New Delhi, India

Ultimate Guide to Exploring New Delhi, India

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Places to Visit
    • [1.1] Historical Monuments
      • [1.1.1] The Red Fort
      • [1.1.2] Jama Masjid
      • [1.1.3] Humayun’s Tomb
    • [1.2] Museums and Galleries
      • [1.2.1] National Museum
      • [1.2.2] India Gate
    • [1.3] Modern Attractions
      • [1.3.1] Akshardham Temple
      • [1.3.2] Lotus Temple
    • [1.4] Markets and Shopping Areas
      • [1.4.1] Chandni Chowk
      • [1.4.2] Connaught Place
    • [1.5] Parks and Gardens
      • [1.5.1] Lodhi Garden
      • [1.5.2] Humayun’s Tomb Gardens
  3. Activities
    • [2.1] Cultural Events and Festivals
      • [2.1.1] Diwali Festival
      • [2.1.2] Holi Festival
    • [2.2] Day Trips
      • [2.2.1] Agra (Taj Mahal)
      • [2.2.2] Jaipur (The Pink City)
  4. Where to Eat
    • [3.1] Street Food
      • [3.1.1] Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk
      • [3.1.2] Chaat Corner, Laxmi Nagar
    • [3.2] Fine Dining Restaurants
      • [3.2.1] Indian Accent
      • [3.2.2] Olive Bar & Kitchen
  5. Where to Stay
    • [4.1] Luxury Hotels
      • [4.1.1] The Oberoi, New Delhi
      • [4.1.2] The Leela Ambience Gurgaon
    • [4.2] Mid-Range Hotels
      • [4.2.1] Park Plaza Gurgaon
      • [4.2.2] The Lalit New Delhi
  6. Things to Know
    • [5.1] Currency and Money Matters
    • [5.2] Language and Communication
    • [5.3] Safety Tips
  7. Transportation
    • [6.1] Air Travel
      • [6.1.1] Indira Gandhi International Airport
    • [6.2] Metro Rail and Local Transport
      • [6.2.1] Delhi Metro
      • [6.2.2] Auto-rickshaws and Taxi Services
  8. Tips
    • [7.1] Bargaining in Markets
    • [7.2] Dressing Appropriately
    • [7.3] Staying Hydrated
  9. Other Interesting Things
    • [8.1] Yoga Classes and Meditation Centers
    • [8.2] Cooking Classes
    • [8.3] Bollywood Tours

Introduction

New Delhi, the capital city of India, is a blend of old-world charm and modern urbanity, offering an unparalleled cultural experience to its visitors. From historical monuments to bustling markets, vibrant street food scenes to luxury dining experiences, there’s something for everyone in New Delhi.

Places to Visit

Historical Monuments

The Red Fort

  • One of the most famous symbols of Mughal architecture
  • Built by Emperor Shah Jahan (1638 - 1648)
  • Must-visit attractions: Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Mumtaz Mahal, and the Sound & Light Show in the evening

Jama Masjid

  • Largest mosque in India, built by Shah Jahan (1650 - 1656)
  • Can accommodate around 25,000 worshippers at a time
  • Climb up to the minaret for a panoramic view of Old Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb

  • Built in 1570 by Haji Begum, senior wife of Humayun
  • First garden tomb in India and an inspiration for the Taj Mahal

Museums and Galleries

National Museum

  • Largest museum in India with a collection of over 2 lakh objects
  • Exhibits range from prehistoric times to modern art

India Gate

  • War Memorial built in memory of Indian soldiers who died during World War I
  • Surrounded by the lush gardens, it’s an excellent spot for picnics and people-watching

Modern Attractions

Akshardham Temple

  • A marvel of modern architecture, carved from a single piece of pink sandstone
  • Features 148 life-size dioramas depicting episodes from Indian history, religion, and culture

Lotus Temple

  • A Bahá’í House of Worship, designed in the shape of a lotus flower
  • Visitors can meditate and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere inside

Markets and Shopping Areas

Chandni Chowk

  • One of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi
  • Famous for its narrow lanes, vibrant shops, and street food

Connaught Place

  • A large commercial center with many restaurants, shops, and offices
  • Iconic architectural design and stunning colonial-era buildings

Parks and Gardens

Lodhi Garden

  • A peaceful green space housing several tombs from the Lodhi Dynasty
  • Ideal for walks, picnics, and yoga sessions

Humayun’s Tomb Gardens

  • Well-maintained gardens surrounding Humayun’s Tomb
  • Offers a serene atmosphere for relaxation and contemplation

Activities

Cultural Events and Festivals

Diwali Festival

  • The festival of lights celebrated across India with much fanfare
  • Enjoy traditional rituals, fireworks, and sweets during this festive season

Holi Festival

  • A vibrant Hindu spring festival marked by color throwing, music, and dance

Day Trips

Agra (Taj Mahal)

  • Famous for the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Easily accessible by train or road from New Delhi

Jaipur (The Pink City)

  • Known for its palaces, forts, and vibrant pink buildings
  • Home to the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, and Jantar Mantar

Where to Eat

Street Food

Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk

  • Famous alleyway dedicated to paranthas (stuffed flatbreads) in various flavors

Chaat Corner, Laxmi Nagar

  • Popular spot for delicious chaat dishes like Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, and Samosa Chaat

Fine Dining Restaurants

Indian Accent

  • Award-winning restaurant offering innovative Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist

Olive Bar & Kitchen

  • Upscale Mediterranean eatery featuring a variety of international dishes

Where to Stay

Luxury Hotels

The Oberoi, New Delhi

  • 5-star luxury hotel offering elegant rooms and suites
  • Features multiple restaurants, a spa, and an outdoor pool

The Leela Ambience Gurgaon

  • Another 5-star luxury property with luxurious accommodations, dining options, and recreational facilities

Mid-Range Hotels

Park Plaza Gurgaon

  • Comfortable and conveniently located hotel offering a range of amenities

The Lalit New Delhi

  • Elegant hotel featuring spacious rooms, restaurants, and a rooftop pool

Things to Know

Currency and Money Matters

  • Indian currency is the rupee (INR)
  • Credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops

Language and Communication

  • The official language of India is Hindi, but English is also widely spoken

Safety Tips

  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
  • Be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night

Transportation

Air Travel

Indira Gandhi International Airport

  • Main airport serving New Delhi and the National Capital Region
  • Well-connected to major domestic and international destinations

Local Transport

  • Auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available for getting around the city
  • The metro is also a convenient and affordable option for traveling longer distances

Recommendations

  1. Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab to experience Sikh culture and hospitality
  2. Explore the beautiful hill stations of Himachal Pradesh like Shimla, Manali, and Dalhousie
  3. Take a train ride on the Toy Train from Darjeeling to Gangtok for breathtaking mountain views
  4. Discover the vibrant culture and architecture of Udaipur, Rajasthan - the City of Lakes
  5. Enjoy the serene beauty of Kerala’s backwaters by hiring a houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom