New Delhi (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Hauz Khas Village is a famous place for young people to hang out during their weekends. It should be considered the best place to visit in New Delhi. In this market, you can find anything from clothing to food. People hanging out in coffee shops along with people working or studying here is a common sight.
Hauz Khas is well connected by road as well as by Metro train. Many popular designer clothing stores are located here with cafés and restaurants specially designed to cater to international tourists. Among international travelers, this is a very popular place to eat.
There is a certain youthful energy to this place with its booming art scene and the variety of quality delicacies you can find here to eat. You can find one of the oldest art galleries in New Delhi called the ‘Delhi Art Gallery’ showcasing the works of popular Indian artists. Hauz Khas Village is also a destination for hosting events and workshops for art, business, and lifestyle.
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7. Connaught Place
Connaught Place, New Delhi (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Connaught Place is Delhi’s most famously open public area full of shopping opportunities along with leisure activities. Among young people, it is one of the coolest places to visit in Delhi. It is a popular weekend destination for local Delhiites.
With an open park with high-rise buildings, the market area with a variety of food options is an ideal place to spend your day. There are many bars, cafés, and restaurants with live music which is always full of people.
There is a lot to do in Connaught Place. Activities such as shopping, entertainment, and eating are the most common here. Connaught Place is well connected by road and Metro train service. For the tourists wishing to spend their day in Delhi, taking a walk through the huge complex is a fulfilling experience.
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8. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple, New Delhi (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This temple is one of the most spectacular religious sites in Delhi and one of the best places to visit in Delhi. Devotees of Lord Krishna (which is an important Hindu deity) visit this temple from all over the world. The temple is dedicated to the spiritual practice and promotion of peace and harmony.
Every day, you can find people chanting harmoniously together in the melodic rhythm of the ‘Hare Krishna mantra’. This temple is also a center for education to promote the universal ideas of peace.
The temple also contains the museum of Vedic arts with many paintings depicting the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The light and sound show called ‘The Bhagavad Gita Experience’ is designed to provide the central spiritual teachings of Krishna. The temple also has a place to eat with various tasteful food items.
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9. The Red Fort
The Red Fort, New Delhi (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi and one of the famous tourist destination sites. The Red Fort is constructed with the use of red sandstone and was built around 1630 by the Mughal emperor of that time.
The fort is built according to Islamic architecture with many aspects of Persian and Hindu as well. This historical site is one of the most visited sites by domestic and international tourists visiting Delhi.
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The amazing audience halls of the fort called ‘Diwan-e-Khas’ and ‘Diwan-e-Aam’ are truly considered architectural gems. You can also find many carvings on the walls which date back to the time of the Mughals in India. Another famous attraction in the Red Fort complex is the ‘Drishya Kala Museum’. The museum is full of exquisite and rare art pieces that take the mind back to its original history of the people. Among the best Delhi tourist places, Red Fort is clearly in the top 5.
The above-mentioned list has some of the most popular tourist places to visit in Delhi. However, there are many places to visit in Delhi which are off-beat and lesser-known. Among the most amazing visiting places in Delhi, the above-mentioned destinations are the most famous places in Delhi.