New Delhi city guide

Things To Do In New Delhi

Mughal forts and tombs, the chaos of Chandni Chowk, leafy boulevards and one of the best metro systems in Asia. Overwhelming at first, and the gateway to the Golden Triangle.

Where to stay What it costs

Hostels in the city

7.5

Average, from 15,869 reviews

UNESCO sites in the city

20 min

Airport to New Delhi by metro

€1

A street food meal

Seven cities in one

Delhi has been the capital of empire after empire, and at least seven historic cities lie within today's one. The Mughals left the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and Humayun's Tomb; the British built New Delhi's grand boulevards around India Gate.

Old Delhi, around Chandni Chowk, is one of the most intense places on earth: rickshaws, spice markets and street food in narrow lanes. New Delhi is spacious and green by comparison.

Most trips to India start here. Three days is right before heading to Agra and Jaipur.

Where to stay

Stay in Paharganj for budget and the station, or in Hauz Khas or South Delhi for a calmer base.

Paharganj

Budget

Near New Delhi station.

Old Delhi

Atmosphere

Chandni Chowk.

Hauz Khas

Nightlife

South Delhi.

Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Things to do

Things to do in New Delhi

Delhi is two cities: Old Delhi, the walled Mughal capital of Shah Jahan, and New Delhi, the wide-avenued capital built by the British in the 1920s and 1930s.

In Old Delhi, the Red Fort, a UNESCO site of red sandstone palaces, faces Chandni Chowk, a chaotic bazaar of spice markets, silver lanes and street food. Climb a minaret of the Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, for the view over the rooftops. A cycle-rickshaw ride through the lanes is unforgettable.

Humayun's Tomb, a red-and-white Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, and the Qutub Minar, a 73-metre victory tower begun around 1200, are UNESCO-listed and best in the early morning. At Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the community kitchen serves free meals to thousands every day; visitors are welcome to eat or help.

India Gate and the ceremonial avenue of Kartavya Path link the war memorial to the President's palace. Lodhi Garden has tombs among lawns, and Hauz Khas Village, around a medieval reservoir, is full of cafés and bars.

The Akshardham temple is an enormous, intricately carved modern complex, and the Lotus Temple, a Bahá'í house of worship shaped like a lotus flower, is open to all.

Free things

Free things to do in New Delhi

India Gate, Kartavya Path and Lodhi Garden are free, and so are the Jama Masjid's courtyard, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its free meals, the Lotus Temple and Akshardham's grounds.

Wandering Chandni Chowk and the lanes of Old Delhi costs nothing. Hauz Khas's ruins and lake are free.

Food and drink

Eating and drinking in New Delhi

Delhi is a capital of north Indian food. In Old Delhi, try parathas fried in ghee on Paranthe Wali Gali, kebabs and nihari around the Jama Masjid, and jalebi, chaat and kulfi from street stalls. Butter chicken and dal makhani were popularised by Delhi's Punjabi restaurants.

The street food is the city's highlight, but start with busy stalls. A street meal is €1 to €3; a restaurant meal €5 to €15.

Nightlife

Going out in New Delhi

Delhi's nightlife is in Hauz Khas Village, Connaught Place and the malls and bars of south Delhi, with clubs, rooftop bars and craft breweries. Bars close around 1am.

A beer is €3 to €6 in a bar.

Getting around

Getting around New Delhi

Indira Gandhi International Airport is linked to the centre by the Airport Express metro in about twenty minutes.

The Delhi Metro covers most sights, with women's carriages, and is the best way to beat the traffic. Uber, Ola and auto-rickshaws fill the gaps; agree auto fares or use the apps.

Trains reach Agra in under two hours on the Gatimaan or Vande Bharat express, and Jaipur in about four and a half. Book on the IRCTC website or app, which accepts foreign tourists, ahead of time.

Costs

What New Delhi costs

Delhi is cheap. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €20 to €30.

The Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar each charge foreigners several euros. A metro ride is under €1, and an auto across the centre €1 to €3.

The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.

Safety

Staying safe in New Delhi

Delhi needs care. Touts at New Delhi station tell visitors the tourist office has moved or their ticket is invalid; go straight to the International Tourist Bureau on the first floor. Avoid unofficial 'tourist offices' and pre-arranged tours sold by strangers.

From November to January, air pollution is among the worst in the world; check the air quality index and consider a mask. Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and be wary of raw salads and ice; stomach upsets are common.

Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.

Emergency number is 112.

Day trips from New Delhi

Forts and tombs beyond the city.

Agra

Under 2 hours · Train

The Taj Mahal.

Jaipur

About 4.5 hours · Train

The pink city.

Neemrana

About 2.5 hours · Car

A hilltop fort palace.

What's on

What is on while you are there

Diwali lights up the city in October or November.

23–25 October

The Lil Flea

A three-day festival at JLN Stadium brings together over 300 homegrown Indian brands alongside food stalls, desserts, and baked goods worth exploring. Live bands…

30 October

Great India Beer Fest

The Great India Beer Fest is a major celebration for beer enthusiasts and food lovers alike. You’ll find a lively atmosphere filled with craft…

2 October

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is observed annually on October 2nd to honor the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. You will find prayer…

3 October

Gurdas Maan

Gurdas Maan, widely considered one of the most influential Punjabi musicians of all time, brings his legendary voice to Bharat Mandapam for a live…

3 October

The Manganiyar Seduction

The Manganiyar Seduction presents a unique musical experience with 33 veiled compartments, each housing a master musician from Rajasthan's Manganiyar community. The performance blends…

17–18 October

Garba Dazzle 3.0

Garba Dazzle returns for its third season, bringing two nights of Navratri celebration to the heart of Chandni Chowk. You can expect traditional Garba…

22 October

Quick Style

Quick Style is bringing their renowned dance legacy to India for the first time with this tour in Delhi. Celebrated for their viral videos…

23–25 October

Meri Dilli Dandiya Utsav

Meri Dilli Dandiya Utsav 2026 brings three lively days of traditional music, Garba dance, and cultural celebration to New Delhi. You can enjoy a…

All events in New Delhi

Hostels

Where to stay in New Delhi

The top-rated places to stay in New Delhi right now, live from Hostelworld.

9.5 3,153

When to go

October to March. Summers are extremely hot, and winter smog is heavy.

21°

Jan

Cool, smoggy

24°

Feb

Good

30°

Mar

Holi

36°

Apr

Hot

40°

May

Extreme heat

39°

Jun

Extreme heat

35°

Jul

Monsoon

34°

Aug

Monsoon

34°

Sep

Humid

33°

Oct

Diwali

28°

Nov

Smog

23°

Dec

Cool

Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets: quiet busy peak

Average highs. May and June pass 40°C.

What your trip will cost

Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.

Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents.

Nights 3

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Beds—
Food and drink—
Getting around—
Doing things—

New Delhi travel questions

The ones we get asked most.

How do I avoid scams at New Delhi station?

Ignore anyone telling you the office has moved or your ticket is invalid; go to the International Tourist Bureau on the first floor.

Is the air bad?

From November to January, often severely; check the air quality index.

What do I need before arriving?

An e-Visa, and since April 2026 the free e-Arrival Card, submitted within 72 hours before landing.

How do I get to Agra?

By the Gatimaan or Vande Bharat express, under two hours.

How many days do you need?

Three.

When is the best time to visit?

October to March.

What should I eat?

Parathas, kebabs and chaat in Old Delhi.

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