Ultimate Delhi Travel Guide: 100 Must-Visit Places in Delhi-NCR

More than just India's capital, Delhi is a city of a thousand hidden stories. From iconic landmarks to secret spots locals swear by, here are 100 of the best places to explore:

Table of Contents

⏳ Heritage Highlights

1. Qutub Minar & Complex - The tallest brick minaret in the world, built as a symbol of victory marking the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate

2. India Gate - A majestic war memorial commemorating Indian soldiers who died in World War I

3. Red Fort - Grand fortress of Shah Jahan (of Taj Mahal fame) and a symbol of India's sovereignty

4. Rashtrapati Bhawan - An architectural masterpiece blending classical and Indian styles, serving as the presidential residence and a symbol of India's democratic heritage.

5. Humayun's Tomb & Complex - A UNESCO World Heritage site and precursor to the Taj Mahal in design

6. Purana Qila (Old Fort) - A historic fort dating back to the 16th century, built by Sher Shah Suri, said to have been founded on the ancient city of Indraprastha

7. Safdarjung's Tomb - The last of the garden-style Mughal tombs built in the 18th-century

8. Mehrauli Archaeological Park - A heritage site with ancient ruins, tombs, and greenery, adjoining the Qutub complex

🕰️ History Offbeat

9. Jantar Mantar - An astronomical observatory with impressive instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur

10. Agarsen Ki Baoli - A hidden stepwell in the heart of Connaught Place offering a peaceful retreat and a glimpse into ancient water management systems.

11. Feroz Shah Kotla - A lesser-known fort with ancient ruins and the Ashokan Pillar, known for its mystical connection with djinns

12. Hauz Khas Complex - An ancient Islamic college built around a water reservoir

13. Tughlaqabad & Adilabad Fort - Ruins of a 14th-century fort built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq said to have been abandoned due to a curse

14. Khan-i-Khana Tomb - A 16th-century tomb built for the Mughal noble Khan-i-Khana, featuring elegant Mughal architecture

15. Sultan Garhi Tomb - A 13th-century tomb of the Delhi Sultanate, marking the first tomb built for a Muslim ruler in Delhi.

16. Mirza Ghalib Haveli - The home of the famous poet Mirza Ghalib, now a museum showcasing his life and work.
    

See more offbeat gems

The ruined city of Tughlaqabad (Delhi's 3rd historic capital)

🙏🏼 Spiritual Sanctuaries

17. Akshardham Temple - A modern Hindu temple showcasing breathtaking architecture and cultural performances

18. Jama Masjid - India’s largest mosque, a Mughal marvel with panoramic views of Old Delhi

19. Lotus Temple - Bahá'í House of Worship with a serene lotus-like structure open to all religions

20. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - A tranquil Sikh temple with stunning architecture, a sacred pool, and a powerful spiritual atmosphere, offering a peaceful escape in the heart of Delhi

21. ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple - A temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, blending spirituality, colorful rituals, and cultural programs

22. Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya - A sacred Sufi shrine known for its mystical atmosphere, lively qawwali music, and deep spiritual resonance

23. Gurudwara Sis Ganj - A significant Sikh shrine in Old Delhi, commemorating the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur

24. Sri Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Temple)—An architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayan built by the industrialist Birla family

25. Sri Aurobindo Ashram - A serene retreat for meditation and self-discovery, inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo

26. Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir—The oldest Jain temple in Delhi with a unique bird hospital attached

27. Hanuman Temple, Connaught Place - One of Delhi’s oldest temples dating back to the Mahabharata era, known for its continuously chanted mantra and a self-manifested idol of Lord Hanuman

28. Yogmaya Temple - A 5,000-year-old temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, believed to be built by the Pandavas (from Mahabharata)

29. Bhairav Baba Temple - An ancient temple near Purana Qila dedicated to Kala Bhairav where devotees offer alcohol as prasad

30. Chattarpur Temple - A large temple complex in South Delhi built in 1974, dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, blending North and South Indian architectural styles

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

🛍️ Local Markets & Hubs

31. Chandni Chowk - A bustling historic market in Old Delhi known for its street food, wedding shopping, and Mughal-era landmarks

32. Hauz Khas Village - A trendy neighborhood blending 13th-century ruins with cafes, galleries, and designer boutiques

33. Champa Gali - A hidden lane in Saket filled with indie cafes, handmade shops, and a cozy, artsy vibe

34. Majnu Ka Tila - A Tibetan refugee colony offering authentic Tibetan food, culture, and handicrafts by the Yamuna river

35. Dilli Haat - An open-air market showcasing handicrafts, textiles, and regional cuisines from across India

36. Shahpur Jat - A creative hub of fashion studios, indie stores, and cafes tucked inside a historic urban village

37. Janpath & Tibetan Market – Market close to Connaught Place popular for budget-friendly boho fashion, accessories, and souvenirs

38. Sarojini Nagar - A chaotic bargain-shopping paradise for export surplus fashion and streetwear at throwaway prices.

39. Humayunpur - A South Delhi neighborhood known for its strong North-Eastern community and authentic eateries

40. Vasant Lok Market - A walkable market in Vasant Vihar, known for casual shopping and popular eateries like Leo’s Pizzeria

41. GK M Block Market - A modern shopping and dining spot in Greater Kailash with high-end restaurants and boutique stores

42. Defence Colony Market - A well-established market in South Delhi known for gourmet restaurants, bakeries, and specialty stores

43. Banjara Market, Gurugram - A furniture and home décor market with affordable, rustic, and vintage-style finds

Iconic streets of Old Delhi leading up to Jama Masjid

🏺 Art & Culture Centers

44. National Gallery of Modern Art - India’s premier institution for modern and contemporary Indian art, located near India Gate

45. India Habitat Center - A cultural venue in Lodhi Road, hosting exhibitions, plays, talks, and film screenings across disciplines.

46. India International Center - An intellectual and cultural hub offering lectures, seminars, exhibitions, and concerts in an academic setting.

47. Tibet House - Founded by the Dalai Lama, this cultural center preserves Tibetan heritage through exhibitions, lectures, and a museum-library.

48. Bikaner House - A restored royal residence turned arts center, known for contemporary exhibitions, design showcases, and cultural festivals

49. Kiran Nadar Museum of Art - A private museum with a curated collection of 20th- and 21st-century Indian art, located in Delhi and Noida

50. Triveni Kala Sangam - A multi-arts complex offering classes and performances in music, dance, and fine arts, with open-air galleries and a café.

51. Lalit Kala Akademi (Mandi House) – A national academy that supports and exhibits contemporary Indian visual art through regular curated shows.

52. AIFACS (All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society) Gallery - One of India's oldest art institutions, showcasing works by emerging and established artists.

    
    
    
    

🎖️ Memorials

53. Raj Ghat- A black marble memorial marking the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, surrounded by peaceful gardens and eternal flame.

54. National Gandhi Museum - A comprehensive museum near Raj Ghat showcasing Gandhi’s personal items, writings, and his role in India’s freedom movement.

55. Gandhi Smriti Museum - Located at the site of Gandhi’s assassination, this museum preserves the room he last lived in and displays his life and teachings.

56. Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial- A museum and memorial dedicated to the life and work of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, a key architect of the Indian Constitution.

57. Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum - The former residence of Indira Gandhi, now a museum showcasing her life, political career, and personal belongings

58. Teen Murti Bhawan (Nehru Memorial Museum & Library) – Former residence of Nehru, now a detailed museum on his life and post-independence India.

59. Ghalib Academy - A tribute to the legendary Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib established in 1969 near Mirza Ghalib’s tomb in Nizamuddin

🏛️ Museums

60. National Museum - One of India’s largest museums housing 5,000 year-old artifacts including Indus Valley relics, sculptures, manuscripts, and artworks

61. National Rail Museum - Chronicles the history of Indian railways through a fascinating collection of locomotives and railway artifacts.

62. National Science Center - An interactive science museum promoting scientific learning and engagement through exhibits and demonstrations.

63. Nehru Museum & Planetarium - Located at Teen Murti Bhavan, Jawaharlal Nehru's former residence, this museum preserves his legacy and includes a planetarium for science education

64. Rashtrapati Bhawan Museum - A multimedia museum within the Presidential Estate showcasing India’s political history, artifacts, and the legacy of its presidents

65. Shankar International Dolls Museum- A whimsical collection of dolls from around the world

66. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets -  A unique and thought-provoking museum highlighting the history of sanitation and the social impact of toilets

67. National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy - A cultural space featuring traditional Indian handicrafts, with artisan demos, village replicas, and craft workshops.

68. Metro Museum – Located at Patel Chowk Metro Station, this is India’s first metro-themed museum chronicling the development of the Delhi Metro

69. Air Force Museum (Palam)- Displays vintage aircraft, uniforms, and war memorabilia from the Indian Air Force; a niche but rewarding visit for aviation buffs

70. National Philatelic Museum - Located near Connaught Place, this museum takes visitors into India’s postal history through rare stamps and philatelic exhibits

71. Museo Camera Centre for the Photographic Arts, Gurugram - India's first museum dedicated to the art and history of photography, showcasing a unique collection of vintage cameras

72. Heritage Transport Museum - Located in Tauru (near Gurugram), this expansive museum traces the evolution of transportation in India from bullock carts to vintage cars and railways

🌱 Heritage Parks

73. Lodhi Garden - A heritage-rich park with historic tombs, majestic trees, and scenic walking paths

74. Sunder Nursery - A UNESCO-recognized heritage park with Mughal-era monuments, speciality gardens, and biodiversity

75. Deer Park & Lake - A green retreat in Hauz Khas with spotted deer, peacocks, walking trails, and a serene lake—popular for morning walks and picnics

76. Nehru Park - A vast park in Chanakyapuri known for open-air concerts, yoga sessions, and landscaped gardens built in 1965 in memory of Nehru by PM Lal Bahadur Shastri

77. Buddha Jayanti Park - A park l ocated in Central Ridge established in 1993 to commemorate the 2500th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha - featuring a large Buddha statue, lotus ponds and a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree, brought from Sri Lanka, a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

78. Qudsia Bagh - A Mughal-era garden built by Qudsia Begum, once home to a majestic palace destroyed in the 1857 rebellion

79. Roshnara Garden - A 17th-century garden in North Delhi, home to ancient trees, colonial-era cricket grounds, and the tomb of Princess Roshanara (daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan)

80. Shantivan - A landscaped memorial park marking the cremation site of Jawaharlal Nehru, offering a quiet, green space for remembrance and rest

81. Amrit Udyan - Formerly the Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, this seasonal garden showcases a stunning variety of flowers and Mughal-style landscaping.

82. Waste To Wonder Park - A creative eco-park featuring replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World, made entirely from industrial and scrap waste.

    
    

    

    Tomb of Muhammad Shah inside Lodhi Garden, one of many heritage parks in Delhi

    
    
    
    

🏢 Modern Pulse

83. Connaught Place - Delhi’s iconic commercial hub with colonial architecture, flagship stores, cafes, and cultural landmarks

84. Khan Market - An upscale, expat-friendly market known for books, gourmet stores, and chic cafes

85. DLF Promenade & Emporio - Twin malls in Vasant Kunj offering luxury fashion, premium dining, and global brands.

86. Saket City Walk - A popular South Delhi mall combining high-street shopping, multiplexes, and a vibrant food court.

87. Aerocity - A modern business district near the airport, featuring luxury hotels, fine dining, and global office spaces.

Connaught Place in New Delhi

🌳 Nature's Lap

88. Sanjay Van - A dense urban forest near Mehrauli and Vasant Kunj, part of the South Central Ridge, ideal for nature walks and birdwatching

89. Aravalli Biodiversity Park - A restored natural habitat near Vasant Vihar, showcasing native Aravalli flora and supporting rich bird and insect life

90. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary -  protected forest area on Delhi’s southern edge, home to leopards, nilgai, and diverse bird species

91. Kamla Nehru Ridge - A leafy part of the Northern Ridge near Delhi University, featuring walking trails, colonial ruins, and birdlife

92. Central Delhi Ridge - A vital green belt in central Delhi, preserving native flora and providing an ecological buffer amid the urban landscape

93. Jahanpanah City Forest - A sprawling forest in South Delhi, offering a quiet escape with walking paths amid native trees and wildlife.

    
    
    
    

🎟️ Entertainment & Performances

94. Adventure Island - A popular amusement park in Rohini featuring rides and entertainment for all ages

95. Worlds of Wonder - A large water and amusement park in Noida offering thrill rides, water slides, and family fun

96. Bharat Mandapam - A state-of-the-art exhibition and convention center within Pragati Maidan, hosting major cultural and trade events

97. Kamani Auditorium- A historic auditorium in Delhi known for hosting classical music, dance, and theatre performances.

98. Siri Fort - A cultural complex with multiple auditoriums used for plays, music concerts, and film festivals

99. Sri Ram Centre for Performing Arts – A renowned theatre space in New Delhi, home to some of the city’s best Hindi and English stage productions.

100. National School of Drama (NSD) – India’s premier theatre training institute, central to the country’s dramatic arts scene