Top places to visit in Delhi

1. 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 an every evening sound and light show are special attractions.

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

2. 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.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Always open

3. 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. 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.

4. 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.

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

5. 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.

Entry fee: INR 5
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset

6. Humayun’s Tomb

A world heritage site under UNESCO, the Humayun’s Tomb was built in 1570 by Humayun’s wife Haji Begum. It is unarguably one of the most amazing works of Mughal Architecture to which Taj Mahal owes its design.

Entry fee: INR 10 for domestic and SAARC Visitors, INR 250 for others
Opening hours: Daily, up till sunset. Best viewed in the morning or a full moon evening.

7. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

While sightseeing in Delhi, a visit is necessarily suggested to Swaminarayan Akshardham – one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. Built by the BAPS spiritual organization, it’s a stunning architectural work made of the pink stone and white marble.

Entry fee: Free, separate fee to view exhibitions
Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Closed on Mondays

8. Lotus (Bahai) Temple

Famously known as the Lotus temple in the list of famous tourist places in Delhi, Lotus in the Bahai Temple symbolizes four religions namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam. This temple belongs to the Bahai faith which proclaims that all people and religions are united. Worshippers of every religion are welcomed here.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Rrom 9 am till sunset

9. Jama Masjid

Among the other tourist attractions in Delhi is the largest mosque in India–Jama Masjid. It can hold 25000 devotees at a time. It was Shah Jahan’s first architectural marvel. The mosque has four towers and the southern tower gives a stunning view of the city. You’ve to be dressed appropriately to enter the mosque. If not, rent an attire provided by the mosque authority.

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

10. 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

11. Raj Ghat and Gandhi Smriti

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.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed on Mondays

12. Hauz Khas Fort and Village

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

13. Nehru Park

One of the most beautifully landscaped green areas, Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri is a venue for lot of 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

14. 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.

15. Palika Bazaar and Janpath Market, CP

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.

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.