Best Things to Do in Delhi: 12 Places You Shouldn’t Miss

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Delhi was my first stop in India, and I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect.

I had heard all the usual descriptions before coming here: chaotic, crowded, noisy and overwhelming. And yes, Delhi can definitely be all of those things. But after spending time here, I also found a city full of incredible history, beautiful architecture, colourful streets and some of the most memorable moments of my India trip.

From the chaos of Old Delhi to peaceful gardens and enormous Mughal monuments, there are so many sides to the city.

If you’re visiting Delhi for the first time, choosing what to see can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of famous monuments and attractions, but you don’t need to visit all of them to experience the city properly.

In this guide, I’ll take you through the best things to do in Delhi, including the famous landmarks you shouldn’t miss as well as a few places that give you a break from the chaos.

Best Things to Do in Delhi

Delhi is a huge city, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to see everything in one day. The best places to visit in Delhi are spread across different parts of the city, from the historic streets of Old Delhi to the grand avenues of New Delhi and the monuments of South Delhi.

I’ve included the major Delhi tourist attractions, but also a few places that give you a break from the crowds. After all, good Delhi sightseeing isn’t just about ticking famous monuments off a list — it’s also about experiencing the city.

These are the best things to do in Delhi that I would put at the top of your list.

1. Explore the Red Fort

The Red Fort is one of the most famous Delhi tourist attractions and one of the places I would definitely include when planning the best things to do in Delhi.

Built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the enormous red sandstone fort was once the main residence of the Mughal emperors.

The fort is much larger than it looks from the outside, so give yourself some time to walk around the different courtyards, halls and gardens.

My tip: Come earlier in the day if you want to explore before the biggest crowds arrive.

2. Get Lost in Old Delhi & Chandni Chowk

If there’s one place where I would tell you to forget about having a perfectly organised itinerary, it’s Old Delhi.

The streets around Chandni Chowk are chaotic in the best possible way. Rickshaws squeeze through tiny streets, shops spill onto the pavements, street food is everywhere and there are people moving in every direction.

It can definitely feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time in India. But for me, this was also when Delhi started to feel like a real city rather than just a collection of tourist attractions.

For me, exploring Old Delhi is one of the best things to do in Delhi because you get to experience the city rather than simply look at its monuments.

If you’re looking for things to do in Old Delhi, combine Chandni Chowk with the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. You can easily spend several hours here, especially if you stop for some local food or join a walking or food tour.

Want to experience Old Delhi beyond the main sights? Choose from heritage walks, rickshaw rides and street food tours to explore the area with a local.

3. Visit Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid sits right in the middle of Old Delhi and is one of the largest mosques in India.

It was commissioned by Shah Jahan, the same Mughal emperor who built the Red Fort, so visiting the two together makes perfect sense when planning your Delhi sightseeing.

The huge courtyard and red sandstone architecture are impressive, but what I enjoyed most was seeing how the mosque fits into the chaotic surroundings of Old Delhi.

Remember that this is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully and check the current visitor rules before you go.

My tip: Don’t come all the way across Delhi just for Jama Masjid. Combine it with the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.

4. See the Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is one of the most impressive historical monuments in Delhi and one of the best places to visit in Delhi if you’re interested in history and architecture.

The tower rises 72.5 metres above the surrounding complex, and seeing it in person gives you a much better idea of just how impressive it is.

But don’t make the mistake of visiting only for the tower. The surrounding Qutub Minar complex contains several other historic structures, including the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the famous Iron Pillar.

I would allow at least an hour or two here rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

For me, this was one of those places where the photos really don’t do the scale and detail justice.

5. Visit Humayun’s Tomb

If you’re looking for beautiful architecture without the intensity of Old Delhi, Humayun’s Tomb is one of the best things to do in Delhi.

The beautiful Mughal architecture and perfectly symmetrical gardens make this one of the most impressive Delhi attractions.

What I loved about it was how different the atmosphere felt compared with Old Delhi. After all the noise, traffic and crowds, walking through the gardens felt surprisingly peaceful.

Humayun’s Tomb is also interesting if you’re planning to visit the Taj Mahal later in your trip. You can see how Mughal architecture developed before reaching the much more famous monument in Agra.

My tip: Combine Humayun’s Tomb with nearby Lodhi Garden for a slower half-day of sightseeing.

6. Walk Around India Gate

India Gate is probably one of the first images that comes to mind when you think of New Delhi.

The 42-metre-high war memorial stands in the middle of a large ceremonial area and commemorates Indian soldiers who died during World War I.

I wouldn’t spend hours here, but it is definitely worth including in your Delhi sightseeing itinerary, especially because you can combine it with other attractions in central New Delhi.

I actually enjoyed the contrast. After spending time in the narrow, chaotic streets of Old Delhi, the wide avenues around India Gate felt like a completely different city.

My tip: Visit around sunset or in the evening when the monument is illuminated.

7. Take a Break at Lodhi Garden

After spending a morning surrounded by traffic and crowds, Lodhi Garden was exactly the kind of place I appreciated.

The large green park contains several historic tombs and ruins from the Lodi period, but it feels much more like a local park than a traditional tourist attraction.

For me, this was a reminder that Delhi sightseeing doesn’t have to mean rushing between monuments all day.

It’s a lovely place to slow down, walk around and take a break from the noise of the city.

And the best part? It’s free.

If you’re looking for less hectic things to do in Delhi, I would definitely add this one.

8. Admire the Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is one of the most unusual buildings in Delhi.

Its white marble structure was designed to resemble a lotus flower and welcomes people regardless of their religion. The interior is deliberately simple and quiet, making the experience very different from many of Delhi’s other attractions.

I think it’s particularly worth visiting if you enjoy architecture or want to see a different side of the city.

If you’re deciding what to do in Delhi beyond the major Mughal monuments, the Lotus Temple is a good addition to your South Delhi itinerary.

9. Visit Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is one of the most impressive modern temple complexes in Delhi.

The architecture is incredibly detailed, and the complex is designed to showcase Indian culture, spirituality and traditional art.

There are strict security rules and restrictions on what you can bring inside, so make sure you check the current requirements before visiting.

Even if temples aren’t normally at the top of your travel list, I think Akshardham is worth considering simply because of the scale and detail.

Important: Photography and some personal belongings may not be permitted inside, so don’t arrive with a bag full of things you can’t leave somewhere safely.

Want to see more of Delhi without worrying about transport? These South Delhi sightseeing tours combine attractions like Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and Humayun’s Tomb with a local guide.

10. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was one of the places that gave me a different perspective on Delhi.

This beautiful Sikh temple is recognisable by its golden dome and large sacred pool, and visitors of all religions are welcome.

I always enjoy visiting religious sites when travelling because they feel different from simply ticking another monument off a sightseeing list. You get to see a place that is still an important part of everyday life.

Remember to cover your head and dress respectfully when visiting.

And if you’re looking for something peaceful to do in the middle of busy New Delhi, this is a lovely stop.

11. Discover Agrasen Ki Baoli

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a small but fascinating historical stepwell hidden among the modern buildings of central Delhi. The long staircase leading down into the stepwell creates a completely different atmosphere from Delhi’s huge monuments. Compared with the Red Fort or Qutub Minar, it’s a much shorter visit, but that’s part of its appeal.

If you’re looking for less obvious best things to do in Delhi, I would add this one to your list. You don’t need hours here, so it works particularly well between other central Delhi attractions.

12. Wander Around Connaught Place

Connaught Place, usually called CP, is one of the best areas to experience modern Delhi.

The huge circular complex of white colonial-era buildings is filled with shops, restaurants, cafés and street vendors.

I think it’s worth visiting even if you’re more interested in history than shopping, simply because it shows you another side of the city.

Connaught Place is also one of the areas I would consider when deciding where to stay in Delhi, especially if this is your first visit.

It’s relatively central, has plenty of restaurants and cafés, and is well connected to the rest of the city.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Delhi? Read my guide to Where to Stay in Delhi, where I compare the best areas for first-time visitors.

What to Do in Delhi: How Many Days Do You Need?

I recommend at least two days in Delhi if you’re visiting for the first time.

With just one day, you can see some of the major highlights, but you’ll be rushing from one attraction to another. Two days gives you enough time to explore Old Delhi, visit the main historical sites and still have some time to actually experience the city.

If you have three days, even better. You can slow down, visit some of the less famous places and spend more time eating and wandering around rather than constantly checking the clock.

I visited Delhi as part of a much longer India trip that also included Agra, Jaipur and Kerala, so I didn’t try to see every single attraction in the city.

And honestly, I think that’s the better way to do it.

Delhi is huge, and trying to tick off every attraction can turn your trip into one long battle with traffic.

Best Day Trips from Delhi

If you have more than two days, you can also use Delhi as a base for a day trip.

The obvious choice is Agra and the Taj Mahal. I included Agra in my own India itinerary, and if you’re visiting India for the first time, I honestly wouldn’t skip it.

A Delhi-to-Agra day trip can be particularly convenient if you don’t want to organise trains, transfers and tickets yourself.

Have an extra day? Agra is the obvious choice, but there are plenty of other day trips from Delhi if you want to see a different side of northern India — from the temples of Mathura and Vrindavan to the holy Ganges in Haridwar and Rishikesh.

If you’re planning to visit Agra, you might also want to read my 2 Weeks in India itinerary, where I share the route I followed through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Kerala.

My Tips for Delhi Sightseeing

Delhi sightseeing can be much easier if you plan your days by area instead of simply choosing attractions randomly.

Group attractions together. For example, visit the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk on the same day. Qutub Minar works well with other South Delhi attractions, while India Gate, Connaught Place and Bangla Sahib can be combined in central New Delhi.

Think about your arrival, too. If it’s your first time in India, an airport transfer can make arriving in Delhi much less stressful, especially if you land late at night or simply don’t want to figure out transport after a long flight. You can book an airport transfer in advance and have someone waiting for you at the airport.

Start early. Delhi can get very busy, and starting your sightseeing early makes a huge difference.

Stay connected: I recommend getting an eSIM before arriving in India so you have mobile data from the moment you land. It’s especially useful for Google Maps, ride-hailing apps and navigating Delhi. I use Saily and you can get $5 off with code EVIE5 → Get Saily eSIM here

Don’t over-plan. You can make a perfect list of the best things to do in Delhi, but the reality of getting around such a huge and chaotic city means that you should leave some flexibility in your schedule.

And finally, give yourself some time to simply experience Delhi. Some of my favourite travel memories often come from the moments between the famous sights rather than the sights themselves.

Is Delhi Worth Visiting?

Absolutely — but Delhi is not necessarily love at first sight.

It can be loud, crowded, chaotic and exhausting, especially during your first few hours in the city. But give it some time and you’ll discover incredible history, architecture, food, markets and completely different sides of the city.

The best things to do in Delhi aren’t only about visiting famous monuments. They’re about experiencing the contrast between Old Delhi and New Delhi, exploring historic neighbourhoods, finding quiet gardens and simply seeing how the city works.

If you’re planning your first trip to India, I wouldn’t skip Delhi. Instead, give yourself at least two or three days and don’t try to rush through everything.

You might not fall in love with Delhi immediately — I didn’t — but I think it’s a city you’ll remember long after you leave.

Check Out My Other Delhi Guides

• Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
• My Perfect 3 Days in Delhi Itinerary: The Ultimate First-Time Guide (2026)

Check Out My Other India Travel Guides

• India eVisa Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply
• 2 Weeks in India Itinerary: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Kerala
• Is India Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
• When Is the Best Time to Visit India?
• India Packing List: What to Pack & What to Wear