Things to do in Delhi, India for art and design lovers – a local’s guide
Open air galleries, haunted landmarks, and even a museum dedicated to toilets feature in this guide.
New Delhi, the capital of the largest democracy in the world, is a beautiful enigma that unveils its true essence only when you plunge entirely into its dynamic character. A destination of extremes, first-time travellers are often transfixed by the city’s versatility, wherein art, design, culture, food, and lifestyle amalgamate the contemporary and the ancient rather seamlessly throughout. As such, our guide on things to do in Delhi, India for art and design lover promises a cornucopia of discoveries, from grand architectural creations and age-old remnants to quirky museums and immersive shopping experiences.
Be sure to book in at the best boutique hotels in Delhi during your stay and to try the best restaurants in Delhi (curated by a local) too.
Things to do in Delhi, India for art and design lovers
Landmarks & Leisure
1. Lotus Temple | Kalkaji
A Baháʼí House of Worship, the Lotus Temple is among the most iconic buildings in the capital. Designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba, the project resembles the lotus flower. It further consists of 27 individual white marble petals rising to 34 metres.
Opened to the public in 1986, the temple welcomes followers of all religions and faiths. The inside comprises a large open hall that can seat up to 1300 people. Around the temple are beautifully manicured gardens that add a sense of spaciousness to the surroundings and enhance the magnetism of this holy destination.
Learn more about the Lotus Temple
2. Agrasen ki Baoli | K G Marg
Visiting central Delhi inevitably includes copious amounts of time spent wandering through the covered alleyways of the Georgian-styled circular Connaught Place. However, a short distance from Delhi’s primary business and shopping district lies Agrasen ki Baoli, a stepwell used to store water in ancient times.
The origin of this 15-metre-wide and 60-metre-long stepwell is unknown. But it is believed to have been initially built during the reign of King Ugrasena in the 3100s and then renovated in the 14th century. The design features arches and intricate stonework, with 103 steps leading down to the bottom.
Once a place for residents to assemble at the end of the day, Agrasen ki Baoli is now arguably one of the most haunted places in Delhi and is closed to the public post 6pm.
Find out if Agrasen ki Baoli is haunted or not?
3. Mehrauli Archaeological Complex | Mehrauli
Situated a stone’s throw away from Qutub Minar, one of the must-see monuments in Delhi, the Mehrauli Archaeological Complex is somewhat of a hidden gem that provides a rare glimpse into Delhi’s ancient past. Free to enter through a blink-and-you’ll-miss nondescript gate, the 200-acre park expands on both sides of the busy road, Anuvrat Marg.
With relics from various dynasties that ruled over the nation, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring big and small monuments scattered throughout this area. Among the more prominent ones are Balban’s Tomb and ruins of early settlements from around 1287 CE, the 16th century Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, and Rajon ki Baoli, a stepwell commissioned in 1506 under the Lodi Dynasty.
Learn more about Mehrauli Archaeological Complex
4. Yamuna Ghat | Kashmere Gate
A ghat refers to a platform and steps leading down to a river, and you are bound to find several thousands of them across the country. The Yamuna Ghat in Delhi provides devotees access to the sacred Yamuna River but is also a destination of sheer visual spectacle.
It is here that every morning thousands of birds flock to eat their first meal and bask in the soft rays of the rising sun. Thus, a visit to the ghat has become a rite of passage for every photographer and influencer in the city looking to enthral their audiences with stunning visuals.
Our tip, take one of the boats to the middle of the river for some genuinely unbelievable photo opportunities. And while you’re at it, carefully hop onto the marshy island that floats parallel to the ghat for a quick walk around.
Check out these photos from Yamuna Ghat
5. Jantar Mantar | Connaught Place
Design, application, astrology and astronomy combine to give locals and visitors of Delhi a truly unique monument that might not be in use today but is still a testament to architectural prowess. Built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar is a collection of 13 larger-than-life instruments used to chart celestial movements.
Constructed using bricks, two of the most significant instruments in this collection are the Samrat Yantra, a sundial to tell the time, and the hollow semi-spherical Jayaprakash Yantra, used to chart the stars. Jantar Mantar is open all days of the week and can be visited by paying a nominal entry fee.
Find out more about Jantar Mantar
Museums & Galleries
6. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets | Mahavir Enclave
The art and design lover’s guide to Delhi wouldn’t be complete without a mention of its quirkiest museum. The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is a crash course in the history of sanitation dating back to 2500 BC.
The most interesting part about this small yet beautifully presented museum is that it captures different aspects of its central theme, from displaying elaborately designed commodes and bidets to sharing photographs, facts and poems on toilets.
Conceptualised by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh is an educational and reformative museum with free entry and guided tours open daily to the public.
Learn about the Sulabh Museum of Toilets
7. Lodi Art District | Lodi Colony
Delhi is not far behind worldwide cities transforming their otherwise dull urban landscapes into canvases of kaleidoscopic expressions. While street art pops up here and there as you meander through the traffic-laden roads of the city, there’s no place like the Lodi Art District.
An otherwise residential area sandwiched between two rows of commercial streets, the blank walls of the housing complexes in this neighbourhood act as the perfect backdrop for stunning artwork.
The brainchild of the St+art organisation, Lodi Art District is an open art gallery showcasing an array of murals by local and international artists. While you might not find a Banksy here yet, there is artwork spanning various themes by artists such as NeSpoon from Poland, Yip Yew Chong from Singapore, Reko Rennie, and Blaise Joseph from India.
Our favourite piece, though, is Time Changes Everything by DAKU, a uniquely wordy mural that changes in character along with the sun.
Explore Delhi’s most Instagrammable neighbourhood
8. National Gallery of Modern Art | India Gate Hexagon
Promising an ever-growing collection of contemporary art, the evolution of the National Gallery of Modern Art dates back to 1954. With an expansion in 2009, the museum gained further prominence in central Delhi as a cultural destination known for celebrating various modern Indian arts, including paintings, photography, dance, and theatre.
Exhibitions at the NGMA not only showcase the diversity of the country’s artistic topography but also celebrates international artists through limited expositions. Exhibits in the museum range from Brasilia 60+ | Construction of Modern Brazil to In the Seeds of Time. This permanent collection covers modern Indian art from the 18th century to now.
When planning your day at NGMA, try to go post lunch so that you can also experience the 3D Projection Mapping Show that takes place every day at 7:30pm in the evening.
Learn about the National Gallery of Modern Art
Shops & Markets
9. Champa Gali | Saket
Champa Gali merges Delhi’s love for food with street art and bohemian retail therapy. A somewhat confined space inside one of the city’s many urban villages, this complex is home to several cool cafes and hipster shops. If that wasn’t enough, the walls of this derelict-looking space feature fun and colourful art impressions.
An excellent place for a relaxed lunch, a family outing, or an evening date, the highlight of Champa Gali is its selection of eating options. Jugmug Thela with its book wall, the Insta-worthy Soho Bistro, Blue Tokai for coffee enthusiasts, and the rooftop seating of Foresta are some of the best places in Champa Gali to have a leisurely drink and a meal.
Have a look at some of the street art at Champa Gali
10. INA market & Dilli Haat | INA
Situated across from each other, the Indian National Airways market and Dilli Haat showcase different personalities of Delhi. INA market is a local institution, a tiny labyrinth of passageways along which numerous shops sell everything from spices and vegetables to meat and imported goods.
On the other hand, Dilli Haat is a large complex you enter after paying a small fee. Once inside, visitors can shop around various stalls rented by Indian artisans, selling handicraft items from all across the country.
Shopping aside, one of the main reasons to visit Dilli Haat is for the food. The complex also has several eateries where you can taste regional cuisine, from Hydrabadi biryani and West Bengal fish orley to Asamese luchi bhaji and idli from the Kerala food stall.
Learn more about Dilli Haat
11. State Emporium Complex | Baba Kharak Singh Marg
Shopping addicts looking to indulge in all that India has to offer retail-wise will find the State Emporium Complex to their liking. A long row of shops, this street consists of individual stores selling handicrafts from a specific state or region of the country.
Some popular buys from state emporiums include Madhubani paintings from Ambapali Bihar Emporium, pashmina shawls from Kashmir Emporium, Silver Jewellery from Rajasthan Emporium, and wooden furniture from Odisha Emporium.
The one significant advantage of shopping at the state emporiums is that you are guaranteed authentic products at fair prices.
Learn about the State Emporiums
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