Delhi travel guide — Heart of Incredible India, India
India

DelhiTravel Guide

Heart of Incredible India

Delhi is best visited in Oct – Mar. A typical trip costs $25–$80/day per person.

Three thousand years of continuous habitation compressed into one overwhelming, magnificent capital. Every neighbourhood is its own world.

📅Updated May 2026·Reviewed by the TripGenius Editorial Team

Best: Oct – Mar
Budget: $25–$80/day
CulturalHistoricalFoodie

At a Glance

Best Time

Oct – Mar

Daily Budget

$25–$80/day

Language

Hindi, English

Currency

INR (Rupee)

Budget, visa and seasonal details are reviewed and current as of 2026. Costs are typical per-person estimates — always confirm prices and visa rules with official sources before you book.

Experiences

What Are the Top 10 Things to Do in Delhi? (2026)

The best experiences in Delhi — from iconic landmarks to local favourites, ranked by what travellers love most.

🏯
01

Red Fort & Chandni Chowk

Historical

The 17th-century Mughal fort followed by breakfast in Chandni Chowk — parathe at Paranthe Wali Gali, jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala, and the chaos of the spice market.

Full morning
🕌
02

Humayun's Tomb

Historical

The garden tomb that directly inspired the Taj Mahal — less crowded and arguably more harmonious. The Mughal garden layout is a masterpiece of symmetry.

2 hrs
🗼
03

Qutb Minar

Spiritual

The tallest brick minaret in the world, built in 1193. The surrounding complex has the earliest mosque in India and the 2,000-year-old Iron Pillar that hasn't rusted.

2 hrs
🍖
04

Street Food at Karim's

Culinary

The legendary Mughal restaurant in the lanes behind Jama Masjid has been serving mutton korma and nalli nihari since 1913. Breakfast here is a Delhi institution.

1.5 hrs
🛕
05

Akshardham Temple

Spiritual

The world's largest Hindu temple complex — opened in 2005 but built with ancient craftsmanship. The boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian history is genuinely impressive.

3 hrs
🔥
06

India Gate & Kartavya Path

Historical

Edwin Lutyens' 42-metre war memorial anchors Delhi's grand ceremonial axis, now redesigned as Kartavya Path. Come after sunset when families picnic on the lawns, the arch glows warm, and Rashtrapati Bhavan sits illuminated at the far end of the boulevard.

1–1.5 hrs
🌳
07

Lodhi Garden

Nature

Delhi's most beautiful green space wraps 15th-century Sayyid and Lodi tombs in 90 acres of lawns, bonsai gardens, jogging paths, and birdlife. It is the rare capital-city park where medieval domes, parakeets, and morning yoga all feel equally at home.

1.5 hrs
🎶
08

Nizamuddin Dargah & Thursday Qawwali

Spiritual

The shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya becomes one of Delhi's most moving experiences on Thursday evenings, when qawwali singers fill the marble courtyard with devotional music. Dress modestly, cover your head, and arrive before the lanes get packed.

2 hrs
☀️
09

Jantar Mantar

Nature

This 18th-century astronomical observatory looks like a surreal sculpture park but was built to measure time, planetary movement, and celestial positions with remarkable precision. The giant sundial and curved masonry instruments make a quick, fascinating stop near Connaught Place.

45 min
🏛️
10

Hauz Khas Complex & Village

Walking

A 14th-century reservoir, madrasa ruins, royal tombs, deer park, galleries, and rooftop cafes all collide in Hauz Khas. Visit the ruins at golden hour, then stay for South Delhi's most atmospheric evening scene.

2–3 hrs

Interactive Map

Explore Delhi on the Map

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When to Visit

When Is the Best Time to Visit Delhi?

Delhi has extreme seasons. October–March is the best window — pleasant days and cool nights. April–June is brutal heat (45°C+). July–September is monsoon — hot, humid, but green.

Best Months

Avoid

Full month-by-month guide for Delhi

Explore Areas

TripGenius Destination Guide

Delhi— Where to Go & What to Do

🕌

Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

  • Red Fort
  • Jama Masjid
  • Chandni Chowk bazaar
  • Spice Market (Khari Baoli)
  • Paranthe Wali Gali
📍

Connaught Place & Centre

  • Central Park
  • Best restaurant choice
  • Metro hub
🛍️

Hauz Khas & South Delhi

  • Qutb Minar
  • Hauz Khas Complex & Village
  • Lodhi Garden
  • Nizamuddin Dargah Qawwali
  • Khan Market
Best Time:Oct – Mar
Daily Budget:$25–$80/day
Currency:INR (Rupee)
Language:Hindi, English

Go Beyond the Guidebook

Hidden Gems in Delhi: Offbeat Places Locals Love

Slower alternatives built from Delhi's existing area and attraction guide — useful when you want a break from the headline sights.

Budget Breakdown

How Much Does a Trip to Delhi Cost? (2026 Budget Guide)

Prices in USD. Delhi is great value — world-class monuments and food at Indian prices.

🎒Budget
$15–$30
per day, per person

Accommodation

$5–15 (hostel in Paharganj or Karol Bagh)

Food

$4–8 (street food, dhabas, thalis)

Transport

$2–5 (Metro day pass)

Activities

$3–8 (monument entries)

The Delhi Metro is world-class and covers every major sight. A Metro day pass costs ₹100–150. Street food at Chandni Chowk costs ₹30–60 per item.

Most Popular
✈️Mid-range
$50–$100
per day, per person

Accommodation

$30–70 (3-star hotel in Connaught Place)

Food

$15–30 (restaurants, Mughal cuisine)

Transport

$8–15 (Metro + Uber)

Activities

$15–25 (all monuments + guided tour)

Karim's in Old Delhi for mutton dishes and Indian Accent in The Manor for modern Indian fine dining — one cheap, one special.

👑Luxury
$150–$400
per day, per person

Accommodation

$100–300 (The Imperial, Taj Mahal Hotel, Leela)

Food

$50–120 (Indian Accent, Bukhara at ITC)

Transport

$30–60 (hotel car)

Activities

$50–100 (private heritage tours)

Bukhara at ITC Maurya has been serving its dal bukhara (slow-cooked black lentils) for 40+ years — presidents and prime ministers eat here.

Dining

What Should You Eat in Delhi? Local Food & Restaurants

Use these practical dining formats to explore Delhi without relying on invented venue recommendations. Check current local reviews before choosing a specific restaurant.

Everyday Local Dining

India cuisine

Start around Old Delhi with busy, well-reviewed places serving the food of India. Ask what is cooked fresh that day instead of relying on a generic tourist menu.

Must try:A regional speciality recommended locally
Price range
Budget to mid-range

Markets and Casual Bites

Markets and casual food

Use a busy market or casual food street near one of Delhi's main sights for a flexible meal. Choose stalls with high turnover and food cooked in front of you.

Must try:A freshly cooked local snack
Price range
Usually budget-friendly

One Destination Dinner

Regional or contemporary

Reserve one slower meal in Delhi at a restaurant with a regional menu, a memorable setting, or a view. Check current reviews and opening hours before booking.

Must try:A seasonal or house speciality
Price range
Mid-range to special occasion

Insider Knowledge

What Should You Know Before Visiting Delhi?

Practical planning principles based on this guide’s areas, attractions, and seasonal summary. Confirm changing local rules before travel.

Prioritise Red Fort early in the day before crowds build.

Pair Jama Masjid with nearby food stops instead of crossing the city repeatedly.

Check weekly closures and festival dates before locking the itinerary.

Carry water, sun protection, and a light layer; sightseeing days often take longer than map estimates suggest.

Book peak-season accommodation ahead, especially around long weekends and school holidays.

Ready to go?

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Delhi

Common questions from travellers planning a trip to Delhi.

The best time to visit Delhi is Oct – Mar. The standout months are November, December, February. Delhi has extreme seasons. October–March is the best window — pleasant days and cool nights. April–June is brutal heat (45°C+). July–September is monsoon — hot, humid, but green.

A trip to Delhi typically costs $25–$80/day per person, covering accommodation, food, local transport and activities. Costs are highest in peak season (Oct – Mar) and drop noticeably outside it.

Delhi uses the INR (Rupee). Card acceptance varies outside major hotels and restaurants, so carry some cash for markets, street food and small vendors.

The main language spoken in Delhi is Hindi, English. In hotels and tourist areas of Delhi, basic English is usually understood.

Go Deeper

DelhiGuides & Itineraries

Practical planning resources for your Delhi trip

Browse the travel blog

Keep Exploring

More in India

Full India guide

Getting Around

Getting Around Delhi

A destination-planning framework rather than operator-specific advice. Check current local routes, fares, and licensed transport options before travelling.

Base yourself near Old Delhi if you only have 1-2 days.

Use official public transport, licensed taxis, or established ride-booking services where available; confirm the fare before an unmetered journey.

Group nearby sights into the same day and consider a licensed driver or organised excursion for spread-out day trips.

Start outdoor sightseeing early for better light, lower heat, and fewer crowds.

Keep a small amount of local currency for tickets, markets, parking, and places that do not accept cards.

Essential Apps

📱

Delhi Metro App

Metro routes & fares

📱

Uber / Ola

Cab booking

📱

Google Maps

Navigation

Confirm the final transfer and late-arrival options with your accommodation before travel.

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Based on:CulturalHistoricalFoodie