Delhi – The vibrant national capital
Delhi is the capital of India and is one of the oldest cities in the world. A city filled with amazing Mughal and British architecture, delicious street food, colourful shopping destinations and markets, a busy calendar of cultural events – it must be on every tourist’s bucket list. The city is also a perfect blend of modernism and tradition, which is represented by two sections – Old Delhi and New Delhi.
Things to do in Delhi
- Take a rickshaw ride to explore Old Delhi, its delectable street food and markets
- Marvel at the architectural wonders - The Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and India Gate
- Visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian President
Tourist attractions in Delhi
- Qutub Minar – This is one of Delhi’s most iconic historical structures. The Qutab Minar was established in 1192 to mark Mohammed Ghori’s victory over Prithviraj III, who was the last Hindu king who ruled Delhi. You will learn more about its history once you are there.
- Humayun’s Tomb - The monument was built as a tomb for the Mughal emperor Humayun. This is a fine example of Persian design and the vast area consists of marble tombs of other Mughal rulers. Be prepared to take some of the fantastic pictures at the location.
- Jantar Mantar – Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this is an open-air observatory that has 13 different instruments for observing astronomical cycles. As it is designed in the form of a maze, make sure you do not lose your way.
Places to shop in Delhi
- Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place is a fully air-conditioned shopping plaza that studded with shops selling fashion accessories, clothes, footwear, perfumes, electronics, collectables and handicrafts at affordable prices.
- Sarojini Market is an excellent place for fashion accessories, household items and electronics.
- Chor Bazaar is a unique market that opens up every Sunday behind the Red Fort. You can get second-hand goods, export surplus, electronics, stolen goods and genuine fakes. You can also hang around to witness the Sunday book market at Daryaganj.
Best time to visit Delhi
The ideal time to visit Delhi is between the months of February and March, or October and November. The weather during these months is pleasant which will be great for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Modes of transport
You can get around Delhi using the vast array of buses operated by DTC. Auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, e-rickshaws and private cabs are also available. A very efficient mode of transportation is the Delhi Metro that connects all corners of the city.
Weather in Delhi
Summer is from between June to August, which is very hot and the temperatures can soar up to 45 degrees Celsius. Winters are between December to January and June to mid-September experiences moderate to heavy showers.
Airport in Delhi
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the main airport of the city having three terminals. The airport operates both domestic and international flights, to and from Delhi.
- Airport address: New Delhi, Delhi 110037
- IATA code: DEL