Delhi has been a centre of power and culture for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of numerous dynasties and empires. Its rich history and cultural heritage are preserved in various museums scattered throughout the city. Step inside a museum in Delhi and you are transported to a bygone era, with each one offering a unique collection showcasing a different aspect of India’s past. These museums provide a sensory experience that is sure to leave you in awe, offering a fascinating insight into the traditions. So today we have got you a complete Delhi museum list.
Contrary to popular belief, museums in Delhi are not dull, but instead, home to several masterpieces that reflect India’s rich culture. Some of the best museums in Delhi serve as the perfect places to learn more about the nation’s history. Whether you’re interested in modern art or India’s past, it has it all. With a long list of fascinating museums, there is bound to be at least one that caters to your specific interests.
Delhi is a city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern coexist in perfect harmony. Many museums host exhibitions, workshops, and interactive sessions that are a great way to learn more about the contemporary art scene in India.
The top 10 museums in Delhi have a distinct array and stories to tell. The National Museum features significant artefacts, while the National Gallery of Modern Art showcases contemporary art. These museums to visit in Delhi are perfect for history, art, and culture enthusiasts. With an extensive Delhi Museum list, visitors have access to a diverse range of assortments and exhibits, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in India’s past and ethnicity So, put on your walking shoes and embark on a journey of discovery through the best museums in Delhi.
1. National Museum
The National Museum in Delhi is one of the most significant museums to visit in Delhi, India. With a vast accumulation of over 200,000 works of art and artefacts, it marks its place in history. Its collection spans over 5,000 years of India’s artistic times, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the present day. The museum houses some of India’s most iconic treasures, including the Harappan Civilization’s seal, the Gandhara art, and the jewellery of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Location: Janpath, New Delhi
Ticket Price: INR 20 for Indian visitors and INR 650 for foreign visitors.
Opening & Closing Timings: 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
2. National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum
This museum is dedicated to preserving India’s rich handicrafts and handloom traditions. It has a vast array of over 35,000 unique artefacts, including textiles, pottery, and metalware. The museum’s architecture is a blend of traditional and modern styles, with the central courtyard modelled after a Rajasthani haveli. The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum is a part of the all-museum list in Delhi and is perfect for those interested in Indian textiles.
Location: Pragati Maidan, Bhairon Road, New Delhi
Ticket Price: INR 10 for Indian visitors and INR 150 for foreign visitors.
Opening & Closing Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
3. National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art is housed in a magnificent heritage building that was once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The museum’s accumulation features works by some of India’s most famous artists, including Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, and Rabindranath Tagore. It also has a significant collection of international art from renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Location: Jaipur House, India Gate, New Delhi
Ticket Price: INR 20 for Indian visitors and INR 500 for foreign visitors.
Opening & Closing Timings: 11:00 AM and 6:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
4. Gandhi Smriti
Located in New Delhi, this serves as a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. The museum is housed in the bungalow where Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life before he was assassinated on January 30, 1948. The exhibits showcase the life and philosophy of Gandhi, including his non-violent approach to India’s struggle for independence. Gandhi Smriti is on the all-museum list in Delhi, providing a glimpse into the life of one of India’s most iconic figures.
Location: 5, Tees January Marg, New Delhi
Ticket Price: Free entry.
Opening & Closing Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
5. National Science Centre
It is a premier science museum in India, dedicated to popularizing science and technology among the masses. The museum’s interactive exhibits and hands-on displays make learning about science fun and engaging for visitors of all ages. The National Science Centre also hosts various temporary exhibitions and science shows throughout the year, making it a dynamic and exciting place to visit.
Location: Pragati Maidan, Near Gate No. 1, Bhairon Road, New Delhi
Ticket Price: INR 60 for adults, INR 40 for children
Opening & Closing Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
6. National Rail Museum
The National Rail Museum in Delhi is one of the best museums in Delhi, showcasing India’s rail heritage through more than 100 real-size exhibits. The museum offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including static and working models, historical photographs, antique furniture, and signalling equipment. A unique feature of the museum is the toy train ride, which lets visitors cover the entire museum on regular days.
Location: Chanakyapuri, Delhi
Ticket Price: INR 50 for adults and INR 10 for children
Opening & Closing Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
7. Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Explore the former home of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at this unique museum. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum showcases the personal moments of the Gandhi and Nehru family, as well as photographs from the Nationalist Movement. This is an unmissable museum to visit in Delhi to gain insight into some of the most important events in India.
Location: Safdarjung Road, New Delhi
Ticket Price: Free
Opening & Closing Timings: 9:30 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
8. Sangeet Natak Akademi Museum
The museum houses an impressive trove of instruments, costumes, masks, photographs, and other artefacts related to various performing arts forms. Visitors to the museum can admire the intricate craftsmanship and aesthetics of the items on display. They gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of Indian performing arts over the centuries. From classical dance forms to folk music traditions, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of India’s diverse landscape.
Location: Rabindra Bhawan, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi
Ticket Price: Free
Opening & Closing Timings: 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM (Monday to Friday).
9. Shankar’s International Doll’s Museum
The museum was founded in 1965 by the famous political cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai. It has since grown to become one of the most popular museums in the city. It includes a vast stock of over 7,000 dolls from more than 85 countries, including India, Japan, Russia, Germany, and many more. As one of the top 10 museums in Delhi, it is an incredible place for children and adults.
Location: Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi.
Ticket Price: INR 15 for Indian visitors and INR 250 for foreign visitors.
Opening & Closing Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM (Monday closed).
Also Read: Explore 7 Places in Delhi Dilli Dilwalon Ki With Luxurious Stay
10. Nehru Memorial Museum
It is among the best museums in Delhi, dedicated to preserving and rebuilding the history of the Independence struggle. Highlighting the post-colonial period and Jawaharlal Nehru’s life it portrays the story of the past. Scholars and history enthusiasts can learn about numerous aspects of Nehru’s life and his contribution to the Indian freedom movement. The museum boasts over 2.5 million printed volumes, 1.5 million pictures, and 8,000 audio cassettes.
Location: Teen Murti Bhavan, New Delhi
Ticket Price: Free.
Opening & Closing Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Monday closed.
Delhi’s Hidden Museums
Other than the top 10 museums in Delhi, the capital city also has ounces of history in some other museums and galleries, which are not very known to everyone. Here are some of the sports that should be on your Delhi museum list.
Replica Museum: This is one of the museums to visit in Delhi if you are an art enthusiast. Located at the Siri Fort, it has rare exhibits of replicas and sculptures of well-known personalities. Developed by the Archaeological Survey of India, it has over 100 replicas including the Fasting Buddha of Lahore, Shalabhanjika from Madhya Pradesh and a replica of the famous sculpture ‘Arjun’s Penance’ from Mahabalipuram. Most of the replicas here have been made by students from Patna’s College of Arts and Crafts. This museum also has an art gallery, where you may find certain history-related exhibitions.
Location: Siri Fort Complex, Green Park
Ticket Price: Free
Opening & Closing Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Archaeological Museum: Everyone who visits Delhi has probably been to the Red Fort but yet may not know about the museum that houses within. The Archaeological Museum is situated within the Mumtaz Mahal and has some of the best relics of pottery, jewellery, ancient seals, rock edicts and coins. All of these artefacts date back to the Mauryan period. Some of the pieces belong to the 2nd and 3rd centuries, a true treasure for history aficionados. If war stories interest you, this is one of the museums to visit in Delhi, as it has a section with the relics of the 1857 War, which was our first war of Independence. The museum has three galleries, each dedicated to a different historic period.
Location: Lal Qila, Mumtaz Mahal
Ticket Price: Free
Opening & Closing Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Musical Instruments Gallery Museum: While you will learn probably learn a lot about history and war periods from the above museums, this one is for music lovers. The Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Gallery of Musical Instruments houses some of the largest and little-known gems of our musical heritage. With a collection of over 600 instruments, spanning over 40 years collected from the corners of the country. Due to lack of space, 250 instruments are kept on permanent display while the others are meticulously stored. Some of the instruments have been donated by musicians and their families. The weird-sounding names of some of the locally sourced instruments are also very interesting.
Location: Sangeet Natak Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan
Ticket Price: Free
Opening & Closing Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Delhi is a city of rich cultural heritage, and its museums are a true testament to its glorious past. Delhi’s museums have something for everyone, to complement your museum experience, why not stay at the luxurious Jaypee Hotels in Delhi? With world-class amenities and unparalleled hospitality, these hotels are the epitome of opulence and comfort.
Read Also – Best Places to Explore in Delhi in One Day
FAQs
Q1. How many museums are there in Delhi?
Ans: There are around 70 museums in Delhi. All these museums have something different for the visitors. However, one thing common with all these museums is that they will allow you to delve into the world of knowledge.
Q2. Which Museum is free in Delhi?
Ans: One of the Museums in Delhi that has no entry fee is the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library. However, even other museums in Delhi have nominal ticket charges.
Q3. Which is the largest museum in Delhi?
Ans: The National Museum of India also known as the National Museum is the largest in Delhi.
Q4. Why is National Palace Museum famous?
Ans: The National Palace Museum is famous for its collection of more than 4,000 years of Chinese art. It has art from the Shang through the Qing dynasty.
