If you’re planning to visit India, Delhi is probably the city where your trip would begin. As the capital, it holds centuries of history, along with a fast-paced modern lifestyle, giving you an introduction to the country before you head anywhere else.
Delhi is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort. But there’s a lot more to do in the city besides these three historical landmarks. From spiritual centers and old markets to quiet gardens and lip-smacking street food, the city offers something for every type of traveler. You can easily spend 2-3 days in the capital city before or after exploring the wildlife destinations.
This guide covers some of the best tourist attractions in Delhi that you must add to your itinerary.
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Delhi for International Travelers
From iconic Mughal monuments to peaceful bird sanctuaries just outside the city, Delhi has something for every kind of traveler. Here are the top 10 places to visit, along with the best time to go and what to expect:
1. Qutub Minar
Standing at about 240 feet, Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. It is also one of Delhi’s most recognized landmarks. Its construction began in 1192, and it has survived more than eight centuries of history.
The minaret has five stories, each featuring detailed carvings and inscriptions from the Quran. Built from red sandstone, it was constructed in the early Indo-Islamic architectural style.
However, historians still debate why it was built. Some say it marked the start of Muslim rule in India. Others believe it was used to call people to prayer.
In the surrounding complex, you’ll also find the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Iron Pillar, a metal structure that has resisted rust for over 1,600 years.
Best time to visit: Early morning, before the heat and crowds build up
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 hours
Entry fee for foreign nationals: $5.70 (approximately)
Nearby experience: Mehrauli Archaeological Park, a 200-acre heritage park right next to the complex.
2. Red Fort (Lal Qila)
Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the Red Fort was the seat of Mughal power for over 200 years. Behind its massive red sandstone walls lies a complex of palaces, halls, and mosques.
Inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas, where the emperor met the public and held private court sessions. The gardens and living quarters give you a sense of just how grand Mughal court life once was.
The Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it holds a special place in modern India too. Every year on Independence Day, the Prime Minister addresses the nation from its ramparts. In the evening, a light and sound show brings the fort’s history to life.
Best time to visit: Morning, to beat the heat and crowds
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 hours
Entry fee for foreign nationals: Around $6.20 for entry, or about $9 for the entry and museum combo.
Nearby experience: The fort is right next to Chandni Chowk, so you can explore its markets and street food after the visit.
3. Humayun’s Tomb
Built in 1570, Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden-tomb of its kind on the Indian subcontinent. It is often called the architectural predecessor of the Taj Mahal and was commissioned by Emperor Humayun’s widow.
The design features a grand central dome, red sandstone facades, and lush gardens laid out in a Persian-style grid. Several other Mughal royals are also buried within the complex. The structure of the tomb later inspired the Taj Mahal and many other garden-tomb complexes across India.
Compared to some of Delhi’s more crowded attractions, Humayun’s Tomb tends to feel calmer, making it a good place if you want to slow down and take in the details. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most photogenic in Delhi.
Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon, when the light works best for photos
Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours
Entry fee for foreign nationals: Around $5.70
Nearby experience: Lodhi Garden, a short auto-rickshaw ride away
4. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is one of Delhi’s most iconic landmarks, with a design inspired by a blooming lotus and made up of 27 marble petals. Completed in 1986, it is a Baháʼí House of Worship and has earned several international architecture awards.
People of every faith and background are welcome in the temple, and there are no rituals or ceremonies inside. You’ll have to leave your shoes at a secure deposit counter, after which you’ll get a brief orientation from a volunteer. You can sit quietly in the prayer hall for as long as you like.
The surrounding gardens and ponds are just as peaceful. The whole complex looks especially beautiful when lit up at night.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon, before the evening lighting
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Entry fee: Free
5. India Gate
Built in 1931 and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, India Gate was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is 138 feet tall and honors the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
You’ll find an eternal flame burning under the archway in memory of soldiers who gave their lives for their country. The monument is in the heart of Rajpath, a wide ceremonial boulevard lined with gardens. The National War Memorial is also located nearby if you want to learn more about India’s military history.
Evenings draw a big crowd of locals and tourists alike. Once the sun sets, floodlights light up the structure, and the lawns fill with families out for a walk and vendors selling local snacks.
Best time to visit: Evening, for the lights and the atmosphere
Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours
Entry fee: Free
Nearby experience: Stroll along Rajpath and stop by the National War Memorial.
6. Akshardham Temple
Akshardham Temple is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world. It’s worth keeping aside half a day to see it properly. The main monument is covered in thousands of hand-carved sculptures depicting deities, saints, animals, and traditional Indian motifs.
Besides the temple, the complex includes exhibitions, cultural presentations, and a musical fountain show. Note that cameras and cell phones aren’t allowed inside. You’ll need to check them at the entrance before heading in. The site takes security seriously, but the process is well organized and free of charge.
Best time to visit: Afternoon so that you can stay through the evening fountain show
Recommended duration: More than 3 hours
Entry fee: Free
Nearby experience: A walk along the Yamuna riverfront.
7. Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi)
Established in the 17th century, Chandni Chowk is one of India’s oldest and busiest markets. Its narrow lanes are lined with shops selling textiles, jewelry, spices, and traditional handicrafts.
It can feel overwhelming at first, but that’s part of the experience. The Red Fort is right at the edge of the market, so the two pair naturally on the same visit.
One of the best ways to see the market is by cycle rickshaw. A ride through the lanes will take you past spice merchants, silver jewelers, and the evening call to prayer from Jama Masjid.
Best time to visit: Late morning through early evening
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 hours
Nearby experience: Red Fort and Jama Masjid
Where to eat in Chandni Chowk:
- Paranthe Wali Gali:
A single lane packed with parantha shops, some of which have been family-run since the 1870s. The stuffed flatbreads come with pickles and chutneys, and fillings range from classic potato to unusual choices like sweetened milk. - Old Famous Jalebi Wala:
Running since 1884 at the Dariba Kalan corner, this shop serves jalebi with a stronger cardamom flavor than most. Eat it hot, right out of the oil, for the best texture. - Natraj Dahi Bhalla Corner:
Serving dahi bhalla since around 1940, this spot on the main road is known for its cool, creamy yogurt dumplings topped with tangy chutneys. - Karim’s:
Located near Jama Masjid, Karim’s has been serving Mughlai kebabs and slow-cooked mutton korma since 1913, with recipes tracing back to the imperial Mughal kitchens.
8. Lodhi Garden
Spread across more than 90 acres, Lodhi Garden is a quiet escape from Delhi’s crowded, dusty streets. It is ideal for a relaxing afternoon surrounded by greenery. The park combines open lawns with several tombs and monuments dating back to the 15th- and 16th-century Lodhi Dynasty.
You’ll find joggers, photographers, families, and yoga practitioners. The garden is especially popular with expats living in Delhi. The old stone tombs scattered through the grounds make for some of the most photogenic spots in the city.
After a morning of monuments and markets, this is a good place to slow down for an hour or two before moving on to your next stop.
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon
Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours
Entry fee: Free
Nearby experience: Khan Market, a short walk away.
9. Sultanpur National Park
Located about 29 miles from Delhi in Haryana, Sultanpur National Park is one of the easiest wildlife escapes from the city for birdwatchers. It has a lake and shallow marshlands that draw migratory birds from as far as Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia.
Winter is the busiest season at the park, with flamingos, Eurasian wigeons, pelicans, and sarus cranes among the many birds you can spot. Even outside the migratory season, resident species such as painted storks, black-necked storks, Indian rollers, and peafowls are commonly seen.
Since it’s about an hour’s drive from the city, this works best as a half-day trip.
Best time to visit: November through February, for the migratory birds
Recommended duration: Half a day
Entry fee for foreign nationals: Less than $1
10. Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Located in Noida on the Delhi–Uttar Pradesh border, Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a popular birdwatching destination near the city. It spans about 1.5 square miles, with marshes, grasslands, and the Yamuna riverbanks, housing more than 300 species of birds.
Winter is the best time to visit, when migratory species like the northern shoveler and bar-headed goose arrive in large numbers. You may also be able to spot rare species such as the Baikal teal, sociable lapwing, and Indian skimmer. The sanctuary is also home to the sarus crane and the grey-headed fish eagle. Even outside winter, you can spot kingfishers, herons, and egrets along the water’s edge.
Best time to visit: Winter months, for the migratory bird season
Recommended duration: Half a day
Entry fee for foreign nationals: Around $3.60
The Bottom Line
Just two to three days are enough to soak in Delhi’s history and food, and even enjoy some birdwatching. You get Mughal forts, a UNESCO tomb, a steaming plate of parathas in Chandni Chowk, and a quiet morning at Lodhi Garden, all within a short drive of each other.
And if wildlife is part of your trip, Delhi makes an easy starting point. Pair your time in the capital with a tiger safari in Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, or Jim Corbett National Parks and see Bengal tigers in the wild.
Ready to plan your India safari? Get in touch with Jungle Revives for a custom itinerary built around your dates and interests.
FAQs
Where do most foreigners visit in Delhi?
Most international travelers visit the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and India Gate. These sites cover centuries of Mughal and colonial history, making them must-visit attractions. Chandni Chowk is another favorite, since it gives visitors a taste of Old Delhi’s markets and street food alongside the monuments.
What are the 5 tourist places in Delhi?
Five of the top tourist places in Delhi are Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, and India Gate. Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Lotus Temple and India Gate offer experiences around spirituality and remembrance.
Where should I go for a 2-day trip in Delhi?
On day one, cover Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort in the morning and afternoon. Then, spend the evening exploring Chandni Chowk’s lanes and street food. On day two, start with India Gate, move on to Lotus Temple, and set aside a few hours in the afternoon for Akshardham Temple. If you have extra time between stops, Lodhi Garden is a good place to visit.
What should I not miss in Delhi?
The Red Fort and Qutub Minar are must-sees for anyone interested in Mughal history and architecture. Chandni Chowk also offers a unique experience. It’s where you’ll find some of Delhi’s best street food, including stuffed parathas, crispy jalebi, and kebabs.
Which part of Delhi is best to stay in?
Connaught Place is generally the best choice for first-time visitors, since it is centrally located. It is also closer to many of the monuments on this list. But if you’re arriving late at night or leaving early, Aerocity is a good alternative. It is right next to the international airport and offers a quieter stay. Both these areas are well connected by metro, making it easier to get around the city.
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