What Travelers Say About Delhi
Delhi is India's sprawling, history-soaked capital — a city of empires layered upon empires, where Mughal emperors, British viceroys, and modern India have all left their mark. It splits into two distinct worlds: chaotic, labyrinthine Old Delhi, a medieval tangle of bazaars and mosques, and orderly New Delhi, with its broad colonial boulevards and government grandeur. Overwhelming at first, Delhi rewards patience with extraordinary depth and some of the subcontinent's greatest monuments.
Explore Old Delhi's Red Fort and the magnificent Jama Masjid, then plunge into the frenetic lanes of Chandni Chowk by cycle-rickshaw. Marvel at Humayun's Tomb, the towering Qutub Minar, and the serene Lotus Temple. New Delhi's India Gate, Connaught Place, and Lutyens' avenues offer breathing room, while Hauz Khas and Lodhi Garden blend ruins with greenery. Delhi is also the gateway to the Golden Triangle with Agra and Jaipur.
The food is a glory of North India — buttery Mughlai curries, tandoori meats, flaky parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali, chaat, and creamy kulfi. Eat where locals queue. Be cautious with tap water and unfamiliar street stalls, use app cabs or the excellent metro, watch for touts near major sites, and brace for intense air pollution in winter months.