Things to do in  New Delhi

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world—and one of India’s most famous landmarks—the Taj Mahal is a grandiose testament to the romantic gesture. Built from white marble by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the structure is decorated with carvings of flowers and inlays of semi-precious stones arranged into intricate patterns inside and out.

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Qutub Minar is a red brick minaret built in 1193 by Muslim conquerors of Delhi. At 240 feet (73 meters) high, it’s an impressive engineering feat and one of Delhi’s most visited tourist attractions. Although the minaret’s origins are known, it’s unclear whether it was built as a victory tower or as a place for an Islamic muezzin to make the call to prayer.

Designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) is a striking sandstone building and home to both houses of the Parliament of India. This round building was inspired by the Great Stupa of Sanchi and the Ashoka Chakra—the same circular symbol found in the center of the Indian flag.

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Red Fort (Lal Qila) dates back to the mid-17th century, when Mughal emperor Shah Jehan moved his base from Agra to Delhi. For the two centuries that followed, this gargantuan sandstone complex served as the royal residence of the Mughal Empire. Today, it’s one of the city’s most popular attractions, often visited alongside nearby Chandni Chowk and the Jama Masjid.

India Gate is a 138-foot (42-meter) war memorial in the heart of New Delhi, reminiscent of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Built in 1931 and designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, designer of most of New Delhi, it’s a must-visit photo stop on a Delhi tour.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun's Tomb is the final resting place of Humayun, whose father Babur founded the Mughal Empire. It's considered one of the earliest examples of true Mughal architecture; ironically, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was captured here during the 1857 Indian Rebellion.

One of India’s oldest markets, Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk (Hindi for moonlight square) is a perpetually busy area filled with narrow, congested lanes, each specializing in a different product such as spices, jewelry, hardware, and stationery. It’s also a great spot to practice your haggling skills—and the photo opportunities are extraordinary.

Known as the Lotus Temple for its unusual, 9-sided floral shape, the Delhi Bahá'í House of Worship is one of the most visited architectural sites in the city, if not on the planet. Constructed entirely from white marble imported from Greece, this impressive structure stands in a 26-acre (10.5-hectare) garden featuring extensive landscaping and nine ponds.

Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid(Masjid e Jahan Numa) is the largest mosque in India and an unmissable stop on any Delhi itinerary. Built between 1644 and 1658 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the mosque’s red sandstone and white marble domes, minarets, gateways, and arches are both grand in scale and elegance. Devout Muslims still come here to pray five times a day, while travelers stop by to marvel over the details.

At the heart of New Delhi is one of its most remarkable buildings, the Office and Residence of the President of India (Rashtrapati Bhavan). The 320-acre (130-hectare) complex comprises a palatial 340-room main building and sprawling Mughal gardens. Many visitors come to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, complete with horses and a brass band.

One of Delhi’s biggest, newest, and most grandiose attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham is a gorgeous temple complex. The vast grounds house not only a place of worship, but also an animatronics experience, an IMAX-style theater showing a film about the temple’s namesake, and a theme park–style boat ride.

Known locally as “Baby Taj,” the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is a gorgeous white structure that actually predates the larger and more famous Taj Mahal by a few years. It was the first Mughal building created entirely in marble, and its existence marks the transition from sandstone to marble in Mughal architecture.

Raj Ghat is a large outdoor complex that houses the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, who was cremated here in 1948. His cremation spot is marked by a black marble memorial, and an eternal flame is kept burning here in his honor. The words "Hey Ram" are inscribed on the side of the memorial, allegedly the mahatma's last words.

Delhi’s Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most important Sikh sites of worship in the Indian capital. The white marble gurudwara (Sikh place of worship with its golden domes and large sacred pond was founded in the mid-17th century when the 6-year-old guru Harkrishan Dev stayed at the site. As at all Sikh gurudwaras, visitors are welcome, and it’s a beautiful sight.

Tucked among the bustling lanes of the Nizamuddin West neighborhood, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah (Nizamuddin Dargah) is the mausoleum of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. It attracts religious pilgrims from across India as well as music lovers who visit to listen to traditional Sufi qawwali music performed here on Thursdays.