Travel Guide to Delhi, India

What up everybody, I’m Tim Gillespie, one of Under30Experiences' Regional Managers. As part of my work, I occasionally explore these countries with our fantastic community. I recently went to India and wanted to share some tips on making the most of your time in Delhi. This was my first time in Delhi and honestly, it was a little bit overbearing at first. But once I settled in, I fully embraced the chaos of this lively city. It's a city deep in history and culture, so if you have the time, be sure to go check it out.

Are you traveling to Delhi as part of a guided tour group trip to India? Have decided to add Delhi as a layover destination? Either way, we have you covered with this Guide to Exploring Delhi. Continue reading to make the most of your time in the city known as the “Heart of India”.

Here’s what this solo travel guide to Delhi, India covers:

• Best time to visit Delhi, India
• Safety in Delhi, India
• 3-day Delhi travel itinerary
• Top Things to Do in Delhi, India
• What foods to try in Delhi
• Where to stay in Delhi

Best time to visit Delhi, India

Delhi's climate is marked by significant differences across different seasons. The city experiences five separate seasons: winter, summer, monsoon, autumn, and spring. 

Autumn is often regarded as the best time to visit Delhi. Moderate temperatures ranging from 60-85 Fahrenheit (15-30 Celsius) offers ideal weather for sightseeing and exploring. Also, due to the limited amount of rain during this time of year, travelers can expect clear days when visiting famous outdoor attractions.

Spring is another great time to visit Delhi because the warm temperatures bring blossoming flowers. The colors of all these flowers in bloom bring a special treat when visiting Delhi’s gardens and parks. If you are in Delhi for the spring season, add a visit to Lodhi Gardens or Nehru Park to your itinerary. 

Safety in Delhi, India

As I mentioned above, when I first arrived in Delhi I was a bit overwhelmed and generally more cautious than previous trips. I've explored other international cities such as Bangkok, Marrakech, Seoul, and Johannesburg, but Delhi just gave me a different feel. It didn’t help that I arrived when it was already dark, my Uber app wasn’t working, and I had to try 3 different ATMs before I found one that accepted my card! 

On top of all of this, I had all the preconceived notions about India running wild in my head: taxi drivers are untrustworthy, street food will get you sick, walking alone is dangerous, scam artists are everywhere, etc., etc.

Yes, there are safety concerns in Delhi. Yes, there are higher crime rates in Delhi than in other parts of India. Yes, there are scam artists and touts in the tourist areas. And yes, the city is chaotic and home to over 30 million people! But just like traveling to any country, there’s a lot one can do to decrease the risk.

Here are some quick safety tips for Delhi:

• Keep personal items close: pickpocketing and purse snatching happen. Wear your backpack on your front when visiting crowded markets.
• Do not flash money around: India is a cash-heavy country. Prepare ahead of time and keep small bills accessible while keeping your bulk cash hidden in your day bag.
• Do not listen to random strangers: it's common for scammers to often lie and tell you a particular monument or site is closed in an attempt to redirect you somewhere else. I can’t tell you how many times a random person told me they used to be a tour guide or have their own tour company.
• Be straightforward with your rickshaw driver: these drivers are genuinely sincere people, but be sure to negotiate the price of your trip first. Then explain you only need to go from Point A to Point B. Rickshaw drivers get commissions by taking you to certain shops. Keep your grit and don’t get out of the rickshaw if they stop at one of these places.
• Do not walk alone after dark: this may seem obvious, but be sure to stay with a friend or in a group when exploring the city during the night.

For me personally, I spent three days in Delhi as a solo traveler and explored quite a bit. Apart from annoying touts in touristy areas and rickshaw drivers stopping at the commission shops, I was never harassed or made to feel unsafe.

Need help packing for your India trip? Check out our Essential Packing List for India.

3-Day Delhi Itinerary

I spent a few days as a solo traveler in Delhi and then two additional days touring the main attractions as part of our group trip. There is so much to do and see in this great city that I’m sure one can spend at least a week and still not see it all.

I experienced a variety of things in Delhi and did so at an enjoyable pace. Though your time may be limited, be sure to take your time and enjoy the experience, and just don’t go about trying to check all the boxes before moving on!

Day 1: Red Fort and Old Delhi

• Start your Delhi explorations with a visit to the Red Fort (Lal Qila), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant monuments in Delhi.
• After you visit the Red Fort, walk over to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. If time permits, climb the southern minaret for a panoramic view of Old Delhi.
• By now, you’ve worked up an appetite, so head towards Chandni Chowk for an authentic Indian lunch. I’d stay away from the street food unless you are with a local and opt to dine in one of many small eateries scattered throughout this area.
• After lunch, check out the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk. Here you can shop for spices from Khari Baoli, Asia’s biggest spice market, and textiles and jewelry from hundreds of shops that line Chandni Chowk.
• Though I said to be cautious of street food, you can always grab a hot cup of chai and chill out on a plastic stool as you take in the scenes of this bustling area.
• Wind down your afternoon with a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi before returning to your hotel.
• For dinner, head over to Connaught Place, which has plenty of options for dining and shopping.

Day 2: Humayan’s Tomb and Qutub Minar

• Today’s focus will be more like a heritage tour of Delhi, with a few visits to the iconic attractions in the city.
• Get an early start to avoid traffic and the crowds. The first stop will be Humayan’s Tomb, this stunning Mughal architecture was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
• Afterwards, go for a stroll through the Lodhi Gardens admiring the historic monuments and watching families picnic on the grass. Feel free to stop in a nearby cafe and bring lunch inside the park.
• After roaming the grounds of Lodhi Garden, head south to Qutub Minar. Standing at 72.5 meters (237.8 feet), this masterpiece is the tallest masonry tower in India. Stick around to watch the sunset and embrace the atmosphere.
• Close out your day with a stop at Hauz Khas Village, a popular nightlife hub in Delhi known for its chic cafes, bars, and live music venues, with the ruins of Hauz Khas Fort.

Day 3: Pay your respect to Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of the Nation”

• One of my highlights of Delhi was visiting the Gandhi Smriti Museum. This is the site where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life and was assassinated on 30th January 1948.
• You can also visit the National Gandhi Museum, this museum houses an extensive collection of books, photographs, and personal relics of Mahatma Gandhi.

Top Things to Do in Delhi:

Yes, I just laid out a 3-day Delhi itinerary, but as I mentioned not all things can be covered in 3 days, and not all of my recommendations will fit your preferences. For those of you with more time to explore, here is a list of the best places and other top things to do in Delhi.

• India Gate: India Gate represents Delhi, so walking around this monument is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Delhi.
• Dili Haat: a cultural and entertainment hub featuring craft stalls, food vendors, and live performances from different regions of India.
• Lotus Temple: an iconic structure belonging to the Baha'í faith. Most come to admire its unusual architecture, resembling a floating lotus flower.
• Agrasen Ki Baoli: This ancient stepwell, with its deep, haunting structure and mesmerizing architecture, has fascinated visitors for centuries.
• Champa Gali: a nice break from the chaos, this quiet area is full of cafés with leafy courtyards, restaurants, stores, and design studios.
• Janpath Market: stretching for more than a kilometer, this market is lined with boutiques selling everything from luxurious pashmina shawls to rugs and antique jewelry.

What foods to try in Delhi

I’ve already mentioned it a few times, but it’s worth saying again: just don’t dive into Delhi’s street scene without understanding what you are eating. Trust me, I’m a foodie who typically wanders markets tasting just about everything I see, but in Delhi, I stayed within my confines and only tasted treats from trusted vendors. And of course, all of these treats were delicious.

But then again, not all Indian cuisine is street food. During my time in India, I ate some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. You may think your local Indian restaurant is serving up top-notch curries, but trust me, your taste buds will explode once you eat these dishes from the mother country!

• Jalebi: deep-fried flour batter swirls soaked in sugar syrup. They are super sweet, with a soft chewy center and despite the syrup, a seriously crispy outside. 
• Pani Puri: a street snack found all across India. Crispy spherical shells are lined with spiced potatoes, chickpeas, or lentils and then filled with spiced water, chutney, and, sometimes, yogurt.
• Kachori: a popular deep-fried, spicy, stuffed pastry with a crispy outer layer made from a flour dough and a filling of spiced lentils, peas, potatoes, or onions, often served hot with chutney. 
• Butter paneer: a popular dish featuring cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a rich, creamy, and buttery tomato-based gravy, often enhanced with spices like garam masala and red chili powder
• Aloo tikki: This classic street food is made of shredded potato patties that are deep-fried and then doused with spiced chickpeas and heavy helpings of both tamarind and cilantro-mint chutneys.
• Chole bhature: spiced chickpeas (chole) served with a type of airy, deep-fried flatbread called bhature that’s best enjoyed straight from the fryer. 

Where to stay in Delhi

Delhi is BIG! There are a lot of attractions to see and markets to explore, especially in central Delhi. There are several districts offering a wide variety of accommodations from backpacker-style hostels to high-end luxury hotels. If you aren’t exactly sure where you want to stay, I would suggest selecting one area and booking at least your first night’s accommodation. 

For us tourists, Delhi is broken down into two areas: Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi dates back to the 17th century and is where most of the famed Delhi chaos occurs. It is also home to some of Delhi’s most significant monuments. New Delhi, which lies mostly in the south of the city, was built by the British during their occupation of India. This area is more modern and is famed for its spacious tree-lined boulevards.

Here is my breakdown of areas to stay in Delhi:

• Karol Bagh: best suited for first-time travelers, Karol Bagh has lots of accommodations to choose from, plenty of shopping, a wide variety of restaurants, and it’s within close proximity to the metro line.
• Paharganj: best suited for budget travelers, Paharganj can get a bit hectic. The area is filled with rickshaws and the infamous honking horns of Delhi.
• Connaught Place: a popular area for shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, Connaught Place offers more higher-end accommodations than backpacker budget options. This area is one of the main business districts of Delhi.
• South Delhi: this area is known to be more quiet and chilled out than other districts in Delhi. It is common for travelers with families to be accommodated in the area.
• Aerocity: known for its luxury hotels, restaurants, and shopping, Aerocity is located near the Indira Gandhi International Airport making it great for travelers on a layover or who arrive/depart at odd hours of the day.

Interested in exploring Delhi with Under30Experiences? Check out our 9-day India trip!