Which Delhi Monuments Attract the Most Tourists and Which Struggle to Draw Visitors?

Historical monuments in Delhi, particularly the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, continue to be top choices for domestic tourists in 2023-24 and 2024-25. However, some other heritage sites are struggling to maintain visitor numbers, while a few newer attractions have gained popularity.

Tourist Trends at Delhi Monuments
Overall, ticketed monuments under central protection in Delhi saw a 3% year-on-year increase in visitors, surpassing 8.4 million in 2024-25.

• Red Fort: Remained the most visited monument, attracting approximately 2.88 million domestic tourists in 2024-25, marking a 3.2% rise. However, international tourist visits declined by 5.8%. A retired ASI officer suggested that frequent events at the Red Fort, sometimes leading to partial or full closures, could be discouraging foreign visitors.
• Qutub Minar: Emerged as the largest draw for foreign tourists, hosting around 220,000 international visitors, with domestic visitors exceeding 3.2 million, a 2.6% increase.
• Humayun’s Tomb: Domestic visitors surged by 13.4% to cross 1 million, while foreign tourist numbers grew by 35% to 158,000, highlighting growing global interest in well-preserved heritage sites.

Emerging Attractions

• Hauz Khas Complex: Tourist numbers rose sharply from a smaller base, with domestic visits up by 32% and international visits up by 27%, reflecting its appeal among young travelers, weekend tourists, and urban explorers.
• Jantar Mantar: Continued steady growth, with domestic visitors up 5.7% and international visitors increasing by about 20%, indicating renewed interest in Delhi’s scientific and astronomical heritage.
• Sultan Garhi in Vasant Kunj: Domestic tourist numbers surged by over 400%.
• Khan-e-Khana: International visitor numbers increased by 67%, despite a slight decline in domestic tourists.

Monuments Seeing Decline
Several sites reported falling tourist numbers:

• Purana Qila (Old Fort): Domestic visitors dropped from 260,000 in 2023 to 190,000 in 2024, with a 7.3% decline in foreign tourists.
• Tughlaqabad Fort: Domestic tourism fell by 12.6% and international visits by 23%.
• Safdarjung Tomb and Kotla Feroz Shah: Both saw continued declines among domestic and foreign visitors, highlighting a need for better marketing and visitor-friendly facilities.

Expert Insight
PP Khanna, member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, attributes these uneven trends to several factors. He noted that Delhi is increasingly perceived as a transit city for international tourists, who spend limited time in the capital before visiting destinations like Agra and Jaipur. He also cited air pollution and traffic congestion as deterrents that reduce tourists’ interest in extended stays within the city.