Red Fort
A UNESCO-listed red sandstone fort built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
- Category
- Historic site
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: It is closed on Mondays; consider the evening light show too.
Show on mapCulture – Delhi
Delhi is a city built over seven earlier cities, with Mughal, Sultanate and British-era heritage side by side. Its mosques, gurdwaras and temples reflect a multi-faith character.
Historic sites
- Purana Qila – A fort rebuilt in the 16th century under Sher Shah Suri on a site settled for about 2,500 years.
- Safdarjung's Tomb – One of the last great Mughal garden tombs, built in 1754.
- Agrasen ki Baoli – An ancient 60-step stepwell near Connaught Place.
Traditions
- Qawwali – A devotional music tradition of Sufi poetry sung with clapping and harmonium at Nizamuddin Dargah.
- Langar (communal meal) – The Sikh tradition of serving free meals to everyone regardless of faith or class in gurdwaras.
- Evening aarti and Diwali lights – Evening temple worship with lamps, and the Diwali tradition of lighting homes in autumn.
Festivals
- Diwali – The great festival of lights in October-November, celebrated with lamps, sweets and fireworks.
- Holi – A March festival welcoming spring in which people throw coloured powder at one another.
- Republic Day Parade – A military and cultural parade held along Kartavya Path every 26 January.
Etiquette
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering temples, mosques and gurdwaras.
- Use your right hand for eating and passing items, as the left is traditionally considered unclean.
- Bargaining is normal in bazaars but be polite; ask before photographing people or religious ceremonies.
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Places
Qutub Minar
A 73-metre brick minaret from around 1200, UNESCO-listed, with early Islamic ruins around it.
- Category
- Historic site
- Duration
- 1.7 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: Arrive at opening, as crowds grow in the afternoon.
Show on mapHumayun's Tomb
A UNESCO-listed Mughal garden tomb of 1570 that inspired the Taj Mahal.
- Category
- Historic site
- Duration
- 2 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Late afternoon towards sunset
Tip: The light near sunset is wonderful for photos.
Show on mapIndia Gate
A 42-metre war memorial arch honouring Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.
- Category
- Landmark
- Duration
- 45 min
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: The evening lighting and picnic atmosphere around it are lovely.
Show on mapJama Masjid
One of India's largest mosques, completed in 1656, with a courtyard holding over twenty thousand worshippers.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Late afternoon towards sunset
Tip: Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes at the entrance.
Show on mapGurudwara Bangla Sahib
A Sikh temple known for its golden dome, sacred pool and free communal meals (langar) for all.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1.3 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: Cover your head and remove shoes; head coverings are provided at the entrance.
Show on mapAkshardham Temple
A vast pink sandstone Hindu temple complex notable for its thousands of carvings and gardens.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 3 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Any time of day
Tip: Phones and cameras are not allowed inside, so leave them behind.
Show on mapLotus Temple
A Bahá'í house of worship of white marble shaped like an opening lotus flower.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Late afternoon towards sunset
Tip: Closed on Mondays; stay silent inside.
Show on mapNizamuddin Dargah
The shrine of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, known for its Thursday-evening qawwali music.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: Visit on Thursday evening; cover shoulders, knees and head.
Show on map
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Please verify with official sources before your visit.
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