Delhi Travel Guide

 

Delhi Travel Guide: Things to do in Delhi

UPDATED APRIL 2019: New Delhi, India is a huge, sprawling metropolis. An ancient city with a storied past, Delhi is one of the most historical cities on earth. It also has a very vibrant present as the capital of the world’s largest democracy. There are so many things to do in Delhi it’s hard to even know how to begin a Delhi city guide, and what Delhi travel tips to offer, to visitors and tourists who want to explore and experience the best sights, hotels, attractions, landmarks and fun, cool things to do. Note: New Delhi is also called just Delhi, or in Hindi, Dilli.

So here goes, my tips for the best things to do in Delhi – based on 13 years of living in Delhi on-and-off. There are truly a lot of things to do in Delhi, from a street food tour of Old Delhi, to watching the sunrise at India Gate, to exploring the city’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites (Red Fort, Qutb Minar, Humayun’s Tomb) – these are things you must do in Delhi. But first …

Why visit Delhi?

Most visitors to India land either in Delhi or Mumbai (Bombay). And it is from these cities that they glean their first impressions. Unfortunately, Delhi does not always make a good first impression. I was lucky, from my very first day in India, I stayed with an Indian family in South Delhi. True Dilli-wallahs, they helped me see the beauty and essential charm of the city and provided the keys to discover hidden treasures that most tourists miss. I grew to love the city and I hope you will give it a chance, too.

Personally, I think Delhi is a glorious city. As well as being my home-away-from-home, I also find it inspiring and endlessly fascinating. Like Rome, Delhi is an eternal city. Not only is it the capital of modern India, it has been the capital of at least seven previous civilizations, and each have left behind a trail of monuments. It’s also a very green city, criss-crossed by wide, leafy boulevards; and it’s the country’s cultural heart and political centre. Plus, Delhi is known as a gastronome’s pleasure garden and a shopper’s paradise. In other words, there’s lots of things to do in Delhi, and many reasons to love the city.

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Where to stay in Delhi

Low-built Delhi sprawls, and encompasses many fascinating areas from Raj-era Connaught Place, the commercial centre, to the crammed markets of Old Delhi; and from funky enclave Hauz Khas to the elegant bungalows of central New Delhi. There are many places to stay, and many neighbourhoods to explore, but somehow most tourists end up in Pahar Ganj (near New Delhi Train Station), Karol Bagh, or Connaught Place (known locally as CP), the commercial centre of Delhi. There are a lot of cheap hotels here, and the night life can be fun and exciting, but there are also a lot of touts, conmen, hustlers, scam artists and worse. For foreigners, and especially those new to India, it can feel like a shark feeding frenzy to walk down the street. 

Personally, I prefer to stay where I am treated as something more than a walking wallet. My top Delhi tip is to stay away from the hustle and bustle, and avoid the sharks. Stay instead in the leafy, upscale neighbourhoods of central New Delhi, South Delhi, or Mehrauli. In South Delhi, I rarely get ripped off, because this is not a tourist area: when I get in an auto, I get charged the same price as my neighbours, the locals. Look for accommodation in home stays, guest houses, hostels, small boutique hotels. There are lots to choose from and more coming up every day. Read about why you should choose a homestay in India here.

Look for hotels on the map of Delhi below, or click the name of the recommended hotels below the map.

My top hotel recommendations in Delhi

Over the years, I’ve visited and stayed in many hotels and guest houses in Delhi. These are my favourites, based on a combination of location, historical significance, comfort, and value for money. Some are luxury hotels and some are cheap and affordable — there’s a recommendation for every price range. 

Luxury hotel $$$$$: The Imperial Hotel is a grand hotel that dates from the 1920s, was completely refurbished, and is now extremely posh. It’s also historically significant. You can read 8 reasons to love The Imperial Hotel here.

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of The Imperial Hotel … and book.

Luxury hotel $$$$$: ITC Maurya is one of the top hotels in Delhi. Heads of state stay here, and the restaurants, especially Bukhara and Dum Pukt, are not only the best in the city, they are the best in India. Here’s my report on the ITC Maurya, 24 hours in hotel heaven. 

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of ITC Maurya Hotel … and book.

Midrange hotel $$$$: Claridges is somewhat like The Imperial — a white, art-deco inspired hotel dating from the period when the British Raj was building New Delhi. It has a wonderful location among all the greenery of the Lodhi area of Delhi.

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of The Claridges Hotel … and book.

Homestay $$: Thikana is a small and stylish guest house with a fabulous rooftop in a prestigious location in South Delhi, Gulmohar Park. 

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of Thikana luxury homestay … and book.

B&B $: Prakash Kutir B&B is my home-away-from home. It’s where I typically stay in Delhi and you can find out why by reading Homestays are the best option in India 

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of Prakash Kutir B&B … and book.

Hostel $: Everyone’s favourite luxury hostel in South Delhi is Madpackers.

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of Madpackers Hostel, South Delhi … and book.

Airport hotel $$$$: Andaz Aerocity. In fact, I like a lot of the Aerocity hotels, which you can read about in my guide to Aerocity Delhi. Ibis and Pullman are also favourites, but Andaz has a little something special — it’s themed for the city of Delhi, has a gin bar, and fun, open concept spaces.

• Click to read a TripAdvisor review of Andaz Delhi hotel … and book.

Airbnb

I’ve had great success with Airbnb in Delhi. My top tips are to read the reviews very carefully, try and choose Super Hosts, and pick good neighbourhoods. My favourites are almost all in central or south Delhi: Lodhi, Jorbagh, Green Park, Hauz Khas, Panchsheel Park, Greater Kailash.

On my birthday in South Delhi, 2006.

Why am I qualified to write a travel guide to Delhi

Before you consider my recommendations for a visit to Delhi, you may want to know my expertise and qualifications. When I first travelled to India in December 2005, I landed in Delhi and stayed at the home of a friend-of-a-friend, a Punjabi family in South Delhi. In time, that family basically adopted me, and I ended up spending many months over several trips living with them. I spent many long days exploring the city, and listening to this old-time Delhi family tell me about its history and evolution, its secrets and traditions.

More recently, I have spent months altogether living in Hauz Khas, another neighbourhood of South Delhi. Until my move to Rishikesh, I considered Delhi to be my home-away-from-home. Not only did I do sightseeing and shopping, but I went to doctors and dentists, watched movies and plays, celebrated festivals and weddings, attended business meetings and conferences … in other words, lived in Delhi and experienced it in just about every way possible over 13 years.

Questions about what to do in Delhi

• Where to stay in Delhi
• What can I do in Delhi
• Where should I go in Delhi?
• My top hotel recommendations in Delhi
• How to get around Delhi
• Where to go shopping in Delhi
• Is Delhi Safe?
• How to stay healthy in Delhi
• Where to find Yoga, massage, and Ayurveda in Delhi
• When is the best time to go to Delhi
• What clothes should you wear in Delhi
• What are the best tours to take in Delhi?
• How to deal with scams, conmen and getting ripped off in Delhi
• 36 hours in New Delhi itinerary