This post is about the top 10 places around Delhi. People travelling from outside India, wants to visit Taj Mahal, so they land in Delhi airport. This post will help you to plan your Delhi sightseeing with very low budget. (Approx. 10USD). If you are travelling to any places of nearby states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and landed in Delhi first, or travelling to Delhi for your business tour and have 2-3 days free time then this post is for you.
Delhi will always be a special for me as this was the place from where I started my professional life. I got my first job from my engineering college in the year 2007. I stayed there for 1 year and left. Again I did my MBA from Gurgaon in 2013-14. In those 2 years I have seen all those beautiful architecture of Delhi and NCR region.
Here I will share the top 10 places around Delhi, you should not miss. Additionally I will also tell you how you can plan your Delhi trip with very low budget by using the most comfortable ride of Delhi Metro. So the people who are coming from outside India, can plan your Delhi trip in less than 10 USD. If you want to know, how I have done the Jakarta city tour in the same way by using transJakarta Busway in less than $3, please read my post “how to plan Jakarta city tour in $3”.
Note: As I have travelled most of the places back in 2007, so I don’t have the photos, I have taken that time. Most of the photo credit goes to Pixabay.
How to reach Delhi:
Being the capital of India, Delhi is well connected from each and every cities in India. If you are travelling from outside India, you can book your flight to Indira Gandhi International Airport. If you travel by train, you can reach either New Delhi station (NDLS) or Old Delhi (DLI) or Hazrat Nijamuddin (NZM) based on the train availability.
For Foreigners: If you want to book railway ticket in India, you can register in https://www.irctc.co.in and book your ticket online.
Things to consider:
- If you travelling to Delhi first time, be aware from the Con guides/travel agents/drivers.
- As I will tell you nearest metro station for each of the destination, so buy a smart card or tourist card with at least Rs. 500 ($8) balance. Further if you need more money, you can recharge later on or submit the card and get back your unspent money at the end of your journey. With the smart card, you need not required to be in queue for each station for buying ticket and per trip rate will also be cheaper.
- Though I will mention the nearest metro station, you have to plan your schedule of the trip based on your location of stay.
- Some places are more beautiful if you visit them at night (e.g. India Gate), so plan accordingly.
- Delhi is not very safe for women, therefore if you are travelling alone, my suggestion would be avoid travelling at night.
- Most of the places are closed on Monday, so it’s better not to plan on Monday for Delhi sightseeing.
Places to visit:
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The Red Fort/ Lal Quila:
This is one of the most beautiful architecture in Delhi built by Mughal dynasty. It was constructed in 1638, when Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort is made of red stone, hence the name. This fort is spread across 250 acres and has many building (Mahal) inside the area. Diwan-i-Aam, the Diwan-i-Khaas, the Moti Masjid, the Nahr-i-Bashisht (stream of paradise), Mumtaj Mahal, Khas Mahal, Rang Mahal, Hira Mahal are name of the few.
There are many museum inside some of the buildings, where you can witness the dress, Jewelries, used by Mughals. To know more about the history of the place you can visit https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-forts/delhi-fort.html.
In the evening there is a light and sound show which you should not miss if you have time.
Time: Tuesday- Sunday, Monday Closed.
Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk
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Qutub Minar:
This 72.5 meters high monuments was constructed by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in the year 1199. Though he started building the tower, it was completed by Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, the son in law of Aibak.
In the same complex there are some other monuments or buildings to see. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is the most important of all. This was the first mosque built in India.
We heard that, it was allowed to climb the staircase earlier, but some accident caused in past forbidden to enter the building now.
Nearest Metro Station: Qutb Minar station
For detailed facts about Qutub Minar visit thewonderingcore’s page.
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India Gate:
This 42 meter high memorial was built in the year 1921-1931. It was built in the memory of British and Indian soldier died in World War 1.In the night the India gate is flooded with light and the nearby fountain make the place more beautiful. This is very popular place in Delhi to hangout and relax at night.
Time: Every day. Morning-Night
Nearest Metro Station: There is no direct metro station in India Gate, however the nearest metro station is Central Secretariat (3 Km from India Gate). You can take Auto from Metro station to reach India Gate.
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Jama Masjid
This is the largest mosque in India. It was made by Shah Jahan in the year 1644-1656. It has the capacity of 25000 people. Other than prayer time, anyone can visit the mosque.
Visiting Time: For Non-Muslims (7AM-12PM and 1:30-6:30PM), Muslims (9:00AM-5.30PM)
Nearest Metro Station: Chawri Bazaar. However from Red fort it is walking distance, so if you visit Red fort, same day the Jama Masjid also can be visited.
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Chandi Chowk:
Chandi Chowk is considered the busiest and oldest market in Old Delhi. It is also considered one of the largest wholesale market in Asia.
Shah Jahan Built the market so that Jahan Ara can anything she wants. There are many smaller market inside the Chandni Chowk. Dariba Kalan (for Silver Jewelries), Nai Sadak (for books and stationary), Bharirath Palace (for electrical and electronics items), Katra Neel (for all types of cloths),Kucha Choudhury market (for Camera and other phototgraphic items), Ballimaran Market (for spectacles), Chowri bazar (for all types of paper products, card), Kinari Bazar ( for sari shopping for wedding), Khari Baoli (all kinds of spices, dry fruits etc) and Fatehpuri Market (for paneer, chole batura, kulfi, aloo puri).
If you are a foodie, then Paratha wali gali is a must visit place for you. You can taste at least 15 types of paratha there. Try for kulfi also. It’s awesome.
Time: Anytime
Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk.
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Lotus temple:
Lotus temple is one of the famous attraction in Delhi. The temple is almost 40 meter high and has 27 big white petals. It can accommodate 2000 people. You can move around the big garden inside the campus.
Time: Winter: 9.30 am to 5pm
Summer- 9.30 am to 7pm. Closed on Monday
Nearest Metro Station: Kalkaji metro station that falls on the Violet Line route
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Akshardham:
Akshardham temple is a place where you can witness the marvelous architecture along with the Indian rich culture and tradition. The temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminathan. The beautiful complex has achieved a place in Guinness book of record in the year 2007. This is a must visit place.
There is a laser light and sound show in the evening, which is also you shouldn’t miss. The camera, mobile are not allowed inside the temple campus, so I don’t have any photo of this.
Please allocate the whole day for Akshardham temple, as there are many halls where different kind of shows you can watch to understand the Indian culture.
Time: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (From Tuesdays to Sunday), Monday Closed
Nearest Metro Station: Akshardham Temple station
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Gurudwara Bangla Sahib:
It is one of the best place if you love to sit in some quiet place or want to do meditation. Centrally located near Connaught Place, the Gurudwara is open all the time of the day.
While entering you have to enter bare feet and have to cover your head with scarfs (which is available outside Gurudwara).
If you have time, please eat delicious Langer (food which include chapatti, vegetable/dal, kheer). Langer is the free food served in the Gurudwara to everyone every day.
Time: Any time
Nearest Metro Station: There is no direct metro station for this, however the nearest metro station is New Delhi Metro station. From there you can take auto to reach the Gurudwara.
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Safdarjung Tomb:
Safdarjung Tomb is also popular architecture around Delhi built by Mughals. The entire structure remind you of Taj Mahal, only the construction material is different.
Nearest Metro Station: There is no direct metro station in India Gate, however the nearest metro station is Jor Bagh. From the metro station the tomb is very near and you can reach the destination by auto/taxi.
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Delhi Haat:
Delhi haat is very popular hangout place for the local people and it is a must visit place if you want to see and buy the traditional art and craft, jewelries, dress, shoes etc.
There are total 3 Delhi Haat inside the Delhi- NCR region. The oldest one is in INA. This is the best one. The other two are in Pitampura, and Janakpuri.
There are many food stall, where you can taste traditional foods of most of the states in India.
Time: 11 am-9pm
Nearest Metro: INA (Yellow Line)
I hope you will enjoy these places in Delhi city tour. Please comment below if you have any further question on this. Thank you for reading the post. Pin the images below for future reference.
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