- New Delhi was formally inaugurated as the capital of India in 1931, replacing Calcutta after a decision announced by King George V in 1911.
- The city is home to one of the largest wholesale spice markets in Asia, Khari Baoli, located near the historic northern gate of the old walled city.
- The Delhi Metro, which began operations in 2002, is one of the few transit systems in the world to be certified by the United Nations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- New Delhi has a unique 'Lutyens' Bungalow Zone' which maintains strict architectural regulations and extreme density limits, preserving the city's colonial-era green character.
- The city experiences extreme continental weather, with summer temperatures often exceeding 45 degrees Celsius and winter lows occasionally dropping near freezing.
- Delhi is built upon the ruins of seven distinct historic cities, with archeological evidence suggesting human settlement in the region dating back over 3,000 years.
About New Delhi
New Delhi serves as the political and administrative heart of India, characterized by a distinct contrast between the chaotic, historic alleys of Old Delhi and the wide, grid-planned boulevards of Lutyens' Delhi. The city houses centuries of layered history, ranging from the Mughal-era Red Fort [35] to the tranquil waters of the 14th-century stepwell, Agrasen ki Baoli [292]. Spiritual life permeates the urban sprawl, evidenced by the constant activity at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib [289971] and the architectural scale of the Jama Masjid [32620]. Visitors navigate a landscape where modern infrastructure intersects with ancient heritage sites.
Highlights of New Delhi
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore the massive red sandstone walls that served as the primary residence of the Mughal emperors.
Temples
Visit the iconic reflecting pool and volunteer in the community kitchen that feeds thousands daily.
Temples
Climb the minarets of one of the largest mosques in India for an aerial view of Old Delhi.
Historical places
Descend the stone steps of this ancient subterranean water reservoir to escape the city heat.
Historical places
Pay respects at the simple, open-air platform that marks the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Temples
Admire the intricate carvings and bright red facade of this landmark Hindu temple built by the Birla family.
Parks
Walk through this protected ridge forest to see a green lung preserved in the middle of the city.
Amusement parks
Experience modern entertainment and roller coasters located at this massive amusement park complex.
Top things to do in New Delhi
The 1,415 highest-rated places in New Delhi, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
India Gate is a 42-meter high triumphal arch located at the center of New Delhi, serving as a memorial to soldiers of th...
2
Historical places
The Red Fort is a 17th-century sandstone fortification that served as the primary residence of the Mughal Emperors for n...
3
Temples
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is a prominent Sikh house of worship in New Delhi, famously associated with the eighth Sikh Guru,...
4
Temples
Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 and stands as one of the largest mosque...
5
Parks
Lodhi Garden is a 90-acre city park in New Delhi housing 15th and 16th-century architectural monuments from the Sayyid a...
6
Historical places
Agrasen ki Baoli is a 60-meter-long, 15-meter-wide historical step-well located in the heart of New Delhi. It features 1...
7
Historical places
Raj Ghat is the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, marked by a black marble platform positioned exactly where he was...
8
Zoos
The National Zoological Park in Delhi is a 176-acre wildlife facility situated near the historic Purana Qila. It is dist...
9
Temples
Pracheen Hanuman Mandir is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Delhi, with origins dating back to the Mahabharata era. It...
10
Temples
Dargah Nizamuddin Aulia is the mausoleum of the 14th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia, located in the Nizamudd...
11
Venues
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is a multipurpose sports arena in New Delhi, functioning under the Sports Authority of India. I...
12
Historical places
Purana Quila, or the Old Fort, is one of the oldest extant forts in Delhi, standing on a site with archaeological eviden...
13
Museums
The National Science Centre in New Delhi is an interactive science museum under the National Council of Science Museums,...
14
Museums
The National Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri spans 11 acres, housing one of the world's most diverse collections of railway...
15
Museums
The National Museum in New Delhi houses a massive collection of artifacts spanning approximately 5,000 years of Indian h...
16
Parks
Sunder Nursery is a 90-acre heritage park in New Delhi that integrates 16th-century Mughal-era monuments with a botanica...
17
Venues
Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroze Shah Kotla, is one of the oldest operational international cricket venues...
18
Temples
Shri Sai Baba Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple located in the Lodi Colony area of New Delhi, dedicated to the saint Sa...
19
Parks
Nehru Park is an 80-acre green space located in the heart of Chanakyapuri, New Delhi's diplomatic enclave. The park feat...
20
Temples
Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is a prominent Hindu place of worship inaugurated by Mahatma Gand...
21
Parks
Japanese Park, formally known as Swarn Jayanti Park, is the largest public green space in the Rohini sub-city of North W...
22
Temples
Shri Marghat Wale Hanuman Baba is a historic temple situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Delhi. The temple is di...
23
Parks
Hauz Khas District Park, also known as Deer Park, is a large green lung in South Delhi featuring a significant water bod...
24
Museums
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is the former residence of Indira Gandhi, India's third Prime Minister, preserved to c...
25
Amusement parks
Adventure Island is a 62-acre amusement park located in the Rohini sector of North Delhi. It was designed by the interna...
26
Historical places
Safdarjung Tomb is the final garden mausoleum built in the Mughal style, constructed in 1754 for Safdarjung, the Viceroy...
27
Venues
Siri Fort Auditorium is a premier performing arts venue in New Delhi managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals under...
28
Museums
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is the premier institution for modern Indian art, housing over 14,000 works sp...
29
Museums
The National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy is an expansive complex designed by architect Charles Correa to replicate...
30
Parks
Pusa Hill Forest is a sprawling, elevated green lung located within the larger Central Ridge Reserve Forest of New Delhi...
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New Delhi on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to New Delhi
October to March, as the moderate temperatures allow for comfortable outdoor exploration of historic sites and parks, avoiding the extreme heat of summer and the monsoon rains.
3-4 days, allowing enough time to explore the major historical sites in the north and the sprawling institutional districts in the south.
The Delhi Metro is the most efficient way to traverse the city, supplemented by auto-rickshaws for short distances and ride-hailing apps for point-to-point travel.
Connaught Place serves as a central commercial hub with high connectivity, while South Delhi neighborhoods like Hauz Khas or Defence Colony offer a more residential atmosphere.
New Delhi is a mid-range destination where costs vary significantly depending on the choice between international hotel chains and local guest houses.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 1,415 curated attractions in and around New Delhi, ranked by traveller ratings.
India Gate is the highest-rated place to visit in New Delhi right now.
The largest category is parks, with 914 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bangalore, Howrah, Kottayam.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.