Delhi can take your whole week away and sap your energy with its full quota of top attractions. But once you have scourged through all its top sites and are still hungry for more, then there are some popular places to visit near Delhi where you can head to.
Residents of Delhi may put up a cheery smile. If you thought that you will have to shell out big money to go for a vacation, you are wrong. There are a number of touristy places just near Delhi which are equally enthralling and do not require any major investment. They are, in fact, perfect for weekend tours. So, job-doers after toiling throughout the week can actually look forward to a couple of days of rest and repose at one of these places.
Keoladeo Bird Park is barely at a distance of 180 km from India’s capital. Technically, it is situated in the state of Rajasthan but it takes only 3-4 hours by car to reach the place. It was formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. So, a lot of people may associate with the old name than the new one. Bharatpur Bird Park is a brilliant place to connect with nature and to ogle at an exciting range of birds. There are all types of birds residing in this huge green park. You will come across many birds which you may have never seen before. It is also astonishing how much the rickshaw pullers inside the park know about these birds. Once you take a rickshaw for hire, you won’t need to hire a guide. Alternately, a bicycle can also be rented for a more leisurely and personalized experience. Of course, there are cars and jeeps also available but they are not recommended since they move at a rather brisk pace to let you enjoy the sightings.
The twin towns of Vrindavan and Mathura also make for an excellent weekend getaway from Delhi. These towns are respectively the childhood place and the birth place of Lord Krishna. They are very rustic places where one can connect to the olden days. These towns are also very crowded though the crowd never gets on your nerve. The absence of skyscrapers comes as a welcome relief. Small houses and shops definitely please the eye and give the soul a breather from the sky-clinging buildings and malls of Delhi. These towns are situated side by side at a distance of around 150 km from Delhi. The best way to reach them is through a private or rented car. The month of March is the best time to visit these towns because of the festivities of Holi.
In case you still haven’t seen the Taj Mahal or in case you wish to see it again, a weekend trip to Agra won’t be a bad idea. Being located at a manageable distance of around 211 km, Agra can be a revelation. Here, one feels so much close to the Mughal era. While Taj does get the top votes, Agra also has a legion of other monuments and gardens which are marvelous and historic. It is quite an irony that Taj robbed them of their glory. If it were not for Shah Jahan and his obsession to build a remarkable memorial for his wife, attractions like Agra Fort and Akbar’s Tomb may have got more recognition.
Kingdom of Dreams: Situated in Gurgaon, which is just a stone’s throw away from the main city of Delhi, the Kingdom of Dreams is great place for revelry, music, fun, culture, art and movies.
Jaipur: Jaipur is another major destination near Delhi and is often clubbed alongside the capital city under the various holiday packages. If you are visiting Delhi and can squeeze out at least 3 days from your itinerary, then it would be worthwhile to plan a Jaipur trip. Its history and culture would enslave you.
Shimla: Shimla is not very far away and lies in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh. This exquisitely poetic hill station with snow & sports definitely deserves a place in the coveted list of places to visit near Delhi.
Dehradun: Dehradun too is only a few hours away from Delhi and can be checked for its natural beauty and some top-notch spiritual attractions.
Agra: Agra is around 200 km from Delhi and does not take more than 3-4 hours to access. Its big USP is the Taj Mahal. But other than the Taj, Agra also holds other imposing monuments and palaces. The Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort would be the right testimony to the city’s Mughal heritage.
Mathura: Mathura has that rustic village charm. Plus, it is the birth place of Lord Krishna and has some serene temples. Apart from temple trail, you can also observe the finesse of the art and architecture present in the city. Barely 147 km away, Mathura is one of the most popular tourist places near Delhi. And it would be great if you can fix your plan somewhere near Holi.
Bharatpur: Bharatpur has that lovely bird sanctuary which can give any photographer sleepless nights. It is a beautiful place teeming with several winged friends of ours. Make sure to carry your cameras and field glasses so that you can capture the pics of these fascinating birds. With superb ambience and alluring poetic beauty of the nature, Bharatpur makes for a great getaway. And it is only 182 km from the capital city, thereby giving you a hassle-free and time-saving journey.
Places to visit in Delhi: A glance into best Destinations
Qutub Minar is the universal representative of the city and is flaunted on the cover pics of the city’s tourism guide books. It is the tallest brick-made minaret in the world. Though, one can no longer race to the top of this structure (owing to restrictions), you should still visit the place and take cool snap shots.
The India Gate is the war memorial and is another much-loved family place. You can just hang out there with friends or kids and soak in the beautiful ambience. Then there is the Lotus Temple whose structure is easily recognizable even from a distance. The Jama Masjid is another attraction you may be interested in visiting. It is colossal and becomes a rabble of humanity on the days of Eid.
Humayun’s Tomb is another monument which was constructed during the Mughal Raj. It is an obituary made in honor of Humayun, the father of Akbar. Red Fort is another must-visit attraction. Try to check this place in evening when the light and sound show is on. However, you will have to pay extra money to watch the show.
Purana Qila: Purana Qila has, over the years, seen a huge decline in its popularity. One of the reasons for its waning footfalls is that this region is not centrally located and there is a dearth of good restaurants and other complementary attractions. However, if you shed the prejudice which is often meted out to this place, then you can really spend a great day here. It also has a lake in the vicinity where tourists enjoy boating. And the fort itself is one excellent specimen of Indian history.
National Rail Museum: Many visitors don’t even hear of this museum, but if you are interested in railways or in history, then this museum should be included in your program. It has a fascinating collection of coaches which were operated during the early 20th century. It has got a vintage feel to it. Plus, there is the added attraction of a toy train ride which is always a hit with the children.
National Gallery of Modern Art: For artists and art lovers, this gallery would be one of the highly recommended tourist places in Delhi. The old paintings and an eclectic variety of art objects would keep your eyeballs mesmerized.
Red Fort: Red Fort is a monument of national, political and historical pride. It is also listed amongst the World Heritage Sites chart and definitely needs your footsteps. Though you can visit it even during the day, it will be better to plan a trip in the evening around sunset for enjoying the light-n-sound show.
Chandni Chowk: It is chaotic and bustling where pedestrians jostle for space and vendors scream for attention. It is a great place to shop and a greater place to eat- you have got to go there!
