One of the largest wholesale spice markets in Asia, Old Delhi’s Khari Baoli is well worth a visit for the intensity of its sights and smells alone. Along with fresh spices of all shapes, sizes, and colors, this market sells myriad nuts, herbs, dry fruits, and grains—often displayed in heaping, photo-worthy mounds.
Spread out over 90 acres (36 hectares), Lodhi Gardens is a gorgeous and lush park full of meandering pathways, beautiful greenery, and four Lodhi-dynasty tombs. Many locals and visitors alike find refuge here from the dust and noise of Delhi, and you’re likely to come across picnickers, joggers, and elderly Delhiites on morning walks.
Delhi’s National Rail Museum teaches visitors about all aspects of Indian trains and the rail network, which is one of the largest in the world. It’s a spacious museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, the outdoor areas designed to look like a railway yard. It displays many real locomotives from around the country, railway simulators, toy train rides, and documents, maps, books, and other items related to railway history.
A bargain hunter’s dream, this small yet buzzing market is full of energy, not to mention clothing, jewelry, and a whole range of other goods at astonishingly low prices. Popular with tourists due to its location and atmosphere, Janpath Market is busy and lively, making it an attraction even for those who just want to browse.
Officially known as the Lakshminarayan Temple in honor of the god Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) and his consort Lakshmi, the beautiful Birla Mandir complex centers around one of the most significant temples in the Indian capital. Though built in the 1930s, it remains one of the finest local examples of modern temple architecture.
Spread out over 200 acres near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Qutub Minar, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park is full of ruins and tombs, some of which are 1,000 years old. You’ll find ruins from the Khajli, Tughlaq, and Lodhi Dynasties, as well as from the days when India was under Mughal and British Raj rule.
Delhi’s de facto city center, Connaught Place is a historical double traffic circle lined with chain stores, restaurants, and roadside stalls selling everything from snacks to magazines. It was built under British rule between 1929 and 1933 and retains its colonial flair, with white colonnaded buildings inspired by the Royal Crescent in Bath.
Gandhi Smriti is a memorial and museum located where Gandhi spent the last few months of his life, before his assassination in January 1948. The spot where the Mahatma was killed is nearby and is marked by a small memorial, while related artifacts and ephemera are housed inside, including Gandhi's glasses and walking stick.
Chhatarpur Temple (Chhatarpur Mandir) is one of the largest such complexes in India, and it’s also relatively new by Indian standards, having been built in 1974. It’s dedicated to the goddess Katyayani, one of the nine forms of the warrior goddess Durga. The Hindu temple is made entirely of marble, and its intricately carved screens are especially impressive.
Located in the heart of Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk area, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is an important gurudwara (Sikh temple) that was built in honor of the guru Tegh Bahadur, who was beheaded here by Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam. The trunk of the tree under which Bahadur was beheaded remains in the complex to this day.
If you’re looking for the quintessential Delhi bazaar experience, the vibrant Central Market area of South Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar might be your ticket. Here you’ll find everything from multihued bangles to umbrella repair shops, not to mention beautiful saris, discount shoe shops, and a huge variety of Indian street food carts.
Delhi isn’t short on green spaces, but a top spot for experiencing a colorful riot of spring color is Amrit Udyan, formerly Mughal Garden, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Although built in the 1920s, long after Mughal rule ended, the gardens were based on Mughal gardens found throughout North India, depictions in exquisite Persian miniature paintings, and English flower gardens.
The National Museum in Delhi is one of India’s largest museums. It’s in New Delhi, amid the spacious boulevards that are full of government institutions. The museum permanently displays items from a collection spanning 5,000 years of Indian civilization and also holds exhibits on Indian and international archaeological and historic themes.
Construction of the red sandstone Old Fort (Purana Qila), Delhi's oldest surviving fort, was begun in the middle of the 16th century under Sher Shah of the Sur Empire. The fort was later the location of Dinpanah, built by rival Mughal Emperor Humayun and destroyed by Sher Shah. Purana Qila’s location may also have been the site of the ancient city of Indraprastha.
In the heart of Central Delhi, the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library is home to the Nehru Planetarium and honors the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The museum is housed in his former home and features a variety of exhibits on Nehru and the Indian Independence Movement, while the Planetarium offers workshops, educational programs, and entertaining astronomy shows.
The government-sponsored Dilli Haat market has long been popular with tourists as well as locals. You'll find handicrafts from across India, as well as food booths showcasing regional specialties. Dilli Haat is also a calmer alternative to the more hectic markets across South India, because admission fees keep crowds at bay.
Delhi’s ISKCON Temple is a large, contemporary temple complex that features a modern take on an eclectic array of traditional Indian architectural styles. It's the local hub of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (aka the Hare Krishnas) and provides a good introduction to Vedic beliefs, especially for Westerners.
Opened in 1954, the National Gallery of Modern Art features an extensive collection of Indian paintings and sculptures, most of which date from 1850 onward. While the art is the main feature here, there's also a library and a gift shop selling postcard reproductions of many of the museum's most celebrated pieces.
Known as the father of the nation for his leading role in India’s independence, Mahatma Gandhi is among the most important activists of the 20th century. The National Gandhi Museum was inaugurated in his honor in 1961, and today attracts visitors interested in Gandhi, the Independence Movement, and the struggle for peace.
A popular shopping haunt for expats and well-heeled Delhiites, the open-air Khan Market is full of clothing stores, bookshops, and cafés, including a pretty solid mix of Indian and international brands. Here you'll find everything from fashion items to authentic Italian pizzas, along with numerous grocers selling imported foods.
The 18th-century Safdarjung’s Tomb, though not as well known as some of New Delhi’s bigger, older Mughal-era tombs, is worth a visit for its beautiful Mughal architecture and pleasant lack of crowds. It’s a peaceful place to escape traffic noise, and its location at the border of Central and South Delhi make it a convenient spot for a visit.
South Delhi's hip Hauz Khas Village is popular among tourists and locals alike, appealing to a younger crowd with its myriad restaurants, bars, and trendy boutiques. It's a good place to shop for Bollywood posters and designer jewelry, explore old tombs and monuments, or eat and drink your evening away.
Delhi’s Jantar Mantar is a complex of 18th-century astronomical instruments set in peaceful parkland near the center of New Delhi. It was constructed under the instruction of Jaipur’s Maharaja Jai Singh. The 13 instruments look more like sculptures to the modern eye, but reflected the most up-to-date knowledge about science and the planets at the time they were made.
Down a small, unsuspecting street in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, a throng of eateries selling Indian stuffed bread (paratha draws in locals and visitors in their droves. Gali Paranthe Wali is a bustling narrow lane lined with stalls and shops selling this flatbread street food favorite straight from a hot plate (tawa.
Delhi’s National Science Centre, indirectly run by the Government of India’s Ministry of Culture, is one of the largest science-themed complexes in India. It’s a fun place to visit, especially with kids, thanks to the many exhibits and shows in its numerous galleries. From Indian heritage to model dinosaurs to nuclear power, there’s something for everyone.
Rajpath is a grand boulevard running through the heart of New Delhi from Rashtrapati Bhavan through India Gate and on to the National Stadium. The 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of road is home to some of Delhi’s top attractions, making it a perfect starting point for a walking tour of the new city.
Mathura is a holy town located about 30 miles north of the Taj Mahal city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It's a hub of religious activity, owing to the fact that the Hindu god Krishna was allegedly born here, and most visitors to the city are devout Hindus or tourists stopping by on their way between Delhi and Agra.
The 19th-century Banke Bihari Temple (Banke Bihari Mandir)—one of India’s most famous temples—in Vrindavan houses an idol of Lord Krishna that devotees believe will cause them to faint if they look into its eyes. As such, the idol is kept behind a curtain that’s swiftly opened and closed, allowing worshipers to catch quick glimpses of the god safely.
Equal parts kitschy and cute, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum was founded by political cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai to house one of the largest collections of dolls anywhere on the planet. The museum was opened in 1965 with around 1,000 dolls; today it displays more than 6,500 dolls from 85 different countries.
In the heart of New Delhi, the National Zoological Park of Delhi is spread out across more than 170 acres and is home to almost 130 species from around the world. It also runs an endangered species breeding program with the ultimate goal of releasing creatures back into the wild.
