Top 10 Things to Do in Delhi as a Foreign Tourist

If India were a book, Delhi would be its preface, offering a vivid glimpse of the cultures and contrasts that lie ahead.

For international travelers, especially those on a tight schedule, exploring Delhi is a smart and rewarding choice. To help you make the most of your visit, here are 10 essential experiences not to miss:

1) Discover the inspiration behind the Taj Mahal at Humayun's Tomb

Completed in 1572, Humayun's Tomb introduced Persian design elements that soon became a hallmark of Mughal architecture in India. The charbagh (four-part) garden layout, the double dome, and the geometric precision became blueprints for the Taj Mahal 60 years later.

Nicknamed the Mughal necropolis, Humayun's tomb sits surrounded by over 150 Mughal graves.

Visit tips: Go early in the morning to get ample time to explore the larger Complex.

2) Trace the origins of Islamic rule in India at Qutub Minar

Delhi's destiny flipped in the year 1192 when the Ghurid forces defeated the Rajput Confederacy and established a Muslim sultanate in India.

Later, on the grounds of Delhi's oldest known fortified city of Lal Kot, a victory tower was built to proclaim conquest. The same ground, in present-day Mehrauli, is now home to an ensemble of structures built by early Sultanate rulers.

The Qutub Complex, as it is called, tells the story of how invading cultures fused with Indian traditions to give rise to a new style known as Indo-Islamic architecture.

Visit tips: Explore the complex in the evening for the best atmosphere, and top off your experience with dinner at a rooftop restaurant in nearby Mehrauli.

📌 See: The Complete Visitor's Guide to Qutub Minar

3) Reflect on India’s struggle for independence at Red Fort

The Red Fort witnessed India's darkest and brightest moments. Built by Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame in 1648, it was home to later Mughal emperors for 200 years. After 1857's failed rebellion, the British converted it into barracks.

Visit early and take time to see the 1857 museum inside. It explains how a soldier's refusal to bite cartridges greased with cow and pig fat sparked India's first war of independence.

📌 See: The Complete Visitor's Guide to Red Fort

4) Experience diversity in spirituality

Delhi houses every major religion practiced in India.

Akshardham, a modern Hindu temple complex, showcases 10,000 years of culture through exhibitions and boat rides. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib reflects selfless service in action, where Sikh volunteers serve 40,000 free meals daily. Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah brims with mystical music on Thursdays in remembrance of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

Visit tips: Remember to dress respectfully: cover your head, remove your shoes where required, and observe the decorum appropriate to each sacred space.

5) Explore colonial legacy at India Gate and Lutyens' Delhi

The India Gate stands as a tribute to the 84,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I and anchors Lutyens’ Delhi, the grand imperial capital designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens.

A walk along the adjoining Kartavya Path reveals Rashtrapati Bhavan, originally built as the Viceroy’s residence, a compound so vast it surpasses even Versailles in scale.

The nearby Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum takes visitors through India’s transition from colonial rule to the world’s largest democracy.

6) Witness the rise of modern India at select markets

Buzzing with bookstores, cafés, and boutiques, Khan Market is where shopping often leads to spirited debates. Just 4 kilometers away, Connaught Place, with its colonial Georgian architecture, offers everything from street food and local shops to high-end global brands.

For a taste of India’s growing consumer power, head to Select City Walk in Saket or DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj. These luxury malls bring together international fashion labels, multiplex cinemas, and food courts serving cuisine from around the world.

Visit tips: Khan Market is closed on Sundays and otherwise open from 10 AM to 12 AM. Malls are open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.

7) Indulge in a food tour in Old Delhi

Chandni Chowk's narrow lanes hide culinary treasures unchanged for centuries. Start at Paranthe Wali Gali, where six families have made stuffed parathas for 150 years (try the potato, cauliflower, or radish variants!)

Then visit Karim's for Mughlai cuisine. Founded in 1913, they claim descent from Mughal royal cooks. The mutton burra and chicken Jahangiri carry imperial flavors.

End with kulfi at Kuremal Mohan Lal. Their stuffed kulfi uses real fruits as containers.

Visit tips: Carry cash; avoid the monsoon months to protect your gut

8) Engage with Indian craftsmanship at Crafts Museum or Dilli Haat

The National Crafts Museum, near Bharat Mandapam, will take you into India’s 5,000 years-old craftsmanship. In a village-like setting, traditional weavers, potters, and woodcarvers often work on-site and offer a glimpse into artisanal techniques.

For a livelier, open-air market, head to Dilli Haat near INA, where artisans from across India sell regional handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and street food. A rotating selection of state-sponsored stalls makes every visit a fresh experience.

Visit tips: The Crafts Museum is closed on Mondays. Dilli Haat's foreigner entry ticket is ₹100.

9) Appreciate modern Indian art at NGMA

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) houses India’s largest collection of modern art and traces the evolution of Indian artistic expression from colonial-era influences to bold contemporary voices.

See how Raja Ravi Varma blended European techniques with Indian themes to bring Hindu mythology to life on canvas. The Bengal School section highlights artists like Abanindranath Tagore, who rejected Western styles in favor of creating a distinctly Indian visual language. In the contemporary galleries, explore themes of Partition, independence, and modernization that continue to shape Indian art.

Visit tips: NGMA is closed on Mondays. Entry fee is ₹20 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners.

10) Journey into ancient India at the National Museum

The National Museum houses over 200,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of Indian history. In the Harappan Gallery, discover relics of the Indus Valley Civilization, including the iconic Dancing Girl in bronze and mysterious seals that remain undeciphered.

Don’t miss the manuscript gallery, safeguarding rare texts in Sanskrit, Persian, and several regional languages.

Visit tips: The museum is closed on Mondays. Entry is ₹20 for Indians and ₹650 for foreigners.

Planning Your Delhi Trip As A Foreign Tourist

Within a span of 30 kilometers, Delhi lets you witness 5,000 years of history, experience every major faith, taste the full range of Indian cuisine, and explore both colonial legacy and contemporary life.

If you’re short on time or transiting through the capital, these 10 essential stops serve as a crash course in India’s complexity, richness, and rhythm. Yet, if possible, allow yourself 4–5 days at minimum to take it all in.

Group your visits by area—Old Delhi (Red Fort, Jama Masjid, food tour), Central Delhi (India Gate, museums), and South Delhi (Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple)—and book online tickets where possible to skip long queues.

To understand India, you don’t need to cover 3,000 kilometers. You just need to take the right turns in Delhi.