13 Must-See Places to Visit in Delhi: Top Attractions 2026
If this is your first time in Delhi, you’ll want to see the most famous sites. These are the must visit places in Delhi where you can experience the city’s incredible history and culture.
At first glance, it’s hard not to notice the crowds and trash, but take a closer look and give Delhi a chance. You’ll be blown away by what you see.
I lived in Delhi for years and the city surprised me every day. From Mughal monuments and historic tombs to lively markets and temples, there are incredible sites around almost every corner.
13 Must-See Places to Visit in Delhi: Top Attractions
Delhi is one of the most historic and underrated cities in the world. These are the 13 places I’d recommend seeing on a first visit and a few insider tips. Even if you only have one day in Delhi, you can still see a lot.
1. Red Fort (UNESCO)
The Red Fort is the royal palace where the Mughals ruled India from for over 300 years. It was built in 1639 by Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan built this entire part of Old Delhi.
Visitors can shop in the covered Meena Bazaar where the royal harem shopped and view the inner and outer audience halls where royalty entertained and conducted state business. This is the number one attraction in Delhi, so try to go early before it gets too busy.
Hours & Cost: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, daily; INR 600 foreigners, children under 15 free
Insider tip: Purchase tickets online for Delhi’s historic monuments (including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb) on the Archeological Survey of India website. Tickets are INR 50 less, and you’ll save time at the entrance.
2. Qutub Minar (UNESCO)
This is my favourite of Delhi’s UNESCO sites. It’s an old complex, some parts were built in 1192 over the razed ruins of ancient Hindu temples.
The complex is named for the giant brick minaret (the tallest in the world), but there’s also several well preserved Delhi Sultanate tombs (one of the ancient dynasties), a historic madrassa and the fantastic Quwaat-ul-Islam mosque which used pieces of the razed Hindu temples in its construction.
The complex is also home to the mysterious 1600 year old iron pillar that never rusts.
Hours & Cost: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, daily; INR 600 foreigners, children under 15 free
3. Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO)
Humayun’s Tomb is the largest tomb in Delhi, widely believed to be one of the tombs that inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. It was built in 1572 for Emperor Humayun by his distraught queen, and was the first garden style tomb in India.
This is a whole historic complex with several other lovely (but smaller) restored tombs, Persian gardens and the graves of over 150 Mughal royals and their entourage.
Hours & Cost: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, daily; INR 600 foreigners, children under 15 free
Insider tip: Eat at Nisaba, one of the most famous restaurants in Delhi. It’s located in the Humayun’s Tomb complex.
4. India Gate
This is a great first stop for new visitors. It’s set at one end of Kartavya Path, the famous boulevard that leads to India’s parliament buildings at the opposite end.
Officially it’s a war memorial and there’s an eternal flame, but it’s also one of the most popular places for Indians to visit and is very lively. There’s street food stands, hawkers, and lots of picture taking.
India Gate is surrounded by parks and set in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, the area designed by Edwin Lutyens for the British Raj. This is one of the greenest and nicest parts of the city.
Hours & Cost: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm, daily; free
Insider tip: India Gate is one of the best places to visit at night. There’s always people around and it looks beautiful lit up in the colours of the Indian flag.
5. Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is the most famous street in Delhi. It’s in the heart of Old Delhi, and was established by Shah Jahan in the 1650s. This part of Old Delhi is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
The street is 1.8 km long and if you walk from one end where the Red Fort is, to the opposite end by the famous spice market Khari Baoli, you’ll pass historic temples and markets, famous street food stands, and old havelis (mansions).
Chandni Chowk is closed to motorized vehicles during the day, but cycle rickshaws are allowed. If you get tired or overwhelmed, just grab one. This part of Old Delhi is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
Hours & Cost: 24/7 but go during the day (markets are closed on Sunday); free
6. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is the royal mosque built by Shah Jahan in the 1650s. It is one of the oldest working mosques in Delhi, and one of the top things to see in Old Delhi.
It’s a large and impressive mosque with three massive gates, four towers and two minarets, all made of red sandstone and marble. For great aerial photos of Old Delhi, you can climb one of the towers for a small fee.
This is a working mosque and there’s a dress code. Everyone must remove shoes, and cover arms and legs. Women must cover their heads. The mosque has cover ups you can borrow.
Hours & Cost: 7:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm, daily; free but INR 300 fee for bringing in a camera
Insider tip: On my last visit they were enforcing a INR 300 entrance fee for tourists. If you enter from the less touristy side at Meena Bazaar, you’re less likely to be charged.
7. Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial)
No trip to Delhi is complete with giving tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s memorial is one of the most important places to visit in Delhi. Every visiting dignitary and world leader comes here – it’s usually their first official stop.
Raj Ghat is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, the day after his assassination on January 30, 1948. An eternal flame burns and the memorial is always adorned in flowers.
Gandhi is still revered across India and considered to be the father of the nation.
Hours & Cost: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, daily; free
8. National Museum
Delhi’s National Museum is not one of the top museums of the world, but it does have some unique collections including the world’s best collection of antiquities from the Indus Valley Civilization and a special Buddhist art section.
The Buddhist art section has a collection of bone fragments from the Buddha, which were discovered in 1970. Because of this, this part of the museum has become a pilgrimage site. The last time I was at the museum there was a Buddhist monk meditating and praying over the sacred relics.
Hours & Cost: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (closed Monday); INR 500 foreigners, students up to grade 12 are free with ID
Insider tip: The museum offers free 90 minute guided tours at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm daily.
9. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh temple in Delhi. It’s visited by thousands of devotees and many tourists every day. You don’t have to be Sikh to visit, everyone is welcome. There’s even a designated visitors centre.
When you visit the gurudwara, it is customary to visit the prayer hall and walk around the sarovar (blessed pool). After that you can visit one of the dining halls to have langar, the free community meal. This is a culturally authentic experience and everyone is welcome. I always try to have langar when visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Visitors must remove shoes and cover their heads, but there are bandanas you can borrow.
Hours & Cost: 24/7; free
10. Akshardham Temple
An absolute masterpiece as far as temples go, Akshardham is stunning. It’s easy to see why this is one of the top places to visit in Delhi. It’s built entirely of pink marble and sandstone, and every inch is intricately carved with Hindu gods, goddesses and mythological stories.
Besides the enormous temple, there are exhibitions including a movie and cultural boat ride, a park, a shop, and an excellent cafeteria.
Conservative dress is required, but there are sarongs you can borrow. Mobile phones, tablets etc. must be left in a secured storage area before entering the temple.
Hours & Cost: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); temple is free, but there is a small fee for exhibitions and water show
Insider tip: There’s a very popular light and water show every evening which tells a story from a Hindu holy text. It’s worthwhile, and the temple is stunning lit up at night. Check the Akshardham website to confirm timings.
11. Lodhi Garden
Lodhi Garden is Delhi’s favourite heritage park, and when you visit you’ll understand why. It’s one of the most captivating places to visit in Delhi.
Not only is the park home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, it’s also the site of gorgeous monuments dating back to 1444.
This part of South Delhi is extremely historic and full of mausoleums from hundreds of years ago. There are several in the park, as well as the ruins of mosque, madrassa and lovely arched bridge.
Hours & Cost: 6:00 am – 7:30 pm, daily; free
Insider tip: Directly across the street is Lodhi Colony – a quiet residential area famous for large art murals on the sides of the low rise buildings. There are over 50 of them! It’s known as the Lodhi Art District.
12. Bahai Lotus Temple
One of Delhi’s most iconic buildings is the Bahai Lotus Temple. The temple looks like an opening lotus flower with 29 petals and is one of the most visited religious buildings in the world. It’s on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
You don’t need to be Bahai to visit. They are used to visitors and well organized for the crowds that come during peak hours. Try to get here early because it does get busy, and you will have to queue up to enter.
Don’t skip seeing the inside of the prayer hall. The prayer hall is one of the most serene places in Delhi, and beautiful in its simplicity.
Hours & Cost: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); free
13. Dilli Haat INA
Dilli Haat is Delhi’s favourite outdoor food and crafts bazaar. The market has a rotating roster of artisans and vendors selling textiles, crafts and art from across India.
If you want to do some souvenir and gift shopping, this is a great place. Plus it’s a pedestrian only zone.
There’s a fantastic outdoor food court with foods from across the country. This was where I ate my first non-hotel Indian meal during my first days in India back in 2016.
Hours & Cost: 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, daily; INR 100
Insider tip: There are 3 Dilli Haat markets in Delhi. The INA location is the largest and nicest by far. There is also a Delhi Haat INA store in Saket – do not go there!
If you’re looking for more off the beaten path places, Delhi has plenty of unusual hidden gems.
How to Get Around Delhi
Considering how big Delhi is, it’s remarkably easy to get around, and transportation is cheap.
The best way to move around the city is by Delhi metro. It’s efficient, clean, safe and easy to use. For shorter distances Uber and auto rickshaws are great. Both are widely used and inexpensive in Delhi.
Where to Stay in Delhi
In Delhi, where you stay matters. Not only because the city is massive and you want to be near the sites, but also in terms of safety. The best area to stay in is South Delhi.
I am very familiar with these properties, and recommend them because they are exceptional and in good neighbourhoods. They are also well located for seeing Delhi.
Do not stay in Paharganj. That’s the seedy, backpacker area. It’s dirty, congested, noisy and not safe at night. I’ve listed a much better budget option below.
- Imperial Hotel New Delhi (luxury): Delhi’s finest heritage hotel. My personal favourite hotel in Delhi. Excellent walkable area in Connaught Place.
- Lutyens Bungalow (mid-range): Heritage boutique property in one of the best areas of the city next to Lodhi Garden. Fantastic area near many sites. Breakfast is included.
- Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget): Family run guest house in a very good area of South Delhi, near the metro and easy to explore the whole city from. Spotlessly clean. Home-cooked breakfast is included.
FAQs on Must-See Places to Visit in Delhi
Lutyens’ Delhi in New Delhi is the most beautiful area in the city. This part of Delhi has wide leafy boulevards, white colonnaded homes and expansive parks.
The most visited tourist attractions in Delhi are the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, both UNESCO.
You can visit the major sites and most popular places in Delhi in 3 days if you hustle. But even 100 days in Delhi is not enough to see and do everything – there is an astonishing number of places of interest and cultural events!
Last Words on 13 Must-See Places to Visit in Delhi: Top Attractions
These are the first places I would visit in Delhi, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. I lived in Delhi for years, return regularly, and still find things that surprise me.
Delhi is the kind of city you have to keep an open mind and look closer at. If you can see past the chaos, noise and rubbish, you’ll find an incredibly historic city full of extraordinary places. Often in the most unlikely areas.
Have fun exploring, keep your eyes open for the amazing things you’ll see along the way (and the potholes), and give Delhi a chance.
