Things to do in Delhi: an overview
The things to do in Delhi start with the monuments of the Mughal and earlier periods: the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, the Qutub Minar in Mehrauli and Humayun's Tomb near Nizamuddin. Add India Gate on Kartavya Path, the Lotus Temple at Kalkaji and the Akshardham Temple, and you have the core of the list. Chandni Chowk, the old market street, belongs with the Old Delhi group. These are the Delhi tourist places that most itineraries share, and the things to see in Delhi can fill several days.
Visitors searching for things to do in New Delhi often mean the same set of sights, since the city names overlap. The sights below are not a fixed day route. They are grouped by area, so that you can see which ones are close to each other.
Our picks: guided sights
Our take: Choose the Qutub Minar tour for priority entry at the ruins, the Humayun's Tomb visit for the garden tomb and the Red Fort ticket for Old Delhi. Each one sets entry tickets by option, so pick the option with tickets if you want them included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided Red Fort visit with rickshaw ride
- Professional tour guide
- Rickshaw ride
- All taxes and charges
The entry ticket and hotel pickup apply only with the matching option. Parts of the fort can be closed, so interiors are not guaranteed.
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Private guided Humayun's Tomb visit
- Private guided tour
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Skip-the-line entry tickets
Tickets and hotel pickup apply only with the matching option. Check the current opening hours before you plan a late visit.
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Private Qutub Minar tour with priority entry
- Private tour guide
- Skip-the-line access
- Mineral water
Entry tickets are added with the matching option, and hotel transfer depends on the option too. Plan the visit around the grounds and monuments, not a tower climb.
Check availability →Delhi sights with a guide and tickets
Offers for the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort. Entry tickets and hotel pick-up are only included with the matching option.
Places to visit in Delhi by area
A spatial grouping, not a day plan.
Old Delhi
The Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk form one group. The historic Shahjahanabad grew here, and the Yellow Line station Chandni Chowk is the usual way in. The Jama Masjid page of the tourist office also names Chawri Bazaar. Details: Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.
Mehrauli
The Qutub Minar complex is in the south, reached from the Qutub Minar metro station on the Yellow Line, with the last stretch on foot or by road. Read about it on the Qutub Minar page.
Nizamuddin
Humayun's Tomb lies on Mathura Road, opposite the Nizamuddin shrine. The tourist office names the JLN Stadium station as access. More on Humayun's Tomb.
Kalkaji
The Lotus Temple is near Kalkaji, with the metro station Kalkaji Mandir. See the Lotus Temple page.
India Gate and Kartavya Path form the government district group, covered on the India Gate page. The Akshardham Temple has its own metro station on the Blue Line.
Entry and opening overview
Amounts in Indian rupees, with the source situation.
| Sight | Foreign visitors | Opening and rest day | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qutub Minar | 600 INR cash, 550 INR online | Sunrise to 20:00 (ASI) | Children under 15 free; tower interior closed |
| Humayun's Tomb | 600 INR cash, 550 INR online (ASI) | ASI lists sunrise to 21:00 | Delhi Tourism lists sunrise to sunset: check before you go |
| Red Fort | 600 INR cash, 550 INR online | Open on Mondays since February 2026 | From a secondary source dated 22 October 2026; confirm at the gate |
| Jama Masjid | 400 INR, photos free | From 08:00 until sunset | Restricted around prayer times |
| India Gate | Free | No regular closing day | Listed as morning to night |
| Lotus Temple | Free | Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30 to 17:00 (operator) | Closed Mondays; check times before you go |
| Akshardham Temple | Grounds free; exhibitions 260 INR for adults | Closed Mondays | Water show is a separate ticket; confirm at the counter |
Not every figure has the same standing. The ASI lists the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb rates, while the Red Fort rates in this table come from a secondary compilation dated 22 October 2026. For the Red Fort, the domestic tariff is only documented for 2022, so this page does not quote it. Humayun's Tomb and Akshardham each appear with different amounts or hours on different official pages. Prepare for the higher amount, bring cash, and confirm on the day.
Closures and changes in 2026
Dated notes from the press and from operators.
A report of 12 September 2026 named six restricted interior areas of the Red Fort: the Hammam, Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Khas, Khas Mahal, Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. The same report names the inside of the Qutub Minar and the Jamali-Kamali tomb as closed. Do not plan on entering every interior. From 15 July to 15 August 2026 the Red Fort was closed to general visitors for the Independence Day preparations; that period is over. Short visitor restrictions during delegation visits were reported for 13 September 2026 and are a reason to keep a spare day, not a standing rule.
For the history behind these places, read about Delhi history. For the right season to see them, the best time to visit Delhi page gives the cooler months and the rest days.
Frequently asked questions
How many sights can I see in one day?
Group them by area. Old Delhi with the Red Fort, the mosque and Chandni Chowk fills a day by itself, while the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb lie in different parts of the city.
Which sights are free?
India Gate and the Lotus Temple are free to enter. The Akshardham grounds are free, but the exhibitions and the water show are paid. Check each page for the details.
Can I climb the Qutub Minar?
No. The inside of the tower is reported closed to visitors, so you see it from the grounds.
Are the sights open on Mondays?
It differs. The Lotus Temple and Akshardham are closed on Mondays. The Red Fort has been open on Mondays since an order of 13 February 2026, reported by PTI on 21 February 2026.