The national capital of India, Delhi is also its tourism capital attracting millions of tourists from across the world every year (except perhaps the years of the COVID-19 Pandemic). The city has been built and rebuilt countless times and has existed since the times of the great Mahabharata war when it was the capital of Pandavas’ kingdom. Currently, the city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Spots – Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb.
Tourists Spots Near Delhi Airport
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is one of the most prestigious airports in the country. It is also conveniently located in a neighborhood of a number of tourist spots. If the reader is ever at this airport, then they should not miss a chance to visit these tourist spots. This article is going to discuss some of the best of these tourist spots.
1. Lal Qila (Red Fort)
The first and one of the most famous tourist spots in this list of top six tourist spots to explore near Delhi airport is Lal Qila. Located at a distance of mere 20 kilometers from Delhi airport, the Mughal fort was declared a world heritage sir by UNESCO in 2007 and houses a number of attractions including Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, and a museum of Mughal weaponry.
Smart tourist tip – If you are here, don’t miss the light and sound show organised every evening in both English and Hindi.
There is a nominal fee charged for entrance (500 rupees for foreigners and 35 rupees for Indians). The fort remains open from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. from Tuesday to Sunday.
2. Connaught Place
Right next to Red Fort and at a distance of mere 16 kilometers from Delhi Airport stands the famous Connaught Place. Built-in Georgian style, the architecture of the place consists of two concentric circles dividing the place into three parts. The outermost parts contain some of the best hotels, restaurants, shops, etc as well as a famous wax museum. The middle space is mostly a commercial space full of offices, exchange houses, banks, and other corporate offices and buildings. The innermost space is home to some entertainment centers. The Central Park located nearby is home to the biggest Tiranga and often hosts cultural events and makes for an awesome picnic spot.
3. Qutub Minar complex
One of the most iconic buildings of Delhi, Qutub Minar is located at a distance of mere 14 kilometers from the city airport. is the tallest tower in the country and is a symbol of the combined strength of Indian and Islamic architecture. The complex surrounding is also home to a number of other prestigious spots including the meteorological marvel – Iron Pillar and the tomb of the Delhi Sultanate emperor, Iltumish. The complex is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entry is free for children under 15 years whereas for older people it is 500 rupees for foreigners and 30 rupees for Indians.
4. Rajpath and Rashtrapati Bhawan
The president’s house is one of the most prestigious buildings in the national capital. Located at a distance of mere 11 kilometers from the city airport, it boasts over 300 rooms. You can also come here – to the Rajpath road to enjoy the national Republic Day Program on 26th January every Year.
5. Chandni Chowk
The next tourist item in our list of places not to miss if one is near Delhi airport is the famous market of Chandni Chowk, located at a distance of mere 18 kilometers from Delhi airport. It is one of the oldest bazaars of India, constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Janahn back in the 17th century. It is a foodie’s and shopoalcohalic’s heaven – no praises can just do justice to this bazaar.
6. National Museum
Located at a distance of mere 16 kilometers from Delhi airport, the National Museum of India is one of the most important and largest museums in the country. It is home to antiques dating back at least 5000 years and historical remains from all over the country from different historical periods. No history enthusiasts will want to miss a chance to visit it.
7. Humayun’s Tomb
Bringing the read end of our list of sites near Delhi airport that can’t be missed is another spot declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – Humayun’s tomb which is located at a distance of mere 18 kilometers from Delhi. Build in 1570, it was the first garden tomb ever constructed in India and might actually have become the inspiration of the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Build with red sandstone and white marble, it is a wonderful specimen of Mughal architecture.
Smart tourist tip – Visit it on a sunny afternoon to have the best of the visual delight of its architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are several questions people ask that relate to travelling in Delhi. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions on this subject:
Question: What are some of the other historical spots worth visiting near Delhi airport?
Answer: It must be noted that the above list was by no means exhaustive and there are several other historical spots located near Delhi airport. Some of these include – the ISKCON temple. Baha’i Temple (Lotus temple), Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, National Gallery of Modern Art, Indian Air Force Museum, Tughlakbad, Ambience Mall, The Lodi Art District, Rajon Ki Baoli, Hauz Khas Fort, DLF Cyber Hub, etc.
Question: How to travel within Delhi?
Answer: Delhi has a powerful metro service. The other good alternative is to go for a cab.
If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.
The Bottom Line
One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that Delhi is full of numerous wonders – some of which can be explored if one is at or near Delhi airport and has some time as one’s disposal.
