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Delhi

Delhi

Mughal monuments and India's transit hub

CityHeritageCulture

Best time to visit Delhi

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: October to February
  • Shoulder: March and July to September, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to June

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryOctoberNovemberDecember

Delhi season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Pleasant days but dense smog and cold nights, especially December-January: carry a mask.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Dry heat regularly crosses 42C; plan sightseeing for early morning and AC malls by afternoon.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Humid with sudden waterlogging, but a welcome break from summer's heat all the same.

Autumn October to November Prime time

The best window: clearer skies and mild temperatures before winter smog sets back in.

What Delhi is actually like

Huge hostel scene in Paharganj and Hauz Khas; stay street-smart after dark.

Things to do in Delhi

The local places worth your time in and around Delhi, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Humayun's Tomb

    Heritage · 7 km out

    The 1570 Mughal garden tomb the Taj Mahal was modelled on, red sandstone and marble; ASI ticket, late afternoon light.

  • Jama Masjid

    Mosque · 4 km out

    Shah Jahan's 1656 mosque above Old Delhi; climb the south minaret for the rooftop view, visitors are out at prayer times.

  • Chandni Chowk

    Market · 4 km out

    Old Delhi's bazaar lanes: silver, spice at Khari Baoli, paratha at Paranthe Wali Gali; most shops shut on Sunday.

  • Red Fort (Lal Qila)

    Fort · 5 km out

    Shah Jahan's walled palace of 1648, marble halls and museums in the barracks; closed Mondays, entry at Lahori Gate.

  • Qutub Minar

    Heritage · 15 km out

    Twelfth century victory tower and the rustless iron pillar in the Quwwat-ul-Islam ruins; yellow line to Qutab Minar.

  • Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

    Shrine · 7 km out

    Sufi shrine down a crowded market lane; qawwali after sunset on Thursday, cover your head, leave shoes at a stall.

  • Lodhi Gardens

    Garden · 6 km out

    Fifteenth century tombs scattered through a landscaped park, free and open dawn to dusk; the best morning walk in town.

  • Agrasen ki Baoli

    Heritage · 1 km out

    Stepwell dropping a hundred steps into the ground between office towers off Hailey Road; free, and quietest before 10 am.

Getting to Delhi

International/domestic airport (DEL) or major rail hub

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
216 m
State
Delhi
Coordinates
28.6139, 77.2090

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Delhi?

October to February is peak season in Delhi. March and July to September is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to June. The best window: clearer skies and mild temperatures before winter smog sets back in.

How many days do you need in Delhi?

3 days is the usual stay. Huge hostel scene in Paharganj and Hauz Khas; stay street-smart after dark.

How do you get to Delhi?

International/domestic airport (DEL) or major rail hub. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Delhi expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

Is there a festival in Delhi?

Jan: Republic Day Parade. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Delhi?

Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort (Lal Qila), Qutub Minar and Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, and more. The 1570 Mughal garden tomb the Taj Mahal was modelled on, red sandstone and marble; ASI ticket, late afternoon light.

Nearby, and where to go next