Delhi packs an unusual amount of range into one city — Mughal-era forts, a UNESCO minaret, a temple shaped like a lotus, and a spice market that’s been running since the 17th century, all within a metro ride of each other. This guide organizes the city’s best tourist attractions by category, with the practical details — timings, entry fees, nearest metro, and how long to budget — that actually matter when you’re planning the day. If you’re looking for curated experiences and neighborhood walk ideas beyond the major landmarks, check out our guide on things to do in Delhi.
Delhi at a Glance: Where Are These Attractions Located?
Before diving in, it helps to know Delhi’s rough geography, since it shapes how you’ll group your sightseeing days.
- Old Delhi: The Mughal-era core — Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk. Dense, chaotic, and best explored on foot or by cycle-rickshaw.
- New Delhi (Central): The colonial-era planned city — India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Connaught Place. Wide roads, easy to navigate by metro or cab, home to many places worth visiting in Delhi.
- South Delhi: Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Hauz Khas, Garden of Five Senses. More spread out, generally requires metro-plus-cab combinations.
- East Delhi: Akshardham Temple sits somewhat on its own here, close to the Delhi-Noida border.
Quick Fact Card: All 15 Attractions at a Glance
| Attraction | Nearest Metro | Timings | Entry Fee (Indian/Foreigner) | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Fort | Lal Qila (Violet Line) | 9:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed Mon | ₹35 / ₹550 | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Qutub Minar | Qutub Minar (Yellow Line) | Sunrise–sunset | ₹35 / ₹550 | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Humayun’s Tomb | JLN Stadium (Violet Line) | Sunrise–sunset | ₹35 / ₹550 | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Jama Masjid | Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) | 7 AM–12 PM, 1:30–6:30 PM (closed to visitors during prayer) | Free (₹300 photography fee) | 30–45 min |
| Akshardham Temple | Akshardham (Blue Line) | Tue–Sun, 10 AM–8 PM | Free (exhibitions/show ticketed) | 3–4 hrs |
| Lotus Temple | Kalkaji Mandir (Magenta/Violet Line) | Tue–Sun, 9 AM–5:30 PM (summer), 9:30 AM–5 PM (winter) | Free | 45 min–1 hr |
| Gurudwara Bangla Sahib | Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue Line) | Open 24 hours | Free | 1 hr |
| India Gate & Kartavya Path | Central Secretariat (Yellow/Violet Line) | Open 24 hours | Free | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Rashtrapati Bhavan | Central Secretariat (Yellow/Violet Line) | Tue–Sun, by prior online booking | Free (forecourt) / ₹50 (Main Building & Museum) | 30 min–2 hrs |
| Chandni Chowk | Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) | 10 AM–8 PM (varies by shop) | Free | 2–3 hrs |
| Dilli Haat (INA) | INA (Pink/Yellow Line) | 10:30 AM–10 PM | ₹30 (Indian) / ₹100 (Foreigner) | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Connaught Place | Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue Line) | Open all day; shops vary | Free | 1–2 hrs |
| Lodhi Gardens | Jorbagh (Yellow Line) | Sunrise–sunset | Free | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Sunder Nursery | JLN Stadium (Violet Line) | 7 AM–7 PM (varies seasonally) | ₹35–₹50 (Indian) / ₹100–₹200 (Foreigner) | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Garden of Five Senses | Saket (Yellow Line) | 9 AM–8 PM | ₹35–₹50e | 1–1.5 hrs |
Entry fees and timings shift periodically — treat these as planning estimates and confirm current rates at the ticket counter or official ASI/site portal before visiting.
UNESCO World Heritage & Historical Sites
1. Red Fort (Lal Qila)
The seat of Mughal power for two centuries, and still where India’s Prime Minister addresses the nation every Independence Day. Its massive red sandstone walls enclose palaces, gardens, and the Sound and Light Show held most evenings.
- Timings: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed Mondays
- Nearest Metro: Lal Qila (Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: ₹35 (Indian) / ₹550 (foreigner), approximate
- Ideal Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
2. Qutub Minar
Delhi’s tallest minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by the lesser-visited but genuinely worthwhile ruins of Mehrauli Archaeological Park right next door.
- Timings: Sunrise to sunset, open daily
- Nearest Metro: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: ₹35 (Indian) / ₹550 (foreigner), approximate
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
3. Humayun’s Tomb
Often cited as the architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal, this tomb’s symmetrical Mughal garden layout set the template later refined in Agra. Sundar Nursery sits right next door if you want to extend the visit.
- Timings: Sunrise to sunset, open daily
- Nearest Metro: JLN Stadium (Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: ₹35 (Indian) / ₹550 (foreigner), approximate
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
Religious & Spiritual Landmarks
4. Swaminarayan Akshardham
An architectural spectacle built almost entirely of stone and marble, with an evening fountain and light show adding sound and mythology into the experience.
- Timings: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–8 PM, closed Mondays
- Nearest Metro: Akshardham (Blue Line)
- Entry Fee: Free for the temple; exhibitions and water show ticketed separately
- Ideal Time Needed: 3–4 hours (temple + exhibitions + show)
5. Jama Masjid
One of India’s largest mosques, commissioned by Shah Jahan and still an active place of worship — climb to the minaret (when open) for a sweeping view over Old Delhi’s rooftops.
- Timings: Roughly 7 AM–12 PM and 1:30–6:30 PM; closed to non-worshippers during prayer times
- Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: Free; a ₹300 photography fee applies for cameras (phones are generally not charged, but confirm at entry since enforcement varies)
- Ideal Time Needed: 30–45 minutes
6. Lotus Temple
The white, flower-shaped Bahá’í House of Worship welcomes all faiths for quiet meditation, regardless of your own beliefs.
- Timings: Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 9 AM–5:30 PM (hours shift slightly by season), closed Mondays
- Nearest Metro: Kalkaji Mandir (Magenta/Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Ideal Time Needed: 45 minutes–1 hour
7. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Beyond the striking golden dome, the sarovar (holy pond) and community langar — a free communal meal open to everyone, regardless of faith — make this one of Delhi’s most genuinely moving stops.
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue Line)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Ideal Time Needed: 1 hour
Iconic Monuments & Public Spaces
8. India Gate & Kartavya Path
Delhi’s most photographed war memorial, with the surrounding lawns turning into a genuinely lively evening spot — food carts, families out for a walk, and the monument lit up after dark.
- Timings: Open 24 hours; best visited in the evening
- Nearest Metro: Central Secretariat (Yellow/Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
9. Rashtrapati Bhavan
The President of India’s official residence, a massive colonial-era complex designed by Edwin Lutyens. Public access to the interior and museum requires advance e-pass booking via visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in, but the forecourt view from the Kartavya Path end is accessible anytime.
- Timings: Main Building and Museum open Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 9:30 AM–4:30/5 PM (last entry 4 PM), by prior online booking; forecourt viewable anytime from outside the gates
- Nearest Metro: Central Secretariat (Yellow/Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: Free for the forecourt view; Museum/Main Building entry is ₹50 per person, booked online in advance
- Ideal Time Needed: 30 minutes (forecourt) to 2 hours (full tour)
Markets & Food Hubs
10. Chandni Chowk
Asia’s largest spice market and one of India’s oldest, busiest bazaars — Old Delhi at its most chaotic and delicious, especially down Paranthe Wali Gali.
- Timings: Roughly 10 AM–8 PM, though hours vary by shop; many close Sundays
- Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: Free to explore
- Ideal Time Needed: 2–3 hours
11. Dilli Haat (INA)
A permanent open-air crafts and food bazaar bringing regional handicrafts and cuisines from across India together — Sikkimese momos next to a Naga thali stall next to Rajasthani puppets.
- Timings: 10:30 AM–10 PM daily
- Nearest Metro: INA (Pink/Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: Nominal, roughly ₹20–30
- Ideal Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
12. Connaught Place (CP)
Colonial-era circular architecture, a central location that works as a natural hub between sightseeing stops, and a mix of high-street shopping and café culture across its inner and outer circles.
- Timings: Open all day; individual shop hours vary
- Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue Line)
- Entry Fee: Free to walk around
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Parks & Greenery
13. Lodhi Gardens
Fifteenth-century tombs scattered across a genuinely peaceful landscaped park — a favorite for morning walkers and joggers as much as tourists.
- Timings: Sunrise to sunset
- Nearest Metro: Jorbagh (Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
14. Sunder Nursery
A landscaped heritage park dotted with restored Mughal-era monuments, and one of Delhi’s most photographed spots — genuinely well-designed, with café options right inside.
- Timings: Roughly 7 AM–7 PM, hours shift seasonally
- Nearest Metro: JLN Stadium (Violet Line)
- Entry Fee: ₹35–₹50 (Indian) / ₹100–₹200 (foreigner), approximate
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
15. Garden of Five Senses
A themed landscaped park near Saket, with sculpture installations, a food court, and pockets of quiet not far from the busier Hauz Khas area.
- Timings: 9 AM–8 PM daily
- Nearest Metro: Saket (Yellow Line)
- Entry Fee: Nominal fee
- Ideal Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
Suggested Itinerary: 1 Day vs. 2 Days
1-Day Quick Tour
Red Fort (morning) → Chandni Chowk (lunch) → Jama Masjid → Humayun’s Tomb → India Gate at sunset. Covers Old and New Delhi’s biggest names without feeling rushed, though you’ll skip South Delhi entirely.
2-Day Relaxed Itinerary
Day 1 (Old Delhi & Central): Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt (evening).
Day 2 (South & East Delhi): Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Gardens or Sunder Nursery, Lotus Temple, Akshardham in the evening for the water show.
If you have extra days in the capital and want to step outside the city limits, consider exploring popular places to visit near Delhi like Agra or Neemrana, or plan a quick escape to peaceful hill stations near Delhi within 300 km like Lansdowne and Mussoorie.
For a deeper look at neighborhoods, cafés, and offbeat corners beyond this core list, our full places to explore in Delhi guide goes further. If you’re building this into a longer trip, our weekend getaways from Delhi guide covers what to add on once you’ve covered the city itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, and Akshardham Temple cover Delhi’s most iconic sights across history, architecture, and spirituality, forming a solid core list for a first visit. If you want to explore more hidden gems, check out our guide on places worth visiting in Delhi.
You can cover the highlights — Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and India Gate — in a single well-planned day, but you’ll have to skip South Delhi entirely. 2 days gives a much more complete picture without rushing. For detailed trip ideas, read our full guide on things to do in Delhi.
Yes, almost all the attractions on this list sit within a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride of a metro station — the Delhi Metro is genuinely the fastest and least stressful way to move between them, avoiding the city’s heavy road traffic. If you want to explore beyond the metro network, check out places to visit near Delhi for easy day trips.
India Gate, Lodhi Gardens, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk are all free to enter, making a full sightseeing day possible without spending on tickets. To discover more unique neighborhoods and markets, read our list of places to explore in Delhi.
It’s not mandatory for most sites, but booking online for Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb through the official ASI portal lets you skip the counter queue. Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Main Building and Museum specifically require advance e-pass booking via visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in, since access is limited and slot-based.
