Delhi

Delhi is one of those cities where several thousand years of history sit right alongside a roaring, ever-changing present, and catching a Delhi bus with FlixBus drops you right into the middle of it all. Few cities in the world pack this many layers into a single place, and there are so many things to do in Delhi that a first visit can feel both thrilling and slightly overwhelming. From Mughal fortresses to modernist temples, from spice-scented markets to quiet garden tombs, the city rewards every kind of traveller.

Historic monuments

Red Fort (Lal Qila) is the sandstone citadel that Shah Jahan built between 1638 and 1648 as the heart of his new capital, Shahjahanabad. Its 33-metre-high red sandstone walls enclose a world of audience halls, marble pavilions, and manicured gardens that once housed the entire Mughal court. Every year on Independence Day, India's Prime Minister addresses the nation from its ramparts, so the fort carries living political weight, not just historical. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the single most iconic starting point for any visit to Old Delhi.

India Gate is a 42-metre war memorial at the ceremonial eastern end of Rajpath, built to honour the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the First World War. The names of over 13,000 soldiers are inscribed on its stone surface. At its base burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame lit in 1971. The surrounding lawns fill with families, ice-cream carts, and kite-flyers every evening, making it as much a neighbourhood park as a national monument.

Humayun's Tomb is the garden mausoleum built in 1570 for the Mughal emperor Humayun, and it is widely credited as the architectural prototype for the Taj Mahal. Set within a formal charbagh (four-part garden), the double-domed structure in white marble and red sandstone feels serene in a way that bigger sites rarely do. Come in the morning when the light is soft and the crowds are thin. The geometry of the garden paths alone is worth the trip.

Qutub Minar is a 73-metre minaret of red sandstone and marble begun around 1193 by Qutb ud-Din Aibak, making it the tallest brick minaret in the world. The surrounding Qutb complex is equally compelling: the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the mysterious Iron Pillar that has resisted rust for over 1,600 years, and the ruins of several medieval structures all share the same leafy enclosure in South Delhi. It is a quieter, more contemplative site than the forts of Old Delhi.

Religious sites

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Shah Jahan and completed in 1656. It can hold up to 25,000 worshippers in its vast courtyard of red sandstone and white marble. Climb the southern minaret for a view over the rooftops of Old Delhi that puts the whole city in perspective — the lanes of Chandni Chowk spread out below you like a map drawn by hand. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times.

Lotus Temple (Bahá'í House of Worship) opened in 1986 and is instantly recognisable for its 27 free-standing marble-clad petals arranged to suggest a half-open lotus flower. It belongs to the Bahá'í faith, which means it is open to people of all religions, or none, for quiet reflection and meditation. No sermons, no rituals, no guides: just a cool, hushed interior and the sound of the city fading away. It is one of the most visited buildings in the world, and the architecture alone justifies the journey.

Akshardham Temple (Swaminarayan Akshardham) opened in 2005 on the banks of the Yamuna and is a staggering feat of traditional craftsmanship: the main monument is carved entirely from pink Rajasthani sandstone with no steel or concrete in its structure. Thousands of figures of deities, musicians, and animals cover every surface. The complex also includes a boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian history and an evening water-and-light show that draws large crowds. Arrive early to avoid queues.

Cultural museum

National Museum of India sits on Janpath in central Delhi and holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Indian art and archaeology in the world, spanning roughly 5,000 years. Highlights include Harappan civilisation artefacts, Mughal miniature paintings, and a remarkable collection of Buddhist sculpture from Gandhara. The scale can be daunting, so pick two or three galleries rather than attempting everything in one go. The museum shop is also genuinely good for books on Indian art and history.

Market

Chandni Chowk is a 17th-century market street in Old Delhi that has been trading continuously since Shah Jahan laid it out. Today it is a dense, layered maze of wholesale spice dealers, sari shops, jewellers, and street-food stalls selling everything from jalebis to stuffed parathas. Each lane specialises in something different: Dariba Kalan for silver, Kinari Bazaar for wedding trimmings, Khari Baoli for spices. The best way to navigate it is on foot, slowly, with no fixed plan.

Natural space

Lodhi Garden is a 90-acre park in central Delhi that contains the 15th-century tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty rulers scattered among lawns, old trees, and walking paths. It is the kind of place where archaeologists, joggers, office workers eating lunch, and tourists all coexist without any friction. The tombs themselves, particularly the Bara Gumbad and Sheesh Gumbad, are beautifully preserved and rarely crowded. It is the most pleasant place in the city to simply sit and do nothing for an hour.

For a weekend break or a longer stay, the bus is one of the easiest ways to arrive. Grab your FlixBus ticket, step off in the capital, and let the city take it from there.

Looking for bus tickets from or to Delhi?

Look no further, we’ve got all the details you need to plan your bus trip from or to Delhi! There are 26 bus stops in Delhi.You can catch the FlixBus at Delhi - Anand Vihar ISBT, Delhi - Ashram Metro Station (E), Delhi - Ashram Metro Station (W), Delhi - Dhaula Kuan (N), Delhi - Dhaula Kuan (S), Delhi - Karnal Bypass (N), Delhi - Karnal Bypass (S), Delhi - Kashmere Gate, Delhi - Lajpat Nagar (E), Delhi - Lajpat Nagar (W), Delhi - Mahipalpur (N), Delhi - Mahipalpur (S), Delhi - Majnu Ka Tilla (N), Delhi - Majnu Ka Tilla (S), Delhi Kashmere Gate ISBT, Delhi RK Ashram (FlixBus Lounge), Noida - Advant (N), Noida - Advant (S), Noida - Sector 148 (E), Noida - Sector 148 (W), Noida - Sector 62 (E), Noida - Sector 62 (W), Noida - Stadium (N), Noida - Stadium (S), Noida Sector - 18 (E), Noida Sector - 18 (W). Departing from or traveling to Delhi can cost as little as 4,48 €. You have various options to organize your bus trip as Delhi is connected to 146 destinations with FlixBus. When you travel with FlixBus you're guaranteed a comfortable seat and complimentary access to our Wi-Fi throughout your journey. Stay connected and entertained while we take you to your destination!