Travel guide · India
Delhi travel guide
Mughal tombs, Old Delhi bazaars, street food and the gateway to the Taj Mahal
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marcin Białek, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Delhi is a capital built in layers: the sultanate ruins of Mehrauli and Hauz Khas, the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, and the broad avenues of Lutyens' New Delhi around India Gate. Its three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar, are linked by an extensive, air-conditioned metro. Food is a reason to come in itself, from parathas and kebabs in Old Delhi to butter chicken and street chaat. Delhi is also the usual starting point for the Golden Triangle, with Agra about two hours away by express train and Jaipur about four and a half. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are February–March and October.
Key facts
- Country
- India
- Best time to visit
- February–March and October
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- DEL
- Mid-range daily budget
- $60–$130 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and Old Delhi street food
Why visit Delhi
- Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar — span 400 years of Islamic architecture in one city.
- Old Delhi's lanes around Chandni Chowk serve parathas, kebabs, jalebis and kulfi at stalls that have been run by the same families for generations.
- The Delhi Metro reaches most major sights, and the Airport Express line links the airport with central Delhi in about 20 minutes.
- Agra's Taj Mahal is about two hours away by express train, and Jaipur and Rishikesh are within a day's travel.
- Free experiences abound, from the community kitchen at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to Sufi qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah and sunset in Lodhi Garden.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Castle · Old Delhi
Red Fort
Shah Jahan's red sandstone palace-fortress, completed in 1648, was the seat of Mughal emperors for two centuries.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Old Delhi
Jama Masjid
Completed in 1656, this is one of India's largest mosques, with a courtyard that can hold some 25,000 worshippers, three marble domes and two tall minarets.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Views
Street · Old Delhi
Chandni Chowk
Old Delhi's main 17th-century boulevard runs from the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid, passing Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, a Jain temple and historic sweet shops.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- History
- Iconic
Historic site · Nizamuddin
Humayun's Tomb
Built in the 1560s for the second Mughal emperor, this red sandstone and marble mausoleum in a Persian-style charbagh garden was the first great garden tomb in India and a model for the Taj Mahal.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Historic site · Mehrauli
Qutb Minar
This 72.5-metre fluted victory tower, begun around 1200 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, is covered in Quranic inscriptions and stands among the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Landmark · Lutyens' Delhi
India Gate and Kartavya Path
The 42-metre war memorial arch completed in 1931 is inscribed with the names of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
- History
Where to stay
Connaught Place is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and nightlife
Connaught Place
Colonnaded Georgian circle at the centre of New Delhi with restaurants, bars and the main metro hub
$ · Best for budget and solo travellers
Paharganj
Backpacker bazaar opposite New Delhi Railway Station
$$ · Best for culture and food lovers
Old Delhi
Mughal-era bazaars, mosques and havelis around Chandni Chowk
$$$ · Best for nightlife, couples and solo travellers
Hauz Khas Village
Medieval reservoir ruins with boutiques, cafés and bars
What to eat
- Butter chicken — Tandoori chicken simmered in a mild, creamy tomato-and-butter gravy, popularised by Punjabi restaurants in Delhi after Partition and now eaten worldwide.
- Dal makhani — Black lentils and kidney beans slow-cooked for hours with butter and cream until velvety; the vegetarian partner to butter chicken.
- Chole bhature — Spicy chickpea curry with huge, puffy deep-fried bread, eaten as a heavy breakfast or brunch and served with pickled onions.
- Stuffed parathas — Flatbreads stuffed with potato, paneer, radish or even banana, shallow-fried in ghee in Old Delhi and served with chutneys and pickles.
- Chaat — Tangy, crunchy snacks such as papdi chaat, aloo tikki and gol gappe (pani puri), layered with yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutneys and spices.
- Nihari — A rich, slow-cooked stew of beef or mutton shank traditionally eaten for breakfast in Old Delhi, garnished with ginger, chilli and lime.
When to go
The best months to visit Delhi are February, March and October, when days are warm and dry and nights are mild. November to January are cooler and busy with visitors, but fog and air pollution can be severe, so check air-quality forecasts. May and June are extremely hot, and July to September bring monsoon humidity and downpours.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season | December–February | Cool days and cold nights with frequent fog and poor air quality, especially in December and January; February turns sunny and pleasant. |
| Hot season | March–June | Warm and pleasant in March, then increasingly hot, with highs around 40 °C in May and June and dust storms. |
| Monsoon | July–September | Humid with heavy downpours and occasional flooding, but green parks and lower hotel prices. |
| Post-monsoon | October–November | Dry, warm days and festivals including Dussehra and Diwali; air pollution often rises sharply in November. |
Getting there and around
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is about 16 km south-west of Connaught Place. The Airport Express (Orange Line) runs from Terminal 3 via Aerocity to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes; Terminal 1 is on the Magenta Line. Prepaid taxis and app pick-up zones are outside arrivals, and road journeys take 40–90 minutes depending on traffic.
The Delhi Metro, a network of more than 350 km with frequent, air-conditioned trains, is the fastest way across the city and reaches most sights. Ride-hailing cars and auto-rickshaws fill the gaps, and cycle-rickshaws are the best way through Old Delhi's lanes.
Plan your days
Two days covers Old Delhi, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas, an evening of qawwali and a day trip to Agra; add more time if you are continuing to Jaipur or the hills.
Practical information
- Currency
- INR
- Language
- Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and check that bottle seals are intact.
- Emergency number
- 112 (national emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tip about 10% in restaurants if service is not included, a small amount to porters and hotel staff, and a daily tip to drivers and guides at the end of a hired-car trip.
Touts and scams are common around New Delhi Railway Station and Connaught Place, including fake tourist offices and claims that hotels are closed. Pickpockets work crowded markets and metro trains. Air pollution can be severe from November to January, and summer heat is dangerous, so check forecasts and stay hydrated.
Flights to Delhi
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Delhi?
Two days covers Old Delhi, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas, an evening of qawwali and a day trip to Agra; add more time if you are continuing to Jaipur or the hills. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Delhi?
The best months to visit Delhi are February, March and October, when days are warm and dry and nights are mild. November to January are cooler and busy with visitors, but fog and air pollution can be severe, so check air-quality forecasts. May and June are extremely hot, and July to September bring monsoon humidity and downpours.
+What is Delhi known for?
Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar, Old Delhi street food, Chandni Chowk, Mughal architecture, Butter chicken and Golden Triangle gateway. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar — span 400 years of Islamic architecture in one city.
+Is Delhi expensive?
Delhi is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $60–$130 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Delhi?
No. The metro and ride-hailing cover the city, and a hired car with driver is better than self-driving for day trips; Delhi traffic is intense and parking is scarce.