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Places to Visit in Old Delhi

This momentous fort sited in the heart of Delhi was once the abode of the Mughal rulers and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Preserved for its bygone significance, the once called Qila-e-Mubarak is famed for its merger design of Indo-Islamic architecture and Mughal architecture. It is a charisma of complex carvings, floral designs, twin domes and a grandiose wall and to explore this place is one of the best things to do in old Delhi.

That is why it is no surprise that it took the builders 8 years, 10 months and 25 days to wrap-up work on this imperial home for the Mughals. Who knew that the red sandstone that was used to build this fort will one day be accredited with the name Red Fort? The light and sound show is a ‘must-watch’ sight.

Timings: 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Entry Fee: Rs.35 for Indians; Rs.500 for Foreign Tourists

Distance from Airport: 18.7km

Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station

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Timings: 7.00 AM to 5.00 PM (All days of the week)

Entry Fee: Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.500 for Foreign Tourists

Distance from Airport: 15km

Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar Metro Station

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Jama Masjid holds the record of being the largest mosque in India which is the last of the prodigal monuments built by Shah Jahan. Why then would it not be listed amongst the places to see in Old Delhi? It is so large that it can accommodate about 25,000 visitors/devotees at once and it is one of the best things to do in old Delhi.

It is built with a fusion of white marble and red sandstone and was of great importance to Shah Jahan himself so much, that he wanted the height of the pulpit and mosque to beat the height of his throne. He thus named it “Masjid e Jahan Numa” which means “a mosque that commands a view of the world”. The west gate of the mosque faces Mecca, the direction for praying.

Timings: 7 AM to noon and 1.30 to 6.30 PM

Entry Fee: Free; Rs.50 for Indians and Rs.300 for climbing one of the Minaret Towers

Distance from Airport: 21.7km

Nearest Metro Station: Jama Masjid Metro Station

Check Out: Delhi Tour Packages

Yet another UNESCO World Heritage sites, Humayun’s Tomb enshrouds the mortal remnants of the Mughal ruler, Humayun. It is amongst the prominent tourist places in Old Delhi because it is the first garden tomb in Asia. The tomb that was instigated by Humayun’s first wife Empress Bega Begum holds a lot of architectural value as it walls in a lot of other monuments and structures within the premise. 

You can find engravings of the Quran on the walls of the tomb. The emperor’s head is kept fronting Mecca while the rest of the body is laid underground, an area where visitors are not permitted. The complex closes in many other tombs apart from Humayun’s tomb. The premise also encloses the Isa Khan’s mosque and a podium with more than 100 gravestones.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.250 for Foreign Tourists

Distance from Airport: 19km

Nearest Metro Station: Race Course or Jorbagh Metro Station

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It was named so because of the reflection of the moon on the tree-lined canal that was built by Shah Jahan. Existing since the 17th century, Chandni Chowk has been titled as “shopper’s paradise” offering a bounteous of things to buy for your or for your home on a wholesale rate. It is most popular for the lip-smacking street food sold on the sides of these constricted streets.  

Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 20.2km

Timings: 5.30 AM-11.30AM and 6.00 PM-9.30 PM (summers); 6.00 AM-12.00 PM and 5.30 pm to 9.00 PM (winters)

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 24km

Raj Ghat is a site of profuse prominence amongst the many other places to visit in Old Delhi since it is observed as the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation. There lies a marble stone exactly where Gandhiji was cremated thereby adding meaning to the spot. The Ghat is built on the banks of river Yamuna and it is one of the best places to visit in Delhi during summers. It is also the memorial of several other noteworthy people like K R Narayan, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Chandra Shekhar, I K Gujral and many others.

The north side of the Ghat is committed to Jawaharlal Nehru and is called “The Forest of Peace”.  The gardens and fountains around the area maintain the sanctity of the place. The trees around have been planted by famous dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II. A remembrance ceremony is conducted every Friday.

Timings: 6.30 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 27kms

Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan Metro Station

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A replica of the St Paul’s Cathedral Church in London, St James Church is an exquisiteness that belongs to the year 1836 and is the first and oldest church in Delhi. The church was built by Colonel James Skinner as a tribute of his faith in God after he bolted death in a war. His grave lies right in front of the altar in the premise. The church has an attractive Greek cross design and praying at this church is one of the best  things to do in old Delhi.

Numerous other graves of the Britishers who lost their lives in the war of 1857 can also be found in the church along with the grave of Commissioner Sir William Fraser. The church is designed with three porticoes porches and a dominant octagonal roof. St James Church is also known as Skinner’s Church.

Timings: Morning to evening on all days

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 18.9kms

How can Asia’s biggest wholesale spice market not be on the list of the places to visit in Old Delhi? The market of Khari Baoli lies where there once stood a stepwell of the 17th century. Every shop in this market is a paragon of history that is now taken over by the 9th and 10th generation of the family run business. These small shops apparently participate in a trade that is worth billions.

The market is a store of fresh smells of spices, some of which you wouldn’t have seen or heard of before; nonetheless, they chief spice of the market is red chilli. Look for the Khari Baoli terrace and ascent up to find the best spectacle of Fatehpur Masjid and its environs, a much-admired background amongst social media enthusiasts!

Timings: 11.30 AM to 6.00 PM (Closed on Sundays)

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 14kms

Another radiance of the Mughal Empire, Fatehpuri Masjid was built by Shah Jahan’s wife Fatehpuri Begum. Located on the western end of Chandni Chowk, the mosque has been a witness of all events that took place since the rule of the Mughals till today. The mutiny of 1857 led to a lot of damage to the masjid. 

It is surrounded by two soaring minarets and has an enormous prayer hall that has seven-arched openings. Festivals like Id-ul-Zaha and Id-ul-Fitr are celebrated luxuriously in the Fatehpuri Masjid. One of the three gates faces the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.

Timings: 5 AM to 9.30 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Distance from Airport: 18kms

Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station

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