Back in India! After a month in Sri Lanka, we arrived in Delhi in the middle of winter, 2019. Just for a short visit, we thought. But we ended up spending more than a week in the cold, but inviting city. More than enough to see and do!
If you ever have a trip planted to the capital of India, and got some time to spend, please make use of this list of things to see and do.. Enjoy!
#1 The chaotic neighborhood Paharganj
Paharganj
Like most travelers, we went straight from the airport to Paharganj, the tourist district in New Delhi. This crowded area full of people, animals and tuktuks can be quite overwhelming, but since we came prepared!
Here you read more about our Paharganj adventure and how this neighborhood slowly started to feel like home.
#2 The impressive Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Indira Gandhi Memorial
Searching for the museum about (Mahatma) Gandhi online, we stumbled upon this memorial for the first female Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
We decided to visit this former residence and found the visit absolutely worth it, because of the carefully composed and personal collection. Here you read and see more about the museum.
#3 The peachful Lodi Garden or Lodhi Gardens
Lodhi Gardens
From the quite overwhelming crowds and busyness of Paharganj, we went into the calm & serene of these beautiful gardens in the south of Delhi.
The video and photos of this beautiful city park you find here.
#4 The iconic Red Fort
Red Fort
Our first stop on the hop on hop off tour we planned that day: the Red Fort in Old Delhi. This fortress used to serve as the main residence of the Mughal emperors back in the time. And still the iconic image on each 500 rupees note.
In this article we wrote about the history of the fort and you can find a video of our visit.
#5 Gandhi Smriti, where Gandhi spent his last 144 days
Gandhi Smriti
Before coming to India, we only knew parts of Gandhi’s incredible life story.
But since our India travels, our fascination ofcourse grew and we got to know more about this 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and his message of love, truth and non-violence.
Here we share some of that info and the clip of our visit to the Smriti, where Gandhi spent the last days of his remarkable life.
#6 The World-reflecting Mosque, Masjid-i Jehan Numa
Jama Masjid
Visiting The Red Fort in Old Delhi, we decided to combine this with another stunning building in the neighborhood. The famous, Jama Masjid (or Masjid-i Jehan Numa), since it’s one of the biggest mosques in India.
Without shoes, and covered in a flowery dress.. our experience you find here!
#7 The flower shaped Baháʼí House, Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple
In Delhi we also got the chance to visit this remarkable, lotus flower shaped temple. We didn’t have too much time, but enough to go inside and experience the tranquil atmosphere in this Baháʼí House of Worship.
Read about our experience here.
#8 The authenticity (and chaos) of neighborhood Old Delhi
Old Delhi
After spending some time in Old Delhi, we definitely recommend you to visit this area. Not only because of the (many) historical attractions, but to experience the real Delhi chaos and figure out why this part still counts as the symbolic heart of the city.
Here’s why.
#9 Qutab Minar, the tallest brick tower
Qutab Minar
Another stop at our bus tour, and another UNESCO Heritage Site, this time in the south of New Delhi. The victory tower Qutab Minar, next to the oldest mosque of India.
No time to go inside the complex, but here you can read and see more of this tallest brick tower.
#10 Good restaurants in Delhi
Delhi restaurants
We’ve spent almost two weeks in Delhi, the middle of a cold(!) winter. So our main concern with finding a place to eat was the – pleasant – temperature inside (first question: do they have a front door..?).
In this article you find the restaurants that we visited and find worth mentioning. Because of the location, ambience and staff, and the food ofcourse!
#10 Must See Delhi – Shortlist to screenshot
- Neighborhood Paharganj
- Indira Gandhi Memorial
- Lodhi Garden (or Lodi Gardens)
- The Red Fort
- Gandhi Smriti
- Jama Masjid mosque (or Masjid-i Jehan Numa)
- Lotus Temple
- Neighborhood Old Delhi
- Qutab Minar (or Qutb Minar / Qutub Minar)
- Restaurants:
- Paharganj: OpenHand Cafe & Gallery, rooftop restaurants Singhs, Bistro55, Exotic Cafe & Krishna Cafe, Kitchen Everest, Tadka, Fiesta
- Connaught Place: Parikrama Revolting restaurant, Veda Restaurant, Rajdhani Thali Restaurant
- Chandni Chowk: Lakhori restaurant
Tips@Breuhuys
Breuhuys 