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Delhi, a pulsating metropolis that has a population bigger than Australia, a city that never sleeps and never fails to impress. It is like a treasure trove of historical gems that take you back in time like no time machine ever can. From exploring the best of best street food in every nook and corner of the city to experiencing the chaos and beautiful architecture of Old Delhi, be it sipping high tea in the modern city of New Delhi with its colonial-era parliament buildings, or be it shopping at some of Asia’s best markets and admiring the beauty of the bustling backstreets, there’s so much to experience in India’s capital – New Delhi.
So, brace yourself and get ready to explore the city, like true blue Delhiite!
The best way to begin your Delhi Darshan is to start with the city’s historical legacy that spans over a millennium, from Islamic citadels and the mausoleums of Sufi saints, to the colonial flourishes of Edwin Lutyens in New Delhi, there is a lot to see in this ancient city.
One of the best ways to time-travel across Delhi’s best historical monuments is to take the Delhi Tourism HoHo Bus and the other option is to rely on the Metro, the route covers most of the historic sites.
India Gate: One of the largest war memorials in India
Rashtrapati Bhavan: Designed by Edwin Lutyens its completion took 17 years
Red Fort: Qila-e-Mubarak or the Blessed Fort served as main residence for Mughal Dynasty for 200 years
Qutub Minar: Built in three stages by three rulers of Delhi
Purana Qila or Old Fort: Believed to be 5,000 years old and may go back to the time of Mahabharata
Humayun’s Tomb: The inspiration behind the iconic Taj Mahal
Agrasen Ki Baoli: One of the surviving ancient stepwells in Delhi
Jama Masjid: One of India’s largest mosques was constructed at a cost of Rs 1 million in 1644 to 1656
Delhi is synonym with food, the best thing about the city is that you can savour variety of cuisines – from street food to fine dining, from local to international. So be it tangy delights such as chaat papdi or golgappas to mouth-watering roadside parathas, sizzling kebabs, treacle-dripping jalebis, scrumptious masala dosas or Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese or Korean, you name it and Delhi has it all.
Street Food Heaven - Chandni Chowk
The hub of countless street food joints that represent a rich heritage of culinary expertise and old traditions that have been perfected over centuries, Chandni Chowk is every foodies dream. If you are someone, whose world revolves around food then this is a place for you! Some of the major eateries to tick off from your list here are Famous Jalebi Wala, Natraj Dahi Bhalla, Pandit Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan Paratha Wale, Kake Di Hatti, Giani's Di Hatt and Khan Omelette Corner.
For The Greasy Delights - Paharganj
Paharganj known as the famous place for Chole Bhature in Delhi, will satiate your hunger in the most satisfying way! Apart from the famous Sita Ram Diwan Chand’s Chole Bhature, this little gem in Central Delhi is known for having all the greasy delights. From Amritsari Naan at Chawla Ke Mashoor Special Naan to Samosa and Gulab Jamun at Shri Baanke Bihari Samosa Wala and Moth Kachori at Multan Moth Bhandar, this little place in Delhi will not disappoint.
Experience The Fusion Food - Connaught Place
The classic Georgian architecture, with all-white buildings and circular structure with columned corridors – Connaught Place is one of the major food hubs in Delhi. Binge on scrumptious masala dosas at Saravana Bhavan, enjoy the royalty at the United Coffee House, an iconic establishment that has been serving since the pre-Independence era, try out experimental Indian food at Farzi Café, experience the ultimate butter chicken biryani at one of the special hangout spots in CP, Odeon Social...the list is endless.
The Hub Of Top Notch Restaurants - Khan Market
Set in the heart of South Delhi, Khan Market is packed with countless bars and restaurants to fill you with the much needed zest. From the famous Big Chill Café to most sought after Pan-Asian restaurant in town Mamagoto and Town Hall for some yummy sushi, Khan Market has it all.
North Indian Fare - Pandara Road
If you are craving for some rich Punjabi or Mughlai food, look no further than Pandara Road. The market area is famous for some sinful treats like butter chicken, barrah kebabs, chicken tikka, dal makhani and the like. Some of the famous restaurants are Gulati, Have More, Chor Bizzare and Pindi.
The Mini-Kolkata – Chittaranjan Park
If you are craving the rich flavours of Bengal, look no further than CR Park! From fish to rolls, sweets and puchkas, this place has it all. Some of the must visit places here are - Raju Puchka Wala, Kolkata Hot Kathi Roll, Mad About Momos, Annapurna Sweet House and Maa Tara.
Listen To Qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah Listening to Qawwalis at the open courtyard of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the resting place of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya, is a surreal experience, not to be missed. The qawwali session here, every Thursday, is attended by hordes of people of all religions from the world over, soaking themselves in the Sufi sounds.
Lose Yourself At Jantar Mantar Any tour to Delhi is incomplete without visiting the camouflage of modern art - Jantar mantar or Maze Puzzle, which is located in the heart of Central Delhi. It was built back in 1724 to trace the astronomical phenomena and to ascertain scientific data from the same. The area comprises an open air observatory, having thirteen different instruments, which involve the use of different structures to observe the astronomic cycles.
Experience The Haunting Thrills Of Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Founded by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq, Feroz Shah Kotla fort is the home of Djinns (supernatural creatures mentioned in Islamic theology), and people who believe in the supernatural come to seek solutions to their problems. This is also the place where exorcism is performed on those who are believed to be under the spell of evil spirits, and many swear by its effectiveness, even today.
Get Lost In Space At The Nehru Planetarium Constructed with the aim of promoting astrology, The Nehru Planetarium, a vision of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawharlal Nehru, opened its doors to the public back in 1977. The planetarium has a host of activities that will make your visit a worth-while affair - from taped shows offering visuals on the solar system and the life story of a star, to live lectures, fun activities to engage the kids, there are many things that will keep anyone occupied. The planetarium is located on the grounds of Teen Murti house which was also the former home of Nehru. The shows are run throughout the day in Hindi, English and Marathi languages.
Visit The Most Colourful Place – Dilli Haat For crafts of India and souvenirs, Dilli Haat is your one stop destination. From open air craft bazaar to food plaza, Dilli Haat displays items from every state of India. It serves as a one stop destination for arts, crafts and cultural activity.
Street ShoppingOne of the many best things about the national capital is its collection of some awe-inspiring street markets. From electronics, clothes, shoes, spices, handicraft items or simply jewellery, in Delhi you can find them all on the streets. So, if you are coming to the city, the top thing in your must-do list should be ‘exploring the best of street markets of Delhi’. There are many options out there, for all the budget-shoppers, markets like Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Palika Bazaar and Majnu Ka Tila are the go to place. For the best of handicrafts Janpath is perfect, whereas for all the luxury shoppers out there, options like GK M block, Shahpur Jat and Khan Market exists.
Engage And Explore The City Via Delhi WalksIf you wish to explore the city from an eye of Delhiite, Delhi Walks organised by Delhi Tourism and other tours and travel companies can be the best of best choice. From exploring the many heritage sites to relishing the delicious food in the city and participating in its vibrant culture, there are many options to choose from the list. Along with these there are walking tours to explore Old Delhi, some of the neighboring places such as Gurugram, Okhla Bird Sanctuary and morning walk tours.
Art Galleries And MuseumsDelhi is home to vibrant contemporary art scenes and in last few years there has been a boom in art galleries, as well as art events, fairs and exhibitions in Delhi. Some of the best art galleries to explore in New Delhi are National Gallery of Modern Art, a gallery that displays the changing art forms through the passage of the last hundred and fifty years in India, Art Positive, a gallery that is known for its lively cafeteria and a reading space for art-lovers, artists, collectors and experts, Exhibit 320, an experimental art space where work of new artists is shown, Delhi Art Gallery, one of the leading art galleries in the city showcasing a variety of 20th-century Indian artworks and one of the most exhaustive collections of Indian modern art.