I recently spent one day exploring Delhi (and a day relaxing before!), and honestly – I loved it. It was my intro to India, and I was so excited about being in a country that I’d wanted to visit for years!
That said, it’s not a gentle introduction to India. I delved right into the chaos, the humidity, the busy-ness – I relished it, but it might seem a little overwhelming for some people!
Let’s take a look at the best reasons to visit Delhi, and some considerations to make if you’re planning a trip to India’s capital.
Reasons to Visit Delhi
Here are my top reasons to visit Delhi and why I’d really recommend a trip there.
History
The first place I visited was Jama Masjid, a grand, beautiful mosque built by the Mughal dynasty in 1655 – 1656. They were the same people who built the Taj Mahal, and some of the same stone was used. It was interesting, here, to learn about the Muhgal history in Northern India, and the Islamic ties that still define the country today.
Another thing that struck me was India Gate, which we stopped at and I saw at a distance. It was created to commemorate Indians who had died in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and World War One.
There’s history everywhere in Delhi; I’d recommend doing a guided tour to learn all about it. I did this one, which was a great price for a guide and driver for a day.
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Spirituality
Aside from mosques and Islamic architecture, there’s also, of course, Hindu and Sikh temples and monuments as well.
One other place I visited was Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Here, I was able to sit at the back of a live ceremony, which was fascinating. It was wonderful to hear the chants and feel the sense of unity, while sitting behind the gold-bedecked altar.
Many Hindu temples allow tourists in during ceremonies, too. I didn’t go to any in Delhi, but did in Udaipur and Jaipur.
So many hidden spots
With a city that’s as big as Delhi, it’s no surprise that there are hidden corners of the city to take in! One of my favourite stops on my tour was Agrasen ki Baoli, a historic stepwell that used to store water for the city of Delhi. While it still holds water, it doesn’t provide it for the city any more, but is a popular spot for locals to hang out.
I loved how shady and cool it was; it was a slice of quietness amongst the intensity elsewhere in Delhi!
There were also tiny corners of the market (Chandni Chowk) I went to, along with back streets in Old Delhi, where a man on a rickshaw took us around the pedestrian-only streets. With such a large city, there are always going to be hidden spots and gems around!
Energy and colour everywhere
The market of Chadni Chowk was brimming with energy. There are things happening all the time – the horns are constant, sarees in every colour of the rainbow hang in the shop windows and the smell of spices permeate the air.
I stopped in Afghan Spice Store to purchase some masala mix, and was offered to smell each spice, and I could already taste the masala I was going to make when I returned home!
This is especially concentrated in the market (which is a must-visit), but is all over the city.
Incredible food
As you’d expect, the food in Delhi is amazing!
There will be so many incredible places to eat – this is the capital of India, after all, but I dined at Hotel Laffaire. I had paneer tikka and a garlic naan, and tried some of my friends’ dahl and vegetable curries. It was all delicious!
Things to Consider
There are few things to think about when visiting Delhi!
You need to prepare
I wouldn’t say Delhi is somewhere that you can just walk into with zero preparation. There are a few things I would recommend doing before and during a day out here.
- Water: It’s a HUMID city, and I had a banging headache at the end from not drinking enough water! I’d recommend packing plenty of electrolytes (I use liquid IV which you can purchase here if you’re in the UK) and drinking plenty of water over the day.
- Breakfast: I had a huge breakfast before my tour. There are obviously tonnes of places to eat, but it does take a while to get served, so when you’re out and about you might not have the time to get a full meal.
- What to bring: Like any busy city in the world, I’d recommend bringing a cross-body bag. I’ve been using this one for years and it fits so much in! For Delhi, sanitiser is a good idea as well.
Heat and humidity
Depending on the time of year you visit, Delhi can be sweltering – although during winter, temperatures drop to around 20 degrees. There are other weather-related reasons to worry about in Delhi in winter, however – heavy fog can cause big train delays.
I visited during September, and it was warm and sticky! Remember as well, in Delhi you’ll need to wear longer clothes. After struggling with the heat enormously in Bangladesh the year before, for India I choose very light, loose garments that would keep me cool, and it worked.
It can be intense
Delhi hits all the senses hard. It’s loud and busy, with sticky air that permeates the atmosphere. The roads are manic – I had a bus crash in Mumbai (not Delhi, but the driving is the same!), and you’ll likely end up in a rickshaw at some point.
I’d recommend carrying a cross-body bag (this is mine!) so you know all valuables are on your person in one place. Take regular breaks if possible – when I did a Delhi tour it helped that I stopped in a car every so often!
The traffic is no joke!
I thought this deserved a point of its own – Delhi’s traffic is as bad as they say. You will likely experience one or two near misses, accident-wise. Everyone drives defensively, and somehow the traffic does usually merge together, but I was in a bus accident in Mumbai, which shows that it doesn’t always happen that way.
Traffic jams can also be a problem. I wasn’t caught up in anything ridiculous, but I’d recommend allowing extra time if you need to be anywhere in particular, especially the airport.
Food safety
“Delhi belly” is a term used by travellers for a reason – but that doesn’t mean you’ll inevitably get sick!
It is true that most travellers to India have some traveller’s diarrhoea, although this is often due to the spices and rich sauces instead of anything to do with hygiene. If you are in any way dairy intolerant, take Lactaid to India – I can’t handly too much dairy and my stomach was doing somersaults one day!
That said, street food should be consumed with extreme caution, and to be honest, the same goes for non-touristy restaurants. Restaurants catering to tourists, however, will likely take extra care. I’d recommend asking a guide or your hotel for recommendations.
Not every stop is a highlight
I’m only going to say this once: The Taj Mahal is not in Delhi.
The Red Fort and Jumah Mosque are beautiful places to visit (although I didn’t have time to see the Red Fort, but I heard good things!); but I will say Delhi doesn’t really have any “iconic” attractions.
That said, I loved soaking in the vibe of the market and just introducing myself to India! The smaller spots I visited, like a Sikh temple and water holder (find names) were also well worth a visit. You can see what I got up to here.
That said, I was taken to a fabric and clothes shop at the end of the tour, and it was very much a shopping opportunity. I didn’t want to buy anything so close to the start of my trip, and once I realised there wasn’t much more to see other than the shop, I left. My guide didn’t push me, but I’m pretty sure he wanted to add it to the itinerary as he’d get some commission.
Should I visit Delhi or Mumbai?
Delhi and Mumbai are very different cities; Mumbai is more modern and multicultural, whereas Delhi is more traditional. They’re both booming metropolises, and I would definitely add both onto an India itinerary if you’re visiting the whole country!
However, if the main point of the trip is visiting the Taj Mahal and Rajahstan, Delhi is the obvious spot to fly into.
Is Delhi cheap to visit?
Yes, I found Delhi to be largely very affordable. I stayed in the five-star Novotel for £70 a night and dinner at a tourist-friendly restaurant, with a soft drink, was around £6. My tour cost me less than £30 for a guide and driver all day (not including entry or lunch).
What time of year should I visit Delhi?
I’d say the best times to visit Delhi are October, November, February and March. While the weather is cool during December and January, heavy fog and bad air pollution makes travelling their more difficult and uncomfortable.
April to June is the hot season, with temperatures often around 40 to 45 degrees, and July to September is monsoon season. You could visit in September, like I did, but you might be unlucky with rain!
All things considered, I think Delhi is worth visiting. It’s a great, albeit intense, introduction to India! See my post about what I got up to in one day in Delhi here and my post about what to do when you arrive in Delhi airport here.
