Travel Guide
Delhi travel guide
Delhi, India's capital territory, is a sprawling metropolis where Mughal grandeur meets modern chaos. Old Delhi's narrow lanes contrast with New Delhi's colonial boulevards. From the Red Fort to India Gate, ancient tombs to contemporary malls, Delhi overwhelms and enchants.
Language
Hindi, English
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Timezone
IST (GMT+5:30)
Best time
October to March (avoid summer heat)
Budget/day
$30-60
When to visit
Jan
7-21°C
Feb
10-24°C
Mar
15-30°C
Apr
21-37°C
May
26-41°C
Jun
28-40°C
Jul
27-35°C
Aug
26-34°C
Sep
24-34°C
Oct
19-33°C
Nov
12-28°C
Dec
8-23°C
Safety
Medium RiskDelhi requires street smarts. Use registered taxis or Uber/Ola. Be firm with touts. Women should dress modestly and avoid traveling alone late at night. Petty theft in crowded areas.
Women travellers
Stay alert especially at night. Use metro (women-only carriages) or Uber. Avoid deserted areas.
Culture & etiquette
- + Remove shoes before entering temples and mosques
- + Namaste with hands together is the traditional greeting
- + Use your right hand for giving/receiving
- + Bargaining expected in bazaars but not in fixed-price shops
- - Don't accept unsolicited help or "free" tours from strangers near monuments
- - Don't exchange currency on the street — use ATMs or authorised money changers
- - Don't touch anyone's head
- - Don't point feet at people or religious objects
Food to try
Chole bhature
Delhi's most iconic breakfast—large puffed fried bread (bhature) alongside a fiery chickpea curry finished with ginger and pomegranate; eaten standing at dhabas of Paharganj or posh restaurants; the best in Old Delhi near Sitaram Bazaar
Butter chicken
Delhi's greatest culinary invention—tandoor-roasted chicken simmered in a velvet tomato-cream sauce with butter and fenugreek; created at Moti Mahal restaurant in Daryaganj in the 1950s; every Delhi restaurant has its version
Parathas from Paranthe Wali Gali
A Chandni Chowk alley of 100-year-old paratha shops frying stuffed flatbreads in pure ghee—potato, radish, cauliflower, banana, and even rabri-filled parathas; eaten with a line of chutneys and pickles; a Delhi institution since Mughal times
Chaat
Delhi's elaborate street food culture—crispy puri baskets filled with potato, yogurt, tamarind chutney and coriander; tangy, sweet and spicy in one mouthful; Chandni Chowk, Bengali Market and Lajpat Nagar are the city's great chaat battlegrounds
Kebabs
Delhis Mughal culinary legacy—seekh, boti, shammi, galouti and kakori kebabs from Old Delhi's narrow food lanes; Karim's near Jama Masjid has been charcoal-grilling kebabs for over a century; the smoke and crowds are part of the experience
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.