20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NEW DELHI

We will never forget the first hours in Delhi, it was like landing on a new planet, full of noises, smells and colors very different from everything we had seen so far. The capital of India is not its greatest jewel, but don't think you can skip it without regrets: there are a lot of things to see and do in New Delhi and today we are going to tell you the top 20.

1. The backpacker district of New Delhi is called Paharganj, and it is a good place to base. Here there is always atmosphere and you will find cheap restaurants and accommodation. In addition, its streets seem like a continuous market, with stalls where you can buy what you need for the first days of your adventure: from dresses to plug adapters. The street Main Bazar Rd It's a little bit the Khao San Road of India 🙂

2. The Red Fort (Lal Qila) It is one of the main dishes of the city and you definitely have to visit it, if only from the outside. This old Mughal palace, which is accessed by the majestic monumental gateLahori gate, owes its name to the reddish sandstone with which it was built, and is nothing more and nothing less than World Heritage. Admission is ₹ 500 (about € 6).

3. Although, really, one of the buildings that surprised us most in New Delhi was a grave! We talk about the Humayun's Tomb, a great example of Mughal architecture that, in addition, claim to be the grandfather and the model of Taj Mahal himself. Like the previous one, it is a World Heritage Site. The ticket is worth ₹ 600.

4. And we continue with other monumental mausoleums in New Delhi: the Safdarjung TombIt is much quieter than the previous one and can be enjoyed in complete harmony. And theIsa Khan's Tomb It is close to Humayun's, so you can combine both visits.

5. Nearby are the Lodhi Gardens. They are the most pleasant gardens in the city, where both locals and tourists gather to relax and disconnect from the chaos of New Delhi. But do not think that you will only find trees and squirrels (you are in droves), scattered around the large esplanade you can visit ancient palaces and tombs. Come on, it's really worth it and it's free!

Lodhi Gardens

6. One of the most curious things to do in southern New Delhi is to visit the Lotus Temple, with an impressive design that makes it resemble a semi-open lotus flower, national symbol of India. It is a gift for the eyes and it is the main place of worship of bahaism, a monotheistic religion that believes in the unity of God, humanity and religion. Entrance is free.

7. The Delhi Mosque (Jama Masjid) It was probably the place we liked most in the city. We also visited her on a Friday, Muslim prayer day. It was an experience! When we went (in 2013) we didn't have to pay anything, but apparently now they charge ₹ 300 if you enter with a camera. For a small extra price (40 shingles) you can climb to a minaret. From the top you will have the madness of the streets of New Delhi at your feet. Eye: you will have to respect the prayer times.

8. As you can see, New Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Another of them is Sikhism, and its most important temple in the city is theGurdwara Bangla Sahbi. Although its pilgrimage center is in Amritsar, in the north of the country. This place transmits peace from the first moment, you can observe how the devotees pray, purify themselves in the sacred pond and make offerings. We remember the visit with special affection here was where we met Shantos a little more, with him and his tuk tuk we toured half Delhi.

9. If the places don't overwhelm you with a lot, a lot, a lot of chaos you have to visit Chandni Chowk Market. It is one of the most characteristic markets in all of India (and the oldest in New Delhi). Everything here is super photogenic and characteristic. It is close to the Jama Masjid, so you can approach after visiting it, or join a free tour that makes different stops, among which is the market.

10. The India Gate It is a triumphal arch that pays tribute to all the soldiers killed in the Afghan Wars and in the First World War. 150 meters east we see the Canopy, a dome about 23 meters high in which a statue of the British king Jorge V was placed. After Indian independence, and not without many comings and goings, it was transferred to the Coronation Park, with other statues of the British era.

Jama Masjid

11. After removing the statue of George V, it was debated to put one of the national hero par excellence: Gandhi. As you know, it was one of those personalities that knew how to cross borders, physical and emotional, and become a true myth. In the Raj Ghat memorial (Royal Courtyard) you can visit a small garden with a marble platform in the center, where Mahatma Gandhi It was cremated on January 31, 1948.

12. But it is not the only place dedicated to Mahatma, we recommend you visit the Gandhi Smriti, a house-museum in which the martyr spent his last days before being killed in this same place. The room is exposed with Gandhi's belongings and a path marking his last steps. Very interesting to learn more about the history of this great man who changed the history of a country. Entrance is free.

13. We pass again from tranquility to madness: a constant in India. Now we approach until Connaught Place, a circular plaza where you will find many businesses, a few tea sellers and an almost inevitable danger: the hustlers. If someone comes to help you ... doubt! Most likely, he wants to take you to an agency and sell you the last ticket available in tooooda India for any destination. By the way, it is a good place to try the famous (and delicious) Indian street food. In this post we give you some tips to eat cheaply (without screwing your leg down).

14. Did you know that in New Delhi is the tallest brick minaret in the world? It measures 73 meters! Is he Qutab Minar, which began to be built in the year 1122. On the same site there are two other interesting attractions: theIron pillar, an iron tower that has been erected since the fourth century and, strangely, resists corrosion. A large number of ancient Sanskrit inscriptions can be seen. And theAlai Minar, an unfinished minaret that, according to the project, should be taller of all. The entrance to the complex (completed by the mosque Quwwatul Islam Masjid), it costs ₹ 500 and we think it's worth it.

15. Just 500 meters south of this site is theMehrauli Archaeological Park, an archaeological park where some of the oldest ruins in New Delhi are preserved. There are more than 100 historical monuments, although several tombs such as Balban, a handful of mosques from different periods and the baori (typical open wells, with stone stairs on their sides) ofRajon Ki Baoli. It is a place very little frequented and somewhat neglected, but it is certainly one of the secrets of the city. Entrance is free. By the way, another of these historic wells, in the center of Delhi is theAgrasen Ki Baoli.

Agrasen Ki Baoli

16. The Akshardham Hindu temple complex It is on the other side of the Yamuna River and, although it is recently built (opened in 2005), the architectural richness of its main temple and its beauty impresses quite a lot. It has several attractions, gardens, fountains ... so give it a good time. Entrance is free.

17. Approach the Hauz Khas Village, which many define as the hipster and independent neighborhood of Delhi. Here you will find a few art galleries, design stores, restaurants and coffee shops and lots of atmosphere.

18. The train has had and continues to be of vital importance in the development of the country. It is the fourth longest railway network in the world, with 121,000 km of tracks and more than 20,000 trains daily. If you can, you should travel by train through India, even if only once (we get to be more than 24 hours in one!). If you want to know its history it is best to approach theNational Rail Museum, the entrance costs ₹ 50, although it has several attractions that are paid separately.

19. One of the strangest places to visit in New Delhi is the Hindu temple Hanuman Mandir. What attracts attention at first is the huge statue of the monkey god Hanuman, whose chest apparently has a mechanism that at certain times makes a chest come out of the interior. But the whole temple hides statues of different gods and demons that will make this a visit, at least, different.

20. If you have time, you can always spend a day to do some excursion. Of course, the most interesting is Agra, to see one of the wonders of the modern world: the Taj Mahal. Although our advice is to do it for free by train (staying to sleep at least one night), there is also the option to do it during the day on a private tour.

New Delhi Red Fort

Here we leave you an interactive map where we point out the most important things to do in New Delhi.

You have already seen that, although it is not reputed to be a friendly city, there are lots of things to see and do in New Delhi. And you, have you visited the capital of India? Do you know more things to see and do in New Delhi?

* Photocredit: Shutterstock

Video: DELHI. Top 20 places not to miss in DELHI. Delhi Tourism. (April 2024).