Posted 17 March 2023 in Shopping Delight

Iconic Delhi markets to shop till you drop at

The capital of the country, Delhi, is not only known for being a political centre but is also popular for being one of the top-rated tourist destinations. Some of the most historic monuments and iconic landmarks can be found in Delhi. In addition to the history and architecture of Delhi, which inspires many to plan a holiday there, it is a shopping destination for leisure tourists in India. One of the reasons why shopping in Delhi has become such a popular activity is because of the vibrant street markets that have a great variety to offer every shopper.

Shopping in Delhi is a unique and extravagant experience and if you haven’t experienced it already, then it is time that you fly to Delhi for your next vacation and indulge yourself. When here, you can find everything - bustling wholesale markets; quiet, artsy boutiques; frequent roadside peddlers; and full-blown flea markets - where both the locals and tourists hustle to get what they want.

Here are some of the most sought-after shopping destinations in Delhi that are often revered as a paradise for shopaholics.

1. Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is a group of stall cottages set up by the Government of Delhi and is a popular tourist spot because of its rustic village-like atmosphere. With a plethora of attractions like street food, folk performances, and rare handicrafts, Dilli Haat makes it to the top of this list of best places to shop in Delhi. This market is most famous for souvenirs like paintings, traditional textiles, footwear, jewellery, pottery, and furniture.

Time: Dilli Haat is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

2. Janpath

One of the most crowded markets in all of Delhi, the market in Janpath is famous for t-shirts, jackets, scarves, and several other forms of apparel. However, the goodness of this market lies in the prices. Almost all items sold are available at unbelievably low prices.

Time: You can spend an entire day shopping here since this market opens at 10.30 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.

3. Khan Market

Khan Market is one of the many compound markets you can find in Delhi, with a lively blend of both street shops as well as international branded outlets. This heterogeneous mix makes it a must-visit amongst shopping enthusiasts in Delhi. Some of the things you can buy here are garments, jewellery, books, luxurious home furnishings, ethnic wear, and music-related items.

Time: You can visit this market almost any time of the day since it is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

4. Sarojini Nagar Market

Instead of crowding at expensive stores that are geared towards scoring a massive profit from leisure tourists, you can indulge yourself in local markets like the one in Sarojini Nagar. You will find that despite being a chaotic market, sprawling with different kinds of shops, you will most likely find any item you are looking for here. Beginning with footwear, handicrafts, clothes, and sporting goods, the market has it all, making it the perfect place for tourists to shop at.

Time: The Sarojini Nagar Market is open every day, except for Monday, from 10 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

5. Chandni Chowk

The fabled markets of Chandni Chowk have always been more of a tourist spot, in addition to a shopping destination. This is because the market was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, with the help of designs and architecture from his daughter, Jahanara. While the canal systems that segregated this market into different sub-sections may not exist today, the different areas of the market with their distinct names can be found even today. For example, Katra Neel, Chatta Chowk, Khari Baoli, Tilak Bazaar, Chor Bazaar, Daryaganji, and Paranthe Wali Gali, are sections of this market that are all known for their speciality goods starting from fabrics to jewellery and electronics.

Time: This market is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6. Lajpat Nagar

Known as Central Market, it is one of the most favoured local markets where you can find several items at an attractive bargain. This market in Lajpat Nagar is not just for tourists but it is also regularly visited by the locals for the variety of ethnic and western apparel available, that too at affordable prices. Another attraction of the market is that the streets are lined with artists who are talented in the art of making Henna designs. Although this market may be slightly crowded for the average tourist, the fantastic bargains you can get here when buying local items is worth the effort.

Time: You can visit this market every day, except Monday, from 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.

7. Connaught Place

Connaught Place is quite different when compared to most other markets of Delhi. It is famous for its white post-colonial architecture that houses several braided showrooms. This market was originally made to serve the elite living in the Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ), designed by the famous architect Edwin Lutyens. When shopping at this exquisite market you can also find chic cafés, with delicious menu offerings, and multiplexes if you want to catch a movie. If you are interested in buying from international brands on your trip to Delhi, then Connaught Place is a good place to start from.

Time: This market is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day.

8. Karol Bagh Market

With an extravagant offering of items like bridal wear, apparel, cosmetics, shoes, books, and even gadgets and electronics, Karol Bagh Market is easily one of the most popular places tourists prefer to shop at when visiting Delhi. The market features several shopping avenues like Bank Street, Arya Samaj Road, Gaffar Market, and Ajmal Khan Road. Moreover, Karol Bagh is also lined with a wide range of fast-food eateries and restaurants for shoppers to grab a quick snack from, during their shopping spree.

Time: This market is open from 10.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Places to visit in Delhi

As with most tourist destinations, shopping is not the only activity that you would like to engage in when you are in Delhi. So, take a look at some of the most prominent tourist places that you might want to visit while in Delhi.

Maqbara-e-Humayun: If you have Meharchand market on your shopping itinerary, then on the way you must visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. The Maqbara-e-Humayun, also known as Humayun’s Tomb, is the final resting place of the second ruler of the Mughal empire. This tomb is surrounded by lush gardens and is a must-see for all tourists in Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is close to Meharchand market. Head to this market which has chic boutiques, eateries, cafés, and stunning graffiti art on many of the buildings.
Qutb Minar:This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 12th-century monument here will not only intrigue you but give you a feeling of being immersed in ancient history. Nearby, you will find boutiques of famous designers, especially if you want to shop for wedding couture.
Laal Qila:The Laal Qila, or the Red Fort, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi. It is made of red sandstone and stands testament to the architectural ingenuity of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is quite close to the Chandni Chowk market, and one iconic tourist place that you should definitely visit.

Places to Stay

On your visit to Delhi, you can choose from many options depending on your budget and choice of location. Here is a list of some of the most prominent hotels in Delhi.

Novotel, Aerocity
Radisson Blu Hotel, Paschim Vihar
Radisson Blu, Dwarka
Pullman, Aerocity
Taj Palace
The Lalit
Eros Hotel
Pride Plaza
Welcomhotel by ITC
The Leela, Ambience Convention Hotel
The Park
Radisson Blu Marina, Connaught Place

Travel tips

With all that Delhi has to offer, it would be a disappointment to miss out on things that are considered the most famous in Delhi. So, here are a few travel tips that will help you discover the true charm of Delhi as well as stay safe during your journey.

With so many newer attractions, it is easy to miss out on exploring the antique glory of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad). Make sure you visit this walled-off part of Delhi and walk among residences built during the Mughal times.
On your visit to Delhi, don’t forget to enjoy the legendary Nehari at Karim’s restaurant which is located next to the Jama Masjid.
If you are a history enthusiast, then Delhi would be a treasure trove of historical sites for you. However, amidst all these places, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the majestic suit of armour built for an elephant at the National Museum.

How to reach?

In order to reach Delhi, you can avail several means of transport regardless of where you are coming from. Delhi being the capital city is well-connected by road, rail, and flight.

By Road: If you plan to travel to Delhi by road, then you can take multiple expressways and highways from different parts of India.

By Rail: You can also reach Delhi easily by train and one of the most popular express trains that come to Delhi is the Rajdhani Express. Apart from this, there are many other direct or connecting trains that you can take from all of the railway zones in India.

By Air: The fastest way to reach Delhi and begin your shopping is by flight. IndiGo operates several non-stop and connecting flights to Delhi airport from many prominent domestic and international cities.

Weather conditions and best time to visit Delhi

With all of these unique shopping destinations tucked away in different corners of Delhi, you may have already begun to plan your trip here. But when doing so, you should know the best time to visit Delhi as well.

Summers in Delhi have temperatures ranging from 25°C to 45°C and the overall climate is quite humid. The summer season in Delhi begins around April and extends through July. Due to the unfavourable weather conditions, this is a lean period for tourists visiting Delhi.
The monsoon season (July to mid-September) in Delhi is relatively soothing with temperatures hitting 35°C and falling to 30°C. The temperatures may not be very low but the cool monsoon breeze makes visiting Delhi during this time bearable, if you don’t mind the rain.
The winter months of November to March experience temperatures between 22°C to 5°C. The cool and relaxing weather makes it the preferred time to visit Delhi by most tourists to indulge in shopping.