New Delhi Tourism

Delhi – Culmination of the old and the new

Delhi gives you endless reasons to fall in love with. An exemplary capital of India, from mouth-watering food, variety of shopping and sightseeing spots to amazing night life, cultural extravaganza and incredible history which dates back to thousands of years, Delhi will leave you wanting for more. This city is a melting pot of different lifestyles that come together from various parts of the country and even world. Every part of Delhi has its own significance and that’s why it is the centre stage of many different movies like Delhi 6, Rang De Basanti and Delhi Heights.

Delhi India offers a beautiful melange of old and new. At one side of the city is the old Delhi wherein you’ll find ages old houses and shops, while at another side is the new Delhi with chic cafes, pubs, restaurants and boutiques. Delhi has something for everyone and places of sightseeing like Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodi Garden are just a few attractions worth exploring.

Being the capital city of India, Delhi is always in the news. This makes it a hot and happening city. Star sightings, musical events, cultural performances and theatre plays are regularly organized at various iconic spots. Photography exhibitions, comic book conventions, theatres, street plays and food fairs happen regularly in various parts of the city. Attending the ongoing activities will enhance your experience when you visit Delhi. One should always have an idea of important Delhi details so that they don’t end up missing anything upon their first visit.

What to see in Delhi

With such a rich and vibrant culture, Delhi offers you a plethora of places to visit. Historical attractions along with temples, gurudwaras and mosques are all highlights of a well-planned Delhi tour. Typically, a sightseeing excursion of this city requires 2 to 3 days in order to explore the important places of interest in detail. But there are a number of spots that are not very well known but are immensely beautiful. To visit them, you’ll have to keep a few more days in hand or plan another trip to satisfy your wanderlust soul.

Here are a few important highlights of Delhi city tour –

Architecture

Delhi has several places of architectural significance. You can explore these places on your own or hire a Delhi guide to understand the history and stories behind these famed structures. 

Red Fort

Red Fort was constructed by Emperor Shahjahan in the year 1638. Today, this Mughal wonder stands as the highlight of Indian democracy and integrity. Exploring the fort complex is your introduction to the gems of Mughal era that make India tourism in Delhi so remarkable. The bustling Red Fort complex boasts of colossal walls, vibrant markets and intricate carvings in Arabic that you’ll notice on the gates and the pillars.

Qutub Minar

This 73-meter-tall structure is major focal point of Delhi tour. Qutub Minar was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak who ruled Delhi during the Sultanate Era. The edifice is beautifully designed with intricate carvings on the walls. The complex also stores many artefacts from different era which are now preserved as relics. The incomplete Alai minar, which was supposed to be taller than Qutub Minar, is also present nearby.

Jama Masjid

Not too far from the beautiful Red Fort, Jama Masjid stands as a fine example of Mughal craftsmanship. The mosque holds a great importance amongst the Muslim community who visit here from different parts of the country. Right outside Jama Masjid is the food lane of Matia Mahal. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the taste of Delhi will love to explore the small makeshift shops and enjoy the scrumptious kebabs and biryanis. The best way to explore this whole area is with the help of an experienced Delhi tour guide who’ll show you these hidden gems and introduce you to the rich history of the small shops that are running since 100 of years.

Lodi Gardens

If you wish to experience the lovely communal bonding of Delhi, then you must plan a visit to Lodi Garden in the evening or early morning. Visitors from various backgrounds come here to indulge in a session of yoga or laughter therapy. Lodi Garden is spread in a huge complex with multiple tombs placed in beautifully designed domes. Exploring this place is a great way to come close to the highlights that make Delhi city such a wonderful place.

India Gate

India Gate is the defining part of Delhi attractions which signifies the spirit of this city and hence is a mandatory addition to every Delhi travel guide. This massive structure was constructed in the honour of the soldiers who laid their life in World War 1. The names of all the martyrs are etched on the wall of India Gate. The area around this attraction is known as Rajpath and worth a stroll during the evening. Delhiites use the lawns around India Gate as picnic spot and one can also indulge in a number of activities to spend a wonderful time.

Lodi Art District

Lodi Art District is a modern masterpiece that reflects life in Delhi through art pieces. This massive open art gallery is one of its kinds in New Delhi area and worth spending a few hours. The best way to uncover these art pieces is by taking a walk across Lodi Colony and Khanna Market. You can also mix this visit with Safdarjang’s Tomb and Lodi Gardens to make the best of your time.

Majnu ka Tilla

If South Delhi is posh, modern region with world class pubs and restaurants then North Delhi still keeps its old-world charm intact. Majnu ka Tilla is one such place where time stops for a while and makes you feel as you have walked into a new world altogether. A settlement that once meant to provide accommodation to Tibetan refugees is now one of the most unique places in Delhi. With a couple of monasteries, Tibetan and Chinese restaurants and wonderful roadside shops selling junk jewelleries, it’s a treat to spend a few hours around its endless lanes. 

Religious places

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a prime highlight of Delhi trip and is popular because of its splendid views and calm environment. Despite being a Sikh place of worship, people from all religions and ethnic backgrounds are welcomed here. The tranquil sarovar and the gorgeous architecture will leave you spellbound.

Nizamuddin Dargah

Known as Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, this place is revered by people of all religions. This mausoleum is dedicated to a Sufi Saint named Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Auliya who lived between the years 1238 to 1325. The vibe of the entire complex is very serene. Quwalli is organized on every Thursday and Friday evenings. The lane leading to the dargah is filled with amazing eateries that serve delicious biryanis and kebabs.

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is a mandatory place to add in your Delhi visit plan because the structure and the architecture is a stunning sight to behold. The temple complex has used pink stone and white marble as the primary components in the construction. Abhishekh Mandap, Sanskruti Darshan, Sahajanand Darshan and Neelkanth Darshan are a few of the important highlights of the temple complex.

ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple is dedicated to Shree Krishna and offers a serene atmosphere. This temple is known as a spiritual institution which was founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. As one of the prime highlights of New Delhi tourism, this place also has a few museums where you can explore exhibits and multimedia shows.

Shopping

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is the most popular place for shopping in Delhi. Shopping and street food hopping here is one of the best things to do in Delhi. The endless streets of the chaotic lanes are filled with shops that sell saree, jewellery, antiques, books and a lot more things. A visit to Chandni Chowk will leave you with tens of bags to carry back to your home or hotel.

Paharganj

Right outside New Delhi Railway Station, Paharganj is most recommended and best place to stay in Delhi. Filled with countless hotels and hostels, you’ll find a number of shops selling hippie stuff that you can take back home after a wonderful vacation. Paharganj is also one of the recommended places to purchase souvenirs to memorize your adventures and travels in Delhi.

Shahpur Jat

Your first experience of New Delhi travel should always include Shahpur Jat. This small lane is filled with designer boutique with many renowned names from the world of fashion setting up their outlets here. You’ll find wonderful collections of bohemian dresses and modern fusion attires at many stores.

Nearby Destinations from New Delhi

When you are done with local Delhi sightseeing, you can simply take a quick ride of a few nearby places. Among the most popular ones is obviously Agra. Two hours away from Delhi, Agra is the city of the famous Taj Mahal. Fatehpur Sikri is also a wonderful place to visit that is at a short distance from the city of love.

The birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura is one of the must visit nearby cities from Delhi that is worthy of a day trip. Mathura is usually combined with Vrindavan. Calmness exists in Mathura’s nature. Evenings at Vrindavan are simply splendid and the energy at Banke Bihari Temple is incredible to be a part of.

If you are interested in Birdwatching, then Bharatpur is where you should be. Close to Agra, Bharatpur is home to many species of avifauna that come here during winter season.

Gwalior, Jaipur, Corbett National Park and Mussoorie are just a few more places that you can visit along with your Delhi tour plans.

Entertainment and nightlife

Delhi visit is incomplete without tapping your feet on the latest numbers at its clubs and pubs. Hauz Khas Village is one of the best places to visit for nightlife activities. Connaught Place is also the home to many of the premium restaurants that are open till late night. The lanes of Khan Market has several upmarket but quaint cafes ideal for a date night.

Budget friendly pubs and discotheques of Paharganj are recommended to those who wish to indulge in the exciting nightlife of Delhi but don’t want to spend a lot. Apart from Delhi, Gurgaon also has many cosy restaurants and bars that offer an amazing experience of nightlife. The local BYOB (bring your own booze) culture is also popular in this part of NCR.

Best time to visit Delhi

The best time to visit Delhi is between September and March. Since most of the destinations in the city require long walks, doing so in harsh summers can prove really exhausting. New Delhi weather comes gentle post monsoon and is ideal to go for sightseeing or run from market to market for shopping sessions. 

How to reach Delhi

Delhi, being the capital of India, is wonderfully connected by rail, road and air. Reaching Delhi is easy and very simple for both domestic and foreign travellers.

By Air: Delhi is easily connected with major airports around the country and the world. International and domestic flights land and fly from two of the busiest Delhi airports. With a third airport on its way in Ghaziabad, air travel will become much more convenient to reach any part of Delhi NCR.

By Road: New Delhi is connected with cities like Lucknow, Allahabad, Jaipur, Nainital, Agra, Gwalior, Manali, Shimla, Dehradun, Amritsar and a lot more places. Multiple highways pass through Delhi which makes travelling easier. One can drive from far-away places like Bangalore and Mumbai and reach Delhi through a pleasant road trip experience. There are regular buses running between Delhi and major cities including Kathmandu in Nepal. Kashmiri Gate, Anand Vihar bus terminus and Sarai Kale Khan are three of the major bus stations in the city.

By Train: New Delhi is one of the busiest train stations in India as it is connected with every part of the country. There are direct trains from Bangalore, Chennai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Bhopal, Patna and many more places in all directions. Superfast Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, and Duranto provide a faster travel time for both long and short distances.

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History

Delhi has a rich history and cultural heritage which is evident from the fact that it has been adorned with 9 different names over the course of time. Indraprastha, Lalkot, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Shergah, Shahjahanabad were all the names of this city before Lutyen’s Delhi or New Delhi came into being. The remains of these past existences are scattered all across Delhi state.

According to Mahabharata, The Pandavas, five sons of Pandu and Kunti were given a barren land that they converted into a beautiful kingdom, Indraprastha. The battle of Mahabharata happened over this kingdom. It is believed that remains of Purana Quila dates back to this era.

After this, Delhi kept changing hands. Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the Delhi Sultanate, and later Mughals ruled Delhi area. Each dynasty gave Delhi a different name, unique style of architecture, and a part of history. A kingdom rose to glory and then fell into the hands of another dynasty. These events kept adding new chapters in the history of Delhi.

A major part of Delhi’s history has been etched on the canvas created by the Mughals. Their creations are still a crown jewel of Delhi tourism’s umpteen attractions. Mughal emperor Humayun captured the city of Ferozabad and then renovated the layout and renamed it as Dinpanah. It was later captured by Sher Shah Suri who changed the name to Shergah in 1540 AD. After the fall of Sur Empire, Akbar moved to Agra and it was not until his grandson Shahjahan reinstated his rule over Delhi India and called Delhi as Shahjahanabad.

The rise and fall of New Delhi state blessed it with a vibrant culture and lifestyle. Its food, festivals, stories and people, everything is plucked from different eras and then placed carefully in various corners. You can imagine the diversity that comes from a population of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Tibetans, Mongolians, Afghans and Anglo Indians all residing here in harmony.