Delhi
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Delhi

Seven cities, one capital

Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2
Capital

New Delhi

Best time to visit

October to March

Getting there

Indira Gandhi International Airport and several major railway stations connect Delhi to the world.

Ideal trip

7 to 9 days to cover the highlights

About Delhi

Delhi layers Mughal monuments, colonial avenues and modern India. Come for the history and stay for the food.

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Popular cities in Delhi

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New Delhi (Delhi)Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk)

Top places in Delhi

Red FortPhoto: PerSona77, CC BY-SA 3.0

Red Fort

The Mughal citadel of Shah Jahan, a UNESCO site, where the Prime Minister speaks on Independence Day.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Delhi1 dayHeritage
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From Wikipedia

The Red Fort is a historic Mughal fort located in the Old Delhi area of Delhi, India. Serving as the main residence of the Mughal emperors, it was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan on the 12th of May 1639; the fort was constructed following his decision to shift the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Originally adorned in red and white, the fort's design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect of the Taj Mahal.

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Video by The Climbers Docu on YouTube

Qutub MinarPhoto: Wasir kasab, CC BY 4.0

Qutub Minar

A 73 m victory tower from the Delhi Sultanate, with the famous iron pillar.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Delhi1 dayHeritage
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From Wikipedia

The Qutb Minar, also spelled Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, is a minaret and victory tower, built during the Delhi sultanate, and comprising the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mehrauli, South Delhi, India. It was mostly built between 1199 and 1220, contains 399 steps, and is one of the most frequented heritage spots in the city.

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Video by Christian Tessari on YouTube

Humayun's TombPhoto: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2

Humayun's Tomb

The garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Delhi1 dayHeritage
Directions
From Wikipedia

Humayun's tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun located in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, under her patronage in 1558, and designed by the Persian architects Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad, whom she personally chose. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, close to the Dina-panah Citadel, also known as Purana Qila, that Humayun founded in 1538.

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Video by DiscoveryChannelInd on YouTube

Chandni ChowkPhoto: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0

Chandni Chowk

Old Delhi's chaotic bazaars, parathas and jalebis, and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Delhi1 dayFoodHeritageCity
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From Wikipedia

Chandni Chowk is a street market square located in Old Delhi, India. One of the oldest and busiest markets in Delhi, the Mughal-era Red Fort straddles the eastern fringes of Chandni Chowk. It was built in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, and designed by his daughter, Jahanara. The street spanning the market was historically divided by canals, engineered to reflect moonlight.

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Video by FairDinkum Adventure on YouTube

India Gate and Kartavya PathPhoto: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0

India Gate and Kartavya Path

The war memorial arch on the grand ceremonial avenue, lively in the evenings.

Best time: October to MarchBase: New Delhi1 dayHeritageCity
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From Wikipedia

The India Gate is a war memorial located near the Rajpath on the eastern edge of the "ceremonial axis" of New Delhi. It stands as a memorial to 74,187 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. 13,300 servicemen's names, including some soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom, are inscribed on the gate.

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Lotus TemplePhoto: Vandelizer, CC BY 2.0

Lotus Temple

A Bahá'í house of worship shaped like a white lotus, open to all faiths.

Best time: October to MarchBase: New Delhi1 daySpiritual
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From Wikipedia

The Lotus Temple, also known as the Baháʼí House of Worship, New Delhi, is a Baháʼí House of Worship at Bahapur in south Delhi, India. Designed by the architect Fariborz Sahba, it takes the form of a half-open lotus of 27 free-standing marble-clad concrete petals, arranged in three rings of nine around a central hall. It was dedicated on 24 December 1986 and opened to the public on 1 January 1987.

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AkshardhamPhoto: Swaminarayan Sanstha, CC BY-SA 3.0

Akshardham

A vast carved-stone temple complex with exhibitions and a water show.

Best time: October to MarchBase: New Delhi1 daySpiritualCulture
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From Wikipedia

Swaminarayan Akshardham is a Hindu temple and campus in Delhi, India. The temple is close to the border with Noida. Also known as Akshardham Temple or Akshardham Delhi, the complex displays traditional and modern Hindu culture and architecture. Inspired by Yogiji Maharaj and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, it was constructed by BAPS. It is the world's second-largest BAPS Hindu temple, following Akshardham, New Jersey, in the United States.

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Hauz Khas and MehrauliHidden gemPhoto: Anupamg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hauz Khas and Mehrauli

Medieval ruins, a lake and village cafés, with step-wells and tombs in Mehrauli.

Best time: October to MarchBase: New Delhi1 dayHeritageFood
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From Wikipedia

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is an archaeological area spread over 81 hectares in the Mehrauli neighbourhood of the South Delhi district of Delhi, India. The park is located adjacent to the World Heritage-listed Qutb complex, which includes the Qutub Minar. The park contains over 100 historically significant monuments. It is the only area in Delhi known for 1,000 years of continuous occupation.

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Food to try

Chandni Chowk parathas, chole bhature, butter chicken, kebabs at Jama Masjid, chaat, kulfi

Where to stay

Connaught Place and Paharganj for central stays, South Delhi for quieter hotels

Getting around

Delhi Metro covers almost every sight; use app cabs for the rest

Good to know

Most monuments are closed on one weekday (Red Fort on Monday). Winter mornings can be very foggy.

Delhi: quick answers

What is the best time to visit Delhi?

October to March

How do I reach Delhi?

Indira Gandhi International Airport and several major railway stations connect Delhi to the world.

How many days do I need for Delhi?

Plan 7 to 9 days to see the highlights, such as Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb.

What food should I try in Delhi?

Chandni Chowk parathas, chole bhature, butter chicken, kebabs at Jama Masjid, chaat, kulfi

Where should I stay in Delhi?

Connaught Place and Paharganj for central stays, South Delhi for quieter hotels

Neighbouring states

Timings, fees, permits and road conditions change. Please check official sources before you travel.