I visited India in October 2018 and Delhi was one of eight places I visited on my trip. Delhi was my first destination and it instantly gave me an insight into Indian life, culture and what to expect over the next four weeks. Although I did not spend much time in Delhi, I’ve decided to write this particular blog post to help people have a clearer idea of the best places to visit and activities to do when in Delhi. Moreover, when I hopefully visit Delhi again one day, I will refer back to this blog piece and follow my own advice!
1. Visit Red Fort
Delhi’s Red Fort is a historic fort that once was the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Construction of the fort took place in 1638 and its design is credited to Ustad Ahmad Lahori who also built India’s wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort continues to be a significant place in Delhi nowadays, especially on India’s Independence Day. The Indian Prime Minister raises the Indian national flag at the fort’s main gate and delivers a speech to the whole country. If you want to experience the heart of Indian national and political activities, then the Red Fort is a must visit. It is also recommended that you visit in the late afternoon as the lighting of the buildings inside the fort are particularly beautiful during that time. Furthermore, if you’d like a greater and more detailed understanding of the history and significance of the fort, there are audio guides available which I’d recommend.
2. Visit India Gate
India Gate is a memorial commemorating 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died between 1914-1921 in WWI. The arch shaped gate is one of the largest war memorials in the country and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It attracts thousands of tourists and locals everyday with many visiting to not only walk around but also to have a picnic with family or friends. As a result of its popularity, it has been described as one of the best places for tourists to visit in Delhi. It is advised to visit during the early hours of the day or during the late afternoon as the temperatures during the day are often very high. India Gate’s central location makes it very easy to get to and the nearest metro station is Central Secretariat on the yellow line.
3. Sample some Delhi street food
You cannot visit Delhi without trying its world famous street food! Delhi’s street food has been influenced by Delhi’s diversity with an array of cuisine on offer which makes the street food very unique. Old Delhi and Lajpat Nagar are particular hotspots for street food and some recommendations include: chole bhature, bread pakoda, ram laddoo and chole-kulche. You have also not experienced the full street food experience without trying some of Chandni Chowk’s sweet delights. Indian cuisine is one of my favourites and so I highly recommend spending at least a few hours exploring the street food Delhi has to offer.
4. Visit the Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is one of Delhi’s architectural phenomenon’s and its entirety is made of pure marble. The lotus flower is a universal symbol for peace which is the reason for the temples name and shape. There are particular rules that must be followed in the temple including silence at all times and photography is not allowed in the inner sanctum. The Lotus Temple is open to all and is a popular place for meditation and those who wish to pray.
5. Take a tuktuk tour
Tuktuk’s are the most popular mode of transport for getting from place to place in Delhi. There are several tuktuk tours on offer which can take you to your desired destinations all over Delhi. Most tours include a trip to Old and New Delhi’s most popular historical, religious and political landmarks such as Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Old Delhi Market and Chandni Chowk. A tuktuk day tour is recommended if you do not have much time in Delhi as you are able to see so much of what Delhi has to offer in a matter of hours. It is also a relatively cheap way of exploring the city with prices ranging from £20-50 depending on the length of the tour.
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