New Delhi – Capital of India

You’re Going to Love New Delhi

India’s capital is immense, bursting with energy and prosperity; it’s a contrast between the very ancient and the thrillingly new, a place where the traditions of India are being reshaped and complemented by modernity as the nation rises and rises.

Home to 20 million people, New Delhi is an exciting place to be. You could spend a week soaking up the atmosphere of Old Delhi, or party in Rajouri Garden. Whatever you do, expect a warm welcome.

New Delhi has its frantic moments, but it has its relaxing side too. In a city where the future and the past collide every day, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit New Delhi

1. Historical Attractions in One of the World’s Oldest Cities

Delhi lays claim to being the oldest continually inhabited city in the world with more than 5,000 years of history. As you’d expect after so many centuries, there’s no shortage of enthralling historical attractions. From the Red Fort built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to UNESCO-listed monuments like Humayun’s Tomb and the soaring Qutub Minar, the past is everywhere.

2. Luxury Hotels, Superb Restaurants, and Exclusive Clubs

Modern Delhi offers quite an experience for affluent travelers. You can stay at the Imperial, where there’s an on-site Chanel boutique, enjoy 24-hour butler service at the Oberoi, and rent private cars to whizz to nearby attractions like the Taj Mahal or Jaipur, before dining at fine eateries like Le Cirque at the Leela Palace Hotel.

3. Museums for Art Lovers, History Buffs, and Science Geeks

New Delhi has an incredible range of museums. Find out about Indian heroes like Mahatma Gandhi or Nehru at dedicated museums, get up to speed with contemporary Indian art at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, or learn about everything from interstellar physics to dinosaurs at the National Science Centre.

4. A Multicultural Mosaic of Faiths and Beautiful Religious Architecture

New Delhi is a meeting point of the world’s great religions, and it has an extraordinary range of religious attractions. From the Baha’i Lotus Temple and the serene Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib to the majestic Jama Masjid Mosque and the Sacred Heart Cathedral, all faiths are represented in a city of hope and coexistence.

5. Delicious Local Cuisine

New Delhi is also one of India’s great gastronomic destinations. In a country famous for its cuisine, that’s really saying something. Don’t miss delicacies like butter chicken, authentic paratha breads, meaty kebabs, and filling biryanis, but leave any worries about your waistline at the airport.

What to do in New Delhi

1. Red Fort: Politics and Royalty

This imperial palace was home to Mughal emperors for 200 years, and today visitors meet an imposing entrance as they march through the red fortified walls. But beyond the gates, luxurious architecture and design abound. Elegant inlaid flowers and carvings fill the site, while the detail and repetition of arches never get old. Jama Masjid next door is one of the country’s largest mosques, and Chandni Chowk market is just outside too – filled with endless trinkets and necessities.

2. Rajpath: Kingsway

During the colonization of India, this regal avenue was designed by the British to give a sweeping overview of the heart of the city. The India Gate stands assertively at one end, a memorial to the tens of thousands of Indian soldiers who perished fighting in World War One. The broad, tree-lined road stretches to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Viceroy’s Palace, which overlooks the scene. The National Museum is on the way too, a treasure trove of art and artifacts.

3. Humayun’s Tomb: Before the Taj Mahal

If you don’t have time to visit Agra to see the world-famous Taj Mahal, a trip to Humayun’s Tomb is undeniably the next best thing. Both examples of Mughal architecture are as stunning today as they’ve ever been, and the perfectly proportioned gardens in which they rest are indicative of the harmonious afterlife found in Islam culture. A pearly white dome rests atop this mausoleum, the interior covered in dazzling patterns high above the Emperor’s grave. The whole thing is spectacular, especially as light fills the space.

4. Lodhi Garden: East Meets West

As in many previously colonized cities, today’s attractions in Delhi represent a conglomeration of cultures, and Lodhi Garden exposes the contrasts better than any other site in the city. The lush green space has been adapted by the British to combine traditional western landscaping with local leisure. Walkways lined with groomed trees, rose gardens, and more intermingle with distinctly native plants and age-old tombs. Locals and tourists alike enjoy exploring this vast park every day.

5. Lotus Temple: Modern Day Worship

One of the world’s most iconic contemporary houses of Worship; the Lotus Temple is open to visitors of all beliefs and backgrounds. Awe-inspiring marble petals form the shape of an enormous flower, beneath which over 2000 people can come together. Natural light shines in from the outside, and every view is architecturally stunning – it is no wonder this is one of the most visited buildings in the world. Across the ponds and the surrounding park, the ISKCON Temple is another worthy sight.

6. Taj Mahal: A Monument to Love

The last remnants of Mughal architecture are alive even today in the Taj Mahal. Every year, this UNESCO World Heritage site attracts anywhere from seven to eight million visitors. So majestic and imperial are her exteriors that no one would ever guess, at first glance, that the ivory-marble facade is actually a mausoleum. Resting on the banks of the Yamuna river, the palatial tomb, which Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, also houses a mosque and a guest house. The exteriors are flanked by lush gardens and pristine pathways.

7. Agra Fort: An Ancient Stronghold

With its 380,000 square feet and semi-circular design, not to mention the distinctive red ‘terra’ look of sandstone fortification, the Agra Fort is a piece of both Indian history and Indian architecture. It is rumoured that the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan died in one of its towers (with a view of the Taj Mahal, of course). Besides its sprawling size, the Agra Fort features the majestic Delhi Gate, the Diwan-i-am and the gorgeous decorations on its exalted columns will mesmerize you for the day.