I have been living in Delhi from past 10 years, so why not let the travelers know what they can do in Delhi during their stay here. Delhi have lots of interesting things to offer and it totally depends on you which one you would like to experience.
From fabrics to equipment to tasty street foods and lot more you will find everything here at a minimal cost. Even you would find many heritage monuments here, to read more about Heritage Monuments of Delhi, please check out the blog in the link.
Eateries in Old Delhi
Old Delhi is mostly famous for its unique eateries and the whole place gives flavors of all the tasty foods. You can find many famous dishes here, from places like Chandni Chowk, Krishna Nagar, etc.
The first thing one can try is their breakfast as early as at 6 am from Lotan Chole Kulche in Krishna Nagar. The reason for early breakfast is despite the time, the place is crowded at 6 am and is closed within an hour or so.
Parathe wali Gali in Chandni Chowk with more than 100 hundred types of Parathas available but you need to wait for your turn since the place is so crowded that sometimes people wait for their turn in long queues. After having parathas from one of the restaurant try Kulhad wali Lassi from Kuppewaali.
Sitaram`s Chole Bhature in Pahadganj is yet another option you can give a try, they are the best chole bhature in Old Delhi.
Some of the must try dishes in Delhi are Natraj`s Bhalla Papdi, Jalebiwala’s Jalebi, Mohabbat-e-sharbat from Jama Masjid (you really fall for this sharbat, name is correctly given) and Daulat ki Chaat near Red Fort.
Nearest Metro Station To Reach The Place
Paranthe wali Gali – Chandni Chowk or Chawdi Bazaar Metro Station
Sitaram Chole Bhature – Ramakrishna Ashram Marg Metro Station
Lotan ke Chole Kulche – Krishna Nagar Metro Station
Heritage Walk of Mughal Era
Delhi have witnessed most of the Mughal Era battles, forts, tombs, architectures, gardens and ponds. Just give a visit to some of them still open for visitors.
Humayun’s Tomb : The last refuge of Mughal Emperor Humayun reminds rather of a luxurious palace, than a tomb. Located in the eastern part of Dehli, Humayun’s tomb is one of the best preserved Mughal monuments. This spellbinding mausoleum is the first example of Mughal architecture in India.
Tughlaqabad Fort: Tughlaqabad Fort is also named as the Ruined Fort and is considered to be a symbol of strength for Tughlaq dynasty. Built in 1321-1325 AD by Ghiyasu’d-Din Tughlaq, this fort is said to be his dream even before he was the ruler.
Safdarjung Tomb: This mausoleum built by Safdarjung’s son Nawab Shujaud Daula remains the last monumental garden tomb depicting Mughal architectural style. Located at the junction of Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg (Road) in New Delhi in close proximity to Safdarjung Airport, this historical monument has remained a popular tourist spot attracting both Indian and foreign tourists visiting the capital city of India.
Nizamuddin Dargah: Dargah is the shrine of Muslim sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Auliya (1238 – 1325 AD). It is a beautiful structure comprising intricate jaalis and a vast courtyard framed by marble arches. Dating back to the 14th century, this dargah has been built in the Islamic style of architecture. Every Thursday at 9 pm the place turns into a Sufi paradise where Qawwalis take place.
Mehrauli: It is said that the fort in Mehrauli, along with the pond in its backyard are holiest. People have witnessed magical lights in the pond taking shapes of holy words. The fort is also featured in the movie Rockstar. Also, the Mehrauli Dargah is a must visit, people first visit Mehrauli Dargah, then Nizamuddin and then they go to Ajmer Sharif.
Qutub Minar: The complex has a number of other important monuments such as the gateway built in 1310, the Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque; the tombs of Altamish, Ala-ud-din Khalji and Imam Zamin; the Alai Minar, a 7m high Iron Pillar, etc.
Red Fort: The Red Fort is a historic fort in the city of Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.
Jama Masjid: The Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque. With minarets on all four sides that reach the skies, Jama Masjid, Emperor Shah Jahan’s last architectural indulgence, was commissioned in 1650 and took six years to be built. The enormous courtyard of the Jama Masjid can hold around twenty-five thousand worshippers.
Few of the other places that can be visited are, Lodi Garden in Lodhi Garden, Isa Khan’s Tomb in Nizamuddin, Alai Darwaza in Qutub Minar Complex, Diwan-i-Aam in Chandni Chowk, Imam Zamim Tomb in Qutub Minar Complex, Purana Quila near Delhi Zoo, and Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
Nearest Metro Station To Reach The Place
Jor Bagh Metro Station – Humayun’s Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb
JLN Stadium Metro Station – Nizamuddin Dargah
Govindpuri Metro Station – Tughlaqabad Fort
Qutub Minar Metro Station – Qutub Minar
Chattarpur Metro Station – Mehrauli
Chandni Chowk Metro Station – Jama Masjid and Red Fort
Book Lovers and Curators
Daryaganj hosts a second hand book market every Sunday morning. The book lovers can visit the place and buy whichever book they need at a very low price. Along with the books, novels they also sell old days comics and magazines. Few of them sell the books in Kilograms, like the offer would be in INR 100 you can buy 1 kg book. Good deal right?
Indian Habitat Centre, Indian Islamic cultural centre, India International centre hosts various exhibitions and curated art shows that are loved by the curators and collectors. You can meet numbers of likeminded people here and indulge yourself in sharing thoughts and knowledge in nearby café with in the complex.
In case, you don’t want to buy books you can give a visit to British Council, Delhi Public Library and The American Library to look for amazing books and read some work of the world-renowned artist.
Nearest Metro Station To Reach The Place
JLN Stadium or Jor Bagh Metro Station – IHC, IIC, Indian Islamic cultural centre
Connaught Place Metro Station – British Council and The American Library
Delhi Gate Metro Station – Daryaganj Sunday Market
Chandani Chowk Metro Station – Delhi Public Library
See the Religious part of Delhi
Jama Masjid: Also known with the name Masjid-i-Jehan Numa and as the name suggests the Masjid is the largest mosque in India that can amplify 25000 devotees at the same time.
ISKCON Temple: This is a big Krishna temple that also offers Vedic courses in its premises.
Lotus Temple: Just at a walking distance from ISKCON temple depicting Bahai faith of worship.
Akshardham Temple: The exquisite temple is dedicated to Swaminarayan, an Indian yogi and spiritual soul who existed during the 18th century. Touted as the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple by the Guinness World Record, Delhi’s Akshardham is known for its aesthetic beauty, unique exhibitions, sprawling campus, and tranquillity.
Chattarpur Temple: India’s second largest temple houses many small as well as large temples with magnificent statutes of different deities. Located amidst the beautiful surroundings of the historical Mehrauli area in South Delhi, the temple was established by Sant Shree Nagpal Baba in 1974.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Church: you can visit this church in CP, light a candle and sit peacefully for a while.
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara: My favourite, the Gurudwara is in Connaught Place just in front of the metro station enjoy the delicious langar and Prasada here.
Nearest Metro Station To Reach The Place
Chawdi Bazaar Metro Station– Jama Masjid
Nehru Place Metro Station – ISKCON Temple
Kalkaji Metro Station – Lotus Temple
Rajiv Chowk Metro Station – Sacred Heart Cathedral Church
Barakhamba Road Metro Station – Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Akshardham Metro Station – Akshardham Temple
Chattarpur Metro Station – Chattarpur Temple
Shopping in Delhi
Sarojini Nagar: You can get exported items and branded clothes at pocket friendly price. This market is open from Tuesday till sun and closed on Monday.
Lajpat Nagar: It’s a central market famous for its garments and textiles.
Seelampur: Wholesale market of clothing items and tailoring equipment.
Chandani Chowk: This is hub of all kind of good for day to day life and even food veg non veg with all verities at reasonable price. You can get anything here.
Chawdi Bazar: One the popular wholesale market for copper, brass and paper product.
Mehrauli: It’s known for its market, Qutub Minar, famous designer stores, and Dargah.
Kirti Nagar: It is famous for its furniture market, interior design boutique, imported kitchen and bath brands, traditional carpentry.
Delhi Haat: It’s an open air bazar which offers cultural and traditional food, clothes, culinary etc.
South Ex: It’s surrounded by PGs and all the branded stores.
Malls: There are many malls in Delhi which are famous for one or other reason you can enjoy shopping eating playing etc. Ambience mall, DLF Emporio, DLF Promenade.
Nearest Metro Station To Reach The Place
Delhi metro is available at all these places with the same name as the market like Lajpat Nagar, Chandani Chowk, Chawdi Bazar, South Ex, etc. Here, I have attached an updated Delhi Metro Map for reference.
Places for kids
There are various places in Delhi where kids can enjoy to the fullest. National Zoological Park will give glimpse of various animals and birds, Rail Museum offers many kinds of engines view, children’s Park has widespread ground with swings, Bal Bhavan National Children’s Museum and Aquarium is a place for which kids will fall in love with as they will love to see dolls, toys, aquariums and birds, Visiting India Gate at night could be the best picnic option for the parents to take their kids. Kids interested in science can opt for Nehru Planetarium which helps to learn about planets stars and their function.
