New Delhi is the capital of India. It is both vibrant and ancient. Here, you will find culture oozing from every corner. It is renowned for its architecture, fashion, and commerce.

It has been standing mighty since the mythical times of Mahabharata. Through both the chaos and trials, it has risen and become a booming capital of an incredible country.

New Delhi Travel Guide

The North stretches from Kamala Nagar to Sadar Bazar. In the southwest, you’ll see the Green Park, Malviya Nagar, and the very popular Vasant Kunj. The Western region boasts greenery in both Punjabi Bagh and Rajouri Garden. Vivek Vihar, Gandhi Nagar, and Preet Vihar are all east.

Qutub Minar

Standing 240 feet tall, this tower was established in the year 1192, by the very first ruler of Delhi – Qutb-ud-din Aibak. This minaret is named after its creator and is a must visit for anybody who comes to Delhi.

This five-story tower is built purely from marble and red sandstone and has a spiral staircase which takes you to the top in 379 steps. However, this has been closed to the public since 1974.

India Gate

Dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Afghan war you must visit this 42 m high iconic and historic landmark of Delhi.

Located in the central area near the Rashtrapati Bhavan, this place is best visited in the evenings when the monument is brilliantly lit up and the beautiful fountains around it give the place a truly magical look.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The official residence of the President of India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is a splendid palatial building having more than 400 rooms. The palace doors are thrown open to visitors on weekends by a registration process which can be accessed online.

Lotus Temple

Made from Marble the universal symbol of peace, a lotus flower gives the temple not only its name but shape as well.

Photography is restricted in the inner sanctum. Open to all castes and creeds, the temple is an ideal place for anyone who wishes to meditate and pray. The temple is also known as the place of Baha’i faith.

Humayun’s Tomb

This monument was originally built as a tomb for the Mughal emperor Humayun in the sixteenth century. Depicting elaborate Persian design, the vast area today houses marble tombs of quite a few other Mughal rulers.

Red Fort/ Lal Kila

The Lal Kila (Red Fort) is a bright hue of red reflecting the Mughal culture. It is also a huge display of brilliant architecture from sheer red sandstone.

Crowds fill the heart of Delhi at Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, and Khan Market. Its long history is felt at the cultural hub of the country, the Old Delhi. Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, Lal Quila and Jama Masjid are an integral part of Old Delhi.

Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar, or Maze Puzzle, is a complex in the heart of Central Delhi. The area comprises an open-air observatory, having thirteen different instruments, which involves the use of the different structures to observe the astronomic cycles.

Nature

Lush gardens and ancient buildings will take you back to a time when India was a sovereign nation.

Lodhi Gardens

Lodhi Gardens, in Central  Delhi, is a public garden on a very grand and impressive scale. Amidst the sprawling greens you will come across ancient 500 year’s old structures and tombs of the Mughal era.

The park is huge and one can easily spend the better part of the day exploring the ruins and wandering around. The garden is also a haven for birdwatchers, with almost 60 different species of birds being sighted here.

Garden of Five Senses

Located in South Delhi’s Saidulajab village, the Garden of Five Senses gets its name from the five theme parks present here. These are namely Mughal Garden, Herb Garden, Solar energy Garden and Pools of Water lilies etc.

The entire area is beautifully landscaped in scenic natural surroundings. The Garden hosts various events all the year round, some of the more famous being Tourism Festival, Food Festival and much more.

Children’s Park

Located in the backdrop of India Gate, the Children’s Park is a huge playground set in the sprawling lawns of Central Delhi. The park and its environs, light up during the evening hours, enhancing the beauty of the place by giving an enchanting look.

Shop at

Shop the many bazaars in Delhi. Even the most selective shopper will find a market to cater to their whims. Dilli Haat boasts a wealth of handcrafted products. Karol Bagh hosts chic clothing shops. Sarojini Market is a hub for all the young fashionistas, where you can buy stylish outfits at low prices.D

Delhi Haat

An initiative by the Delhi government, Delhi Haat is a shopping market for traditional clothing and handicraft items. Designed to look like a traditional village market, the stores here are set up by rural artisans who come to sell their handmade ware.

Palika Bazaar

Palika Bazaar is an underground air-conditioned bazaar in Connaught Place. This huge market has shops that sell electronic gadgets and mobiles at very good prices.

The market specializes in gaming consoles and video games. Delhi’s gamers always converge at the market to get the latest PlayStation and Xbox games.

Karol Bagh Market

An equal number of branded and street stalls make the market at Karol Bagh. These shops sell a variety of products ranging from jewelry to clothes, spices, electronics and much more.

There are a few restaurants too at Karol Bagh that are popular with shoppers, who often drop by for a light snack after they’ve done shopping.

Sarojini Nagar Market

Sarojini Market in Delhi is every woman’s dream place for shopping. At this famous street market, whether you are looking for a Zara top or Pepe jeans, you will find it at prices less than Rs. 1,000.

In the market, there are a few shops selling junk jewelry and shoes as well. While you are here, do not forget to check out the famous momo stall.

Khan Market

This market has some of the most popular stores in Delhi. Good Earth, Amrapali Jewellers, and Sham Di Haat are some of the famous stores located here.

Apart from shopping, the Khan market is also known for its street food options. Don’t forget to check out the underground bookstore in Khan market.

Janpath Market

At the Janpath market, you will find a lot of products ranging from Tibetan good to typical Gujarati sarees, a variety of cloth, shoes, junk jewelry, and much more. The market is a huge hit with out-of-towners, shopping enthusiasts and the young Delhi crowd.

Experiences to have

• Take a Rickshaw tour of Chandni Chowk – Your rickshaw driver doubles up as a local guide and happily imparts vital inputs on everything, including places to eat, shop and visit.
• A meal at India habitat Center – Set among a stunning landscape full of gardens and fountains, the food here adds to the ambiance of this architectural marvel.
• Take a heritage walk – These now hugely popular walks are conducted every weekend by some extremely knowledgeable guides and tour leaders.
• Listen to Sufi Music at Dargha of Nizamuddin –  A popular location for Bollywood films, the song session here is attended by hordes of people from all religions from the world over. It will leave you in a trance and begging for more.
• Sunday Book Market – Set on the streets of Old Delhi, this market has been happening since decades and you will find all types of books you want here.
• Performance at Kamani Auditorium – Located in the heart of Delhi, the Kamani Auditorium is the best and leading theatre hall of Delhi. This aesthetically designed structure plays host to numerous national and international plays and dramas which you must not miss.
• The Hop on Hop off or HoHo buses, run across Delhi, covering popular tourist destinations. At an extremely nominal charge of Rs 500 or roughly $8, tourists can get on or off from any one of the 19 designated stops.
• Visit Hauz Khas – The Hauz Khas complex situated in South Delhi is a collection of ancient ruins, which include tombs and mosques. A water tank, once a lifeline to this place, still stands in its original splendor with the ruins providing a spectacular backdrop. Today the area surrounding the ruins has been merged into an upscale outdoor shopping and pub street. People throng here for high-end boutiques, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and clubs.

Hauz Khas by Varun Shiv Kapur CCBY2.0

Temples and Churches

Birla Mandir

Also known as the Laxmi Narayan Temple, this significant complex of Hindu temples lies in the central part of the capital.

The temple was officially inaugurated by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and attracts thousands of devotees from India and other parts of the world.

Akshardham

The temple is dedicated to Swaminarayan Akshardham. A large complex situated amidst gardens; it is one of the well-maintained temples in Delhi. Along with paying homage to Swaminarayan, one can look at the rich collection of Indian culture here; the light and sound show in the evening is worth seeing.

ISKON Temple

A massive structure built for the praise and worship of Lord Krishna, ISKCON is situated on Hare Krishna Hill in East of Kailash. It is known for its huge followers from all over the world.

Sai Baba Temple

The temple is simple yet majestic and if people are to be believed then many testimonies regarding feeling the divine presence of Baba have been recorded since the time the temple was built

Some of the other famous temples in Delhi are –

• Chhatarpur Mandir
• Lakshmi Narayan Temple
• Kalkaji Temple
• LadakhBuddhistt Vihara
• Yogmaya Temple
• Kali Mandir, Chittaranjan Park

Cathedral Church of the Redemption

Also known as the Viceroy Church, New Delhi treasures some alluring holy grounds. Cathedral Church of the Redemption is one such heavenly residence located east of Rashtrapati Bhavan; this church is one of the most famous and beautiful churches in New Delhi.

St. James Church

Sanctified in 1836, St James Church is one of the oldest Churches in New Delhi, located near Kashmiri Gate. It holds the fame of being the first church in Delhi. Shining in Golden Yellow, this humble abode still stands with pride. It is said that this church holds an imitation of the churches in Venice.

Nightlife Hot Spots

There are numerous nightclubs in Delhi with feet tapping music, booze, & awesome ambiance. Listed below are some of the best and safest party junctions in Delhi that’ll redefine the meaning of fun for you.

• Ghungroo
• Agni
• Kitty Su
• Raasta
• Fork You
• Mocha Arthouse Cafe
• The Beer Cafe – Biggie
• Hard Rock Café
• Piano Man

Kitty Su at the Lalit

Best Time to Visit New Delhi

The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March when the weather is at its best. During this period flowers are at their blooming best, the weather is pleasant and enjoyable to experience Incredible Delhi.

Local cuisine

Chandni Chowk area of the city boasts of the most delicious paranthas (a sort of bread). In fact, the entire area of Old Delhi is famous for the local Delhi cuisine.

There is the Bengali Market in New Delhi that is very popular for Chaat Papri, Golgappas, Sweets, etc.

Delhi is also very popular for its roadside vendors that serve awesome local cuisine. However, before eating make sure that the place is neat, clean and hygienic. All said and done, one cannot fully explain the palatability of these dishes. You have to come to the capital city of Delhi and enjoy its mouth-watering delicacies yourself.

If you want to get an authentic taste of Mughlai dishes, you can drive down to Old Delhi. This is often known as Shah Jahan’s City. The restaurants you will find here serve authentic Mughal dishes. This is because the cooks you find are descendants of the cooks who used to work in the palaces.

Getting Around

Using cabs is a convenient way to get around the city. You can download a smartphone app like Ola or Uber that will allow you to book and pay for cabs.

Buses and metro are other options to get around. Although, buses have a complex network they do connect all corners of the city. You need to ask before getting on to the bus to be sure.

Where to stay

The capital city never runs out of places to stay. It has places to suit all budgets, from 5-star hotels to budget hostels. Airbnb also is a good option in the city.

If you want to make it to most of the tourist places it is now ideal to look for a place near one of the metro stations. It will save you a lot of time and money spent on travel. 

Depending on your budget you can check in on online sights like Make my trip or Yatra or Trivago to get the best deal.

How Safe is New Delhi

Delhi, on the whole, isn’t the safest city in India, and you need to take your precaution. If you are a solo female traveler or a bunch of girls it is best to avoid moving after dark. Safety should be your priority while traveling across this city.

September 3, 2016 11:31 am Published by Staff Writer 1 Comment