Forts in Delhi
- 01
Adilabad Fort
A small Tughlaq-era fort on a hill south of Tughlaqabad, with an outer and inner wall, a gate and open ruins. It is rarely visited, which is both its charm and its difficulty.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter mornings, October to February
- Tickets
- The fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Whether it is ticketed or open at any given time is not published clearly, so confirm locally. It is small and isolated, so go with someone and in daylight.
- 02
Feroz Shah Kotla
The fortress of Feroz Shah Tughlaq's city of Firozabad, with a Mauryan pillar carried to Delhi in the 14th century, a mosque and a circular stepwell. Ruined and atmospheric, it is a rewarding stop in central Delhi.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter mornings; Thursday afternoons for atmosphere
- Tickets
- The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is ticketed; check current fees and hours at the gate or the ASI site. The baoli is usually locked, and entry is by permission only.
- 03
Lodi Fort
Medieval ruins of a 15th-century fort built by Sikandar Lodi, situated within Lodi Gardens. A remnant of the Lodi dynasty's rule over Delhi, now among quiet garden paths.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes as part of a Lodi Gardens walk
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning (6–9 am) or late afternoon (4–6 pm) when the gardens are coolest and least crowded; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- No entry fee to Lodi Gardens or the ruins. Photography is allowed throughout. The gardens are public and open early morning to dusk.
- 04
Purana Qila
Delhi's 16th-century 'Old Fort' on the Yamuna plain, with three great gateways, a single-domed mosque and a small archaeological museum. It is a calm, green half-day beside the zoo and Humayun's Tomb.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Mornings and late afternoons from October to March
- Tickets
- The fort is run by the Archaeological Survey of India and is ticketed, with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors. Fees and opening hours change, so check the ASI site or the ticket counter. A sound and light show is reported after dark; confirm that it is running and book ahead.
- 05
Qila Rai Pithora
The ramparts and bastions of what is often called the first city of Delhi, spread across Mehrauli, Saket and Sanjay Van. The best stretch is a walk for history-minded visitors, not a tidy single monument.
- Time needed
- 45–90 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter mornings, October to February
- Tickets
- Wall remnants are scattered across parks and neighbourhoods and are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Whether a specific stretch is ticketed or open depends on where you go, so confirm locally before you travel.
- 06
Raja Nahar Singh Palace (Ballabhgarh Fort)
A sandstone fort-palace in Ballabhgarh, Haryana, linked with Raja Nahar Singh of the 1857 revolt. It is run as a Haryana Tourism heritage property with a restaurant and a November cultural festival.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to March; the Kartik Cultural Festival in November
- Tickets
- The palace is managed by Haryana Tourism as a heritage property with dining and rooms. Entry policy for non-guests, fees and timings are not clearly published, so call Haryana Tourism or check their site before you set out.
- 07
Red Fort
The massive red-sandstone fortress in Old Delhi built by Mughal emperors. It contains palaces, mosques, halls of public and private audience, and is the stage for India's Independence Day.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to March; early morning before crowds arrive and the stone heats up
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors. The fees change; check the official ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) website or contact the site directly before your visit.
- 08
Salimgarh Fort
A small 16th-century island fort attached to the Red Fort by a bridge, later a prison and now a memorial to Indian National Army prisoners. It is a short, sombre add-on to a Red Fort visit.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, October to March
- Tickets
- Salimgarh is part of the Red Fort complex and is reached from within it. Access conditions and any separate fee have varied, so confirm at the Red Fort ticket counter whether it is open that day.
- 09
Siri Fort
The remnants of Alauddin Khalji's early-14th-century city wall, now threaded through the parks and sports grounds of south Delhi. It is a short, free look at the second city of Delhi rather than a full outing.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Winter mornings or late afternoons
- Tickets
- The surviving wall sections are in open public areas and are generally seen without a ticket. The adjacent sports complex and auditoriums have their own rules and event schedules, so confirm access before you go.
- 10
Tughlaqabad Fort
The vast, half-ruined walls of the third city of Delhi, built in 1321 on a rocky ridge in the south. It is a place for explorers who want scale and silence rather than polish.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Winter mornings, October to February
- Tickets
- The fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is ticketed; check the ASI site for current fees and hours. Large parts are overgrown and not formally open to visitors. Stay on the visible paths and go with someone.
Temples in Delhi
- 11
Chattarpur Temple
A sprawling temple complex in south Delhi dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. Known for its vast marble courtyards, high ceilings, and pilgrimage atmosphere, it is one of Delhi's largest Hindu temples.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Weekday mornings (6–9 am) for fewer crowds; festivals bring large crowds; avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Photography is generally allowed, but respect any signage inside the sanctum. Donations are optional. Prasad (blessed food offering) is distributed free to all devotees.
- 12
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
One of Delhi's most prominent Sikh gurdwaras, with a white marble dome visible across Connaught Place. Known for its community kitchen and welcoming atmosphere.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon (4–6 pm) for softer light; early morning (6–8 am) for aartiis and fewer crowds; avoid peak hours around noon
- Tickets
- Entry is free. Footwear is left outside, usually at a counter. Photography inside the sanctum sanctorum is not allowed; check signage. Donations are optional. The langar meal is free for all visitors.
- 13
Iskcon Temple Delhi
A modern Krishna temple with a golden dome in east Delhi. Operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, it is known for its peaceful atmosphere, vegetarian meals and devotional programmes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon (4–6 pm) when the evening aarti begins; early morning (6–8 am) for quiet meditation time
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Photography in prayer halls is not allowed; check signage. Vegetarian meals are served at a reasonable cost in the dining hall. Donations are voluntary.
- 14
Jama Masjid
One of the largest and most important mosques in India, built by Shah Jahan in Old Delhi. It stands opposite the Red Fort, with a vast courtyard, high archways and twin minarets.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning outside prayer times, or late afternoon; avoid Friday midday prayers and Ramadan Eid prayers when it is crowded
- Tickets
- Entry is free for prayer. A camera fee may be requested; donations are accepted. Modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered). Shoes are removed and left outside or checked; carry socks or easy-to-remove footwear.
- 15
Laxmi Narayan Temple
A modern white-marble temple in New Delhi dedicated to the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati and the god Narayana. Built by the Birla family in 1938, it is an active place of worship with no entry restrictions.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or early evening; weekday mornings are quieter than weekends
- Tickets
- Entry is free for darshan. Photography rules may apply inside the sanctum; ask before shooting.
Landmarks in Delhi
- 16
Amar Jawan Jyoti
An eternal flame memorial to Indian soldiers who died in war, located near India Gate. A solemn tribute to military sacrifice in India's independence and subsequent conflicts.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning (6–8 am) or late afternoon (4–6 pm) for soft light and fewer crowds; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The site is always open. Photography is allowed, though show respect at a war memorial.
- 17
Delhi Gate
One of the ancient gates of the walled Old City of Delhi, also known as Turkman Gate. A surviving section of medieval fortifications in the heart of Old Delhi.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning (7–8 am) before the streets fill with traffic and vendors; avoid midday crowds and heat
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The gate is a public structure within the city lanes. Photography is allowed. The surrounding lanes are commercial, so respect private shops and residences.
- 18
India Gate
A 42-meter war memorial in the form of a triumphal arch, built to honour Indian soldiers killed in World War I. It stands at the head of Rajpath and is a symbol of Delhi.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon into sunset, when the light is warm and the crowds are thinner; October to March for comfort
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The monument is viewed from the surrounding public lawns.
- 19
Qutub Minar
A soaring 240-foot tower of marble and red sandstone built over centuries by successive Delhi sultans. It is one of the earliest surviving Islamic monuments in India.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, when the stone is lit warmly and shadows are dramatic; October to March for comfort
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with different rates for Indian and foreign visitors; usually included in the Delhi Heritage multi-site ticket. Check current fees with the ASI or on their website.
Experiences in Delhi
- 20
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
Delhi's ridge-top sanctuary on the Aravalli range, with nature trails, restored mining lakes and a known leopard population. Access is controlled, so plan around the forest department's booking system.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter mornings, October to March
- Tickets
- The sanctuary's official page lists visiting hours as 7 am to 3 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and offers online ticket booking; fees are on a separate fee page. Vehicles to the Neeli Jheel need a permit from the gate. Confirm entry rules before you travel, as access has been restricted at times.
- 21
Raj Ghat
The cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the Yamuna River, now a serene memorial and meditation garden. A place of pilgrimage for those interested in India's independence and Gandhi's legacy.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning (6–8 am) for peaceful atmosphere and soft light; avoid midday heat and crowds
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Photography is allowed throughout the grounds. Shoes and footwear must be left at the entrance. Donations are voluntary.
Palaces in Delhi
- 22
Humayun's Tomb
The magnificent red-sandstone mausoleum of Mughal emperor Humayun, built by his first wife Bega Begum. It was the first garden tomb in India and inspired the later Taj Mahal.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to March; early morning or late afternoon for the best light
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors; usually included in the Delhi Heritage multi-site ticket. Check current fees on the ASI website.
- 23
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The residence of the President of India, an imposing neo-classical palace built during the British Raj. It is one of the largest official residences in the world and houses ceremonial halls, gardens, and a museum open to the public.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for gardens and museum
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter months (October to March), early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat
- Tickets
- Tickets for the museum and gardens must be booked online in advance through the official Rashtrapati Bhavan website. Entry is tightly regulated and only allowed on designated visiting days. Different rates for Indian and foreign visitors. Check the schedule several weeks ahead.
Museums in Delhi
- 24
National Crafts Museum
A museum showcasing traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, metalwork, pottery and sculpture from across the country. Open-air galleries blend indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning (9–11 am) or late afternoon (3–5 pm); avoid midday crowds and heat
- Tickets
- Ticketed, with different Indian and foreign rates. Usually included in the Delhi composite monument ticket. Audio guides are available. Check the official website for current fees and visiting hours before going.
- 25
National Museum of India
India's principal museum, housing 200,000 artifacts spanning prehistoric sculpture, Mughal miniatures, Buddhist bronzes, and contemporary crafts. A 90-minute visit covers the highlights.
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Afternoon, as a break from monuments; morning galleries are cool and less crowded
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors. Audio guides are available at a modest extra fee and are highly recommended.
Day trips in Delhi
- 26
Okhla Bird Sanctuary
A wetland sanctuary around the Okhla barrage on the Yamuna, just across the Delhi border in Uttar Pradesh. It is a short birding outing with a wooden path and a Metro station nearby, best in winter.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March, early morning
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed, but reported fees and timings vary between sources, including separate camera charges. Confirm with the sanctuary or local authorities before you set out. Carry photo ID and expect basic facilities.
- 27
Sultanpur National Park
A small Ramsar-listed wetland park near Gurugram in Haryana, with walking trails, watchtowers and large winter flocks of resident and migratory birds. It is the easiest serious birding day out from Delhi.
- Time needed
- Half day (3–4 hours plus travel)
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to February, early morning
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed; fees and opening hours are reported inconsistently, including a possible weekly closure and a monsoon closure, so check with the Haryana Forest Department or the park office before you travel. Carry photo ID, and expect extra charges for cameras.
Neighbourhoods in Delhi
- 28
Hauz Khas Village
A medieval village ruins nestled behind upscale shopping and dining establishments in south Delhi. An unusual neighbourhood where 14th-century Islamic architecture coexists with modern restaurants, galleries and nightlife.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late afternoon (4–6 pm) into evening for warm light and the liveliest atmosphere
- Tickets
- No entry fee to the village. Access to restaurants and shops is free; purchases are optional. Photography is allowed throughout.
Gardens and parks in Delhi
- 29
Lodi Gardens
A lush 90-acre public garden in central Delhi with walking paths, monuments to Lodi dynasty rulers, and Delhi's most peaceful green space.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning (6 am to 8 am) for walkers and joggers and fresh air; October to March
- Tickets
- Entry is free.
