Delhi Tourism

A historic capital city and cultural treasure trove

Travel to India’s power-centre for a splendid journey where you can explore Delhi’s culture, history, food, market-place and monuments. Delhi, the country’s historic as well as modern capital, has been shaped by various empires from different eras. Exploring Delhi’s iconic monuments and heritage sites, immersing in its flavourful culinary delights and diverse traditions, visiting landmark sacred sites, soaking in its history and culture and shopping at busy marketplaces — these are just some ways to experience the capital city, one of the most visited places not just in India, but the entire world!

Highlights of Delhi:

Attractions:

You can never get tired of sightseeing in Delhi, where you will easily stumble upon many of its iconic monuments, owing to the sheer number of the historical edifices standing in the city. Just like any metropolitan city in the world, Delhi’s daily hustle-bustle is also a sight to behold. The city’s attractions range from architectural marvels to splendid gardens, historic tombs to places of worship, diverse market-places and dynamic neighbourhoods. Whether you have a few days or weeks to spend, here are the attractions worth fitting into your itinerary:

• The Red Fort - The iconic red sandstone fort was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 that served as the seat of power until British rule. It is undoubtedly one of the top attractions of India, where a guided tour and light & sound show are the main activities.
  
  
• Qutub Minar - Another stunning piece of Mughal architecture is the 234-foot minaret called Qutub Minar, that was built in the 12th Century. Once you’ve seen the monument, visit the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park for more antiquated marvels. 
  
  
• Chandni Chowk - Delhi’s most famous marketplace truly reflects the soul of the city. A diverse group of people, cultures and food makes this place one of the city’s best attractions.
   
• Lodhi Gardens - Escape the noisy and crowded streets for the cool shade of trees and smog-free sky at the 90-acre Lodhi Garden complex. The Lodhi Gardens dates back to 1936. Here you will find ample room to picnic, take a stroll, check out the on-site monuments and take plenty of pictures. 
  
  
• Humayun’s Tomb - Only a handful of mausoleums around the world can boast this level of beauty. In fact, it was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Check out the site as well as the surrounding symmetrical gardens and other smaller tombs. 
  
  
• Hauz Khaz Village - One of Delhi’s historic neighbourhoods, it is the ultimate past-meets-present destination to visit in the city. You’ll see plenty of facades which are architectural heritage and lush green parks alongside some of the most urbane venues and luxury shops. This is also a great spot for nightlife. 
  
  
• Connaught Place - This British-era commercial centre is known for its shopping and dining venues and is a great place to spend a day out right in the heart of the city.
   
• India Gate - Paris has the Arc de Triumph, Mumbai has the Gateway of India and Delhi has India Gate. India Gate is a memorial archway built in 1931 in honour of the lives lost in World War I and the Afghan War. Getting to see the place in the evening with lights amplifying its beauty gives it a stunning look. 
  
  
• The Lotus Temple - An architectural gem and sacred site of the Baha’i faith, The Lotus Temple is built in the shape of the flower it is named after. The temple is open to people of all beliefs and backgrounds. Enjoy its serene beauty, walk through its gardens and meditate on its premises. 

Heritage Of Delhi:

Delhi has played a central role in the social, cultural and political shaping of India for centuries. It is the melting pot of various cultures and communities, languages, culinary traditions, architectural designs, religions and more. There are over 1200 recognised heritage landmarks within the city, including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Other noteworthy cultural attractions include the National Museum, Chandni Chowk Market, India Gate, Jantar Mantar observatory and Purana Qila or Old Fort. 

Cuisine Of Delhi:

Delhi’s culinary heritage brings visitors from India and around the world. Be it the lip-smacking street foods like chaat and kebabs, the indulgent rich Mughlai food like butter chicken and biryani, the dhaba classics like dal makhani and parathas — are all part of the quintessential Delhi food experience. And then there’s a buzzing international food scene on the rise too. The city’s social and cultural diversity is beautifully reflected in its cuisine, best experienced at these top eateries: 

• Karim’s - An iconic culinary institution in Old Delhi that where generations served affordable and authentic Mughlai dishes. 
  
  
• Sagar Ratna - South Indian franchise found all over the city, perfect for an affordable light meal.
  
  
• Café Lota - A charming al fresco restaurant found within the National Craft Museum, where time seems to fly. 
  
  
• Rajinder De Dhaba - The original is in Safdarjung Enclave and an absolute must for the delicious rolls, despite the long queue!
  
  
• Greenr - Part café, part co-working space, this is the spot for a fresh, healthy meal and a soothing positive environment.  

Shopping In Delhi:

Massive extravagant glass malls or colourful heritage open-air markets, Delhi has a range of shopping experiences to offer where you can buy everything — from big brands to handicrafts to fresh organic produce. Here’s a pick of top shopping places you must visit at least once, during your stay in the city:

• Chandni Chowk - The historic marketplace that has specialised bazaars for products ranging from electronics to silver jewellery to spices. It is also a renowned destination to sample Delhi’s delicious street food.
  
  
• Sarojini Nagar - Head to this famous shopping district in South Delhi for its countless clothing stalls and stores that sell branded attires at pocket-friendly prices.
  
  
• Khan Market - Not the largest market in Delhi, but known for its branded outlets, boutiques and bookstores. There are also good restaurants and cafés here. 
  
  
• Janpath & Tibetan Market - Souvenirs, hand-crafted textiles, jewellery, instruments, flags, bags and anything else you can imagine, can all be found at this vibrant market — at bargained prices!
  
  
• Sundar Nagar - Discover wondrous objects at this artsy market such as exquisite antiques, precious jewellery, unique home décor and hand-spun textiles. Take a break at one of the market’s upscale tea houses.

Interesting facts about Delhi  

• Delhi is India’s second most populous city with about 20 million people
• It is said to have been built, invaded and rebuilt countless times, as different kingdoms came to power in the North Indian region
• Located here is Asia’s only sacred site for the Baha’i faith, the Lotus Temple
• With 20% green and ecological cover, Delhi is one of the greenest cities in the world 
• Delhi is second only to Nairobi in Kenya, as a city rich in avian biodiversity
• Built in 1200 AD, Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest standing brick minaret is found in Delhi
• Most of the modern city of Delhi was designed by British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens

Location Of Delhi:

Delhi lies in what is now called the Central National Capital Region, a Union Territory that holds within it the old city, the modern capital of New Delhi and satellite cities of Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. It is land-locked by Uttar Pradesh to the east and Haryana on the other three sides, firmly set within the Gangetic Plains of North India.

Best time to visit In Delhi:

Delhi gets extreme summers and really cold winters, separated by an unpredictable monsoon and pleasant transitional days across the year. No matter the season, the city is always welcoming tourists so you can plan a trip as per dates convenient to you. However, if weather is a consideration, early and late winters are the best time to visit Delhi — around November and February. Being out and about is most comfortable in these months, so you can maximise your days. 

How to get to Delhi:

By Air:

Delhi boasts the best domestic and international air connectivity of the country, with flights from all major cities and most towns landing at the award-winning Indira Gandhi International Airport. Minutes within landing, you can book yourself a taxi to enter the city via the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway or catch one of the lines from the Airport Metro Station. 

By Road:

Delhi has a dense road network, including five national highways such as NH1, NH2, NH8, NH10 & NH24. From any direction or neighbouring state, you can easily and comfortably drive yourself, hire an outstation taxi or take a bus to one of the three bus terminals in the city. 

By Train:

The Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station make up the main junctions for trains arriving into Delhi from various parts of the country. There are countless options for trains to the all-important region around the capital that run daily and weekly. 

History Of Delhi:

To summarise the history of a city like Delhi seems almost impossible, but one can easily recognise that it has been at the centre of the India’s political, social and cultural evolution for the last few centuries. The city finds its mention in the Mahabharata in which it was known as Indraprastha. Many rulers controlled kingdoms around the region through the ancient and medieval period, which were unified under the vast Mughal Empire. But that wasn’t the only defining era in Delhi’s past, for it also became the centre of the British rule of India when they shifted their capital from Calcutta (Kolkata), in 1911. Delhi continues to be India’s captial post-independence with the main city becoming a Union Territory called the National Capital Territory of Delhi.