Delhi vacations

Bursting with color and life, New Delhi is where sprawling markets meet gleaming skyscrapers, and the busy streets hum with the sounds of rickshaws.

Experiencing the energy and chaos of a bazaar is one of the top things to do in Delhi. Find areas dedicated to aromatic spices, silver jewelry, colorful saris, street food and more around Chandni Chowk. Bargain hunters love Paharganj Market for its books, electronics, handicrafts and textiles. Remember that haggling is the norm and expected by stall owners.

Delhi is awash with grand Mughal monuments. Admire the imposing red sandstone walls, pavilions and gardens of the Red Fort. Nearby, the Jama Masjid mosque dazzles with its soaring minarets, marble domes and intricate inlay art. Humayun’s Tomb is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, while Purana Qila is one of the city’s oldest forts.

With strong Mughal, Persian and Punjabi influences, Delhi’s street food scene is an explosion of flavors. Savor city staples like ‘paratha’ (flatbread served with chutney and curd) and ‘aloo tikki’ (crispy mashed potato patty). Chandni Chowk is famous for ‘pani puri’ (chickpea and potato–filled dough balls). If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll find the ‘jalebi’ (deep-fried batter soaked in sugar syrup) irresistible.

Head to the Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) on Republic Day (January 26). It’s when India honors the adoption of its constitution amid the pomp and pageantry of military parades. Held in November or December, the Qutub Festival brings traditional Indian music and dance to life. Don’t miss the vibrant change of guard ceremony, which takes place on Saturday morning at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace.

The sprawling parklands and gardens of Delhi are a welcome break from the urban bustle. Stroll through Lodhi Garden to see old tombs, a rose garden and a tranquil lake. At Yamuna Biodiversity Park, about 2,000 plant and animal species thrive amid grasslands and wetlands. Part of the ancient Aravalli Range, the forested Delhi Ridge is home to historical monuments and over 100 bird species.

Start your day the local way with ‘chole bhature,’ a popular breakfast or lunch plate of chickpea curry with deep-fried bread. Native to the city, ‘murgh makhani’ (butter chicken) is a staple on the menus of restaurants in Delhi. Visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib temple, where Sikh volunteers prepare free food for thousands of diners every day.

The National Museum, New Delhi, is among the largest museums in Delhi, with exhibitions spanning art, maritime heritage, musical instruments and more. Discover the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti. See works by influential Indian and international artists at the National Gallery of Modern Art, and check out the vintage trains and railroad memorabilia at the National Rail Museum.

The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March, when the weather is dry and pleasant. July to mid-September is the monsoon season. It’s also the quietest period of the year, with fewer tourists clogging up the attractions. Crowds tend to increase during major religious festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali, typically held between September and November.

There are countless ways to have a cheap trip to Delhi. You’ll stumble across affordable street food everywhere you go and can usually have an inexpensive sit-down meal for as little as 350 Indian rupees (₹). A short taxi ride will cost you about ₹100, but you’ll save even more getting around on rickshaws.