I am from Delhi, and I would like to know some places to visit near Delhi. I have been to places which are a bit far away like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, but would like to find some places which are closer to Delhi yet away from the busy city. I think places under 250km is something which I am looking for. I guess that would be around a 4-hour drive, but no more than that. The purpose of the holiday is just to take a break and get some fresh air and good surroundings. I have researched a bit and found out about Sohna. This is somewhere near Gurgaon. Some feedback on this place would be good.
There are very few places to visit near Delhi within the distance range you have given, but the ones which are just borderline or slightly under have been listed below according to their states. Rajasthan - Neemrana Fort is a good choice and is only 100km away from Delhi. You can easily relax there, and you would not find any noise or pollution. Although I would not recommend going there during the summers as it would be too hot. Something more ideal from the month October to March. - Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is another ideal destination near Delhi which is roughly 185km from New Delhi. In Jhunjhunu, you can see many haveli's for which Jhunjhunu is famous for, a lot of greenery and the famous Rani Sati Temple. Uttarakhand - Lansdowne is about 198km away from New Delhi and is a popular destination. The destination is famous for its hills, temples and Bhullatal Lake. - Mussoorie another famous destination which is around 221km again famous for its hilly destination, clean air and greenery in the summer and snow filled hills in the winters. Himachal Pradesh - Nahan is in Himachal Pradesh and is around 217km from New Delhi. It is most famous for the temples there, ponds, gardens. Again a place with clean air and no hustle and bustle. Sohna is also a great destination to choose, as they have a number of resorts and heritage haveli's turned into hotels. Sohna would be an ideal destination as it is closer to Delhi and yet you will get the peace and quiet which you need.
Hello, welcome to the forum! (Images from Tapish, Yadav, Mouthshut, Umang and Avni) Overview The concrete jungles of the city of shopping malls, movie theatres and restaurants can be entertaining many times. But for those who live within the city, it can all be too much at times. With your routine of work and probably spending a few hours on malls or movie watching, it might be time for a quick weekend getaway. As Seneca once said, 'Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.' As such, you would feel more refreshed and ready to take on new challenges after a quick change of place. Whether it's a historic getaway, a spiritually-laden place, a place filled with natural beauty, a hill station or a wildlife reserve, you got them all within a few hours of driving away from Delhi. There's no more excuse, especially with this list, not to enrich that wanderlust side of you. Places to Visit Near Delhi (Within 250 Kilometres) For the history lovers... 1. Alwar (Rajasthan) - Alwar is a city on its own right but far from the maddening chaos that metro cities has. The city was once a princely state in Rajasthan, founded by the Maharaja Alaghraj of Amer, but thereafter ruled by various Rajput rulers. It has been able to keep up with modern times but the city has maintained and preserved its heritage sites still. When in Alwar, it's a must to visit the Bala Quila, also known as the Alwar Fort. This is a 15th century fortification built by the then ruler of the city, Hasan Khan Mewati. There are two approaches to the fort, either by your own vehicle or through the forest gypsy vehicle, the latter costs more but can take you to off the usual routes in the fort. Most of the fort is in ruins but because of its location amidst a hillock, you can enjoy a view of the surrounding city and Aravalli ranges. The City Palace is another must visit here, a 17th century palace built by Maharaja Vinay Singh. Most of the palace has been converted into district offices but you can venture into the first floor where you would find a museum showcasing ancient armouries and weaponries. From the outside, the unique blend of Rajput and Hindu architectural styles is still apparent in the facade of the palace. Just nearby the palace is the lesser known Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri, which is a cenotaph for Moosi Maharani, the queen of Raja Bakhtawar Singh. The cenotaph is of two levels, the ground floor having a signature red appearance due to the use of sandstone, while the first floor has a pure white appearance due to the use of marble. The beautiful Vijay Mandir Palace is set on the centre of the almost dried up Vijay Sagar, but remains closed for tourism though you can view it from a distance. Excursions out of the city can be at Bhangarh Fort, the country's most haunted attraction, and Siliserh Lake, a scenic lake for boating with the backdrop of the mountains. Distance from Delhi - 170 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Bala Quila, City Palace, Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri, Vijay Mandir Palace, Bhangarh Fort and Siliserh Lake Related Thread - Places to Visit Near Delhi in December 2. Agra (Uttar Pradesh) - Barely a four-hour drive from Delhi is the city of Agra, the home of the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. It's almost a sin not to visit this wonderful monument of love especially since this is India's most popular attraction. The pure white mausoleum is a sight to behold, with its flawless symmetry and beauty. It was Shah Jahan who built this iconic monument during the 17th century and since then, it became the trademark attraction of the country. Just nearby to the mausoleum is the Agra Fort, which is very easy to locate due to its contrasting striking red appearance. Originally, it was built by Raja Badal Singh Hindu Sikarwar during the 11th century but it was Akbar who renovated the fort and made it bigger. His son, Shah Jahan, built some of the white marble structures inside the fort. What makes the fort interesting is its replete of stories, from the crowning of Humayun here, to the imprisonment of Shah Jahan here, the success stories and tragedies of the fort are truly remarkable. Next is the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, which is a smaller-scale mausoleum boasting of the same beauty as the former tomb. This mausoleum preceded the iconic monument of Agra even, built by Noor Jahan, wife of Jahangir, for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. The attention given to detail, from the richly ornate tomb and ceiling, to the lattice screens, is sure to take your breath away. A bit further from the city centre is the Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned city which was originally founded by Akbar during the 16th century. It is a vast city with various sections, a mosque, a tomb, palaces and halls, these are just some of the structures that you can find here. With its blend of Hindu and Muslim architectures, the structures here would give a glimpse of the brilliance of the past architectural styles. Want to go the off the beaten track? Do visit the other lesser known attractions of the city like the Tomb of Mariam Zamani and the Roman Catholic Cemetery. Distance from Delhi - 232 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Fatehpur Sikri, Tomb of Mariam Zamani and Roman Catholic Cemetery Related Thread - Agra Travel Guide Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah in Agra (Image from Antoine) For the religious individuals... 3. Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) - Around three hours of driving away from Delhi is the city of Mathura. Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna made Mathura an important pilgrimage destination. As a city though, Mathura isn't as developed yet unlike the metro cities of India. There's this sense of spirituality and an air of rurality in the area. You can begin your tour with the Sri Krishna Janmasthan, a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Although there are plenty of temples here, this temple is unique because this is where the prison where Lord Krishna was born is located. You can find the prison underground, while the main sanctum is at the first level. The very colourful Dwarkadhish Temple is worth visiting too, with its yellow and red facade. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna as well, built close to the serene Yamuna River. You must also visit the Vishram Ghat, one of the many ghats on the banks of the river. This ghat is more auspicious in that this was the exact place where Lord Krishna rested after defeating his uncle, Kansa. Other sacred water bodies in Mathura that you can visit are the Radha Kund and Kusum Sarovar. If you're physically fit, you can also do a parikrama on the Govardhan Hill. The trek is around 22 kilometres long and best undertaken during the colder winter months. This hillock is auspicious in that Lord Krishna lifted it to save the region from the flooding that occurred after Lord Indra's wrath of rain. For the devotees of Lord Krishna, the devoted Hindus or those who just want to experience spirituality even for just a short time, Mathura should be at your priority of the nearest places to visit from Delhi. Distance from Delhi - 182 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple, Vishram Ghat, Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar and Govardhan Hill Related Thread - Places to Visit Near Agra 4. Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Haridwar is the first city or plains that the Ganges River flows into after its source in the Gangotri Glacier. As such, the city is revered by many Hindus but even non-Hindus flock to it for that sense of spirituality. The exact place where the river leaves the mountains and reaches the plains is called the Har Ki Pauri. This is also known as a ghat in the Ganges River, perhaps one of the cleanest and most popular ones there. In Hindu mythology, this place is important because both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu were believed to have visited this exact area during the Vedic era. Aside from that, this is the best place for watching evening aartis or just enjoying the local culture, as devotees take a dip here, considered to be a cleansing ghat. Situated on two separate hillocks are the Mansa Devi Temple and the Chandi Devi Temple. Both are approachable by ropeway or a trek by foot, your choice. The former is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi and the latter is dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi, both of which are manifestations of Goddess Durga. Another sacred place here that you can visit is the Daksh Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Goddess Sati. This is supposed to be the place where Goddess Sati jumped onto a fire when Lord Shiva, her husband, wasn't invited to the yagna of her father, Daksha. Finally, if you still have the time, you can visit the Vaishno Devi Temple, which is a replica of the temple of the same name in Katra. Dedicated to Goddess Mata Devi, the temple has the same tunnels and caves that you need to traverse to reach the main sanctum where the deity's idol is located. Distance from Delhi - 236 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Daksh Mahadev Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple Related Thread - Things to Do and See in Haridwar and Rishikesh Haridwar (Image from Anali) For the nature lovers... 5. Rohtak (Haryana) - If you only have a few hours to spare outside of Delhi, head on to Rohtak, under two hours of driving away. Rohtak only has two main attractions. First is the Tilyar Lake, a manmade lake in the centre of the city. It has some boating facilities, mainly pedal boating, that one can enjoy. Aside from that, there's a small restaurant nearby where you can dine while enjoying the scenic lake views. For couples, a stroll amidst the paved walkways could be very romantic. You can even bring your own snacks or picnic blanket to make it more pocket friendly. There's a small children's play area as well where kids can enjoy riding the swings or slides. The Rohtak Zoo is just close by the lake where you can find a few animals in enclosures such as monkeys and birds. You also can't miss visiting the Banni Khera Farm, a resort setup in a rural village setting that would surely expose you to the more simple life. The property has options for both day outings and night stays that you can choose from. Activities like tractor riding, horse riding, bullock cart riding and camel cart riding can be done here. Cultural performances such as folk dances can be enjoyed by guests too. You can also be immersed to the village life by village tours. Meals served here are fresh and healthy, with ingredients obtained from the farm of the owners. So if you want an experience of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Rohtak can give you just that. Distance from Delhi - 70 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Tilyar Lake, Rohtak Zoo and Banni Khera Farm Related Thread - Nearest Place to Visit from Delhi 6. Chandigarh (Haryana & Punjab) - About four hours of driving from Delhi is the city of Chandigarh, tagged as The City Beautiful. This description truly fits the city, as it is teeming with verdant greenery all-year round. It has a large number of gardens and parks which can help you forget about your woes in the concrete jungle. Starting with the Chandigarh Rose Garden, best visited during flower blooming season, from February to March, this garden has a collection of over 16,000 species of roses. It is known as the largest rose garden in Asia, the pride of the city of Chandigarh. If ever you're visiting the city during winter, do visit the Terraced Garden, which in contrast, houses a number of chrysanthemums. It is in December when these flowers are in full bloom. But even on other months of the year, the serene beauty of the garden is worth seeing. Smell the aroma of jasmines in the Garden of Fragrance, where you're bound to take a deeper breath each time. For families, a trip to the Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park is well worth it, with its assortment of medicinal plants and a central lake with boating facilities. Though a bit further from the city, you also can't miss the Pinjore Gardens, patterned after the Mughal gardens of Srinagar. The terraced gardens and their mesmerising ambience cannot be explained in words. The unique Chandigarh Rock Garden, the work of art of Nek Chand, would surprise you. It's not your usual green or flowery garden but instead, is comprised of sculptures and art works made from trash and other rubbish materials. It is set nearby the Sukhna Lake, a manmade lake in the centre of the city. Here, you can enjoy the views of the Shivalik ranges while floating amidst a boat. Do take a short stroll in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary too, which is home to various species of birds. Distance from Delhi - 245 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Chandigarh Rose Garden, Terraced Garden, Garden of Fragrance, Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park, Pinjore Gardens, Chandigarh Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake and Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary Related Thread - Places to Visit in Chandigarh Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh (Image from Meghna) For that cool climate... 7. Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) - Now we go to Nahan, a hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh, under five hours of driving away from Delhi. Nahan has this tranquility to it, perhaps it has to do with it being the base for the largest training school in India for the special forces, the Indian Army Special Forces Training School. Or maybe it has to do with the small town vibe of the hill station, enveloped in lush greenery and even having a lake of its own. This is the best place near Delhi to unwind or relax, away from the noises or chaos that can sometimes consume you. En route to Nahan, you would be passing by the Jalal River, where clear water and boulders would greet you. You can stroll amidst the rocks here or dip your feet in the tempting blue water of the river. The Renuka Lake is located at the heart of the town, it is surrounded by glorious mountains and remains relatively clean. You can enjoy a picnic here or even visit the nearby Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, you can spot a few animals on enclosures such as sambars, leopards, black bears and barasinghas. Rani Tal is a smaller lake close to the city centre as well, it can be considered as a pond and is popular amongst locals. You can enjoy strolling around its well-maintained and paved pathways. If you are an adventure seeker, do try the trek to reach the Jamu Peak, approachable by a short but bumpy ride from Nahan and then a 40-minute trek to the top thereafter. Distance from Delhi - 249 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Jalal River, Renuka Lake, Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jamu Peak Related Thread - Places to Visit Near Delhi on Weekends 8. Morni Hills (Haryana) - Known as the only hill station of the state of Haryana, Morni Hills has been steadily gaining its place on the tourism industry. This is an idyllic hill station, perfect for just a short day getaway. There are two lakes close to the Morni Hills, situated on its two sides. First the the Tikkar Taal, the bigger of the two lakes. Most of the activities like boating, camping and more are done within this lake because of its sheer size. There are some resorts on the banks of this lake so you can enjoy an overnight stay here as well. The Chota Tikkar Taal is smaller and has muddy water but less frequented by tourists because there's not much activities that you can do here. Situated close to the two lakes is the Haryana Government Adventure Park, where you can have your dose of adventure. The park has facilities for thrilling activities like zip lining, Burma bridge crossing, swinging bridge crossing and ghost house traversing. For the little ones, they can enjoy completing the monkey maze or playing in the kid's play area. Distance from Delhi - 252 Kilometres Must Visit Attractions - Tikkar Taal, Chota Tikkar Taal and Haryana Government Adventure Park Related Thread - Four-Day Trip from Delhi Bird in Morni Hills (Image from Hills of Morni) For wildlife spotting... 9. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan) - The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is under five hours of driving away from Delhi. Designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this bird sanctuary is home to a variety of avifaunas. The tranquility and mystique of the sanctuary is enough to make you forget about your city woes. This was once a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur but was thankfully converted into a sanctuary during the 20th century. Uniquely, the sanctuary is home to both wetlands and drylands, supporting a wide variety of wildlife species. It is mostly known as a bird watcher's paradise though, with over 300 species of birds in it. During migratory winter season, birds from neighbouring countries reach the sanctuary for nesting and migration. Some the resident birds that you can easily spot here are Indian pond herons, black-winged stilts, purple herons, domestic ducks, Indian darters, teals, painted francolins and quails. During winter, you might be lucky to spot painted storks, magpie robins, cranes, rosy pelicans, Eurasian marsh harriers and more. On the forests of the sanctuary, you can spot sambars, chitals, wild boars, monitor lizards and rhesus macaques as well. You can opt to tour the sanctuary by foot or hire a cycle rickshaw instead as many of the drivers here are experts when it comes to the bird species so they can also serve as guides. Distance from Delhi - 227 Kilometres Must Spot Animals - Indian Pond Herons, Black-Winged Stilts, Purple Herons, Domestic Ducks, Indian Darters, Teals, Painted Francolins and Quails Related Thread - Nearest Places to Visit from Delhi 10. Sariska National Park (Rajasthan) - Last is the Sariska National Park, about five hours away from Delhi. This is the nearest tiger reserve to the city, hence an appropriate getaway for the wildlife lovers. You can enjoy the striking contrast of this reserve from the city. With its dense forests, grasslands, thorny shrubs and mountain views, it's your escape from the concrete jungles of the city. As of latest estimates, the tigers residing here are around 13 in number, so still comparatively lower than the more famous Ranthambore National Park. The beauty of Sariska though is it less commercial and less crowded so you won't have to fight through crowds. Other commonly spotted animals here are wild boars, nilgais, sambars, leopards, hyenas and jackals. Safaris here are limited only to early morning slots or afternoon slots so it's best to book beforehand. You can choose between a jeep safari or a canter safari, the former is more recommended as the vehicle is smaller and can access more narrow paths. For hotels and resorts, they are located around 10 to 20 kilometres away from the national park. You can also opt to stay instead in Alwar, which is just a short distance from Sariska National Park. Distance from Delhi - 249 Kilometres Must Spot Animals - Tigers, Wild Boars, Nilgais, Sambars, Leopards, Hyenas and Jackals Related Thread - National Parks in Rajasthan Peacock in Sariska National Park (Image from Tanishq) Conclusion Don't underestimate the power of travel, it helps you find the beauty in the world even more. So for those days that you feel like you're trapped in an endless cycle of work, why not explore places around you? It might surprise you that you don't need to travel for hours or days just to find that perfect getaway. Even in the chaotic city of Delhi, there are hidden destinations just waiting to be discovered by you. For the time being, you can bookmark this page and tick off every place in the guide above before you venture into your own adventure. Enjoy and have fun!
