New Delhi is the capital of India and one of the most populated cities in the world, with almost 17 million inhabitants. It is also the gateway to the country for most travelers. Many consider Delhi a transit point to their final destination but the capital of India is a destination in its own. An enclave where ancient India coexists with its more cosmopolitan version, a city full of contrasts that is well worth discovering.
If you are preparing your itinerary, either on your own or with a travel agency, and you want to know everything about the destination and travel tips, make the most of this New Delhi Travel Guide enjoy everything this city has to offer.
Must-visit Delhi: How many days I recommend
As I mentioned a few lines above, Delhi for many is a place for transit and it is a pity because it is a fascinating city and extremely rich in history. In two days you can visit the most emblematic places and get an idea of the cultural mix of this city, but if you want to discover some of its most picturesque neighborhoods, go shopping in its bazaars and enjoy its gastronomy without haste, then I recommend you to visit at least 3 days. I also tell you that you could stay 4-6 days and have endless discoveries that few travelers get to.
Note that you can also make a 1 day tour from Delhi to Agra. I only recommend it if you have very little time and your main interest is to visit the Taj Mahal, otherwise, I recommend that you spend more than one day discovering the city of Agra and spend at least 1 night.
What to see and do in New Delhi
If you like to visit places and soak up their most fascinating corners and history, Delhi is your paradise (although many will tell you otherwise). You can relive the time of the Mughal empire by strolling through its most emblematic monuments, lose yourself in its bustling bazaars while doing your most unprecedented shopping of local products and at the same time get to know the modern city in relentless development.
I leave you a list of the 10 places not to be missed during your stay in the Indian capital. Also if you have time to spare or the 10 must-see places are not enough for you .... do not worry because I will expand the repertoire with other monuments and places of interest to see in New Delhi. Shall we start the adventure?
Top 10 must-see places to visit in New Delhi and things to do in New Delhi
Old Delhi
Old Delhi or Purani Dilli (in Hindi) is the oldest area of India's capital city. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as Shajahanabad to become the capital of the Mughal Empire. It encompasses the Red Fort, the Friday Mosque and the famous Chandni Chowk bazaar. Read more about Chandni Chowk market.
Red Fort
This fortress erected by the emperor next to his palace when he moved the capital of the Mughal empire from Agra to Delhi. Inside there are still traces of the glorious times of Shah Jahan and the buildings that formed the complex. It was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Read more about the Red Fort.
3. Jama Masjid Mosque
Shah Jahan visualized the mosque in a dream and turned it into a reality. For a long time it was the largest mosque in India, but now occupies the second place. An Indo-Islamic style building that has two minarets with the best views of Old Delhi. Read more about Jama Masjid.
3. Humayun's Tomb
This majestic tomb was built by the favorite wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. It was the first garden tomb in India and was designed in the Indo-Islamic style. It is considered the predecessor in style of the Taj Mahal and other later Mughal works. A paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of Delhi, well worth a visit. Read more about Humayun's Tomb.
4. Qutub Minar
This complex, located in the Mehrauli district, is home to the tallest brick minaret in the world and a mosque among other vestiges. It was built by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak to celebrate the victory of the settlement in the city of Delhi. Currently and for security reasons access to the top of the minaret is not allowed. Read more about the Qutub Minar.
5. Raj Ghat
The Raj Ghat is the memorial in honor of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is located on the banks of the Yamuna River in a complex where there are also memorials to other leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru or Indira Gandhi. Read more about the Raj Ghat.
6. The Gateway to India
Its designer was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to build the Gateway of India. It also is known as the "Memorial of all Indian Wars" since it was built as a tribute to Indian soldiers who died on the battlefield during World War I and the Afghan wars in 1919. Read more about India Gate in New Delhi.
7.Akshardham Temple
This temple complex is simply breathtaking. A majestic construction made of Rajasthan pink stone and Italian marble. in which all the walls are meticulously carved with traditional Hindu stories. There is also a store, an area with restaurants both indoors and outdoors and has a fountain with which they make light and sound shows. The entrance to the complex is free and you can not enter with a cell phone or camera (there is a locker at the entrance to leave them).
8. Lotus Temple
A unique temple in the world that has an extraordinary and avant-garde architecture and receives more than ten thousand visitors a day.A religious space without images and uniting all beliefs. So is the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, a place with an incredible energetic vibe and a stop you can not forget on your trip. Read more about the Lotus Temple in New Delhi.
9. Connaught Place
It was built during the British Raj and at that time was a favorite trading area for the colonists. Today it is still one of the most important financial and commercial centers of the capital of India and it is an ideal place to get lost among stores and restaurants. Also just below you have the subway market "Palika Bazar" where you will find absolutely everything, but do not forget to haggle as they tend to give very high prices at first!
10. Sikh Bangla Sahib Gurudwara Temple
This is the most important Sikh temple in New Delhi (capital of India). Formerly this building was a palace and it is believed that the water from the well there is believed to have healing properties. Today pilgrims come from all over the world to collect this water and take it home. It is very close to Connaught Place so you don't have to go too far out of your way to visit it.
More places of interest: what to see in New Delhi
I guess if you keep reading it's because you are insatiable and want to discover more places to see and do in New Delhi, the historic capital of India. Here we go!
Lodi Gardens
The gardens Lodi Gardens (Lodhi Gardens) are a small paradise in the heart of the city of Delhi. A British-era park with archaeological remains, tombs and a mosque from the time of the Lodi dynasty in the 15th century. A quiet place to stroll and discover the oldest history of the capital of India.
Jantar mantar
The Jantar Mantar in Delhi is one of the 5 astronomical observatories built by the maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 in northern India. This king was known for his passion for astronomy which led him to build these spaces full of gadgets such as the great sundial to tell the time or the Misra Yantra that was used to know the days of the year of greater and lesser duration. A place that inspires much interest to architects and historians from all over the world.
Purana Qila
Literally means "Old Fortress" but is also known as "Shergarh or Sher Fort".. It is considered the oldest structure in the capital of India and according to history this Fort was part of what was "the first city of Delhi". It is located on the banks of the Yamuna River and its construction was initiated in the time of Humayun.
Safdarjung Tomb
This mausoleum was built between 1753 and 1754 for the remains of Nawab Safdarjung, who was the prime minister of Emperor Shah Bahadur. This tomb is one of the last constructions of the Mughal Empire and it is noted that it was already in decline since they used low quality materials and it is even said that they used marble from other tombs to finish it.
Gandhi Smriti
It is also known as Birla House or Birla Bhavan and it was the house where Mahatma Gandhi lived the last 144 days of his life and also the place where he was assassinated. in 1948. Today it is a museum that shows the life of the Father of the Nation and you can visit the room where he lived and the last steps he took in the garden before he died.
Mehrauli Park
Mehrauli was one of the 7 ancient cities that make up what is now the state of Delhi.. In this space coexist more than 100 structures and monuments that are older than the Shajahanabad period. A visit in which you can not go in a hurry and for which you need time if you want to explore the area ... but definitely worth it.
Where to stay in Delhi
India's capital is full of hotels to suit all types of travelers and budgets. However, for many travelers new to the city it is difficult to choose a hotel according to your needs and taking into account the distances, access to public transportation and the safety of the area. To make it easier for you, I have written a guide article to help you to choose where to stay in Delhi where I give you an overview of the most popular neighborhoods to sleep in Delhi and I also provide you with my hotel recommendations in every neighborhood of the city.
Budget hotels in Delhi
In Delhi there are endless options of cheap hotels but I recommend you to research well and do not stay with the first option you see. In many cases the price is attractive and the photos look fantastic, but they are far from reality.
I really like the Bloomrooms hotels, in particular the Bloomrooms Railway Station, which is perfect if you take a train in the morning or arrive very late at night. I also really like the Bloomrooms of Connaught Place but there are several in the city and they are all the same style so the best thing to do is to see which location suits you best according to your route or plans.
It is important to take into account the neighborhoods - zones of the city, in this article , I take you on a tour to the best neighborhoods to stay and with more hotel recommendations. See my article about budget hotels in Delhi.
Luxury Hotels in Delhi
If you want to stay in a luxury hotel and enjoy the city in comfort, Delhi has emblematic and historic luxury hotels that will not leave you indifferent.
The Imperial Delhi is in the heart of downtown, located just steps from Connaught Place, and has one of the best and most iconic in the city, "The Spice Route".
If you want something unique, I recommend the Haveli Dharampura in the heart of Old Delhi. This hotel is awarded by UNESCO and behind its walls you can travel to past times in history.
If you prefer luxury hotel chain accommodations, The Oberoi New Delhi is a very good option. If you want to continue exploring more options, here is an article with the best luxury hotels in Delhi.
Experiences and Activities
There are endless activities, experiences and themed tours in the city of Delhi. From street food tours, stroll through the best bazaars, route of perfect enclaves to take the best pictures...
Find the best experiences here to get the most out of your trip and as always I advise you, remember to always travel with travel insurance. I travel with HeyMondo insurance because they have the best coverage and prices, and for being a reader of MiViajealaIndia you have a discount of 5% on this one link.
The weather in New Delhi
The weather in New Delhi will depend on the time of the year you decide to travel. In India there are 4 seasons and they manifest themselves differently at each end of the country. Read on to learn more about the weather in New Delhi:
- Winter in New Delhi: The rainy season is from December to March. The maximum temperature is between 20-24º and the minimum between 9-12º. During this season the mornings are cool and the days are sunny and without excessive heat. It is a good time to visit Delhi without extreme heat or periodic rains.
- Summer (pre-monsoon) in Delhi: runs from April to June. The maximum temperature is between 38-42º and the minimum between 24-32º. This is the hottest season and it can be exhausting to visit the city in these temperatures. You may also encounter occasional rain showers.
- Monsoon or rainy season in New Delhi: the period of more precipitation is concentrated in July, August and September, with an average temperature of 36º and a high level of humidity. A risky time to travel as you can have a wet experience, although this is not always the case.
- Autumn (post-monsoon) in Delhi: takes place during the months of October and November. The average maximum temperature is 31º and the minimum is 21º. These are the months of the year with the least probability of rain and an acceptable average humidity.
The weather in Delhi (capital of India) by months
Here are some graphs about the weather by month in New Delhi from the website Weather Atlas.
Temperature in New Delhi
The hottest month is June with an average maximum temperature of 42.4°C and the coldest month is January with an average minimum temperature of 9.2°C.
Humidity in New Delhi
August is the month with the highest average humidity with 62% and on the contrary, May is the month with the lowest average humidity with 18%.
Rains in New Delhi
The month with the most rainfall is July and the month with the lowest rainfall is octubre.
You can read more about the climate in India in this article.
India Travel Guide
The most complete guide to organize your trip to India, with tips and resources to save time and money.
Shopping in Delhi
Delhi is a paradise for all those who wish to go shopping. The capital of India offers a wide range of shopping from the traditional bazaars that you can not miss during your visit to the capital of India to the most modern shopping malls.
The bazaars are the soul of the country's traditional culture and I advise you not to overlook them as you will find curious items, handicrafts and everything you can imagine (even what you can't imagine).
Chandni Chowk is the market located in Old Delhi and is made up of bustling lanes crammed with stores. A sensory experience that cannot be explained in words. Here is the largest spice market in Asia, which supplies much of India.
I also recommend you to visit the Khan Market, Paharganj Bazaar and Palika Bazaar, a subway market located underneath the Connaught Place area.
The city has many shopping malls with stores of Indian as well as western brands. Some of the favorites are Select CityWalk, Ambience Mall VK and DLF Promenade.
How to get to New Delhi
1. By plane
You should arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), this is the main entry point for travelers to the country. Once at the airport you can take the "Airport Express Metro" train, which leaves from Terminal 3 and only takes 20 minutes to get to the center (it is very cheap). You can opt for the bus but I warn you that it will take at least an hour to get to the center. The most comfortable option is to take a cab with the Ola Cabs App or Uber (remember that you will need an internet connection to book). You also have cabs not affiliated to these Apps, just make sure they are official and have a taximeter. Don't miss my article with tips for to find flight at the best price.
2. By Train
The train is one of the most used transports in the country and has very good service throughout the country. If you arrive in Delhi by train, I recommend getting off at New Delhi station as it is better located and has better connections. As a second option, if you are closer to your destination in the capital, you can also get off at Delhi Junction or Hazrat Nizamuddin (both are connected to New Delhi by metro). Guide "Trains in India"with many tips for your adventure.
3. By private car with driver
Another option is to rent a car, but if you have never driven in India...I do not recommend this option as it is crazy! Anyway if you decide to drive yourself, to get to Delhi you should take Route 48 north and follow the signs until you reach the city center. If you are traveling from Agra, you must take the Yamuna highway.
You can also rent a car with driver, it is not very expensive and you will surely enjoy the trip much more.
4. By bus
India has a very extensive network of buses that reach all parts of the country. It is the cheapest but not always the most comfortable transportation. Most of the buses to Delhi arrive at Sarai Kale Khan bus station and Anand Vihar bus station. Both have a metro station nearby.
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Transportation in Delhi
1. Subway
The metro service in Delhi will allow you to move in less time and not lose your nerves in traffic jams. However, keep in mind that it is usually crowded!
If you intend to travel by metro, you can buy the Tourist Card for 1 or 3 days. It will cost you between 100 and 300 rupees depending on which one you choose and has unlimited rides.
Don't forget to download the New Delhi Metro route map.
2. Urban Bus
The bus is one of the most used means of transport and there are countless lines covering the entire area of Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida.
Air-conditioned bus rides usually cost between 10 and 25 rupees, depending on the kilometers in each area.
3. Auto Rickshaw or Tuk Tuk
It is the iconic and popular transport in most of Asia. It is a good option for short trips in the city and allows you to discover Delhi in a more authentic way. It is a fairly cheap transport but you should be careful as rickshaw drivers do not usually use the meter and sometimes increase the price quite a lot. For me, the best option is to book rickshaw rides on the spot with the OlaCabs App to make sure you are not overcharged.
I recommend that you read the article on the most popular scams in India and be aware of the scams around.
4. Cab
It is very easy to hail cabs on the street as they are everywhere in the city. However, I recommend using the OlaCabs and Uber Apps. Both cab companies offer very good prices and you avoid haggling and arguments. They are also safer and you can see your route on the map at all times.
New Delhi (Capital of India) Guide Map - Where to find New Delhi
Tours in New Delhi
Interesting Apps in New Delhi
Delhi Metro Rail: The following information is available on the subway lines and their schedules.
Delhi Public Transport Offline: has information about all the public transport in New Delhi. You can also download the information you need so you can see it during your trip without internet connection.
OlaCabs:The perfect App to make your cab and rickshaw reservations quickly and conveniently.
MyCityWay: this digital guide provides information on events, places of interest, opening hours of museums and attractions, where to eat and other details of New Delhi.
Websites of interest
Official website of Tourism in New Delhi
Contact Embassy of Spain in India
I hope that this New Delhi Travel Guide will help you organize your trip to the capital of India and enjoy every corner of the city!
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