Delhi packs 1,000 years of history into one city — Mughal forts, colonial avenues, Sufi shrines and modern temples sit within a few kilometres of each other. For a Tamil family landing at IGI Airport, the difficulty is never what to see; it is how to move between them without wasting half the day in traffic. This guide lists the ten sights worth your time, the best hour to reach each one, and how to sequence them into a comfortable one or two day Delhi tour package.
1. Red Fort (Lal Qila)
The sandstone seat of Mughal power, built by Shah Jahan in 1648. Enter through Lahori Gate, walk the Chatta Chowk bazaar and see Diwan-i-Aam where the emperor heard public petitions.
Reach by 9:00 AM — the courtyards are open and unshaded, and by noon in summer they become genuinely hot. Closed on Mondays. Allow 90 minutes.
2. Jama Masjid & Chandni Chowk
India's largest mosque stands five minutes from Red Fort. Climb the southern minaret for the finest rooftop view of Old Delhi. Modest dress is required and shoes come off at the gate.
Chandni Chowk below is best explored on a cycle rickshaw — the lanes are far too narrow for a car. Your driver will drop and re-collect you at Netaji Subhash Marg.
3. India Gate & Kartavya Path
The 42-metre war memorial to 90,000 Indian soldiers. Visit after sunset when the arch is floodlit, the lawns fill with families and the ice-cream carts come out. Free, always open, and the single most photographed stop of any Delhi tour.
4. Qutub Minar
A 73-metre victory tower from 1193 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do not miss the 4th-century Iron Pillar in the courtyard, which has resisted rust for 1,600 years. Late afternoon light is ideal for photographs.
5. Humayun's Tomb
The Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, restored to superb condition. Quieter than Red Fort and far more photogenic in the golden hour. Pair it with Nizamuddin Dargah nearby for Thursday evening qawwali.
6. Lotus Temple (Bahá'í House of Worship)
Twenty-seven marble petals forming a lotus, open to all faiths for silent meditation. No photography inside, no rituals, no fees. Closed Mondays. Queues are shortest before 10:00 AM.
7. Akshardham Temple
A vast stone temple complex with intricate carving, exhibitions and a musical fountain in the evening. Security is strict — mobile phones, cameras and bags are not permitted inside, so leave them locked in the vehicle with your driver. Closed Mondays. Allow three hours.
8. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
The white-and-gold Sikh shrine near Connaught Place, with its sacred sarovar tank and a langar kitchen that serves tens of thousands of free meals a day. Head coverings are provided at the entrance. Deeply moving even for first-time visitors.
9. Lodhi Garden & Safdarjung Tomb
Ninety acres of lawns wrapped around 15th-century Sayyid and Lodhi tombs. The best place in Delhi for an unhurried morning walk with elderly parents, and a welcome pause between monument visits.
10. Dilli Haat & Janpath Market
Handicrafts from every Indian state under one roof at Dilli Haat, with a state-wise food court. Janpath is better for cheaper textiles and souvenirs. Save shopping for the last evening so you are not carrying bags between monuments.
Suggested two day Delhi itinerary
- Day 1 morning: Red Fort → Jama Masjid → Chandni Chowk rickshaw ride → Raj Ghat
- Day 1 evening: Gurudwara Bangla Sahib → India Gate → Kartavya Path
- Day 2 morning: Qutub Minar → Humayun's Tomb → Lotus Temple
- Day 2 evening: Akshardham → Dilli Haat for dinner and shopping
Travelling comfortably in Delhi
Delhi's monuments are spread across 1,480 sq km and metro connections rarely land at the gate. A private car with a driver who knows the parking, the closing days and the entry gates saves two to three hours a day.
Shri Ram Tamilan Travels is a trusted Tamil travel agency in Delhi offering customized North India tour packages with professional Tamil speaking drivers. Our Delhi taxi service includes airport pickup, bottled water, and a driver who waits at each site so you never search for parking.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Delhi sightseeing?
Two days covers the ten highlights comfortably. One day is possible if you focus on Old Delhi in the morning and New Delhi in the evening.
Which day are Delhi monuments closed?
Red Fort, Lotus Temple and Akshardham are closed on Mondays. Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and India Gate stay open all week.
Is a Tamil speaking driver available in Delhi?
Yes. Shri Ram Tamilan Travels provides Tamil speaking drivers for all Delhi sightseeing, airport pickup and outstation trips.
Plan this trip with a Tamil speaking driver
Shri Ram Tamilan Travels is a trusted Tamil travel agency in Delhi offering customized North India tour packages, airport pickup and outstation cab services with professional Tamil speaking drivers.