by Muhammad Mahdi Karim / [CC BY-SA 4.0

Mughal Heritage Meets Imperial Grandeur

A. About Delhi

Nickname: City of Rallies

Delhi, the capital of India, features two entirely different cities: Old Delhi – the bustling city of the Mughals with a labyrinth of alleys in the bazaar district; and the well-planned open spaces of imperial New Delhi with its wide avenues, evergreen parks, and pompous government buildings.

The historical monuments are scattered across both districts as silent witnesses to its eventful history.

Delhi with its contrasts is at the same time fascinating, baffling, and wonderful in equal measure. Colorful markets, spellbinding mosques, forts, and monuments left over from the Mughal rulers as well as crowdsslums, and traffic chaos, characterize India's capital.


The Good: 

First of all, Delhi delights visitors with numerous interesting sights.

Furthermore, prices in Delhi are very affordable.

Finally, with Agra, just 2 hours by train, and the world-famous Taj Mahal Delhi offers truly fantastic excursions.

The Not-So-Good: 

Delhi suffers to a certain point from its inevitable beggars and salesmen, resulting in a low rating for people. 

In addition, pollution and chaotic traffic can be an issue as well as security.

Apart from some streets in the Hauz Khas Village, the pedestrian experience in Delhi is poor.


B. Best Things to Do in Delhi in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty sights in Delhi. The following sights and attractions contribute to a very impressive score of 7.55/10 in this most important category:

# QUTB MINAR COMPLEX 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

Acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the impressive Qutb Minar at 72.5 m is considered the highest minaret in India and forms the most important part of the Qutb complex.

Since 1976 the 12th-century sandstone minaret can no longer be climbed.

Minaret and Archaeological Park World Heritage Site: since 1993

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Cool sneh13 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Old Delhi was founded as a walled city named Shahjahanabad in 1639 when Shah Jahan decided to shift the Mughal capital from Agra.

It is known for its bazaars, street food, shopping locations, the remains of a Mughal fort, and its Islamic architecture.

City District

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Edmund Gall / CC BY-SA 2.0

# HUMAYUN’S TOMB 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Set in the lovely Mughal Garden, this striking mausoleum was constructed in 1565 of contrasting white marble and red sandstone.

It can be regarded as a prototype of the Taj Mahal.

Tomb World Heritage Site: since 1993

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Eatcha / CC BY-SA 4.0

# RED FORT COMPLEX 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1638 of red sandstone as the residence of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the striking Red Fort is considered the high point of pre-British Islamic Indian architecture.

An interesting one-hour sound and light show of the fort's history is held each evening.

Palace and Fort Complex World Heritage Site: since 2007

Best Things to do in Delhi

by A.Savin / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Akshardham Temple 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Although completed in 2005, the stunning 43-meter-high main monument of the Akshardham Temple looks like it could be centuries old. 

The site holds a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple.

Hindu Temple Completed: 2005 | Height: 43 m

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Swaminarayan Sanstha / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Finished in 1658, the intricately decorated Friday Mosque is the largest and most spectacular mosque in India.

Visitors can climb to the top of the southern minaret to enjoy spectacular views of Old Delhi.

Mosque | Viewpoint Completed: 1658

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Pinakpani / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Lodi Gardens 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Spanning over ninety acres, this idyllic city park was built by the British in 1936 around the tombs of 15th and 16th-century rulers.

Park Surface: 0.36 km2 / 90 acres | Created: 1936

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Lucido22 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Lotus Temple 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1986 of white concrete and marble, this lotus-shaped temple of the Baha'i Faith is a masterpiece of modern architecture. The building is composed of twenty-seven free-standing marble-clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides.

Baha'i Temple | Modern Architecture Erected: 1986 | Capacity: 2'500 people | Diameter: 70 meters / 230 ft

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Vandelizer / CC BY-SA 2.0

# National Museum 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Established in 1949, this museum with an enormous collection of artifacts and exhibits from the civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (2500-1500 BCE) to the 20th century, is one of the largest and most important museums in India.

Museum Established: 1949

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Miya.m / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Gurudwara Bangla Sahib 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Created in the late 18th-century, this elegant white marble Sikh place of worship features a magnificent pool and a stunning gold dome.

Sikh Temple Erected: 1783, current structure mostly built post 1947

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Ken Wieland / CC BY-SA 2.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion


C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Delhi

    • Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (Sikh Temple) 5.5
    • Haji Ali Dargah (Mosque) 5.5
    • Safdarjung's Tomb 5.5
    • Purana Qila (The Old Fort) 5.5
    • Rashtrapati Bhavan (Palace) 5.5
    • Rajpath (Avenue) 5.5
    • Crafts Museum 5.5
    • Laxminarayan Temple 5.5
    • Chandni Chowk Bazaars 5
    • India Gate 5
    • ISKCON Temple 5
    • Jantar Mantar (Astronomical Observatory) 5
    • National Rail Museum 5
    • Connaught Place 5
    • Chhatarpur Temple 5
    • Birla Mandir Temple 5
    • Chhatarpur Temple 5
    • National Gandhi Museum 5
    • National Gallery of Modern Art 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Delhi

TAJ MAHAL  10 4.9 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1643, the ivory-white marble Taj Mahal in Agra is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful building in the world. It was built to house the tomb of the Mughal emperor's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The Gatimaan Express train will get you from Delhi to Agra in around two hours.

Mausoleum Distance from Delhi: 225 km | World Heritage Site: since 1983

Best Things to do in Delhi

by Joel Godwin / CC BY-SA 4.0

Agra (city, ca. 240 km from Delhi, ca. 2 h by train) 7

Jaipur (city, ca. 273 km from Delhi) 6


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Delhi (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you visit first if you spend at least three entire or more days in Delhi and the surroundings.

TAJ MAHAL (in Agra, 225 km from Delhi) 10 

QUTB MINAR COMPLEX  7 

Old Delhi 7 

AGRA (225 km from Mumbai) 7 

HUMAYUN’S TOMB  6 

RED FORT COMPLEX 6 

Akshardham Temple 6 

Jama Masjid Mosque 6 

Lodi Gardens 5.5

Lotus Temple 5.5