10 Best Places to Visit Near Delhi
Explore the National Capital Region This Weekend!
The best places to visit near Delhi run the gamut from historical landmarks and revered religious sites to enchanting countryside retreats. The National Capital Region is the site of battles that shaped India’s history as well as the birthplace of a centuries-old ceramics tradition. For those simply looking for an escape from the city hustle, there are wide-open spaces for relaxation and recreation.
Indulge in a weekend getaway at a historic fort-turned-heritage resort or bring your binoculars to spot migratory birds at Sultanpur National Park. Avoid the scorching summer sun and head out on these excursions in the cooler winter months. Read on for the best places to visit near Delhi.
1. Sultanpur National Park
A paradise for bird watchers and photographers
Ideal para: Foto, Aventura
Sultanpur National Park is a renowned bird sanctuary and parkland an hour southwest of Delhi. Comprising 1.4 square km of grassland and wetland, the park is a popular day trip for city dwellers seeking a peaceful retreat into nature.
Over 250 bird species have been sighted here, including many migratory species that flock to India’s warmer climate from as far as Afghanistan and Siberia. Head to the park between September and April to catch sight of seasonal visitors like Amur falcons and Egyptian vultures. The visitor centre provides binocular rentals and guidance on park walking routes, and 4 watchtowers situated around the grounds offer excellent viewpoints.
Localização: National Park, Gurgaon Farukh Nagar Rd, Sultanpur, Gurugram, Haryana 122006, India
Abre: Wednesday–Monday from 7 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Sultanpur National Park
2. Damdama Lake
An action-packed monsoon season
Ideal para: Aventura, Casais, Famílias
Damdama Lake is a large, manufactured reservoir popular for water sports during the rainy season. Paddle boats and duck boats are available for visitors to explore the reservoir, located in a quiet rural area about 90 minutes from Delhi. The lake is fed only by monsoon rains, making it essential to time your visit accordingly, as the reservoir dries up almost completely in the hottest weeks of the year.
The lake is near several other natural attractions, including the green Aravalli hills, where locals go rock climbing and zip lining. The Sohna Sulphur Hot Spring, accessible via the Shri Shiv Temple, draws visitors from far and wide to its healing waters.
Damdama Lake
3. Manesar
A weekend away in the Aravalli hills
Ideal para: Casais, História
A growing industrial town 90 minutes southwest of Delhi, Manesar is home to a cluster of resorts and spas that offer a relaxing weekend away. The town is surrounded by greenery, nestled on the edge of the Aravalli hills, and is a short drive from Sultanpur National Park and Damdama Lake.
Resorts offer spacious rooms in quiet surroundings with a mix of rural charm and modern amenities. Just beyond the city’s southern border is the Heritage Transport Museum, which explores the evolution of transportation technology with an extensive collection of antique cars, trains and aircraft.
Manesar
4. Pratapgarh Farms
A taste of life in a traditional village
Ideal para: Famílias, História
Pratapgarh Farms offers a glimpse into traditional Indian village life with loads of educational activities and family-oriented fun. Less a working farm than a farm tourism destination, the site has demonstrations of traditional ploughing methods and fabric weaving, plus pottery and cooking workshops. There are enough activities to keep families engaged from dawn to dusk, including outdoor games like archery, sack racing and cricket.
The farms are situated in a peaceful stretch of countryside 2 hours west of Delhi in rural Haryana. The food served onsite is a definite highlight, with produce sourced from local farms prepared in authentic Haryanvi, Rajasthani and Punjabi dishes using traditional cooking methods.
Localização: Near Railway Station, Gwalison Rd, Jhajjar, Haryana 124103, India
Abre: Daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Telefone: +91 999 996 4266
Pratapgarh Farms
5. Khurja
Centuries of artisanry in Ceramics City
Ideal para: História, Compras
The small city of Khurja is known around the world for its high-quality ceramics. It boasts nearly 600 years of experience crafting its beautiful earthenware, prized for its durability and glossy glaze. With more than 400 ceramic factories producing all manner of tableware and decorative items, the industry continues to be the livelihood of the city today.
It’s worth the 2-hour drive from Delhi to get a piece of this longstanding artisanry direct from the source. Factory tours offer insight into the production process, and markets across the city display artisans’ colourful wares, from plates and tiles to intricate vases.
Khurja
6. Panipat
Relics from historic battles
Ideal para: História, Foto
Home to several religious and historical sites, the city of Panipat has a rich history that draws visitors from across the country. It’s the site of the infamous 3 Battles of Panipat, which shaped the course of India’s history and left behind a host of artefacts and monuments.
Among its historical treasures is the Kabuli Bagh Mosque, built in the 16th century after the battle which ushered in Mughal rule. The Panipat Museum showcases arms and armours from the 3 Battles along with historical manuscripts, pottery and jewellery. Panipat is also home to the tombs of several revered historical figures and the Devi Mandir, a beautifully constructed 18th-century Hindu temple.
Panipat
7. Rewari Railway Heritage Museum
A ride on a vintage steam train
Ideal para: História, Famílias
Rewari Railway Heritage Museum houses a collection of vintage steam engines stored in India’s oldest surviving steam locomotive shed. A great destination to visit with young children, it gives a glimpse into the golden age of rail. The museum is best reached via India’s Steam Express, a twice-monthly ride between Delhi and Haryana via an actual steam locomotive.
Historical exhibits trace the development of rail engines and display an array of memorabilia, including an old signalling system, gramophones and Victorian-era artefacts. The stars of the show are the locomotives themselves, including the famous Fairy Queen, built in 1855 and still in working order today.
Localização: Railway Colony, Rewari, Haryana 123401, India
Abre: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Rewari Railway Heritage Museum
8. Kuchesar
A historic fort in the countryside
Ideal para: Famílias, Casais, História
The tiny village of Kuchesar is well known among Delhi locals as a charming weekend getaway. The village lies in the green countryside just 20 km south of the river Ganges, surrounded by fields of wheat and sugarcane. Its main attraction is Mud Fort Kuchesar, a historic defensive stronghold turned chic resort.
Constructed in the 18th century by the Jat rulers, the fort was preserved by the royal family and later transformed into an enchanting heritage hotel. The complex is a classic example of mud and brick Mughal architecture, with lattice edges and a square courtyard. A great weekend away for couples and families alike, the hotel offers activities like pottery making and excursions to the surrounding mango grove.
Kuchesar
9. Neemrana Fort Palace
A stay at a hillside palace
Ideal para: Casais, Luxo
Neemrana Fort Palace is one of India’s oldest heritage resorts and a magnificent example of the country’s royal architecture. A vast, 10-tiered palace climbing a green hillside, the property is a sight to behold. Built in the 15th century by the Chauhans, the fort has been beautifully restored and features elegantly decorated suites with views across the countryside.
Spend your weekend away exploring this unique heritage property and taking advantage of the hotel’s many amenities, which include steam rooms and high tea service. Traditional Rajasthani folk music and dance performances are regularly held on the property. For a little more excitement, inquire about zip-lining excursions, which fly visitors over the town at 40 km per hour.
Localização: Delhi-Jaipur Highway 122nd Milestone, Delhi - Jaipur Expy, Neemrana, Rajasthan 301705, India
Telefone: +91 149 467 2800
Neemrana Fort Palace
10. Mathura and Vrindivaan
A deep dive into Hindu religious culture and tradition
Ideal para: História, Casais, Foto
The holy cities Mathura and Vrindavan are 2 of the most significant Hindu pilgrimage cities in all of India. Both are deeply connected to the early life of Lord Krishna, with Mathura considered to be his birthplace and Vrindavan where his childhood adventures unfolded. The cities are located 2.5 hours south of Delhi, situated just 20 minutes from each other.
Both cities are home to countless temples and host vibrant festivals during Janmashtami (Krishna’s birthday), Diwali and Holi. Don’t miss Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, a brightly painted temple housing a black marble idol of Lord Krishna. Prem Mandir is a definite highlight in Vrindavan: this dreamy white marble temple showcases spectacular carvings depicting scenes from Krishna’s life.
Mathura and Vrindivaan
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