Things to Do in Delhi
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New Planning with ChatGPT or Gemini? Paste the plan and we'll price it with real hotels and a car. Price my itinerary Delhi is the first of three stops on The Boutique Golden Triangle 5 nights · with Agra and Jaipur · from £430 per person See it →Delhi keeps its past in layers: Mughal lanes and forts in the old city, tombs and ruins scattered through the south, and a modern capital built around and between them. Here's what to see and do, organised by interest and season.
Must-Do Experiences
These define a Delhi visit. Miss these and you've missed the city.
Walk Through Old Delhi
What: Navigate the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, Delhi's 17th-century market district
Why: This is Delhi at its most intense, street food, spice markets, humanity, chaos, and history in every lane
How long: 3-4 hours minimum
Include:
- Jama Masjid (one of India's largest mosques)
- Paranthe Wali Gali (paratha street)
- Khari Baoli (spice market)
- Red Fort entrance
See our neighbourhoods guide for detailed Old Delhi coverage.
Explore Mughal Monuments
See first:
- Humayun's Tomb, Prototype for the Taj Mahal, set in formal gardens
- Red Fort, Mughal imperial residence, massive walls
- Qutub Minar, 73-metre tower, 800 years old
Allow: 1.5-2 hours each
Entry: ₹550 per site for foreigners
See our heritage guide for complete monument information.
Eat Street Food
Where: Chandni Chowk for the full experience
What to try:
- Parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali
- Kebabs at Karim's
- Chaat at Natraj Dahi Bhalle
- Jalebis at Old Famous Jalebi Wala
See our food guide for complete recommendations.
Free Things to Do
Parks and Gardens
Lodhi Gardens
- 15th-century tombs scattered across manicured lawns
- Best at sunrise or sunset
- Free entry, dawn to dusk
- Perfect for morning walks, picnics, photography
Deer Park (Hauz Khas)
- Peacocks, birdlife and quiet walking paths; most of the deer were moved to reserves in Rajasthan in 2025 and 2026
- Adjacent to Hauz Khas ruins
- Morning joggers, evening walkers
- Free entry, 5 AM to 8 PM
Monuments
Agrasen ki Baoli
- 14th-century stepped well
- A steep flight of stone steps descending three storeys into the earth
- A favourite with photographers
- Free entry, near Connaught Place
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
- 100+ monuments from 1,000 years of history
- Adjacent to Qutub Minar (which costs ₹550)
- Ruins, tombs, step-wells
- Free entry, sunrise to sunset
Religious Sites
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
- Golden-domed Sikh temple
- Free langar (community meal) served to all visitors
- Large reflective pool; cover your head (required)
- Near Connaught Place
Nizamuddin Dargah
- 700-year-old Sufi shrine
- Thursday evening qawwali (free)
- Dress modestly and cover your head; women may enter the complex and sit in the courtyard, but are not allowed into the shrine chamber itself
- Walking distance from Humayun's Tomb
Other Free Experiences
India Gate
- War memorial, pleasant evening walk
- Illuminated at night
- Street food vendors nearby
Walking Chandni Chowk
- The experience is free; the food costs
- Best morning hours
Things to Do by Season
Summer (April-June)
Delhi hits 40-45°C. Adapt accordingly.
Do:
- Indoor museums (National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art)
- Mall hopping (Select Citywalk, DLF Promenade)
- Early morning monument visits (arrive 6 AM)
- Evening activities after 6 PM
- Swimming pools at upscale hotels
Avoid:
- Midday outdoor sightseeing
- Walking tours
- Long Old Delhi sessions
Tip: Carry water, sunscreen, and a hat. AC breaks between activities are essential.
Monsoon (July-September)
Rain, humidity, but also relief from heat.
Do:
- Museums and indoor attractions
- Monsoon-green Lodhi Gardens (between showers)
- Coffee and cafe culture
- Food focus, restaurants over street food
Avoid:
- Old Delhi (lanes flood)
- Step-wells (slippery)
- Outdoor evening activities (mosquitoes)
Tip: Carry umbrella, waterproof bag for electronics. Check weather before heading out.
Winter (October-February)
Delhi's best season. Cool, dry, perfect for sightseeing.
Do:
- Everything, this is prime visiting time
- Morning heritage walks
- Street food (no sweating)
- Diwali (Oct/Nov), Republic Day (Jan 26)
- Rooftop bars and restaurants
Watch out for:
- December-January fog (flight delays, cold mornings)
- Pollution spikes in November
Things to Do with Kids
Interactive Attractions
National Science Centre
- Hands-on exhibits, fun for ages 5-15
- Pragati Maidan area
- Entry: ₹80
National Rail Museum
- Old trains, toy train rides
- Chanakyapuri
- Entry: ₹50
Shankar's International Dolls Museum
- 6,000+ dolls from 85 countries
- Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
- Entry: ₹15
Outdoor Options
Deer Park
- Peacocks, ducks and birds; only around 38 deer are still kept here after the herd was relocated
- Kids love the animals
- Free, open morning to evening
Lodhi Gardens
- Running space, picnic areas
- Squirrels and birds
- Free
Adventure Island (Rohini)
- Amusement park
- Better for older kids (rides)
- Entry: ₹600-800
Food Kids Will Eat
- Pizza at Big Chill
- Ice cream at Giani's
- South Indian at Saravana Bhavan (dosa, idli)
- Pancakes at Elma's Bakery
Romantic Things to Do
Sunset Spots
Lodhi Gardens, Walk among 15th-century tombs as the light turns golden
Humayun's Tomb, Far quieter in the last hour than at midday, and the low light does the work
Garden of Five Senses, Landscaped gardens in Mehrauli, quieter than parks
Dinner Spots
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mediterranean food in a Mehrauli courtyard
Qla, European fine dining in a Mehrauli villa, with a terrace looking at the Qutub Minar
Indian Accent, If budget allows, Delhi's best restaurant
1911 at The Imperial, dining room and bar in a 1930s hotel on Janpath
Experiences
High Tea at The Imperial, Colonial elegance, ₹2,500+ per person
Spa Day, Hotels like The Leela, ITC Maurya have excellent spas
Rooftop Drinks, Hauz Khas Village has multiple options
Off-the-Beaten-Path
Beyond Tourist Delhi
Majnu ka Tilla, Tibetan refugee colony. Momos, thukpa, monastery. North Delhi.
Feroz Shah Kotla, Ruined 14th-century city. Thursday djinn gatherings (yes, really).
Coronation Park, Where British staged coronations. Relocated colonial statues.
Jahaz Mahal, "Ship palace" ruins in Mehrauli. Less visited, atmospheric.
Daryaganj Sunday Book Market, Secondhand book bazaar running since 1964, now housed in Mahila Haat near Delhi Gate. Sunday mornings.
Alternative Experiences
Street Art in Lodhi Colony, India's first open-air art district. Murals on buildings.
Champa Gali, Tiny alley of cafes and boutiques. Saket. Worth finding.
Sunder Nursery, Restored Mughal-era garden, open to the public since 2018. Adjacent to Humayun's Tomb.
Day Trips from Delhi
Agra (Taj Mahal)
Distance: 230 km (4-5 hours by car, 2 hours by Gatimaan Express)
What to see: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, optional Fatehpur Sikri
Plan: Full day trip, leave early
See our getting around guide for transport options.
Jaipur
Distance: 280 km (4-5 hours by car, 4 hours by train)
What to see: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal
Plan: Overnight minimum, ideally 2 days
Neemrana Fort
Distance: 122 km (2-3 hours by car)
What: 15th-century fort converted to heritage hotel
Plan: Lunch trip or overnight stay
Quick Reference
| Interest | Top Pick |
|---|---|
| History | Old Delhi + Humayun's Tomb |
| Food | Chandni Chowk food walk |
| Free day | Lodhi Gardens + Nizamuddin + India Gate |
| Photography | Humayun's Tomb at sunrise |
| Shopping | Dilli Haat + Khan Market |
| Nightlife | Hauz Khas Village |
| Family | National Rail Museum + Deer Park |
| Romance | Lodhi Gardens sunset + Olive dinner |
For detailed itineraries, see our planning guide.