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Historical Places in Delhi

One of the most relevant historical places in Delhi, the Red Fort constructed with vibrant red sandstone was built by Shahjahan and was the political centre. The Mughals called it their home for some 200 odd years.

The Prime Minister hoists the Tricolour and addresses the nation from the main gate of Red Fort on Independence Day every year. The fort houses a museum, garden, imperial apartments and a public hall each narrating history of an era bygone.

Location: Netaji Subhash Road, Chandni Chowk.    

Timings: All days except Monday from 9.30 am – 4.30pm.

Entry fees: Rs. 35/- for Indian, Rs. 500/- for foreigners.

Check Out: 30 Best Museums in Delhi

This bewitching architectural wonder is one of the best preserved Mughal Monument. Hamida Banu built this mausoleum in memory of her deceased husband, emperor Humayun in 1572.

Influenced by both Persian and Indian architecture, it has gardens with flowing water and walkways resembling the paradise garden as described in the Quran. The two storied building is made of red sandstone while the tomb is of yellow and black marble.

Location: Mathura Road, opposite Dargah Nizamuddin.

Timings: Sunrise to sunset all days.

Entry fees: Rs.30/- for Indians, Rs.500/- for foreigners.

The tallest minar of India, Qutub Minar is a UNESCO world heritage site made out of strikingly red sandstone and marble.

The minar is enveloped with other equally relevant ancient and medieval structures built during the Mughal era. The 73 metre, a five-storied tapering tower has a spiral staircase of 379 steps till the tip of the minar. Delhi infolds a number of historical places.

Location: Mehrauli near Chattarpur temple complex, Qutub Minar and Saket are the nearest metro station.

Timings: 7.00am – 5.00pm all days.

Entry fees:  Rs.30/- for Indians and Rs.500/- for foreigners.

Also Read: 10 Best Places to Visit in Old Delhi

The minuscule village, Hast-sthal literally meaning the land of elephants has a hidden gem, namely the Chota Qutub Minar. This 17th century 5 storied Minaret commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan is now amidst dense residential locality, bustling bazaar, residential annexes and busy roads leading you to this historical Place in Delhi.

Once a regal grandeur in red sandstones and bricks adorned with white marble is now in an obscure state. The emperor used this as his royal hunting lodge post his quest for the wild in the surrounding dense forest area.

Location: Hastsal Village, Uttam Nagar, West Delhi

Timings: All the time.

Entry fees: Free.

India Gate is a war memorial on Janpath built in the memory of the 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who laid their lives in World War 1. A structure in black marble plinth with a reversed rifle capped by a war helmet bounded by four eternal flames beneath the towering Memorial archway is the Amar Jawan Jyoti. It is the best place to enjoy with friends in Delhi and to click some good pictures.

The flame of the immortal warrior has been burning since 1971 and is customary for the President or the Prime Minister to pay homage at the shrine on every state ceremony. Weekends attract a lot of locals and tourists as they find an opportunity of indulging in quite a large list of things to do in Delhi. India Gate nowadays is the favourite hangout place for Delhities!

Location: Near Rajpath.

Timings: All the time.

Entry fees: Free.

Hauz Khas Fort was built by Alauddin Khilji in 1284 to provide unlimited water supply to Siri Fort. A vast reservoir greets you at the entry leading you to the deer park which is lush green and serene taking your senses to a tranquil state.

The light and sound show in the evening further beautifies the glory of the Fort and attracts tourists in manifolds. Other than the Fort, the Hauz Khas complex comprises of the Islamic seminary, Water tank, Mosque and a tomb. If you don't want to miss amazing tourist attractions on your trip then you should definitely book Delhi tour packages.

Location: Hauz Khas village, Deer Park.

Timings: 10.30am – 7.00pm except Sundays.

Entry fees: Free.

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One of the largest Mosque of India, Jama Masjid is also known as the Masjid-I Jahan-Numa was built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in 1656 at a cost of around 1 million rupees.

Built with slits of red sandstone and marble, this monument has 3 majestic gates, 4 towers and 2 minarets. The Mosque faces the holy city of Mecca, while the colossal courtyard can accommodate 25,000 worshippers offering prayers at any given point in time.

Location: Off Netaji Subhash Marg, Near Red Fort.

Timings: 7.00am to noon and 1.30pm – 7.30pm (tourists are not allowed during prayer time)

Entry fees: Free.

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The official residence of the President of India on Rajpath is an iconic monument which is visited by every tourist travelling to India. This 320-acre property has a mansion with 340 rooms, Mughal gardens, residences of staff and stables.

The largest residence of any head of a country in the world is counted as one of the historical Places in Delhi which was built by the British Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Viceroy’. The ceremonial grandeur of this monument has inspired many architects worldwide.

Location: Rajpath near Gate no. 2.

Timings: 9.00am – 4.00pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Entry fees: Rs.50/- per visitor.

Check Out: Best Places to Visit near Delhi.

This colossal stone Fort complex was built by Ghiyas-Ud-din Tughlaq in 1321 AD. The 15-metre high sloping barricading walls have battlement parapets and bastions offering an advantage over the enemy.

The 13 spectacular gates, the intriguing secret underground passage, royal mausoleum, grand halls and magnificent residences will reminisce one of the royal warriors who lived life with dignity and grandeur and fought with equal might and valour to protect their majesty.

Location: Mehrauli- Badarpur road.

Timings: 7.00am to 5.00pm all days.

Entry fees: RS.5/- for Indians and Rs.100/- for foreigners.

This observatory is a historical monument in Delhi which is not only of interest to children, but adults too are intrigued by the ancient astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. You should visit Jantar Mantar during winters as it is the best time to visit Delhi and to explore great monuments and landmarks. 

This heritage site was built in 1724 using brick, limestone and plaster to help understand and improve the study of time and space. Out of the 13 astronomical instruments, the Ram Yantra, Jayprakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra and Misra yantra are the crowd pullers.

Location: Parliament Street, Connaught place

Timings: sunrise to sunset, all days.

Entry fees: Rs.5/- for Indians and Rs.100/- for foreigners.

Inspired by Yogi Ji Maharaj and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple display an array of the spiritual and cultural aspect of Hinduism. The 10 gates denote the ten principle direction as per Indian mythology.

The complex features three exhibitions, namely the Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan and Sanskruti Darshan along with Sahaj Anand water show, Abhisheka Mandap and a theme garden. The Mandovar houses 4287 carved stones and has 48 idols of Ganesh and 200 sculpted figures of Rishi, Muni, Sadhu and devotees. Explore this enigmatic site and create a lifetime of memories. You can also explore amazing places to visit near Delhi within 100 kms as Delhi attracts a lot of tourist for its vibrant beauty and culture. 

Location: Akshardham Setu on NH 24.

Timings: 9.30am – 6.30pm except for Mondays.

Entry fees: Rs. 170/-

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The Bahai House of Worship is a simple and serene structure in white marble resembling a flower. The building consists of 27 marble clad petal shaped structure at 3 levels with 9 sides.

The 9 doors lead to the central hall which can accommodate 2500 people from any religious background to worship or meditate in peace. The pristine white interior adds on to pure and tranquil existence. The Lotus Temples has claimed several accolades for its architecture wonder and as the most visited building in the world.

Location: Nehru place near Kalkaji temple.

Timings: 9.00am – 5.30pm, except Mondays.

Entry fees: Free.

Lodhi gardens is a city park settled over 90 acres, built by the Lodi’s in the 15th-century houses the tombs of several Mughal rulers. The Bara Gumbad and the Sheesh Gumbad narrates the architectural glory of an archaic era.

Morning walkers, yoga enthusiasts and joggers from different parts of Delhi flock this place in numbers to soak in the lush greenery around and make it colourful and lively as the day breaks. Lodhi gardens is one of the best picnic spots to spend time with your loved ones.

Location: Lodhi road, beside India International Centre.

Timings: 6.00am to 8.00pm daily.

Entry fees: Free.

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Built in the 14th century by the King Agrasen, the 60 feet deep step well has been very carefully maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. This historical Place in Delhi has 108 steps with three levels leading to the water storage area. 

The austere grandeur of this step well has allured many architects and historians worldwide. It is definitely one of the best places to hangout for youngsters in Delhi. It is an amazing experience to walk through the cascading stairs and to realise that it was all excavated with hand several decades back.

Location: Hailey Road, Near KG Marg, Connaught Place.

Timings: 7.00am to 6.30pm all days.

Entry fees: Free.

The oldest Fort in India, the Purana Quila is one of the most captivating historical places in Delhi due to its towering presence. Built by Humayun in 1534 currently, it has a light and sound show narrating the history of the Citadel.

The massive ramparts adorned with merlons have three gateways. The old Fort is surrounded by a wide moat connecting to river Yamuna where visitors are seen boating on relaxed weekends.

Location: Mathura road near Delhi Zoo.

Timings: 7.00am to 5.00pm all days.

Entry fees: Rs. 20/- for Indians and Rs.200/- for foreigners.

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One of the most well preserved historical relics in Delhi bordering the Qutub Minar complex is worth a visit. This archaeological site, though ignored by the tourists has the Jamali-Kamali mosque done up in grand Mughal style.

The walking track leads one to the garden where often children of different ages are seen playing around. The tomb of Mohammed Quli Khan is exquisitely embellished with painted plasterwork with occasional glazed tiles.

Location: Mehrauli Gurgaon road, near Lado Sarai.

Timings: 8.00am to 6.30pm all days.

Entry fees: Free.

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Jahanpanah is a barricaded city built by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq to encounter the Mongols. Though the Fort lies in a dilapidated condition, yet it has several structures which offer hindsight of the dynasty.

As the imperial family stayed at the royal residences, the Begumpur Mosque was built for the Royals to offer prayers and the Sarai Shahji Mahal was used as an inn. Other monuments like the Bijai Mandal, Kalusarai Mosque, Kharbuje ka Gumbad and Lal Gumbad bedeck the complex.

Location: Malviya Nagar.

Timings: 9.00am to 6.30pm all days.

Entry fees: Free.

Built by Shuja-Ud-Daula in 1754 in Mughal architectural style, this historical Place in Delhi has garnered attention by tourists. The mausoleum built of marble and sandstone with grand arches, intricate detailing and majestic architecture has stood testimony to time.

Also known as, “Safdarjung Ka Maqbara” has a garden, a library and several pavilions adding on the grandiose. The immaculate garden surrounding the tomb is built in Charbagh style with walkways and sparkling water tank.

Location: Intersection of Safdarjung road and Aurobindo Marg.

Timings: Sunrise to sunset daily.

Entry fees: Rs15/- for Indians and Rs.200/- for foreigners.

Nizamuddin is a popular busy and crowded location in Delhi bustling with markets, Bazaar and residences. This site has a few hidden gems of historic relevance like the Humayun’s Tomb and Abdul Rahim Khan I Khana.

Hands of skilful Mughal architects built this grand double domed Mausoleum of Humayun which stands tall till date. The Sufi shrine of Nizamuddin Dargah churns out devotional Sufi songs to heal the distressed body and mind. Nizamuddin emanates of an era of grandiose, opulence, culture and grace.

Location: Mathura Road, Old Nizamuddin Bazaar.

Timings: 5.00am to 10.00pm all days.

Entry fees: Free.

Shergarh is considered to be a historical monument in Delhi due to it's connected with the Mughal ruler Sher Shah Suri. The looming façade of this Fort has three gates, Bada Darwaza flanked with robust bastions, the Talaqui Darwaza or the Forbidden Gate and the Humayun Gate.

The Southern Gate, the Humayun Gate is the signature symbol of Purana Quila with two pervasive pavilions at the top. The amphitheatre through it’s light and sound show transports the audience to an age of courageous warriors, heroic tales and of opulence and glory.

Location: Nizamuddin East.

Timings: Sunrise to sunset

Entry fees: Rs.20/- for Indians and Rs.200/- for a foreigner.

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This incomplete tower within the Qutub Complex was built by Alauddin Khilji which was planned to be double the size of Qutub Minar. This was to mark his phenomenal victory in the Deccan War. However, his untimely death created a ripple and the construction came to a halt.

The 80 feet high single storey tower in a rubble masonry projects the Sultan’s intention of a gargantuan structure. The unfinished legacy portrays chronicles of the Sultan’s gallantry, dignity and prosperity.

Location: Hailey Road, Connaught Place.

Timings: 7.00am to 6.00pm.

Entry fees: Rs.10/- for Indians and Rs.250/- for foreigners.

The tomb of the second ruler of the Lodhi dynasty, Sikander Lodhi was built by his son Ibrahim Lodhi. The tomb has an octagonal structure and inspired by Indo-Islamic architecture. The first garden tomb of India is a fortified complex with two umbrella-shaped pavilions on a square platform in the front.

The carved pillars in the verandah around the tomb are intricately handcrafted with dexterity by artisans par excellence. This historical place in Delhi is frequented by nature lovers due to its wide variety of birds in the greenery around and a watercourse leading to the Yamuna.

Location: Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi.

Timings: 8.00am to 7.30pm all days.

Entry fees: Free.

Mumtaz Mahal literally meaning the Jewel Palace is located within the Red Fort premises. Immaculate white marbles have been used to construct the Palace, which is one of the six palaces built facing the Yamuna.

It houses six apartments divided by arched piers with intricate floral decorations embellished in the interiors. The building presently holds an exhibition of the Red Fort Archeological Museum displaying exhibits of the Mughal Empire.

Location: Netaji Subhash Marg, Lal Qila, Chandni Chowk.

Timings: 9.30am to 4.30pm except for Mondays.

Entry fees: Rs15/ for Indians and Rs.250/- for foreigners.

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Rai Pithora, which is considered to be the first city of Delhi was built by Prithvi Raj Chauhan in the 12th century after defeating the Tomar Rajputs. The ruins of the erstwhile majestic infrastructure are now popularly known as Lado Sarai with relics strewn in the form of various Monuments.

The gateways of Lal Kot, Tomb of Balban, Mandi Mosque, Rajon-ki-Bain, Badun Gate and Tomb of Azim Khan are to name a few. Locals throng this place during the weekend as the daylight breaks and engage in various social activities along with friends and family.

Location: Lado Sarai, South West Delhi.

Timings: Any time

Entry fee: Free.

The credit for building Siri Fort goes to the Afghan ruler Alauddin Khilji, which served as his seat to rule and obstruct repeated Mughal invasions. Along with the Siri Fort were the Citadel and a water body supplying water to the Fort and adjoining areas.

The Fort which is now in ruins is enveloped by a modern sports complex comprising of world-class amenities for tennis, cricket, basketball, gymnasium and many more sports. The complex also houses Siri fort Auditorium with 4 internal sub auditoriums where several events are organised on a day to day basis.

Location: North of Mehrauli and east of Hauz Khas.

Timings: 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Entry fees: Free.

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 Though not a historical places near Delhi within 100 kms, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by the Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, the city is home to rich heritage and culture along with architecture. Known as the Pink City of India, Jaipur is easily accessible and a preferred weekend getaway. It is also a food hub with rich delicacies. So there’s plenty for everyone to visit Jaipur.

Distance from Delhi: 273 kms/about 6 hours by road, Jaipur is also accessible by air.

Attractions: Attractions in Jaipur include the observatory Jantar Mantar, the ancient fort of Amer and Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Birla Mandir, Galtaji, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, and many others.

Not a historical places near Delhi, Agra is a must-visit tourist destination. The city is located on the banks of the River Yamuna. This city can be reached by road and train from Delhi. It is the fourth most populated state in Uttar Pradesh. It is a hub of commerce and trade too. Agra forms part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, which also includes Jaipur, Lucknow and Varanasi. Agra is in the Braj cultural region and remains a popular tourist spot for weekends.

Distance from Delhi: 231 kms/about 4 hours by road, Agra is accessible air too.

Attractions: Attractions in Agra includes the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. All three of these places are World Heritage UNESCO sites. Agra is considered a romantic destination.

 Dharamshala is a hill station and headquarters of the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It was known as Bhagsu earlier. Dharamshala was selected in the 100 cities to be developed as a smart city as per the flagship Smart Cities Mission. The suburb McLeod Ganj was the home to the Dalai Lama after his exile. This tourist spot is visited by lakhs of tourists because of the pleasant weather during the Summer months.

Distance from Delhi: 476 kms/about 9 and a half hours by road.

Attractions: Attractions in Dharamshala includes Gyuto Monastery, Bhagsunag Temple, Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, The Dalai Lama's Temple and others. This city is a great hilly getaway for tourists.

McLeod Ganj is a hill station in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Along with being a cool, mountainous region, it is also the home to the 14th Dalai Lama. This hill station was the home to the Dalai Lama after his exile. This spiritual hub and one of the most popular tourist spots visited by thousands. Along with its rich culture, the city also offers respite from the harsh Delhi summers and is an easily accessible hill station.

Distance from Delhi: 484 kms/about 10 hours by road, McLeod Ganj is a popular tourist spot.

Attractions: Attractions in McLeod Ganj includes Tibetan Museum, Triund, Bhagsunath Temple & Waterfall, Namgyal Monastery, Dharamkot, Kangra Fort, The Dalai Lama's Temple and many others. This historical city is a great hilly getaway for tourists.

Bikaner is nestled in the Thar desert. It is one of the historical places near Delhi place filled with art and culture. The city has an old-world charm. Bikaner  is also called the camel-country. The city is bustling with rich architecture, fairs and of course -- delicious food. Sand dunes in this area attract tourists from all over the world.

Distance from Delhi: 468 km/about 8 and a half hours by road and air too.

Attractions: Attractions in Bikaner include Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple or the rate temple. This historical place is also the home to the Jain temple. The city is also the home to Lakshmi Nath Temple, which has the popular statues of Hindu gods Vishnu and Laxmi temples.

Jhansi is a popular tourist city. It is  located in Uttar Pradesh and falls in the region of Bundelkhand. This city is situated on the banks of the Pahuj River. It is the administrative headquarters of Jhansi district and division and a popular city frequented by tourists. Jhansi has many popular tourist spots.

Distance from Delhi: 478 kms/about 9 hours by road, Jhansi is a popular tourist spot easily reachable by car/bus and other road transports.

Attractions: This city is the home to some great attractions like Rani Mahal, Jhansi Fort, Orchha Fort Complex and Cenotaph of Raja Gangadhar Rao to name a few.

Amritsar is a popular, sacred city for Sikhs. It is located in Punjab and is about 28 kilometres from the border with Pakistan. Amritsar comes under the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana. It doesn’t come under historical places near Delhi within 100 km but Amritsar is a pilgrim destination.

Distance from Delhi: 448 kms/about 8 hours by road, Amritsar is reachable by daily trains, flights and buses to the city.

Attractions: Amritsar is the home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which is regarded as the holiest gurdwara. Attractions include RamBagh Palace, Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial & Museum and Jallianwala Bagh.

Fatehpur is located in Uttar Pradesh and is situated between the holy rivers of Ganges and Yamuna. One of the historical places near Delhi, this city gets its name after Babu Fateh Chandra who apparently helped Rani Lakshmi Bai in the freedom fight. The city of Fatehpur is as old as the Vedic era and was once the capital of the Mughals. Fatehpur is highly visited and has plenty of attractions with ancient significance.

Distance from Delhi: 571 kms/about 9.3 hours by road, there are daily trains and buses to the city.

Attractions: Some of these are Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Buland Darwaja, Naubat Khana, Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas, etc.

Ajmer is in the top list of popular historic spots in the country. The city is bustling with life and is surrounded by the rugged Aravalli Hills. Located in Rajasthan, it is not a historical places near Delhi within 100 kms, but has a lot of significance in Islamic heritage. This historical place was once called “Ajaymeru.” Ajmer has some great tourist spots.

Distance from Delhi: 404 kms/about 7 hours by road, Ajmer is a highly visited place near Delhi on NH48. There are daily trains and buses to the city.

Attractions: Ajmer houses the shrine of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, founder of Chishtiya order. Other attractions here include the Jain temple. The attractions include Manibandh or Chamunda Mata Mandir (Temple), Taragarh Fort, etc.

Founded in the 16th century, Orchaa is in the top list of historical places near Delhi. It is nestled on the banks of the River Betwa. The river splits into seven channels here. The name Orchaa means hidden palace. It was once the Bundela Rajput King capital. Some of the architectural sites, which depict the style of the Bundela dynasty,  are on the tentative list and may make it to UNESCO's world heritage sites. The proposal was sent by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the United Nations (UN) body.

Distance from Delhi: 498 kms/about 9 hours by road, Orchha is on NH44. One can reach the city by daily trains and buses.

Attractions: Attractions here include the Orchha Fort Complex or Jahangir Mahal. Orchha has a lot to offer. Raja Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, Rai Praveen Mahal, etc.are some of the attractions here.