It’s a tough task when it comes to choosing the top ten places to visit in a city as old as Delhi. Continually inhabited since 30 BCE, built destroyed and rebuilt 7 times, New Delhi is currently in its 8th Avatar rising from its own ashes like a phoenix every time it was laid to waste. Rise and fall of the mighty empires have ensured that Delhi is dotted with an array of monument, relics and beautiful memories of the past of this ancient city. Here’s a list of the top 10 places to visit in Delhi. Although activities and things and places to go in Delhi are not limited to these destinations attractions, nut these iconic places do present to the visitors, the myriad hues of New Delhi, blending seamlessly the ancient and modern art.

Humayun’s Tomb.

Probably not the iconic image of Delhi but unarguably the most splendid work of Mughal Architecture in the capital, Humayun’s Tomb is UNESCO recognised World  Heritage Site and definitely tops the list of must visit places. The structure will f=give you a glimpse of the iconic Taj as it was here that the Persian Charbagh style was put to test by The Mughal architects and was later perfected in the construction of Taj Mahal in Agra.

Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is an open air food cum craft bazaar located in Delhi near INA (AIIMS), run by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. There are over 62 craft shops inside the plaza where artisans from every corner of this vast country gather to sell and showcase their handicraft. Then there are food stalls offering savoury cuisines from every possible state for the platter of guests. Eat here to get an authentic taste of the pan-Indian cuisines in an enchanting Indian setting. Dilli Haat keeps hosting beautiful rustic “Melas” or fares, visit here, and you never know you might be lucky enough to visit one.

Red Fort

Once the pivot of the might Mughal Empire, Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, and whatever is left of it, is a stark reminder of ephemeral nature of empires and powers that be. Once a sprawling fortress complex with an array of palaces, and grand structures, lush courtyards and cascading waterholes; Red fort today is only a shadow of its majestic past. Yet, it is as beautiful as ever. Standing in the heart of Delhi, it has seen Delhi change. The significance of this structureis evident in the fact that it was here that the flag of India was hoisted when she got independence from British Raj, a tradition which is still observed on each anniversary of Indian Independence Day.

Akshardham Temple

One of the modern marvels of architecture, this sprawling  temple complex by the bank of river Yamuna, is a sight to behold. The architecture and design of this temple complex is a manifestation of the time tested ancient traditions of Hindu culture, beliefs and spirituality which has percolated down the ages. The popularity of this temple is evident in the fact that 7 out of 10 people who visit Delhi, pay their visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. The son-et-lumiere (Musical Fountain), the sound and light show, and the beauty of the site at night are the most popular attractions and most recommended too.

Khan Market

A haven of overseas travelers throughout the year, Khan Market is all drenched in the hues of New Years and Christmas this time of the year. The high end shoppers and foodie paradise is located at a short distance from Connaught place and also well connected to Delhi Metro. Khan Market shopping complex houses an array of gourmet food joints, and plush restaurants, serving cuisines domestic and international. Then there are gift shops, book shops, boutiques, and fast food joints to keep the shoppers on their toes.

India Gate

Attribute it on the British or the location of this war memorial, India Gate is arguably the most iconic and enduring symbol of New Delhi. It was built to commemorate the Indian and British soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War. Evening is perhaps the best time to visit this resplendent structure when it is floodlit while the fountains nearby make mesmerising display of varied hues.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid of Delhi is the largest mosque in India  stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658. It is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Located on a mound in the heart of the old city it projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. This mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or “mosque commanding view of the world”, the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanba.

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom. The Bahai temple was completed in 1986. Since then the temple has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments in India. The credit for building this beautiful structure goes to the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada. Personifying Lotus in the temple does not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the edifice but it has a message to the people of India in the form of a manifestation from the almighty. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian Culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower.

Lodi Gardens

Lodi Gardens are one of the pleasantest green spaces in Delhi – with some labelled trees to help visitors from overseas become familiar with the Indian flora. The area was used as a burial for Delhi’s (pre-Mughal) Sayyid and Lodi rulers. Mohammad Shar’s tomb (1450) can be seen as a predecessor for architecture of Humayun’s tomb and Sikander Lodi’s tomb (1571) is set within a walled enclosure and clearly related to Humayun’s tomb garden. The domed mausoleums appear to have been sited in an open landscape, rather as the Ancient Greeks placed temples. The building of monumental tombs runs against the principles of Islam and it is probable that Delhi’s Turkish Sultans brought the idea from Persia to India. Lodi Gardens are therefore a good place to reflect on the origins of Mughal garden design. By the nineteenth century the tombs were occupied by squatters. After the land passed into the ownership of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) the squatters were moved, with some acrimony, and the land was treated as a public park. Possibly because the tombs have a formal kinship to Palladian temples, this treatment seems visually appropriate – at least to European eyes.

The Garden of Five Senses

The Garden of five senses is a breadth taking and enamoring experience. It is not just a park – it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and nature that invites interaction and exploration. It is an ideal ground to realize the twin objectives of the need for a public leisure space as well as awakening of human sensitivity to the environment.

It is an intricate blend of natures bounty and subtle human creation. Amidst the concrete jungle and the hustle and bustle of the city, the garden of five senses comes across as a welcome breadth of fresh air and serene quietude. True to the imagery suggested by its name and with its beautiful, lush green landscapes, the garden of five senses stimulates all the five senses in an evocative bouquet that awakens the mind to the beauty of life and invokes a grateful prayer for the gift of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste .

Visitors are encouraged to touch the rocks and displays,  the fragrance of flower for the nose,  beds stimulates the olfactory senses, the landscaping appeals tothe eyes - the sight, the ceramic bells and the water falls create a soothing sound -pleasing to the ear  and the food courts serve a variety of cuisines – to please the tongue.

Hauz Khas Fort

Established by Alauddin Khilji in the year 1284, this fort stands in ruins today, with the walls broken and the engravings faded. It is hard to believe that when it was constructed, its beauty got travellers from far and wide. Built in the era of ‘medieval history’, this forts marks the beginning of the rule of Delhi as the capital of the first of the Muslim rulers in India. The word Haus comes from urdu word Hauz which means a Pond. The then emperor- Alauddin – had commissioned a very large pond in this area for the convenience of the inhabitants of Siri Fort, the second city of Delhi. It was initially named as Hauz-i-Khas after the name of the emperor. However, later Firoz Shah Tughlaq ordered to rebuild this tank as royal baths. It was he who christened it to Hauz-Khas.
Today what this fort gives to the tourists is still unmatchable. Its wide lawns are a perfect stop for the kids to play cricket or any other outdoor sport. The ruins offer alleys and other secret passages for tourists to explore. For people who like to indulge in photography, the worn out walls offer an interesting subject. Moreover, the fort looks mesmerizing during sunset and sunrise. The fort overlooks a wide pond which is home to many birds and various sorts of flowers. Though the pond is unkempt yet the beauty of nature cannot go unnoticed.