New Delhi
Is your appetite for travel insatiable? Do you want to feel challenged – on a near-cellular level – to match the rhythm and energy of someplace new, someplace unlike anywhere else in the world? You’re ready for Delhi. Often called Lutyens’ Delhi, it’s one of the world’s oldest and largest cities. Visitors who travel to Delhi for the first time find it almost impossible to not get overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all; if your limits feel they’re being tested here, remember that you’re in good company. Once you’ve acclimated, you’ll be rewarded with the discovery that everything frenetic and out of sync is actually perfectly syncopated – you just had to develop an ear for it first.
Know Before You Go
An Ever-Changing Culture
New Delhi has a strong cultural mix, as migrants form a large portion of the population. The result is a cosmopolitan hodgepodge and a vibrant mix of culture and food. From Mughlai and Korean to Spanish and Mexican, Delhi has an array of restaurants to offer delicious cuisines to locals and visitors alike.
Transit
Delhi’s metro can take the guesswork out of your travels around the city if you do it right – and can help you escape the traffic jams (just avoid it at rush hour and be prepared for a hot tram car). If the metro isn’t running, apps like Ola and Uber can help get you where you’re going, no haggling required.
Hospitality
When in Delhi, have no shame in asking a question. The locals are kind and helpful, so much so that some would stop their jobs to get you safely to your destination. A namaste goes a long way!
A City of Mughals
Delhi has a long line of forts to explore that were erected by the Mughal Empire. The Mughals created much of what is now known as “Old Delhi,” and there are several forts and gardens that are sprawled across the city’s central and southern sides. Old Delhi Fort, Red Fort, Tughlaqbad Fort, Qutub Minar, Deer Park, Mehrauli Archelogical Park, and Lodhi Gardens are only some of the key places that visitors must explore on their trip to the capital city.
More Is More
If you’re a woman visiting Delhi for the first time, it’s best to dress comfortably and modestly for ease of travel. Embrace the city with its flaws and remember that a smile and a few local words can help you get accustomed to the hustle if you’re feeling like a fish out of water.
A PSA on Personal Space
You’ve heard it before, and it bears repeating: Get used to the notion that folks are going to be milling around you much more closely than you may be used to elsewhere – after all, there are almost 19 million people here. It can be daunting, but be patient with yourself for a couple of days and you’ll become more comfortable with the crowds.
Can’t-Miss Adventures
Connaught Place
A circular area full of stores and places to eat, Connaught Place is where the kids of the city come to hang out. It has a mix of Georgian architecture coupled with hints of modern, and it is believed that the area of Connaught Place was inspired by the Royal Crescent Bath of England. Decade after decade, this area is popular among both tourists and residents.
Chanakyapuri
Very close to Connaught Place lies the center of high-end hotels and embassies, as well as an area packed with bhavans. Bhavans or food centers that specialize in cuisine from different statesof India, and they’re reliably easy on the pocket and delicious at the same time. Everyone should visit this side of the city to explore regional cuisine at its best.
Old Delhi
This is the unmissable side of Delhi that everyone loves and hates at the same time (after all, it is the most chaotic area of the walled city). Walking through Old Delhi can be a nightmare for many, but this frenzied locale holds a thrill like no other. Old Delhi must be explored for the wonderful street food options and the imposing Jama Masjid.
When to Go
The time to visit New Delhi is from November to March, when the weather is always bearable and oftentimes amazing. February and March, in particular, are gorgeous months as the city’s expanse has flowers on every corner.
Featured Local: Ishita Sood
Ishita Sood is a blogger living in Delhi NCR since she was 11. Traveling and reading are some of her passions; Ishita is a wanderer at heart. Her love for finding old and new started in the city of Delhi, which she explores with her husband as much as possible. She feels she hasn’t even scratched the surface when it comes to exploring the city of Delhi.
Ishita’s Must-Dos
Rose Café
Rose Café – in the Saidulajab area of Delhi – is an excellent place for good coffee. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city to have a cappuccino and pause to enjoy the shop’s rustic interiors in pastels.
Pandara Road
Looking to try the best Indian cuisine? Try Delhi’s Pandara Road, where places like Chicken Inn and Gulati offer delicious kebabs and a bevy of North Indian dishes. While this area is big on pan-Asian cuisine, I strongly suggest you try the tandoori chicken at Pindi.
More of New Delhi
Qutub Minar
Who wouldn’t want to see the world’s tallest minaret? Qutub Minar is a sight to behold, especially when its historic complex is taken into context: A few steps from the Qutub is an assortment of designers and cafes offering the city’s top-dollar clothing and food.
Triveni Kala Sangam
If you’re an art connoisseur, visit the Triveni Kala Sangam to gaze at gorgeous works – and then fill your stomach at the Triveni Cafe. Reasonably priced food at a tiny terrace café, this hidden gem is tucked away into a lesser-known part of the city you’ll love at first sight.
Lodhi Art District
An iconic area of New Delhi is the Lodhi Art District, known for versatile art themes across the neighborhood. There are hundreds of murals in this part of the city, all made famous by both national and international artists.
