Discover New Delhi: Memorials, gardens and culture

Memorials, gardens and museums give New Delhi a range of cultural points of interest. The National War Memorial serves as a place of remembrance, while historic buildings and art institutions offer other perspectives. As you plan your trip, these specific places to visit can also help you choose a suitable base for your hotel stay.

Memorials and practical information

The main building of Rashtrapati Bhavan is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; last entry is at 4:00 p.m. Check the visiting hours again before your trip. Gate 38 is a specific landmark for access: Central Secretariat Metro Station is 1 km away, and Patel Chowk Metro Station is 2 km away.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is an important national monument and embodies India’s republican and democratic traditions. The National War Memorial, east of India Gate, has a different focus: it spans 40 acres across three lawns of the C Hexagon. Param Yodha Sthal features bronze busts of all 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra to date. A Retreat Drill ceremony takes place there every evening; check the ceremony schedule before your visit. The lawns around India Gate are also a popular picnic spot.

Art, gardens and historic buildings

The National Gallery of Modern Art covers eight acres in the heart of New Delhi at the India Gate Hexagon. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is another notable cultural landmark in the city: it is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in New Delhi. Talkatora Garden offers another historic point of interest. The garden dates back to the Mughal period and is located on Mother Teresa Crescent, formerly known as Willingdon Crescent.

Lodhi Garden is home to numerous migratory birds and many resident birds. Bara Gumbad, whose name means “large dome,” is an ancient monument in the Lodhi Gardens in Delhi. It was built in 1490 AD during the rule of the Lodhi dynasty. The tomb of Sikandar Lodi was built in 1517–1518 AD by his son, Ibrahim Lodi. Jantar Mantar adds the year 1724 to this historical timeline. Together, these construction dates provide a brief chronology of different historical points of interest in New Delhi.

In the wider destination of Delhi

The wider destination of Delhi also offers distinctive attractions for travelers interested in culture. Qutb Minar is a 72.5-meter-tall tower made of red sandstone. The archaeological complex of Qutb Minar includes the Alai-Darwaza Gate, built in 1311; it is also home to Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest mosque in northern India. Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. The Red Fort Complex served as the palace fortress of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Its pavilions combine Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.

For other kinds of visits, Delhi offers places such as Dilli Haat INA and the Garden of Five Senses. Dilli Haat combines the atmosphere of a traditional rural haat market with handicrafts, food and cultural activities. Registered artisans from across India are given rotating stall spaces there for 15 days at a time. The Garden of Five Senses is designed as a public leisure space for interaction and exploration. Its open exhibition area hosts art displays and art workshops; Khas Bagh is a formal garden with water channels, inspired by Mughal gardens.

Other cultural attractions in the wider destination of Delhi include the National Rail Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. The Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri displays more than 100 life-size exhibits from Indian Railways. These include the Fairy Queen locomotive, built in 1855 and considered one of the best-preserved steam locomotives of its time. Rides on a children’s train and a monorail are also available; check in advance whether they are operating during your visit. The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi displays contemporary Indian art, as well as paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Discover more destinations: New Delhi, North West Delhi.

Go to the wider travel overview: Delhi.