What to See in Delhi

last edited Feb 6, 2020

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Location Map of Delhi

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Overview

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Delhi has 3 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List:

Red Fort
This beautiful Mughal-era fortress, recognizable by its color, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the country's most visited landmarks.

Qutb Minar Minaret
Built in "stages" between the 12th and 14th centuries, it is one of the tallest minarets in the world at 72.50 metres.

Humayun's Tomb
This vast 16th-century necropolis, featuring Mughal-style architecture, houses the tomb of Emperor Humayun.

Neighborhoods and Tourist Areas

Chandni Chowk
Not far from the central station and the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and its adjacent alleys are a vast market dating back to the 17th century. Lively and colorful, it is one of the city's top tourist attractions.

Hauz Khas Village
What was, until about thirty years ago, a "traditional village" in the heart of Delhi has been transformed into a trendy pedestrian district, with numerous shops and restaurants. Extending from it is Deer Park, with its lake, ancient monuments... and picnic huts.

New Delhi
This is the city of "British colonial" design, conceived in 1918 with its wide boulevards and urban parks. It stands in stark contrast to the narrow lanes and bustling crowds of the old city.

Old Delhi
This is the city from before the British era (New Delhi), founded in the early 17th century and originally surrounded by gates and ramparts, some remnants of which still remain. It’s also here, particularly around Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort, that several tourist sites are located.

Monuments and Architectural Ensembles

Connaught Place
It’s a vast circular plaza surrounded by colonial buildings in the "business district" of New Delhi.

Red Fort
This beautiful Mughal-era fortress, recognizable by its color, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the country's most visited landmarks.

Jantar Mantar
It is one of five astronomical observatories built in the 18th century, featuring instruments integrated into their architecture, commissioned by the Mughal emperors.

Safdar Jung Mausoleum
This is the mausoleum-tomb of Safdar Jung, a high dignitary, built in the Mughal style in 1754. With its garden, it is somewhat similar to the Humayun Sanctuary.

India Gate
India Gate is a monument dedicated to Indian soldiers who died primarily in World War I. It was built in the 1920s at the end of Rajpath, the vast tree-lined boulevard in New Delhi. Nearby is the National War Memorial.

Purana Qila
This is Delhi’s oldest fort, believed to be around 5,000 years old. Originally, it was a grand complex featuring a hammam and a mosque, protected by gates and ramparts—some of which still stand today as impressive remnants.

Raj Ghat
A black marble platform on the banks of the Yamuna River commemorating Gandhi's cremation at this site. It is close to two museums dedicated to the Mahatma.

Humayun's Tomb
This vast 16th-century necropolis, featuring Mughal-style architecture, houses the tomb of Emperor Humayun.

Religious Buildings

Ahinsa Sthal
A Jain temple known for its massive 30-ton statue of the master Mahavira.

Nizamuddin Dargah
This sanctuary houses the tomb of Nizamuddin Auliya, a saint of Indian Sufism from the late 13th century. It is a place of prayer and offerings.

Qutb Minar Minaret
Built in "stages" between the 12th and 14th centuries, it is one of the tallest minarets in the world at 72.50 metres.

Begumpur Mosque
These are the last remnants of an ancient city founded here in the 14th century by the Turkish Tughluq dynasty, which ruled the region for a few decades.

Jama Masjid Mosque
Opposite the Red Fort, this beautiful 17th-century mosque is the largest in all of India. It’s also very lively.

Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
This is the most important Sikh temple in Delhi. With its large reflecting pool in front, it boasts stunning architecture. It is open to all and offers insight into the Sikh religion and community through its small museum.

St. James' Church
One of the oldest Anglican churches in India, built in 1836. Its cemetery contains many old British graves.

Akshardham Temple
Unlike other temples, this one is very recent, having opened in 2005. It's a vast complex featuring a large central monument in stone and marble, exhibition halls, an IMAX cinema, a musical fountain (with a show), and extensive landscaped gardens. Somewhat grandiose, but still considered "well done" by many.

Chhatarpur Temple
On the far outskirts of Delhi but close to the Qûtb Minar, this is one of India’s largest religious complexes, with various temples and tombs spread over 24 hectares. It is dedicated to the goddess Parvati.

Digambara Temple
This Jain temple is located near Chandni Chowk. It also houses a bird hospital.

Laxminarayan Temple
Also known as the Birla Temple, it is dedicated to the god Vishnu and the goddess Laxmi.

Lotus Temple
This significant Baháʼí House of Worship is located on the outskirts of Delhi. Beyond its religious significance, the building, constructed in the 1980s, is architecturally remarkable.

Museums

Gandhi Museum
This is a dedicated museum showcasing the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi through various collections and exhibits. You can also visit Gandhi Smriti, the house where he spent his final days before being assassinated there.

Musée de l'artisanat
With its park, it is one of the largest museums in India in its category. Visitors can explore Indian craftsmanship and rural arts and traditions, particularly through replicas of rural homes from different states across the country.

National Museum
This is one of India’s most important museums. It spans 5,000 years of the country’s history through 200,000 diverse objects, offering a solid introduction to Indian civilisation and culture.

National Rail Museum
India being the land of trains in this part of the world, the India National Rail Museum traces its history with a large collection of vintage locomotives and carriages. The site is also a small theme park on the subject.

National Gallery of Modern Art
This venue is dedicated to modern and contemporary art in India. The museum and its collections span Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.