Weekend Getaways from Delhi

Although there is so much to see and do in New Delhi itself, the nearby destination adds icing to the cake if you are on a long vacation and looking to explore North India, especially near Delhi. If you are interested in history, heritage, architecture and culture then exploring Delhi – will in itself – could take more than 10 days to fully explore and discover the Seven Cities of Delhi.

Top 10 Weekend Getaways from Delhi (Arranged as per their distance from Delhi)

1. Neemrana – 129 KM

Neemrana in Rajasthan is small town in Alwar District. This is where the Chauhan Rajputs shifted their capital and ruled until India got Independence from British Raj. The magnificent Fort around which the town was established was built by Raj Dup Raj in 1467. It is now converted into a heritage hotel.

2. Alwar – 153 KM

Located very close to Delhi, Alwar has many historical sites of interest which attracts tourists. Silserh Lake and Hill Fort Kesroli along with Sariska Tiger Reserve and the haunted Bhangarh are main attractions in and around Alwar.

Silserh Lake, Alwar - Top Weekend Getaways from Delhi

3. Bharatpur – 186 KM

Known for its bird sanctuary Keoladeo Ghana National Park which is also inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bharatpur was an important well fortified city before independence of India. It’s a great place to travel to on weekends and you could also include Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra or even Taj Mahal in your 2 days weekend getaway from Delhi.

Painted Storks inside Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan

4. Agra – 197 KM

After the construction of Delhi-Agra expressway, Agra as a weekend getaway from Delhi has become all the more popular (if such a thing is possible). Home to one of the most iconic structures on earth, Agra is thronged by tourists from all corners of the world for UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World Taj Mahal. There are several other attractions in Agra of note which include Itmad ud Daula Tomb, Mehtab bagh and Agra Fort among others.

Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the most visited attractions in the world

5. Rishikesh – 227 KM

Nestled in the Himalayas with the holy Ganges frowing by the side, Rishikesh is an important major Hindu pilgrimage destination. Just a short distance away from Delhi, Rishikesh is best visited for Yoga tourism, spirituality and adventure sports like rafting, trekking and climbing tours.

A View of RIver Ganges in Rishikesh

6. Nainital – 250 KM

Nainital is a very popular and hence a crowded hill station located in Kumaon region of Himalaya. A picturesque retreat with an array of lakes surrounded by lush hills, Nainital is a destination for the young and the old alike and one of the popular weekend getaways from Delhi.

7. Jaipur – 258 KM

Capital city and one of the most colorful and vibrant destination in raoyal Rajasthan, Jaipur attracts millions of tourists from around the globe. There is so much to do in Jaipur but in 2 days one could easily cover the major tourist attractions in Jaipur which include City Palace, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar and Chokhi Dhani.

8. Jim Corbett – 270 KM

This is India finest tiger reserve and a national park with highest diversity in terms of flora and fauna. Its location in Himalayan Terai Region ensures that even if one doesn’t spot the big cats, staying here is a delightful experience.

9. Kalsi – 274 KM

Kalsi is an idyllic retreat is nestled in the Jaunsaar-Baawar tribal region of the Dehradun district amidst seven fold Himalayan Mountain range. One of the most terrific sights in Kalsi is of Yamuna in its in its pure form, a gushing, cool stream. This view of Yamuna is a stark contrast to the stale, polluted water body it becomes in Delhi. A 0 feet high, 10 ft long and 8 ft wide quartz boulder or the earliest find Ashokan Rock edict is an important historical monument located in Kalsi dating back to 253 BC.

Children of Heaven - Kalsi Trip

10. Shimla – 380 KM

Established as winter capital by the British, Shimla is a breathtaking hill station in Himachal Pradesh and a popular honeymoon destination in India.

One could find many more weekend getaways from Delhi. One of the popular travel magazine Outlook Traveller has suggested 52 weekend breaks from Delhi in one of its weekend getaway issue. There are several more weekend getaways from Delhi and other metro cities in India listed on the website from a leading travel agency in Delhi on their website indianholiday.com and you could find more on Lonely Planet Guidebooks. The list suggested by me is not exhaustive but based on my personal travel experiences although I have not mentioned many of them like Tungnath, Chamba, Uttarkashi, Naukuchiatal and several other places where I have been on weekends.