New Delhi is often the first stop on a trip to India, and therefore the first impression you’ll get. It’s a chaotic city, with a lot of pollution, traffic and a lot of people on the streets. However, once you come out of your astonishment, you will find a wonderful city, with a thousand corners to discover, dishes to try and stories to listen to. That’s why in this post we’ve put together a list of places to see in New Delhi.
If you’re preparing a trip to this incredible city of more than 14 million people, read this post carefully where we tell you how to get there, where to stay, and give you many other tips that will make your stay easier. The culture shock is quite big, so it’s best to be prepared to avoid unexpected surprises. And don’t forget the spicy cuisine. You’ll want to try it all, so we’ll also give you some restaurant recommendations and must-try dishes. Ready? Let’s get started.
What are the best places to see in New Delhi?
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
1. The Red Fort, a must-see in New Delhi
On your trip to New Delhi you can’t miss the Red Fort. It is a wall more than 6km long and 30 metres high, built in the 17th century, and named a World Heritage Site in 2007. Through the two gates you can enter the interior of the fortress where you’ll find imperial flats and pavilions and a replica of King Solomon’s throne. This part of the fortress is not as impressive as the outside, but the calmness that pervades the gardens is striking. Admission is €6 and visiting hours are from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
2. Humayun’s Tomb and Safdarjung
One of the most impressive buildings to see in New Delhi is Humayun’s Tombs, an example of Mughal architecture. Emperor Humayun is buried here along with some of his staff, such as the barber, and in addition to the building you can wander around its incredible gardens. The entrance fee is 600 rupees and it is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours in English are available.
Other famous mausoleums in the city are Safdarjung and Isa Khan’s Tomb. They are smaller and quieter than the former, but also well worth the visit.
3. Jama Masjid, the Mosque to see in New Delhi
This mosque, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, is one of the most important temples to see in New Delhi. The façade is the most striking feature, but it also impresses with its spacious interior that can hold up to 2,500 people. Admission is free if you don’t have a camera, otherwise it’s 300 rupees. Climbing the minaret costs another 40 rupees. Visiting hours are from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and guided tours in English are available.
4. Main Bazar and other bazaars to see in New Delhi
There are numerous bazaars in the city that are worth wandering around and looking for curious souvenirs. The most famous one to see in New Delhi is Main Bazaar, which as its name suggests is the main and largest bazaar in the city. It is located in the neighbourhood of Paharganj, which is characterised by its backpacker atmosphere as it is cheap and full of hotels, restaurants and shops. It is the best place to soak up the essence of the place.
What to see in and around New Delhi?
1. Taj Mahal, India’s most famous monument
From New Delhi, day trips to the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous monument, are a common sight. There are plenty of companies offering the full package, including transfer and food, but it’s best to bring it from home or ask at the hotel to avoid being ripped off.
It takes between 3 and 4 hours to get there, either by bus, taxi, train or private transport. Once there, entry costs €12, but it’s best to buy online to avoid queues, as it’s the most visited tourist attraction in the world, so it’s not uncommon for queues to be endless. The best time to go is at sunrise, as it’s less crowded. It is also open at night on certain days of the year, and closes every Friday.
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2. Jaipur, the Pink City
Jaipur is one of the most visited cities in India, so daily tours are organised from New Delhi which sometimes also include the cities of Amber and Agra. The city of Jaipur is famous for its distinctive pink walls, temples and monuments. It takes 5 hours by road from the capital, so it is worth making more stops along the way. Here’s this post: Things to do on a trip to Agra
What to see in 1 day in New Delhi?
New Delhi is a chaotic city that can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why some people choose to spend just a day or two and then continue their tour of the country. So if you’re short on time, don’t worry, because it’s possible to get a feel for the city in as little as 24 hours. You will have to give up some of the sights, but if you organise yourself well, you will be able to visit several interesting places. The must-sees in New Delhi in one day are:
- Humayun’s Tomb
- The Main Bazaar or Janpath Market
- Jama Masjid Mosque
- Agrasen Ki Baoli
Where and what to eat in New Delhi?
India is a paradise for lovers of new flavours. Its dishes surprise you with the variety of colours and flavours they combine, so different from Western ones. However, be careful because it is very common for the food to be very spicy. Some of the most typical dishes not to be missed are samosas, vada (savoury doughnuts), naan (flatbread), lassi (yoghurt-based drink) and thali, a combination of several dishes in small quantities accompanied by rice. There are plenty of nice cafés and restaurants in the city to eat at, here are some of them:
- Gali Paranthe Wali: this is the best restaurant for an authentic gastronomic immersion. It’s a locals’ everyday eatery, so the food is homemade, unpretentious and very cheap. And of course, it’s delicious.
- Lakhori-Haveli Dharampura: this is an upscale restaurant located in the old part of town. It’s one of the most expensive, but it’s worth it for the quality of the food and the pleasant atmosphere of the restaurant.
- Exotic Rooftop Restaurant: For less than €15 a meal at this restaurant overlooking the Grand Bazaar is a very good choice. They offer a wide variety of local dishes and the place is pleasant.
Where to stay in New Delhi?
The city is divided into nine huge districts, so if you don’t want to miss out on anything to see in New Delhi, it’s best to look for accommodation in one of the better-connected neighbourhoods closest to the sights. Accommodation costs range from €40-50 per night. The most central neighbourhood is Connaught Place, but it is also the most expensive. If you’re looking for cheaper options, it’s best to stay in Paharganj, Old Delhi or Karol Bagh. Here are some recommendations for accommodation:
- Gostops Delhi: There are many hostels in Delhi, but this is one of our favourites. It’s just 1.5km from the old town and has a 24-hour reception. There are several common areas such as a games room or a leafy courtyard where you can meet people. It’s also very well-kept and a very pleasant place to spend the night, either in a private room (28€) or in a bunk bed (10€).
- Dakha International Hotel: At the heart of the city centre, this 3-star hotel is one of the best options for accommodation. It is really cosy and the decoration is exquisite. It has room service and offers airport transfer and breakfast for €3. The price per night is around €30.
- Oak Plaza Hotel: is another three-star hotel with a good reputation. It’s next to the station and has a bar, room service and breakfast is included in the nightly rate of €40.
How to get to New Delhi?
From Spain there are no direct flights to New Delhi, so you will have to make a stopover in another European city. Once at Indira Gandhi International Airport (or New Delhi International Airport), you’ll have several options for getting to the city centre, which is about 15km away.
- Metro: the metro will get you to the city centre in 25 minutes. Trains run between 4:45am and 11:15pm and the single ticket is 60 rupees.
- Bus: is the cheapest option, but also the most chaotic. The network is very comprehensive and will drop you off anywhere in the city. Buses leave from Terminal 3 and run every 30 minutes.
- Taxi: It’s the most expensive option, but also the most comfortable. Don’t even think of going out on the street looking for a taxi, you’ll only pay more. There are taxi desks in Terminal 3 where you can book a taxi at a better price.
What should I consider before travelling to New Delhi?
- A visa is required to travel to New Delhi. It can be obtained online and usually takes less than a week. The cost is around €70.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured
- The city is safe, but be careful and watch out for your belongings.
- The official currency of India is the rupee.
- The traffic is crazy, if you can avoid it, don’t drive.
- Driving is part of everyday life, so be prepared.
- Best to avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
- Don’t try to see the whole country in one trip, India is huge. If you have to choose, it’s best to start in the north.
- The climate varies a lot from one area to another. If you’re going to the mountains the best time is summer, but for the rest of the country, travel is recommended between December and March.
- Beware of scams, they are very common.
How to prepare what things to do in New Delhi?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in New Delhi.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to New Delhi
The best time to travel to New Delhi is in February, when temperatures are milder.
The city is a very safe place, the only problem is scams, which are quite common, so don’t worry if it happens to you. Even so, be very careful and don’t rely on unexpected changes.
The most typical dishes in Delhi are samosas, thali, naan and vada. And the most common drink is lassi, made with yoghurt.
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