Delhi, capital of India, is a metropolis that attracts people from different geographies and cultures. The place is home to several numerous tourist attractions, both historic and modern.
The city also boasts of architectural brilliance and craftsmanship which reminds us of the cultural heritage of the nation. Delhi is a city where ancient and modern blend seamlessly together. It is a place that not only touches your pulse but even fastens it to a frenetic speed.
Delhi is very much a history’s child. The story of the city is as old as the epic Mahabharata when the town was known as Indraprastha, where Pandavas used to live. Over the centuries, eight more cities came alive adjacent to Indraprastha: Lal Kot, Siri, Dinpanah, Quila Rai Pithora, Ferozabad, and Shahjahanabad. Many empires rose to the heights of their power and were destroyed here. One can have a fascinating glimpse into the past in Old Delhi, with its old monuments and colourful bazaars. It is home to three World Heritage monuments—Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb that have survived many centuries, and give an idea of architectural wonders created by emperors in the past.
The
best time to visit Delhi is considered to be between October and April. During this time period, the
weather in Delhi remains, and tourists can explore the city without getting anxious about the roasting heat of the summer. Some of the popular places to visit in Delhi are:
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Red Fort, Delhi
● India Gate
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Qutub Minar
● Lodi Garden
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Humayun’s Tomb
● Akshardham Temple
For a comprehensive
Delhi travel guide and several interesting Delhi packages, tourists can access the official website of
Yatra, which is a key aggregator for online ticketing.
Top Tourist Places to visit in Delhi:
Among several famous places in Delhi, some of the best places to visit in Delhi are as follows:
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Akshardham Temple: It is a traditional temple dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan which highlights the beauty and spirituality of India’s ancient art, culture, and architecture. The Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years with the immense devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and thousands of BAPS volunteers. It is registered as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple in the Guinness World Record.
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Red Fort: It is also known as Lal Quila and has massive red sandstone walls rise 33 meters above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the glorious power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. Red Fort was constructed in 1639 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad. The beauty attracts a major crowd on each Independence Day.
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India Gate: India Gate stands at the centre of New Delhi which is 45 meters tall, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. Moreover, the foundation stone of India Gate was laid by the Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens.
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Qutab Minar: The monument is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. It was built immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India.
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Humayun’s Tomb: This magnificent garden tomb was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. The most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by the double dome. Moreover, there are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure.
Delhi Sightseeing by bus:
One of the best ways to explore the city by public transport is to book a daily tour organised by the State Tourism Development Corporation for Delhi sightseeing. The Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus service provides sightseeing options to tourists who are willing to explore Delhi with a more flexible schedule. The bus passes through many scenic areas, roadside settlements and bustling markets that provide a quick glimpse into the traditional and cultural heritage of the city.
Delhi Sightseeing by Car:
Exploring Delhi by a Car is a convenient mode to enjoy Delhi sightseeing. Travelling by car offers the freedom to explore the nook and corner of the place. Tourists can also opt for cab and car rental services as per their own convenience. There are several agencies that provide such services for Delhi sightseeing and cover most of the key attractions of the city on their route. So, for a better and pocket-friendly experience, this serves as an ideal option for travellers to roam in and around the city.
Weekend Getaways from Delhi:
Apart from Delhi points of interest, there are a number of popular tourist destinations which can be explored near the city as well.
Tourist places near Delhi within 100 km
Gurgaon (Gurugram) and Manesar are the two prominent places to visit near Delhi within 100 km.
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Gurgaon: At a distance of 34 km from Delhi, Gurgaon is a city and headquarters of Gurgaon district in the state of Haryana. Along with Faridabad, is often referred to as the Millennium City. Gurgaon is known as the mall capital of India. There are over 80 malls in Gurgaon city like Sahara Mall, DLF Grand Mall, MGF Mega City and Ambience Mall among others. Gurgaon also has some interesting tourist attractions like Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Kingdom of Dreams, Leisure Valley Park and Sheetala Devi Temple etc.
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Manesar: Manesar is a part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi located at a distance of 59 km from Delhi. It is a popular getaway from Delhi city for a quick day trip. Situated on the lower Aravalli Ranges, Manesar lies on the outskirts of the city of Gurgaon. The place is famous for its farmhouses. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Damdama Lake and Mata Sheetala Devi Temple, Sohna, and Nuh are the well-known tourist spots near Manesar.
Tourist places near Delhi within 200 km
Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur in Rajasthan are the two popular places to visit near Delhi within 200 km.
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Vrindavan: Vrindavan is a holy site which resounds with the playful tricks of Krishna, nestled on the holy banks of Yamuna which echoes with the liveliness and gaiety of Lord Krishna with Gopis. Each nook and corner of Vrindavan speaks volumes about Lord Krishna in the act of a cowherd boy who is considered as the most compassionate lord in Hindu mythology.
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Bharatpur: Founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733, it is located in the Braj region of Rajasthan and is also known as the 'Eastern Gate of Rajasthan'. It serves as an exotic offbeat destination for those who wish to have a glimpse of authentic Rajasthani traditions, culture, chivalry and folklore. Some of the major attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include Bharatpur National Park, Lohagarh Fort, Banke Bihari Temple and Ganga Mandir.
Tourist places near Delhi within 500 km
Jaipur in Rajasthan and Mussoorie in Uttarakhand are two of the well-known places that tourists must visit near Delhi.
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Jaipur: Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is also referred to as the ‘Pink City’. Built by Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur houses various forts, places and architectural marvels, each of which has proudly witnessed the Rajputana rule in the past and present times. Rajasthan’s capital city has preserved the heritage and culture of the kingly Rajputs.
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Mussoorie: Known as the 'queen of hills' for its stupendous beauty, Mussoorie is a popular hill station that gives an astounding sight of the mighty Himalayas. Situated at an elevation of 7000 feet above the sea level, it serves as an ideal location to spend some peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lal Tibba, Lake Mist, Kempty Falls, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary and Gun Hill are some of its notable attractions.
Places to Stay in Delhi:
Delhi serves best of hotels ranging from cheap hotels to luxurious ones; there are a number of options available in Delhi that ensure a comfortable stay in Delhi.
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5-star accommodations in Delhi: The Lalit, Roseate House and The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel are some of the luxurious accommodation options that exhibit impeccable hospitality and efficient facilities.
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4-star accommodations in Delhi: Hotel The Royal Plaza, Evoke Lifestyle, and Lemon Tree Premier are some of the 4-star hotels in Delhi that are known for their high class and personalised services.
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3-star accommodations in Delhi: Hotel MGM Residency, Hotel Delhi Pride and Hotel Gold Souk are the 3-star accommodation options that provide spacious rooms which are equipped with all essential requisites.
Budget accommodations in Delhi: Hotel Kwality, Destiny House and Hotel Radiance are some of the
budget hotels in Delhi that are known for providing quality services to the visitors.
The city is filled with accommodation options, and one should not miss
holidays in Delhi. Also, it is suggested to explore the city after summers in India as it is considered the best time to visit Delhi. So, grab your shoes and pack your bags to have a memorable experience.
FAQs
Q. What must one keep in mind going to Delhi?
A. Those who are planning to visit Delhi in summers should know that the temperature during this time range from 45°C to 40°C.
Q. What are the must-visit destinations in Delhi?
A. India Gate, Akshardham Temple, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Jama Mosque are the top five must-visit destinations in Delhi.
Q. What are the adventurous things to do in Delhi?
A. Rock climbing, Zorbing and Cliff Jumping are the two most adventurous things to do in Delhi.
Q. Which is the best season that witnesses less rush in Delhi?
A. October to March can be the perfect time to explore Delhi.
Q. How to make the most of a 2-day trip to Delhi?
A. To make the most of a 2-day trip to Delhi, one should visit Akshardham Temple to explore different art forms. Also, one can relish local delicacies like Butter Chicken, Kebabs and Chole Bhature in areas like Chandni Chawk. Later, visit tourist destinations like Red Fort and Jama Mosque. Next day, one can explore the markets and central Delhi which is Connaught Place. Travellers can also visit Delhi Haat to get a glimpse of Delhi in its traditional and cultural form.
Q. What are the places to visit in Delhi on weekends?
A. Some of the places that people can visit on weekends are Akshardham Temple, India Gate and Dilli Haat.
Q. What are the places to visit during summer in Delhi?
A. Some of the places that people can visit during summer in Delhi are Akshardham Temple, Red Fort and Majnu Ka Tila
Q. Is Delhi a decent place for foreigners?
A. Yes, Delhi is a safe and decent place for foreigners. On an average, about 8.9 million foreign tourists visited India in 2016. Moreover, one should hire only government approved guides and use the facilities of your hotel travel desk. Be careful of your valuables and pickpockets in crowded areas.
Q. What are the decent and luxury hotels for solo travellers in Delhi?
A. Hotel The Royal Plaza, Evoke Lifestyle and Lemon Tree Premier are some of the safe and luxury hotels for solo travellers in Delhi.
Q. What are the top luxury hotels in Delhi?
A. The top luxury hotels in Delhi are The Lalit, Roseate House and The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel.
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