Step into the Heart of India: A Delhi Sightseeing Tour to Ignite Your Senses
New horizons are calling you all the way from India. When you’re looking for a Delhi sightseeing tour full of iconic landmarks, you’re in the right place.
Few destinations have the ability to capture your imagination like Delhi. There’s a wealth of beautiful buildings and landmarks to take you back in time to a whole different way of life.
Our multi-centre India holidays include trips to the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, where you’ll create the kind of memories you’ll want to share with your friends and family time and time again.
It’s time to guide you through some of the city’s most famous sights, but there’s no substitute for seeing them up close with your own eyes.
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar has been an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. It’s an imposing tower made of red sandstone measuring 72.5 metres. It’s home to over 800 years of history and is located in South Delhi’s Mehrauli area.
Unfortunately, there’s no access allowed inside the tower. There are 397 steps covering five floors anyway, so perhaps not something you’d want to tackle on a hot day in India’s capital city. Many other fascinating buildings are close to Qutub Minar, including the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, built in the early 16th century.
There are several other facts and figures to learn about this stunning structure during your Delhi sightseeing tour. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.
Swaminarayan Akshardham
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Swaminarayan Akshardham Hindu Temple was an ancient structure. Remarkably, it opened in November 2005 after only five years of construction by approximately 4,000 workers. It’s a popular tourist spot, but it’s worth taking your time to appreciate as many of the 20,000 intricate carvings as possible featuring mystical creatures, amongst other things.
You can savour a completely different experience depending on when you visit. Sedate sightseeing is the order of the day, but by night there’s an exhilarating multimedia show in the Yagnapurush Kund, which brings a whole new dimension through water, lasers, projections, flames, music and more. It’s a fun and spectacular way for adults and children to round off another exciting day touring Delhi.
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb is another UNESCO World Heritage Site we’d highly recommend visiting during your Delhi sightseeing. It’s stood as a local landmark since 1570 and is nearby several other Mughal garden-tombs, including Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan and Barber’s Tomb. The overall complex covers 27 Hectares, so you might not have time to see everything on your sightseeing tour, depending on your itinerary.
It’s said that Humayun’s Tomb was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The design was strongly influenced by Persian architecture, and at 47 metres tall, it’s an unmistakable landmark located in beautifully serene gardens.
India Gate
India Gate is a poignant WW1 memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It features an eternal flame and was built almost a century ago, in 1931. It’s an impressive 42 metres tall and is similar in appearance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The names of 13,313 fallen soldiers are engraved on India Gate, and it serves as a stark reminder of the brutality of war, as well as providing a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for their country
Lotus Temple
As the name tells you, this magnificent temple resembles a lotus flower and is a Bahá’í House of Worship. The Lotus Temple is in the Bahapur district in Kalkaji, South Delhi and is open to all for prayers and meditation. There’s seating for 1,300 people inside, and the nine tranquil pools surrounding the temple provide a colourful contrast to the exquisite Greek marble exterior.
When you’re looking for an oasis of calm during your busy Delhi sightseeing tour, spending time at the Lotus Temple is the perfect way to relax. Take some time for yourself and appreciate the combined beauty of nature and amazing architecture.
Red Fort
Also known as Lal Qila, the Red Fort is found in Old Delhi and also has UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The fort’s red sandstone construction dates back to the mid-17th century. The external walls are a mighty 23 metres tall and protect the palaces, gardens, mosque and more inside.
Another interesting fact about the Red Fort is that it was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who was also responsible for the world-renowned Taj Mahal in Agra. The fort enjoys a picturesque location on the western bank of the Yamuna River and is another must-see piece of architecture with a fascinating history stretching back hundreds of years.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
This is one of Delhi’s most well-known Sikh houses of worship. You’ll find it close to Connaught Place, a popular shopping district in Delhi. Its distinctive golden dome easily identifies Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Inside the complex, you’ll find a sacred pool known as a Sarovar, where the water has healing properties.
There’s also a dining hall where hot meals are served daily from 5 am until late. So if you want a taste of authentic local cuisine to give you energy for the rest of your sightseeing trip, look no further.
These are just seven of our favourite Delhi sightseeing highlights. There are many more waiting to be explored on your Indian holiday. One of the many great things about taking a tour of Delhi is you’ll have experiences you simply can’t get anywhere else.
India is such a friendly country full of rich history, architecture with terrific stories to tell and gorgeous sunsets. If you’ve been before, you’ll know what we mean, but if you’re planning your first trip, you can look ahead to a magical experience with Viva Holidays.
When you’ve got your heart set on a holiday to India, see our top travel tips and explore our holidays to Delhi.
Take the first step towards Delhi sightseeing and get in touch with Viva Holidays!
