Here's something no one tells you before your first trip to Delhi: You won't truly know the city by just ticking off famous monuments. If you embark on discovering the Indian capital this way, you'll miss out on a lot.
This guide will also take you through these iconic places that everyone should see at least once. We'll also advise you on less-known spots that will transform a regular visit to Delhi into an unforgettable one. You'll discover that Delhi isn't just about huge crowds in the streets, honking, chaotic traffic, and mess. Explore modern places in Delhi with a peaceful atmosphere, quiet gardens, lesser-known historical monuments, or cafes, and great food. Delhi is more than you think. You just need to know where to look.
In this article, I have not included any religious sites in Delhi. For more information on the most famous religious sites of various religions, please see our article Delhi: Part 2 – India's Religions in One Place.
Practical transportation tips
- Delhi Metro It is the best and fastest mode of transport. You will avoid city traffic. Clean, fast, air-conditioned, and it will get you to almost every landmark on this list.
- Auto-rickshaws (Tuk-tuks) These are ideal for short distances where the metro doesn't go, but agree on the price beforehand, before you get in.
- Uber app It is the most readily available, simplest, and safest option for getting around the city by car. Today, in addition to taxis, you can also choose and book auto-rickshaws and motorcycles. (TIP: You can also use the local apps Ola and Rapido.)
Iconic landmarks Delhi
These are the most famous landmarks in Delhi, and when you visit them, you'll see why. If this is your first time in Delhi, be sure to consider including them in your itinerary.
Humayun's Tomb
This tomb from the 1670s, built for Emperor Humayun by his widow, Empress Bega Begum. It is a structure that, almost a century later, inspired the Taj Mahal.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon, around 4:30–6:00 p.m., during the golden hour, the setting sun casts a beautiful glow on the red sandstone from which the tomb is built.
- Nearest subway station: JLN Stadium (purple line), about a 10-minute auto-rickshaw ride from the entrance.
- Admission For foreigners, the price is 550 INR (5 EUR). You can also buy tickets online at https://eticket.webfront.in/asi/quick/hub.
Qutub Minar
At 73 meters tall, the Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Construction began in 1193 under Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was completed by his successors. If you look closely at the carvings, you’ll notice a change in style between the lower and upper levels.
An interesting fact, however, is Iron Pole standing in the courtyard. A 1,600-year-old column that has never rusted.
- Best time to visit: Early in the morning, right when it opens, before the heat sets in and the tour groups arrive.
- Nearest subway station: Qutub Minar Station (yellow line).
- Admission For foreigners, the price is 550 INR (5 EUR). You can also buy tickets online at https://eticket.webfront.in/asi/quick/qum.
- (TIP: Don't rush off after seeing the minaret. Visit the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park. In this beautiful, peaceful park with a lake, you'll find a well Ki Baodi District and dozens of unrestored ruins scattered among the trees.
India Gate
India Gate is a majestic 42-meter-tall war memorial that honors the approximately 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Their names are carved into the stone. In the evening, the surrounding park comes alive with local life, curious tourists, and families having picnics.
- Best time to visit: From sunset onward. The monument is beautifully illuminated at night.
- Nearest subway station: Central Secretariat (yellow/purple line), then a 15-minute walk or a short rickshaw ride.
Red Fort (Lal Qila)
Shah Jahan built this massive red sandstone fortress between 1638 and 1648 as the seat of Mughal power.
- Best time to visit: In the morning, before 10:00 a.m., while it's still cooler.
- Nearest subway station: Lal Qila Station (purple line)
- Admission For foreigners, the price is 500 INR (4.50 EUR). You can also buy tickets online at https://eticket.webfront.in/asi/quick/red
- Right across from it is Chandni Chowk, the bustling market of Old Delhi.
Off the Beaten Path & Local Spots
This is where Delhi stops performing for tourists and starts feeling like a city people actually live in.
National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo)
Tucked right next to Purana Qila, Delhi Zoo spans about 176 acres of shaded walking paths and is genuinely one of the better city zoos in India, home to white tigers among its residents. It's a slow, family-friendly half-day, and a good way to cool off under tree cover during the hotter months.
Purana Qila
Local legend holds that Purana Qila sits on the site of Indraprastha,the mythical capital from the Mahabharata — whether or not that's literally true, this fort feels ancient in a different way than the Red Fort. Built up by Sher Shah Suri and later Humayun, it's far less crowded, and its massive ramparts are wonderful for a quiet wander.
Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas means "royal tank," referring to the reservoir built by Alauddin Khilji, later expanded by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, who added a madrasa (school) and his own tomb right on the water's edge. What makes this place special today is the collision: 700-year-old ruins directly bordering a warren of art galleries, boutique stores, and rooftop cafés overlooking the lake.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon into evening
Sundar Nursery
Right next to Humayun's Tomb, this 90-acre heritage park was painstakingly restored by the Aga Khan Trust and now holds six UNESCO-recognized monuments.Bring a picnic blanket, the park is made for it.
- On Sundays, look out for Sunder Sunday Bazaar,an organic farmers' market with local produce and small-batch food stalls.
Lodhi Garden
sk any Delhi local for their favorite morning spot and Lodhi Garden comes up constantly. Ninety acres of manicured lawns wrap around the tombs of Lodhi and Sayyid dynasty rulers — Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikandar Lodhi's Tomb, and the double-domed Bara Gumbad.
- Best time to visit: it's one of the most genuine places of everyday Delhi life you'll see.
- There is a small National Bonsai Park near the Delhi Golf Club side entrance, easy to miss but worth the detour.
Special Tip for Golfers
If you play golf, do not leave Delhi without teeing off at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC)Founded in 1931, it's one of the oldest golf clubs in India, and its 18 holes are laid out directly around genuine 15th-century Mughal-era ruins.
Find out for about the city in our Series about DelhiReligious sites, markets, tips for accommodations and dinning. You will find everything there.
What's your favorite Delhi spot — icon or hidden gem? Drop it in the comments, I'm always collecting new corners of this city to explore.
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