Delhi Sightseeing Attractions

India’s capital is filled with fascinating sights, a majority of them being architectural masterpieces, both ancient and modern.  Along with these structures there are intriguing bazaars, renowned eateries, unique museums and much more that give visitors more than enough ways to enjoy and explore Delhi.  Here is a list of some of the prominent attractions.

Old Delhi

Old Delhi is an overwhelming experience with narrow streets chock-a-bloc with people, cyclists and animals, residents peeping out from small filigreed windows overlooking the narrow alleys, shops selling everything from watches to clothes and bazaars like the Spice Market where the air is redolent with pungent fumes of various spices.  All of these are “sights” in their own right, but there are many more that are landmarks of the area, evocative of the area’s rich past.  See also Old Delhi Sightseeing Attractions.

The Red Fort or Lal Qila – The erstwhile residence of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (grandson of the Akbar the Great) is built in opulent red sandstone.  Its fascinating interiors include the Chatta Chowk or Covered Bazaar, marble palaces, the Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque and several other lavish areas.

Jama Masjid – This mosque has enough space to hold 25,000 people in its courtyard. Shahjahan’s extravagant masterpiece is an impressive structure replete with towers, minarets and is made of alternating red sandstone and white marble stripes. 

Digambar Jain Temple – Amid the chaos of Chandni Chowk is this tranquil temple with intricate carvings and paintwork, a peaceful marble courtyard flanked by columns.  There is also a Jain Bird Hospital here, tending to injured or captured birds.

Chandni Chowk – The main street is a vibrant and chaotic bazaar, which has shops selling everything from jewelry to books.

Raj Ghat – The site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, as well as the members of what many consider the “first family” of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter, Indira Gandhi and her son, Rajiv Gandhi – the latter three were all Prime Ministers of India.

Feroz Shah Kotla – Set between Old and New Delhi is the crumbling remnants of the fifth city, Ferozabad.  The main attraction is the 14 meter high Ashoka Column, the edicts of peace-loving Emperor Ashoka (a follower of Buddha) etched into the gleaming sandstone pillar. 

St. James Church – This church is the result of a vow made by Colonel James Skinner when he almost died in battle, a tribute to God if his life was spared.  It is the oldest church in the city and is supposedly modeled on St Paul’s Cathedral in London, though some believe it to be an imitation of a church in Venice.

New Delhi

The attractions in this part of the city comprise the elegant and majestic sweeps of Edward Lutyen’s architectural vision, museums that display India’s historic treasures and several historic monuments, crumbling remnants of the old cities that make up Delhi. 

Connaught Place – This majestic colonnaded sphere is the commercial hub of the city, housing numerous offices, restaurants and shops.

Jantar Mantar – A collection of massive brick-red colored sundials make up this outdoor astronomical observatory.

Laxmi Narayan Temple – Also known as the Birla Mandir since it was built by the industrialist G.D Birla in 1938, this cream, white and brown structure is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu and is set amid lovely gardens. 

Rajpath – Also known as Kingsway, this luxuriously wide avenue is hemmed in on either side by decorative pools and gardens.  It’s an apt site for the annual Republic Day Parade held on January 26 every year.

India Gate– At Rajpath’s eastern end is one of New Delhi’s most recognizable landmarks, India Gate.  This impressive 42m high archway was built as a memorial to the soldiers who died during World War I.

Rashtrapati Bhavan – At the western end of Rajpath, is a grand structure blending Mughal and western architectural elements - Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President’s Residence.  Resembling a palace, it crowns Raisina Hill and has two large buildings on either side, which house the Foreign and External Affairs ministries.  The grounds also include the Mughal Gardens, which are only open to the public once a year, usually in February.

Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) – This imposing structure is a spherical colonnaded creation located just north of Rajpath.

Humayun’s Tomb – This Persian char bagh (four gardens) style tomb was built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, Mughal Emperor Humayun’s (father of Akbar the Great) most senior wife.  She, along with Humayun, and other members of the royal family are buried here.

Qutub Minar – This 73m high tower is Delhi’s most iconic landmark dating back to the 13th century, when it was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak.  The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which is the first mosque built in India, the Alai Minar, some tombs and Alauddin Khilji’s madrasa (Muslim religious school) are also within the Qutub Minar Complex.

The Bahai Temple – Also known as the Lotus Temple, because of it being in the shape of this flower, this architectural masterpiece was built by followers of the Bahai faith. It is made of white marble and surrounded by pools and gardens, and has gained critical acclaim from all over the world.  

Hauz Khas Village – This is one of Delhi’s most fashionable areas, brimming with chic boutiques, shops and restaurants.  This region used to be the reservoir for the ancient city of Siri and the crumbling ruins are extremely atmospheric, highlights being Feroz Shah’s tomb and the remnants of a college.