Delhi Travel Guide

To holiday in Delhi is to succumb to the chaos and charm of a sprawling and ancient city, which is full of surprises, and shocks; Delhi is a city of contrasts, part squalor and part exotic splendour:

A quintessentially Indian city, the manic, noisy and labyrinthine streets of the old city give way to the imperial grandeur of New Delhi and its wide, leafy avenues. You will see sprawling slums and marvellous palaces, abject poverty and glittering wealth, and be overwhelmed by the age and history of the city.

A holiday in Delhi can be exhausting, unless you can afford air-conditioned luxury, so this is a destination for the adventurous and energetic. Shopaholics will enjoy the experience of bargaining for some unique and exotic souvenirs in the crammed street markets, and shopping in Delhi's many malls while foodies can sample the North Indian cuisine that the city is known for in Delhi's numerous restaurants. The city's impressive array of attractions will pack any travel itinerary to bursting point.

Best time to visit Delhi

The weather in Delhi is not for the faint of heart! Unless you are acclimatised to intense heat, with temperatures of up to 113°F (45°C) and beyond, avoid a Delhi holiday in summer (March to July). During the summer months other climatic features like dust storms and high humidity during the monsoon season (end of June) further add to the discomfort. The best time to travel to Delhi is between November and March, when the weather is warm and sunny. To catch the amazingly colourful Hindu festival of Holi, plan to holiday in Delhi in late February/March. Read more on Delhi's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Delhi

-Marvel at Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque.

-Visit the residence of the President of India, the architecturally stunning Rashtrapati Bhavan.

-See the ancient symbol of Islamic power in Delhi, the Qutub Minar.

-Soak up the atmosphere at India Gate with its war memorial and green lawns.

What to do in Delhi

-Wander through the frenzied, exciting bazaars surrounding Chandni Chowk.

-Spend some time admiring the flower-like Lotus Temple.

-Explore Humayun's Tomb, one of the most beautiful examples of Mogul architecture in Delhi.

-Stroll around the famous Red Fort, Delhi's landmark attraction.

Beyond Delhi

Delhi is the perfect springboard for travel in the north of India: Agra and the iconic Taj Mahal are within easy reach; the northern hill stations, like Dharamsala, residence of the Dalai Lama, are accessible; and cities like Amritsar, Jaipur and Varanasi are all possible destinations with plenty to offer travellers of all kinds.

Getting there

There are direct flights to Delhi from the UK and the US, landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is located 10 miles (16km) southwest of New Delhi. It is the busiest airport in India and there are trains, taxis and buses available to take passengers into the city. Get more information on Airports in Delhi.

Did you know?

-The walled city of Delhi originally had fourteen gates; five are still standing.

-Although Delhi is the capital of India, it is only the third largest city in the country.

-Delhi has an International Toilet Museum.

Entrance into the Red Fort ©

Moving through a sweltering bazaar, with each vendor crying out louder than the next, and clamouring through a sweaty crowd, a beggar tugs at your shirt as the sticky stench of the city pierces your nostrils. Navigate your way across the road through a perennial traffic jam of blasting horns and angry shouts, and suddenly you'll find yourself stepping through the trees into a deserted courtyard, flanked by gurgling ponds below the huge glittering dome of an ornately patterned mosque.

This is Delhi, city of contrasts, where an elephant can overtake an overheated Italian sports car on the streets, where colonial mansions stand next to squatter slums, and where cows are revered, but musicians are labelled 'untouchable'. The city's pace is chaotic, yet strangely relaxed, making it ideal for exploring. You're certain to be confronted with some strange and exotic sights.

With a long and troubled history, Delhi is full of fascinating temples, museums, mosques and forts, each with a distinctive architectural style. In Old Delhi, visitors will find a charming selection of colourful bazaars and narrow winding alleys. In comparison, New Delhi - the city created to reflect the might of the British Empire - consists of tree-lined avenues, spacious parks and sombre-looking government buildings.

While Delhi itself could take a lifetime to explore, it's also ideal as a base for visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, and it provides the best links for travelling to the hill stations of the North.