Best Time to Visit
October to March (pleasant 10-28°C; avoid Apr-Jun extreme heat 42-47°C)
Language
Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone
IST (UTC+5:30)
Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Population
~32 million (NCR metro area)
Climate
Extreme continental; scorching summers (47°C), foggy winters (2°C), monsoon Jul-Sep
Safety Rating
Moderate — use metro at night, avoid isolated areas, keep belongings secure in crowds
Famous For
Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk street food, Mughal and British colonial heritage
UNESCO Sites
3 sites — Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar complex
UNESCO-listed 17th-century Mughal fortress spanning 254 acres in Old Delhi. Entry: INR 600 foreigners, INR 35 Indians. Open Tue-Sun sunrise-sunset. Evening sound-and-light show (INR 80, 1 hour) recounts Mughal history. Allow 2-3 hours for the complex.
73-meter UNESCO-listed victory tower from 1193, the tallest brick minaret in the world. Surrounded by ruins of India's first mosque. Entry: INR 600 foreigners, INR 35 Indians. Sunrise-sunset daily. Allow 1.5 hours. Take Yellow Line metro to Qutub Minar station.
The garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, built in 1570. Stunning symmetry and Persian-Mughal architecture. Entry: INR 600 foreigners, INR 35 Indians. Sunrise-sunset. Best in late afternoon golden light. Allow 1.5-2 hours. Near Nizamuddin station.
Old Delhi's 17th-century market labyrinth — Asia's oldest and busiest. Must-eat: paranthe at Paranthe Wali Gali (INR 100-200), jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala (INR 60/plate), and nihari at Karim's (INR 250). Best experienced morning or evening. Allow 3-4 hours for food and shopping.
42-meter war memorial on Rajpath (Kartavya Path), illuminated beautifully at night. Free entry, open 24/7. The surrounding lawns are Delhi's favorite picnic spot. Best visited evening when families gather. The new Kartavya Path with fountains and gardens is impressive. Allow 1 hour.
Baha'i House of Worship shaped like a 27-petal lotus flower — one of the most visited buildings in the world. Free entry. Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5:30 PM (summer till 7 PM). Silent meditation inside. Allow 1 hour including queue. Nearest metro: Kalkaji Mandir.
14th-century Sufi shrine where qawwali (devotional music) sessions happen every Thursday evening after Maghrib prayers. Free entry. Remove shoes, cover head. The surrounding lanes have outstanding kebabs and biryani. A deeply spiritual and musical experience. Allow 2 hours on Thursday.
13th-century ruins and lake surrounded by trendy cafes, boutiques, and galleries — where medieval Delhi meets hipster culture. Free entry to ruins. Best for sunset from the deer park. Social (cafe) and Yeti (Nepalese) are popular eateries. Allow 2-3 hours including dinner.
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Take the Airport Express metro (20 min, INR 60) or pre-paid taxi to your hotel in the Connaught Place or Paharganj area.
Airport Express metro to New Delhi station(20 minutes)
Fastest option. Runs 5 AM-11 PM. INR 60. Or pre-paid taxi INR 400-600
Check-in and lunch at Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place(1.5 hours)
Reliable South Indian chain — dosas, uttapam, filter coffee. AC and hygienic (INR 200-400)
Connaught Place evening walk(1.5 hours)
Lutyens' circular Georgian colonnades. Window-shop at the inner circle. Agrasen ki Baoli (ancient stepwell) is hidden behind CP — free entry
India Gate at night(1 hour)
42-meter war memorial illuminated on Kartavya Path. Fountains and gardens. Free, open 24/7. Families gather here after sunset
Full day in Mughal Delhi — the massive Red Fort, the sensory overload of Chandni Chowk bazaar, and the best street food in India.
Red Fort (Lal Qila)(2.5 hours)
UNESCO 17th-century Mughal fortress. Entry INR 600 foreigners, INR 35 Indians. Open Tue-Sun sunrise-sunset. Allow time for the museum galleries inside
Chandni Chowk food walk(3 hours)
Paranthe at Paranthe Wali Gali (INR 100-200), jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala (INR 60/plate), nihari at Karim's near Jama Masjid (INR 250). Budget INR 500 for the full trail
Jama Masjid(1 hour)
India's largest mosque (1656). Free entry. Camera fee INR 300. Climb the southern minaret for Old Delhi panorama (INR 150). Dress modestly
Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk(30 minutes)
Experience the chaos from a cycle rickshaw — INR 50-100. Negotiate before boarding. Best way to see the narrow lanes
The garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, the atmospheric Nizamuddin district, and Thursday evening qawwali at the Sufi shrine.
Humayun's Tomb(2 hours)
UNESCO garden tomb (1570). Entry INR 600 foreigners, INR 35 Indians. Best in late afternoon golden light. Near Nizamuddin station
Isa Khan's Tomb and Sundar Nursery(1 hour)
Beautiful octagonal tomb adjacent to Humayun's, and the newly restored Mughal-era nursery garden. Free with Humayun's ticket
Lunch at Karim's, Nizamuddin(1 hour)
Branch of the legendary Mughlai restaurant. Mutton korma and roomali roti (INR 300-500)
Nizamuddin Dargah & qawwali (Thursday evenings)(2 hours)
14th-century Sufi shrine with devotional music after Maghrib prayers. Free. Remove shoes, cover head. Deeply spiritual experience. Surrounding lanes have outstanding kebabs
The world's tallest brick minaret, Hauz Khas Village where medieval meets hipster, and the peaceful Lotus Temple.
Qutub Minar complex(1.5 hours)
UNESCO 73-meter victory tower (1193). India's first mosque ruins. Entry INR 600 foreigners. Yellow Line metro to Qutub Minar station
Mehrauli Archaeological Park(1 hour)
Adjacent to Qutub but overlooked — Balban's tomb, Jamali Kamali mosque, and Rajon ki Baoli (stepwell). Free. Atmospheric ruins in a forest setting
Lunch at Dilli Haat(1.5 hours)
Open-air food and craft market near INA metro. Entry INR 30. Regional cuisines from every Indian state (INR 100-300 per dish)
Lotus Temple(1 hour)
Baha'i House of Worship shaped like a 27-petal lotus. Free. Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5:30 PM. Silent meditation inside
Hauz Khas Village sunset(2 hours)
13th-century ruins and lake surrounded by cafes and galleries. Free entry to ruins. Social Cafe and Yeti (Nepalese) are popular
Sleep in and explore Delhi's poshest market village — bookshops, designer stores, and excellent cafes.
Khan Market browsing(2 hours)
Delhi's high-end market — Bahrisons Books (since 1953), Good Earth ceramics, Fab India textiles. Metro: Khan Market
Lunch at Big Chill, Khan Market(1.5 hours)
Delhi institution for pasta and desserts. The Mississippi Mud Pie is legendary (INR 500-800 for two)
Lodhi Art District(1 hour)
India's first open-air street art district — 50+ murals across Lodhi Colony by international artists. Free walking tour. 15-minute walk from Khan Market
Dinner at Bukhara, ITC Maurya(2 hours)
India's most famous restaurant — the dal bukhara has been served since 1977. Presidential-level dining (INR 4,000-6,000 for two). Reserve days ahead
Sikh hospitality, Lutyens' grand boulevards, and the National Museum — Delhi's post-independence face.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib(1.5 hours)
Delhi's largest Sikh temple. Free entry. Head coverings provided. Visit the langar (community kitchen) serving 10,000 free meals daily — volunteer to serve or eat. A humbling experience
Rashtrapati Bhavan and Rajpath drive(1 hour)
Presidential palace and the grand ceremonial avenue. Rashtrapati Bhavan tours available (book at rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in, INR 50)
National Museum(2 hours)
India's largest museum — Harappan civilization, Buddhist Gandhara art, Mughal miniatures. Entry INR 650 foreigners. Near India Gate
Lunch at Andhra Bhawan Canteen(45 minutes)
Government canteen serving unlimited Andhra thali for INR 150. Open to public. Feni Hill area. Legendary among Delhi foodies
Evening at Janpath Market(1.5 hours)
Budget shopping for kurtas, Rajasthani jewelry, and pashmina shawls. Bargain hard — start at 30% of asking
Final morning with last-minute shopping and transfer to the airport.
Breakfast at Sagar, Defence Colony(1 hour)
Outstanding South Indian breakfast — rava masala dosa and filter coffee (INR 150-250)
Last shopping at Dilli Haat or Janpath(1 hour)
Handicrafts, textiles, and spices from across India
Airport Express metro to DEL(20 minutes)
From New Delhi station. INR 60. Runs every 15 minutes
Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before arrival. 30-day e-Tourist visa ~$25. DEL airport has dedicated e-Visa counters at Terminal 3 — follow the signs after landing. Keep a printed copy of your ETA.
Clean, cheap, and covers all major tourist sites. Buy a Tourist Card (INR 200 for 1 day, INR 500 for 3 days, unlimited rides). Yellow Line connects most heritage sites. Women-only coach is at the front of each train. Avoid 8-10 AM and 6-8 PM rush. Google Maps has accurate metro timings.
Airport Express metro from T3 to New Delhi station takes 20 minutes (INR 60). Runs 5 AM-11 PM. Pre-paid taxis at arrivals cost INR 400-800 depending on destination. Ola/Uber are INR 300-600 but surge pricing common at night. Avoid tout taxis outside the terminal.
At New Delhi Railway Station, ignore anyone saying 'the tourist office moved' — they'll redirect you to a private travel agent. Pre-book airport transfer (INR 400-600 to central Delhi via Delhi Metro Airport Express, 20 min). Never follow strangers to 'government emporiums.' Use only pre-paid taxi counters or Ola/Uber from the airport.
Delhi's AQI regularly exceeds 300 (hazardous) from October to January due to crop burning and winter inversion. Carry an N95 mask. Check aqicn.org before outdoor plans. If AQI is above 200, limit outdoor time and choose indoor attractions like museums and malls.
Street food in Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh costs INR 50-200 per meal. Mid-range restaurants in Khan Market or Connaught Place: INR 500-1,000. Fine dining: INR 2,000-5,000. Tap water is NOT safe — drink sealed bottled water only. Bisleri and Aquafina are trustworthy brands.
Remove shoes at all religious sites. Cover head at Sikh gurdwaras (Bangla Sahib provides free scarves). Cover shoulders and knees at mosques. Photography is usually allowed outside but check signs inside. Jama Masjid charges INR 300 for camera entry.
StoriesI took a wrong turn near Paranthe Wali Gali and ended up in a spice warehouse from the 1700s. Three hours later, I'd eaten five meals and couldn't find my way out. It was perfect.
Travel GuidesBeneath the political bluster and Mughal monuments, Delhi runs on a deeper current — 700 years of Sufi devotion, hypnotic music, and langar kitchens feeding thousands for free.
Travel GuidesDelhi has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt seven times. Here's how to navigate all of them — from Mughal forts to metro lines, street food to Sufi shrines.
