Delhi is the most populous city in India and the fifth most populous in the world . After spending 6 days in Delhi, and despite hearing many people say that this city is not worth it and that there are not many things to see, we think quite the opposite. The capital of India has incredible places that deserve to be visited.
In this article we explain the essential places to see in Delhi and not to be missed.
What to see in Delhi
Do not miss the opportunity to have a first contact with the impressive capital of India doing this complete free tour in Spanish , where you will know some of the most spectacular places, in addition to many curiosities of this crazy city.
- The Red Fort of Delhi
The Red Fort of Delhi , also known in Hindi as Lal Qila , owes its name to the color of the sandstone with which it was built. It was a palace designed by Shah Jahan, the Mongol emperor best known for being the author of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. The construction of the Red Fort began in 1638 and did not end until 10 years later. This architectural work was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 and inside there are countless buildings of Hindu-Mongolian architecture and large gardens.
- Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid , also known as the Friday Mosque, is the largest mosque in India and one of the few where non-Muslims can enter. The creator of the Jama Masijd was the Mongol emperor Shah Jahan. The mosque, which took 14 years to build, is on a small hill that makes the building’s facade visible from different parts of the area. It has 3 main doors, 4 towers and 2 minarets, to which you can climb and contemplate the views of the city. What surprised us the most is its huge red sandstone main courtyard, with a capacity for 25,000 people. In addition, the mosque retains some of the relics of the Prophet Muhammad. It is certainly one of the most spectacular attractions to see in Delhi.
- Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in the city of Delhi . It was built by Mongolian emperor Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter, Princess Jahanara in the 17th century. At that time, it was the largest market in India and was famous for its silver merchants. Currently, Chandni Chowk is a labyrinth of streets, which are increasingly narrowed, with many people and where many businesses are grouped by theme. So there are streets where you can find everything related to weddings, others full of book stores, other saris, etc.
We enjoy 100% of Chandni Chowk with a tour in Ciclorickshaw. If it had not been for the man who put us through those streets, we would not have seen many places we passed through.
- Connaught Place
Connaught Place was built in 1929, and today is one of the largest commercial, financial and business centers in New Delhi , as well as one of the most modern areas of the capital. This place has also been the scene of several films. From the great circle, where Central Park and the second largest national flag are located , 8 directions leave. The most famous is the Janpath where is the Palika Bazar, the municipal market. The Outer Circle, better known as Connaught Circus , is where restaurants, shops and hotels are located. The offices, banks and exchange houses are located in the Middke Circle.
Every afternoon we went for a walk around this place. It was also the point where we took the subway to move around the city. If you are in the area, we recommend you go to My Bar , a restaurant bar with a great atmosphere to have a few beers while you eat something, or to the Pind Balluchi Restaurant & Bar , something more expensive but also with delicious Indian dishes.
- Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar of Delhi , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, is one of the 5 observatories that exist in India built by the Maharaja Jai Singh in the year 1728, by order of the Mongol emperor Muhammad Shah. The Jantar Mantar is made up of 13 architectural astronomy instruments that aim to predict the times and movements of the Sun, the Moon and the planets. Take the India’s Palace on Wheels train and experience the culture of India.
- India Gate
The Indian Gate, or Gate of India, is located in the center of New Delhi and commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British army during the First World War. In addition, the monument is inscribed with the names of the more than 13,000 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwest Frontier in the war in Afghanistan in 1919. In the center, under the arch, the eternal flame that recalls the soldiers is kept burning who died in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. It is certainly one of the essential monuments to see in Delhi .
You will see that here you will also be one of the great attractions, since hundreds of locals will stop you to ask for selfies with them.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the residence of the President of India . It took 17 years to build and about seven hundred million bricks were used. Its main building has 340 rooms. The famous Mughal gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan have more than 160 varieties of roses and flowers. In addition, the palace has a modern museum complex. We only visited it from the outside, and as far as they allowed us, but we know they do guided tours.
- Rajpath
The Rajpath is one of the most important streets in Delhi and is used for the Republic Day parade, which takes place every January 26, or funeral processions of important politicians in the country. In addition, the Rajpath runs between several important buildings and monuments such as the India Gate or the Rashtrapati Bhavan . If you are at the Gate of India, you can easily cross it and reach the president’s palace.
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
The Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the main Sikh Temple in Delhi . It was originally a palace known as Jaisinghpura where the Indian ruler Raja Jai Singh resided. In 1664, the eighth Sikh guru, Har Krishan, also resided here. In that year there was an epidemic of smallpox and cholera in the city and Har Krishan helped those affected by offering support and fresh water from the palace well. Finally, he contracted the disease and died. Raja Jai Singh, built in his memory a small pond over the well, the Sarovar, which today is considered healing water. The Guardawara and Sarovar have become a pilgrimage center where all the Sikhs of the World come to take this healing water to their homes.
