A plan for Delhi

Travellers with little experience of visiting developing megacities may find Delhi to be chaotic at its worst, crowded and for much of the year, polluted. Air pollution has been a major problem in Delhi since the 1980s, with much of the day dominated with a very unhealthy amount of particles. During the late spring and early summer months, the city is scorchingly hot.

Dig a little deeper, however, and you will get a glimpse of order beneath the chaos, as well as India's traditional and modern cultural richness flourishing side by side. First-time visitors experiencing culture shock are advised not to compound it by visiting during adverse weather conditions and get a decent hotel room so you can stay in comfort between your sightseeing trips. In addition, read up on the various scams and other uncomfortable situations travellers to India often encounter. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are readily available at the airport arrivals hall and convenience stores. They offer generous data packages at low rates.

Name

The name "Delhi" (Hindi: दिल्ली Dillī, Urdu: دهلی Dihlī, both roughly DIHL-lee) is derived from the archaic Hindi-Urdu name Dehlī (देहली / دهلی). There has been much debate regarding the exact origin, as well as various myths and legends. One of the most popular theories is that the name Dehlī is a corruption of the Persian word dahlīz (دهلیز), meaning "threshold" or "gateway", which is considered symbolic of the city as a gateway to the Indian Plains.

History

Delhi has been an important political centre of India for over a millennium, and the capital of several empires. It is thought to have been built, destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, as the invaders would ransack the existing city only to rebuild it in their own way. At least seven distinct settlements were developed in various times before the British moved the capital to New Delhi in 1911. These are together called the "Seven Cities of Delhi".

The legendary city of Indraprastha is said to have been at the site of Purana Qila. Although evidence of an Iron Age culture is found, there's no tangible evidence that the site is associated with the myths of Indraprastha.

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

Delhi is known for its impressive range of structures — fortifications, mosques, and tombs — built during the centuries when Delhi was the centre of large Muslim empires. There are dozens of notable sites scattered around the city, and several of them are internationally famous as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Detailed listings of all sights in Delhi can be found in the district articles.

The most visited sites are the Red Fort (the 17th century palace of the Mughal emperor), the Jama Masjid (a vast and beautiful 17th century mosque), the Qutb Minar (a 73-meter high tower, dating to the 13th century but still with well-preserved intricate carvings), Humayun's Tomb (the vast 16th century tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun), and the Purana Qila (a 16th-century Mughal citadel).

Newcomers often confuse between Delhi and New Delhi. In fact, New Delhi, the capital of India, is a city within the Delhi metropolis. New Delhi was built in 1911–12 under the British rule. Being centrally planned in the modern era, it features wide boulevards, large parks, and roundabouts between its government buildings. Popular sights here are the India Gate, the Kartavya Path "national mall" connecting the main government buildings, and Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace). Many of the most important museums in Delhi are located here too.

Another popular attraction is the Bahá'í Lotus Temple in the South East, a modern structure built with a flower-like shape. It is one of the most visited buildings in the world. The Akshardham is another such attraction in East Delhi.

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

You can find many major sports venues in Delhi such as the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, the Ambedkar Stadium for football and the Indira Gandhi Arena - one of Asia's largest indoor arenas in the southeastern corner of Central Delhi. A bit further south is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, home to the national football team and the venue for major sports events in the city.

Events

The Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi is worth watching. It begins on Republic Day in 26 January and lasts for three days. The parade begins with the flag unfurling of by the President. This is followed by marching from several military regiments along with their bands, and tableaux from various states signifying their cultures are displayed. They march from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the Kartavya Path to the India Gate. After that, they march north to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. A beating retreat ceremony signifies the end of the parade.

During the Independence Day on 15 August, the flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort, and the Prime Minister addresses the nation. This includes the past year's achievements, current challenges and call for further development. The speech is followed by a march past of the Indian military. Parades and pageants showcase scenes from the independence struggle and India's diverse cultural traditions. The airspace around the Red Fort is declared a no-fly zone during that day.

The New Delhi World Book Fair is India's second-oldest book fair. It is held on mid-January at Bharat Mandapam in South East Delhi.

Parks

There are some green spaces in New Delhi, South Delhi and the surroundings. However, all the public parks are shut after sunset.

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

Delhiites complain about many things in their city, but the food will satisfy even the most demanding gourmet. Not only can you find some of the best Indian food on the subcontinent, but there is also an increasing number of excellent (if often pricey) international restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. When ordering, do remember that Delhi is about 1,000 km from the nearest ocean, so vegetarian, chicken and mutton dishes are the way to go.

Do visit Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk. This street has shops that make and sell solely parathas (stuffed Indian bread).

Delhi has arguably the best street food in India. However, do not eat unhygienic or open food. There are plenty of restaurants offering street food in a potentially more hygienic environment.

You can join local groups of foodies who go out regularly to sample and savour what new and old dishes the city has to offer. If you want a fully customized food tour tailored specifically for you, then Food Tour In Delhi is a good choice. The guests can explore the street food of Delhi in a fun and safe manner. Their tours cover food joints which are in business for 50 to 120 years and serve some of the best street food in the world. The tours cover winding streets of Old Delhi as well as swanky upscale markets located all over the city. The food tours are led by chefs and culinary experts with extensive experience and offer facilities such as pickup and drop, unlimited food which covers all major varieties of food available in the city. Another one of the most active groups is Food Enthusiasts of Delhi. They organize regular food walks, better known as Raids to various parts and joints in the city. It's a non-commercial group, brought together by their passion and love for food.

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

Delhi's nightlife scene has changed since the beginning of the millennium. There are plenty of modern, cosmopolitan places to separate you from your rupees. In a desperate attempt to keep the sex ratio vaguely equitable, many lounges and clubs have couples only policies (that is, no single men or men-only groups), enforced with varying degrees of strictness. While everything is supposed to shut down by 1AM, things can keep going much longer.

The coffee culture in Delhi consists mostly of large, heavily standardised chains. The two most common, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, can be found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Connaught Place. The UK-based Costa Coffee and the US-based Starbucks have also made a foray into the market. For listings of independent coffee shops, see the district articles.

Getting around Delhi is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist. Use the prices below as broad guidelines and agree on prices before setting off. The best way to travel is via metro, where there are separate cabins for women (which prove to be very useful during rush hour). Metro is clean, efficient, and typically ridden by relatively affluent middle-class students or commuters en route to/from work; there is almost nowhere in the city that you cannot get to by metro.

By metro

The massive Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, mostly hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city, although its increasing popularity means that rush hour crowds at key interchanges are starting to resemble Mumbai. As of 2026, there are 9 lines operational with 12 branches spanning over 370km and 271 stations:

Fares range from ₹10-60, just buy a token, change lines as necessary, and deposit the token in the slot as you exit. Tokens can be used only from the station they are bought, so you can't buy two and use the second to return home. If you're planning on sticking around for a while, you can buy a "Smart Card" for ₹200, which is worth ₹150 and includes a ₹50 deposit; using this saves 10% and, more importantly, lets you avoid the queues. There is also a "Tourist Card" allowing unlimited use for ₹150 (1 day) or ₹500 (3 days), but it's highly unlikely that you'll travel enough to make this pay off. Special fares apply for travel on the Airport Express. During rush hour, you might have to queue up for more than 20 minutes due to security checks, especially in the central stations.

In an emergency, dial ☏ 112. The number connects to police, fire, ambulance, women and child helplines.

The Delhi Police (DP) is responsible for law enforcement in the whole city. Police vehicles (called PCR vans) are parked on almost every major intersection. In addition, the Delhi Metro is patrolled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

On the whole, Delhi is a marginally safe place to visit, especially for male travellers. However, it can be more dangerous than other parts of India, especially for women.

Scams and touts

Many first-time travellers to India find themselves falling victim to scams and touts, and unfortunately Delhi has a lot of both. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Do not blindly rely on the advice of taxi and auto drivers. If this is your first time to India, do not openly admit it, as this will make you more vulnerable to touts.

Carry your cash, passport, and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. Some recommend carrying an expendable wallet with a few ten rupee notes in it in an obvious place such as your hip pocket as a decoy to Delhi's ubiquitous pickpockets.

Several tourist agencies have been known to swindle tourists, such as by changing their travel plans or charging them extra commissions and fees. You should book your flight tickets online, as all the airlines have online booking systems. Otherwise, prepare to spend a good hour sorting through the charges that the tourist agency will charge.