Top things to see and do in Delhi
Red Fort (Lal Qila). Shah Jahan's vast red-sandstone fortress-palace, completed around 1648 as the seat of Mughal power in Shahjahanabad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2007) and Delhi's defining monument — it is from its ramparts that the Prime Minister addresses the nation each Independence Day. Enter through the Lahori Gate past the covered Chatta Chowk bazaar to reach the audience halls, marble pavilions and gardens within. Expect a modest entry fee for Indian nationals and a higher one for foreign visitors; it is closed on Mondays. Verify hours and fees before visiting.
Qutub Minar. The soaring 72.5-metre victory tower of fluted red sandstone and marble, begun in the early 1200s, is the tallest brick minaret in the world and the centrepiece of a UNESCO-listed complex (inscribed 1993). Around it stand the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, richly carved gateways, and the famous 4th-century Iron Pillar that has resisted rust for over 1,600 years. The complex is generally open all week. A modest fee for Indians and a higher one for foreigners applies; verify before visiting.
Humayun's Tomb. Built in the 1560s–70s for the second Mughal emperor, this was the first great garden-tomb (charbagh) on the Indian subcontinent and a direct architectural ancestor of the Taj Mahal — UNESCO-inscribed in 1993. Its symmetry, red-and-white stonework and formal Persian gardens make it, for many, the most beautiful monument in Delhi. The surrounding precinct includes several other tombs and the Sunder Nursery heritage park nearby. Open through the week; standard ASI fee bands apply — verify before visiting.
India Gate and Kartavya Path. The 42-metre war memorial arch, honouring soldiers of the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, anchors the ceremonial avenue of Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath). The revamped boulevard, with lawns, water channels and food stalls, is a hugely popular evening promenade, especially when the arch is floodlit. It is free and open-air; the surrounding lawns are pleasant at dusk. This is also the stage for the annual Republic Day parade.
Jama Masjid. Shah Jahan's monumental Friday mosque, completed in 1656, is one of the largest mosques in India, its courtyard able to hold tens of thousands of worshippers. Climbing the southern minaret rewards you with a sweeping view over Old Delhi's rooftops. Entry to the mosque is free, though there may be a camera charge and a fee to climb the minaret; dress modestly, cover your head and shoulders, remove shoes, and avoid prayer times. Verify current arrangements before visiting.
Lotus Temple. A Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986 and shaped like a half-open lotus flower of white marble petals, this is one of Delhi's most photographed modern landmarks. It welcomes visitors of all faiths for quiet contemplation; there are no rituals, idols or sermons. Entry is free, it is usually closed on Mondays, and silence is expected inside. Expect queues at peak times.
Akshardham. A sprawling Swaminarayan temple complex on the Yamuna's east bank, opened in 2005 and recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple. Beyond the intricately carved central shrine there are landscaped gardens and an evening musical fountain. Note the strict security: phones, cameras and most belongings must be left at the cloakroom, so plan for that. It is typically closed on Mondays; entry to the grounds is free while exhibitions are ticketed. Verify timings before visiting.
Lodhi Gardens. A beautifully landscaped 90-acre park dotted with the domed tombs and mosques of the 15th-century Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties, set among old trees, lawns and lakes. It is a favourite of joggers, picnickers and photographers, and one of the loveliest free green spaces in the city — ideal for a morning stroll or a break between monuments. Open daily from dawn to dusk, no ticket required.
Chandni Chowk. The great arterial bazaar of Old Delhi, laid out in the 17th century and still one of India's busiest and most atmospheric markets. Its lanes specialise in everything from wedding finery and silver to spices, books and, above all, food. Explore on foot or by cycle-rickshaw, keep valuables secure in the crush, and come hungry. A rickshaw ride here is an experience in itself; the parallel Metro station makes access easy.
Connaught Place. The colonnaded Georgian-style business and shopping district at the heart of New Delhi, laid out in concentric circles in the early 1930s. "CP" mixes flagship stores, cafés, cinemas and the state emporia complex on nearby Baba Kharak Singh Marg, where you can browse handicrafts from every Indian state under one roof. Central Park at its core and the Jantar Mantar observatory close by round out an easy half-day.
Raj Ghat. The dignified, austere memorial to Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the Yamuna, marking the site of his 1948 cremation with a simple black marble platform and an eternal flame, set in quiet gardens. It is a place of reflection rather than spectacle; entry is free, shoes are removed near the memorial, and dress and behaviour should be respectful.
National Museum and Hauz Khas. For history and culture, the National Museum on Janpath holds one of the country's finest collections — Indus Valley artefacts, miniature paintings, sculpture, coins and more — and is usually closed on Mondays with a modest ticket. For a different mood, Hauz Khas pairs a medieval complex of a Lodhi-era madrasa, tombs and a 13th-century reservoir with the adjoining "village," a warren of design boutiques, galleries, cafés and nightlife — a good place to watch the sun set over the water. Verify museum hours and fees before visiting.