“Where are the top sights to see in Delhi?” This question never fades, and the more individuals you ask, the more diverse responses you receive. The truth is, there is no definitive answer to this question because there are so many fascinating places to visit in the city. To simplify matters, I will enumerate as many notable and lesser-known destinations as possible, categorizing them into various categories. Hence, some of the finest places to visit in Delhi during the weekends are below.

Heritage Places to visit in Delhi

Discover the rich history of Delhi through these architectural marvels:

• Qutub Complex: Mehrauli’s historic site boasts monuments from the Delhi Sultanate era, including the iconic Qutub Minar (UNESCO listed), Alai Darwaza, Tomb of Iltutmish, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Jamali Kamali Mosque, and the Iron Pillar.
• Red Fort: The magnificent palace built by Shah Jahan showcases exquisite structures like the Delhi Gate, Chatta Chowk, Naubat Khana, Diwan-i-Aam, Rang Mahal, Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Khas, Mumtaz Mahal, Tasbih Khana, Khas Mahal, and the Lahori Gate.
• India Gate: This monumental Triumphant Arch and Amar Jawan Jyoti honour India’s fallen soldiers from WWI and other wars.
• Purana Qila: This ancient fortress, built by Humayun and expanded by Sher Shah Suri, is believed to be on the site of Pandavas’ Indraprastha. Highlights include the Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, Humayun Gate, Sher Mandal, Talaqi Darwaza, Bara Darwaza, and the boating lake.
• Jantar Mantar: The giant all-red astronomical clock, built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724, used Samrat Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra, Misra Yantra, and Ram Yantra to calculate the coordinates of celestial bodies and time in various parts of the world.

Other must-see attractions include Agrasen Ki Baoli, Tughlaqabad Fort, Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb, Mutiny Memorial, Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal, Chausath Khamba, Khirki Masjid, Bara Gumbad, and Surajkund Mela.

Religious Places to visit in Delhi

Delhi, the embodiment of religious harmony in India, boasts an array of vibrant temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and churches.

• Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques globally, is located in the heart of Old Delhi and boasts a fusion of Persian and Rajput architectural styles, including domes, arches, minarets, and Jharokhas.
• Akshardham Temple, one of the largest on the planet, showcases intricate carvings, a theater, lush gardens, sculptures, a musical fountain, and a boating pond.
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, easily recognizable by its golden domes and white facade, is a revered Sikh place of worship that houses the Guru Granth Sahib surrounded by golden panels.
• Sacred Heart Cathedral, located opposite Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, was built in the 1930s and showcases an entire marble altar. On Christmas, a grand feast is held at the church.
• Lotus Temple, known for its unique lotus-shaped design, is associated with the Baha’i faith and is surrounded by nine pond replicas of flower petals.
• Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a white stupa adorned with Buddhist art such as paintings, images, and symbols, is one of several similar sites in India.
• Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is a highly venerated Muslim shrine in Delhi that contains the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya.

Don’t miss the evening Qawwali sessions. Additional attractions to explore include: Birla Mandir, Chhatarpur Mandir, Kalkaji Mandir, Jhandewalan Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Cathedral Church of the Redemption, and St James Church.

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Modern Places to Visit in Delhi

In this category, I will highlight the most popular museums and modern wonders that attract tourists.

1. National Museum: The top museum in Delhi showcases India’s 5000-year-old history through various exhibits, including a giant wooden chariot weighing over 2200 kg.
2. Rail Museum: Visitors can observe actual and miniature models of historical steam locomotives, along with toy trains and locomotive simulators that are popular with young and old.
3. National Science Centre: An ideal place for children, the museum provides hands-on experiences of various scientific concepts through displays in galleries dedicated to water, human biology, emerging technologies, IT, nuclear technology, and prehistoric life.
4. Nehru Planetarium: Frequented by children and students, the planetarium holds regular audio-visual shows on astronomical subjects and houses Soyuz T-10, the spacecraft in which India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, travelled to space.
5. National Gallery of Modern Art: Located near India Gate, it houses over 140,000 modern art pieces by artists such as Rabindranath Tagore and Raja Ravi Varma, with regular exhibitions and permanent galleries.
6. Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum: Adjacent to Pragati Maidan, the museum showcases the daily life of various regions of India through sculptures, paintings, ritual objects, jewellery, toys, puppets, textiles, and village settings.
7. Air Force Museum: Situated within Delhi Airport, it displays historical fighter aircraft, missiles, bombs, personnel uniforms, radars, howitzers, and photographs, tracing the history of the Indian Air Force.

Other attractions: Delhi also offers the International Doll’s Museum, Metro Museum, Archaeological Museum, Children’s Museum, Police Museum, and National Archives of India for a weekend visit.

Parks and Gardens to Visit in Delhi

Delhi, one of the world’s most eco-friendly national capitals, is renowned for its numerous parks, gardens, and verdant landscapes.

• Ridge: Located in the heart of the city, the Ridge is a sprawling expanse of untouched vegetation divided into four zones: North (Delhi University North Campus), Central (Dhaula Kuan and Rashtrapati Bhavan’s backyard), South Central (JNU and Aravalli Biodiversity Park), and South (Tughlaqabad and Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary).
• Zoo: Surrounded by lush greenery, the zoo houses over 1,300 animals representing over 300 species, including blackbucks, chinkaras, jungle cats, gazelles, chausinghas, barasinghas, hoolock gibbons, Indian elephants, leopards, Asiatic lions, Indian rhinos, tigers, Indian wolves, gaurs, gharials, mugger crocodiles, and king cobras.
• Mughal Gardens: Only open for visiting in February and March, the Mughal Gardens inside Rashtrapati Bhavan boast of well-manicured lawns separated by water channels, exotic trees from across the world, and a profusion of flowers.
• Garden of Five Senses: Spanning 20 acres, the Garden of Five Senses features diverse gardens, diverse flora, walking paths, benches, water bodies, and cafes.
• Okhla Bird Sanctuary: Created by preserving the wetland along the Yamuna River, the Okhla Bird Sanctuary attracts over 300 species of resident and migratory birds. Winter is the perfect time to visit and capture these magnificent creatures with your camera.
• Waste to Wonder Park: Located near Hazrat Nizamuddin Metro Station and covering 5 acres, the Waste to Wonder Park is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. This park features stunning replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World, made entirely of industrial and other waste. With trees, benches, and walking paths, it’s a great place for families and picnics.

Other notable attractions: Millennium Park, Hauz Khas Deer Park, Central Park, India Gate lawns, Children’s Park, Lodhi Gardens, Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, Vijay Ghat, Veer Bhoomi, Shakti Sthal, and Sanjay Lake Park are also must-visit destinations in Delhi for a weekend getaway.

This is not all, as the city is also home to several theatres, auditoria, malls, markets, amusement parks like Adventure Island and Fun N Food Village, pubs, bars, discotheques and stadia that are no less than any tourist attraction. 

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