New Delhi
Visited in October 2022
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Region
- New Delhi tehsil
- Population
- 249,998
- Best time to go
- October to March
- Main airport
- Indira Gandhi International (DEL)
- Coordinates
- 28.60°N, 77.24°E
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Overview
India's capital is really several cities in one. Old Delhi, built by the Mughals, is a dense maze of bazaars around the Red Fort and Jama Masjid; New Delhi, laid out by the British, is all wide avenues, roundabouts and government buildings.
Between and around them lie centuries of tombs, mosques and gardens. Delhi can be intense, but it rewards curiosity, and the food alone is worth the trip.
Things to see
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Photo: PerSona77, CC BY-SA 3.0 Red Fort
The great red sandstone fortress of the Mughal emperors, with marble halls and gardens inside its walls.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 Humayun's Tomb
A serene garden tomb from the 16th century that inspired the Taj Mahal, best in the soft morning light.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Wasir kasab, CC BY 4.0 Qutub Minar
A soaring fluted victory tower from the early 13th century, surrounded by ruined mosques and pillars.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Bikashrd, CC BY-SA 4.0 Jama Masjid
India's largest mosque, with a vast courtyard and views over Old Delhi from the minaret.
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Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0 India Gate
The war memorial arch at the end of Kartavya Path, where families gather on summer evenings.
Things to do
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Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0 Old Delhi food walk
Eat your way through the lanes off Chandni Chowk, from parathas to jalebis and kebabs.
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Photo: Amaninder, CC BY-SA 3.0 Lodhi Garden
A leafy park dotted with 15th-century tombs, where Delhi comes to jog and picnic.
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Photo: Nvvchar ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0 Hauz Khas
Medieval ruins around a reservoir, with cafés and boutiques in the village next door.
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Photo: Yann ; edited by Jim Carter, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Agra
Express trains reach the Taj Mahal in under two hours, so an early start makes a day trip easy.
Find tours
Where to stay
Connaught Place
Central and well connected by Metro, with hotels at every level.
Hotels in Connaught PlacePaharganj
Budget guesthouses near New Delhi station; chaotic but convenient.
Hotels in PaharganjSouth Delhi
Quieter, greener neighbourhoods such as Defence Colony and Hauz Khas, with good restaurants.
Hotels in South DelhiAerocity
International chain hotels by the airport, ideal for a short stopover.
Hotels in Aerocity
Getting around
The Delhi Metro is clean, cheap and extensive. Auto-rickshaws and app taxis fill the gaps; use the apps to avoid haggling.
The Airport Express Metro line reaches New Delhi station in about 20 minutes; a taxi takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
When to go
October to March is the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights, though winter can bring smog. April to June is fiercely hot and the monsoon follows from July to September. Diwali lights up the city in autumn.
Plan your trip to New Delhi
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.