Nehru once famously described Delhi as “the symbol of old India and new”. The present Delhi has evolved from eight successive cities starting from 1060 AD and with British built New Delhi becoming the capital in 1911. The most prominent influences left in Delhi today are the Mughal influence in Old Delhi, with famous monuments such as the Red Fort. The era of the British Raj has left its legacy of New Delhi’s wide streets, the shopping focal point of Connaught Place and the numerous government buildings. Moreover, places such as the ruins of the 14th century city of Tughluqabad and Qutub Minar Complex in South Delhi give glimpses into an even more ancient past.
As well as being the political capital of India, Delhi is also a business hub and the rising affluence in the city is giving rise to a number of deluxe malls along with an upmarket nightlife and fashionable social scene. Places like Hauz Khas village have boutiques and art galleries and across the city there are hundreds of excellent restaurants where you can taste rich Mughlai cooking (the “food of the Mughals”) as well as dishes from all over the world. Festivals in Delhi include the parades and demonstrations on Republic Day (26th January) and Independence Day (15th August), and there are countless events throughout the year displaying dance and the traditional arts.
Despite being an increasingly modern city, Delhi is also home to some of the most fascinating monuments, religious sights and ancient bazaars in India. The medieval backstreets around Chandni Chowk are filled with bazaars with sections selling everything from spices to fireworks. The serene Lodi Gardens are scattered with ancient domed tombs. The Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and the tombs of Humayun and Safdarjang are impressive monuments to the opulence of the Mughal dynasty and its architecture… Moreover, the comprehensive collection of the National Museum goes some way to put the abounding sense of history in Delhi in perspective.
Whether you want to experience thriving modernity, the evocative past, or just to indulge in excessive amounts of shopping, Delhi has it all.
Practical Information
- October-March are the best months to visit Delhi
- December and January can get quite cold and foggy at night, monsoon lasts from the end of June to mid-September, May and June are very hot and dry
- Delhi is served by the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). The International Terminal is 23km from the centre and the Domestic Terminal is 15km from the centre. To get to the town it is possible to take a taxi or airport coach.
- The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is at Kashmir Gate near the Red Fort.
- There are three main railway stations: The New Delhi Station near Connaught Place, the Hazrat Nizamuddin 5km south of Connaught Place and the Old Delhi (Main Station), 2km north of Connaught Place.
- Auto rickshaws and taxis are widely available for travelling around the town
- There is also a growing metro network
- Most tourist offices are open 10:00-18:00, Mon-Fri
- Government of India Tourist Office is in Janpath, Delhi Tourism is in Connaught Place
- Most historical sights are open from sunrise to sunset, but many attractions are closed on Mondays
Select a Delhi Homestay using the links in the top right.