Before Delhi became the capital of India, Shah Jahan ruled his vast empire from the royal city of Agra hand-in-hand with his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Devastated by his wife’s death during childbirth, the emperor built the world’s most famous monument to love. It now bears her name…the Taj Mahal.

Today, you have the privilege of being able to visit this stunning example of Mughal architecture and other nearby places of wonder. These include many palaces and fortresses built for one of the most powerful empires the world ever saw.

I’ve selected 5 top-rated trips from Delhi to the Taj Mahal to review. Some excursions to Agra focus on the Taj Mahal and Red Fort while others take you around the Golden Triangle or see all the sights in Delhi.

Whether you’re interested in modern world history or the ancient origins of India, you’ll find a tour from Delhi to Agra that you love.

Best Taj Mahal Tours From New Dehli

	From Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Express Train	Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: Private Sunrise Tour from Delhi	From Delhi: 2-Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur
Departure Point:	Hotel pick-up from anywhere in the National Capital Region or airport	Hotel pick-up from anywhere in the National Capital Region or airport	Pick up from airport, railway station, or hotel
Departure Time:	6:15 AM – 7:00 AM depending on location	3:00 AM	5:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM
Duration:	13 hours	12 hours	2 days
Includes:	Train to Agra, private guided tour of the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, & Baby Taj, entrance fees, bottled water, breakfast, and supper	Professional tour guide, private car from Delhi, sunrise over the Taj Mahal, and bottled water	Experienced and professional tour guide, private transport from Delhi to Agra, overnight accommodation in Jaipur, all entrance fees, and bottled water
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

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Quick Answer: The 5 Best-Rated Taj Mahal Tours From New Dehli

1. From Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Express Train
2. Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: Private Sunrise Tour from Delhi
3. From Delhi: 2-Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur
4. Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour from Delhi by Car
5. Delhi and Agra 2-Day Tour with Taj Mahal Sunrise

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Taj Mahal Tours From New Dehli Reviewed

#1 From Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Express Train

This excursion from New Delhi to Taj Mahal is great if you want to spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the stunning historic and cultural sights in Agra. Because the journey time is so short, you’ll have time to visit 3 incredible famous sites in Agra.

You travel from New Delhi to Agra aboard India’s fastest train, the Gatimaan Express. In Agra, you’ll be transported around this wonderful city in a private chauffeured, air-conditioned car. The first attraction you’ll visit is the world-famous Taj Mahal, India.

Your knowledgeable guide will explain the history of the world’s best-known tomb and assist you in taking memorable photographs as souvenirs of your visit.

Near the Taj Mahal is Agra Fort, which is the royal residence where Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan lived their famous love story before they were buried side-by-side inside the Taj Mahal.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the lesser-known but fascinating Baby Taj. This is the first Mughal monument built completely from marble. This historic and picturesque structure stands on the banks of the Yamuna River.

Whatever you do, make sure that your guide takes a photograph of you and your friends in front of this scenic site.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#2 Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: Private Sunrise Tour from Delhi

If you’re able to get up super early in the morning, this is a fantastic Taj Mahal Delhi tour. Early risers will truly appreciate the beauty of a sunrise over the Taj Mahal.

Your early morning drive on the new expressway will zoom you along the Delhi to Taj Mahal distance. And once in Agra, you’ll be able to delight in an amazing view of the sun rising over the world’s greatest monument to love.

Few people on Earth are unaware of the Taj Mahal and all it represents.

You’ll spend up to 3 hours experiencing a private guided tour of the Taj Mahal and all its impressive features. Your experienced guide knows all the best locations for iconic photo opportunities. You’ll also have a little time to walk around on your own.

The Agra Fort is a stunning walled city near the Taj Mahal. The Shah Jahan lived here with Mumtaz at the time when she died, which is why it’s so close to her tomb.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore this ancient palace and wonder at its grand scale and impressive architecture.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#3 From Delhi: 2-Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur

When it’s Taj Mahal visiting time, why not extend your excursion over 2 days and explore the whole of the Golden Triangle of historic and cultural attractions surrounding New Delhi? This

Taj, palace, Delhi Golden Triangle tour takes in all the main sights within 2 days. After rapid and luxurious transport from Delhi in a private car, your first stop in Agra is the world-famous Taj Mahal.

This iconic monument to love is renowned not only for its romantic history but also for its fantastic Moghul architecture. Nearby is the Red Fort, the main residence of the Mughal Emperors until 1638.

This amazing fortress is actually a citadel—a fortified town where all the most important people would have lived for most of the first century of the Mughal Empire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll spend the night in Jaipur and then visit the Amer Fort, which is a picturesque fortress overlooking Maota Lake. Over 5,000 people a day visit this beautiful structure famous for its large ramparts, cobbled paths, and complex series of gates.

You’ll also enjoy other stops around Jaipur, including the Palace of the Winds and Jantar Mantar City Palace. This is a great museum for viewing arms, weapons, costumes, and textiles of a bygone age. And original paintings help you to visualize those artifacts in their original setting.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#4 Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour from Delhi by Car

If what you want is a full-day excursion from Delhi to Taj Mahal, this is a great tour for you. You’ll see the two most famous Mughal buildings in India.

The new expressway from Delhi to Agra makes it possible for you to get there in a little over three hours in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned car.

In Agra, your personal guide will take you on a guided tour of the world’s greatest monument to love. The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, Empress consort of the Mughal Empire who died in 1631.

When you enter the main chamber, you’ll see the false tombs of the Emperor and his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Their real tombs are in a lower chamber. Anyone seeking to defile their graves would instead defile the false ones above.

After your tour of the Taj Mahal complex, your private guide will take you around the nearby Agra Fort, Shah Jahan’s home before he moved the capital of India to Delhi.

The Red Fort predates the Taj Mahal by around a century and is one of the most important extant structures of the early Mughal Empire.

Together, the Taj Mahal complex and Agra Fort are the two best historic attractions you can visit on a one-day trip from Delhi.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#5 Delhi and Agra 2-Day Tour with Taj Mahal Sunrise

This Delhi to Agra tour is a fantastic way of exploring all the sights of Delhi and Agra within two days. It even includes the sublime experience of a sunrise over the Taj Mahal.

On the first day, you’ll explore all the famous monuments of both New and Old Delhi. See the house where Gandhi spent his final days, the oldest Mughal tomb in India, and the amazing Qutub Minar minaret…and many other fascinating cultural and historic sights.

During the evening, you’ll travel the 145 miles New Delhi to Agra distance. The next day, you’ll have an early start to watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal. Your guide will take you to explore this amazing building both inside and outside.

In the later morning, you’ll visit Agra’s iconic Red Fort. Agra was the capital of the Mughal emperors until 1638, and the Red Fort was their main residence.

It’s called the Red Fort because Emperor Akbar rebuilt the fortress using red sandstone from Rajasthan in 1573. The original fort was built around 1504.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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New Dehli Travel Guide

Delhi has a long and rich history. Today, India’s capital is dotted with spectacular monuments, forts, temples, and mosques.

Some were built by the great Mughal emperors, a few by the British, and some are amazing modern structures that will leave you breathless.

Old Delhi is a chaotic labyrinth of streets while New Delhi is a huge, well-planned modern global city. The contrast between the two is one of the most interesting features of the city.

This guide will help you find your way around this fascinating city—it’s many attractions, restaurants, hotels, and transport networks. I’m certain you’ll have a wonderful time.

Airports & Entry

Indira Gandhi International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and the busiest in India. You’ll be pleased to hear it has won a plethora of international awards for airport service quality.

There are 3 terminals. Most international flights land at Terminal 3, which is a large modern building.

Mobile devices

Theoretically, free Wi-Fi is available, but you need an Indian cell phone number to access it and it only lasts 45 minutes. You connect to the “Tata Docoma Wi-Fi” network, fill in some information, and you’ll receive a PIN and serial number by text.

Also, while there are mobile charging points throughout the airport, some travelers have experienced technical difficulties using them.

Basically, some of the chargers have a security feature where you can lock the compartment with a code and leave your phone to charge.

However, a few people have found it difficult to retrieve their phones from these compartments. Make sure you follow the instructions and don’t forget the code!

Information & emergencies

There are information booths in Terminal 3 both Airside and Landside. Emergency medical care is available in all three terminals provided by Medanta – The Medicity.

You’ll also find Guardian Pharmacies, which are open 24 hours. And for problems that cannot be fixed by medical science, you’ll find a Prayer Room in Terminal 3 Airside.

For travelers with kids, there’s a Children’s Play Area in International Departures. For your toddlers, you can borrow strollers in all three terminals.

For family fun, there’s the Amoeba Gaming Area in Terminal 3 Arrivals. And you can find diaper-changing rooms, cots, and toys in Child Care Lounges in every terminal.

Food & shopping

There are ATMs throughout the airport, and you can find foreign exchange booths in Terminal 1 Departures and in 5 locations around Terminal 3.

Duty-free shopping is found in both Arrivals and Departures of Terminal 3. They accept the local INR as well as US dollars, Euros, and pounds. These, along with 7 convenience stores, are open 24 hours.

If you’re thirsty, you’ll find drinking water fountains throughout the airport. Food outlets are located in every terminal operating on varied time schedules, though none are 24 hours.

Getting into town

The airport is 14 miles from the center of Delhi. The easiest way to get into the city is on the Metro. The Airport Metro Station serves Terminals 2 and 3 with express services into New Delhi every ten minutes and the Terminal 1-IGI Airport Metro Station…well, that’s kinda obvious.

Travel time into the center by Metro is about 20 minutes on the express service. But, the Terminal 1 station isn’t on the same Metro line and should be avoided unless you’re staying in South Delhi.

The Delhi Transport Corporation also runs an air-conditioned bus service into the city. Or, if you prefer, you’ll find taxi ranks outside Terminal 3 and Terminal 1C.

The road between the airport and the city is an 8-lane freeway, so the journey is surprisingly good…until you hit city center traffic. Travel time by road is about 1 hour.

Planning Tips

Needless to say, New Delhi is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. You will have a fantastic time in India’s capital. However, you won’t be in Kansas anymore, so here are 5 tips to help you plan your trip.

Tip #1: Decide what you want to do before planning your visit to Delhi

There’s a lot to do in Delhi, and you won’t be able to do everything. It’s a good idea to make a list of the key things you want to do and then plan a rough itinerary.

If you’re headed out to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, you’ll need a full day to do that. And if you want to do a lot of sightseeing around the old monuments, you might want to go in early spring or late autumn to avoid the summer heat.

But if you really want to experience Indian culture, consider visiting Delhi during either Holi or Diwali.

These two major festivals often involve activities spread out over a whole month, so visiting near their key dates will ensure an amazing experience. Holi is around February or March and Diwali around October or November.

Tip #2: Buy unique art and crafts

When buying unique Indian arts and crafts, you’ll need to learn how to haggle. Negotiating the price of an item is an essential part of the culture, especially in the markets.

Check out Dilli Haat open-air market in South Delhi where you can buy handmade Indian crafts, Janpath Market where the locals shop, and Government Emporium.

The Central Cottage Industries Emporium is a huge, government-run store controlled by the Ministry of Textiles. It is not a place where you can haggle because the prices are set, and it can be expensive.

However, if you’re buying antiques or art created by renowned contemporary artists, this is where you can guarantee that what you’re buying is genuine.

It’s like a museum where you can buy the exhibits. Check out the sandalwood section for the amazing smell.

Tip #3: Be prepared for the heat

Delhi is hot. I mean…hot! You’ll need to stay hydrated. But don’t drink the local water. Only drink bottled water. And ensure that you have diarrhea medicine ready for use during your stay.

Many tourists suffer from Delhi Belly during the first week of their visit. If you catch Delhi Belly, it should only last a day, but can linger for up to 3. While suffering, don’t eat papaya or melons. Bananas and curd rice can help alleviate the symptoms.

Tip #4: Book in advance, especially around Holi and Diwali

Delhi can get super busy, so book your hotel rooms and any tours you want well in advance to ensure your place. Generally speaking, the best months to visit are February & March or October & November.

These months avoid summer’s stifling heat and winter fog.

Tip #5: Be prepared for the challenge of New Delhi

Think what you think a tight crowd is and then triple it. That’s what Delhi’s like. The concept of personal space doesn’t exist because the locals can’t afford it.

Your most interesting challenge may be the toilets. You’ll need to carry your own toilet paper with you because Indians don’t use it. They use a more efficient jet sprinkler to wash their posterior.

Most traditional food is eaten without cutlery and you’re expected to use your flatbread to pick up the curry or whatever you’re eating.

But when you do follow the local eating custom, never use your left hand to eat, even if you are left-handed. An Indian friend once explained to me that your right hand is for eating and your left to use the toilet jet.

Be prepared for the shock of seeing extreme poverty. You will see beggars like you’ve never seen before. And don’t expect clean streets and sidewalks. A lot of people just drop their trash as they walk.

Restaurants & Eating Out

I know that French food is supposed to be the best in the world, but I’ve always preferred Indian cuisine. New Delhi is my culinary paradise! And what’s more, some of the best restaurants in New Delhi are extremely affordable.

The traditional cuisine of New Delhi is distinctly North Indian. However, because New Delhi is the capital and many people have moved here from all around India and the world, you’ll find food from South India, China, and other nations.

Bread

One thing that separates north from south in India is the staple food. In the south, rice is the main staple served in meals. But although rice is available in New Delhi, flatbread is the traditional staple. And the three most common kinds of bread are naan, roti, and chapati.

Naan is a soft, fluffy bread leavened with yeast and baked in a tandoor oven. This can be plain or flavored with garlic. Chapati and roti are both unleavened, wheat-flour breads. They are thinner than naan and cooked on a tawa griddle.

Chapatis are, in fact, the most common kind of roti. So, you’ll see various kinds of bread described as roti, including chapatis.

Other varieties include missi roti made using chickpea flour instead of wheat flour and tandoori roti baked in a tandoor rather than cooked on a griddle.

Stews & soups

The first time I ate in an Indian home, I was served dal with chapatis. I’d never heard of either dal or chapatis before (this was in the ‘80s) but I was hooked at first taste.

Dal is essentially a thick, spicy soup made from lentils (dal), tomatoes, and kidney beans with ghee added for a rich taste. I’ve never seen a meat variety of dal, and the Indians I ate with were Jains who are generally strict vegetarians. If you want to sample dal, check out Minar Restaurant in Connaught Place.

When most people think of Indian food, they think curry. The word curry originates in the south, but today it is used to describe a broad range of dishes that all basically resemble a thick, spicy stew.

My favorite is mutton korma, which is a mild variety of curry with yogurt-marinated goat meat cooked in onion gravy and ghee. For meat-based curries, head for Muslim restaurants like Al-Jawahar in Bazaar Matia Mahal.

New Delhi favorites

Butter chicken is a curry made from chunks of chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, and it is so popular in New Delhi that you will see specialist chicken restaurants selling it all over the city.

For example, the Chicken Inn in Pandara Road Market in central New Delhi has been serving butter chicken since 1960.

But my favorite is tandoori chicken. A piece of chicken breast or wing is marinated in curd and spices then cooked in a tandoor oven at a high temperature. You can sample this popular and tasty dish at Pindi, which is also in Pandara Road Market.

Desserts

If you’re a sweet tooth like me, you’ll love the vast variety of sweets available in New Delhi. Barfi is my personal favorite, which is a dense, milk-based dessert usually found in solid and delicious cubes.

The first time I ever ate a barfi, I was dubious because it was covered in silver leaf at an Indian wedding. Serving barfi covered in silver or gold is a great way to celebrate a special event.

And the Indian version of ice cream is a dense, milk-based dessert that is made without churning or whipping and flavored with fruits, spices, or nuts. I love pistachio kulfi, but I know many prefer the delicious taste of mango kulfi.

There are thousands of sweet shops throughout the city, like Anupama in Kailash Colony Market where you can buy snacks and traditional desserts. Just be careful not to lose too many teeth when you overindulge in sugary delights.

Nightlife & Entertainment

There are lots of great ways to enjoy a night in New Delhi. Whether you want to drink in bars, dance in clubs, or listen to Indian classical music, there’s something for everyone.

Many of Delhi’s drinking holes are found inside the 5-star luxury hotels, but many bars have recently opened in the wealthy southern suburbs and around Connaught Place.

Outside of the main nightlife areas mentioned here, note that Delhi has an “early nightlife” culture. Because most bars don’t have a permit to open beyond 12:30 am, you may want to drink in your hotel room.

But note that Wine & Beer shops close at 10:00 pm, so don’t leave it too late to prepare for your evening.

Cultural performances

Delhi is a great place to listen to Indian classical music. There are regular concerts and traditional Indian dancing performances in the Kamani Auditorium, Shri Ram Center, and Siri Fort Auditorium.

A great place to watch fantastic Indian dances is the Sangeet Natak Akademi. And don’t forget the India International Center for music and dance recitals along with other major cultural activities.

You’ll find listings for the city’s classical concerts and other cultural events in the Delhi supplement of national newspapers, such as The Times of India and Hindustan Times. Time Out Delhi is a great source of information about cultural events in the city.

Bars

Siri Fort is at the southern end of Hauz Khas. Not far away you’ll find the pedestrianized area of Hauz Khas Village.

This is the arty neighborhood of Delhi, where there are fashion boutiques, vintage Bollywood poster stores, and art galleries. It’s the best place in the city to go bar hopping.

Houz Khas Village is filled with trendy restaurants and bars where you can eat, drink, and dance the night away. Coast Café is a great venue for quiet cocktails, but Hauz Khas Social is where you can let your hair down and dance.

If you want something really different, check out Raasta, where there are regular karaoke nights on Tuesdays and ladies’ nights on Sundays.

Or get over to TLR for three floors of wild music and dance topped by a rooftop terrace. Weekends in TLR feature live music and energetic dancing.

Hotel bars

Hotel bars are the traditional place to drink in Delhi, and you’ll find lots of famous old hotels recalling the days of the British Raj.

Step back into the past in the 1911 Bar in the Imperial Hotel where the waiters wear livery and the rooms look like sets from a glamorous Bollywood movie.

But the fanciest area to drink is the neighborhood of Aerocity, and you don’t have to be a genius to figure out that you’ll find that area near the airport.

If you have money to splash around, then the luxury hotels serving the airport host some truly classy drinking oases, such as Chidyaghar at Roseate House and Oval at JW Marriott.

Clubs

If you want to party into the night, there are various well-known nightclubs around the capital that open late into the early hours of the morning.

Great examples are Kitty Su on Barakhamba Avenue, Lithyium in the Diplomatic Enclave, the Playboy Club in the Samrat Hotel, and Privee in the Shangri-La Eros Hotel Complex over Kanishka Shopping Mall.

If you want state of the art light shows and high-quality dance music, get down to Shroom in the Crescent Mall.

Getting Around

With summer temperatures exceeding 100⁰F, heavy pollution levels, crowds, and safety concerns, walking isn’t really the best way to explore New Delhi.

Fortunately, the city has a great public transport system, the highlight of which is the new Delhi Metro opened in 2002. All forms of transport in Delhi are relatively cheap, unless you get scammed.

Metro

The Delhi Metro is undoubtedly the best way to get around New Delhi. There are 6 metro lines covering different areas of the city. The Blue line is the largest with 51 stations and takes you to Connaught Place.

Note that the first coach of every Metro train is reserved for women and children only. Also, you may have your body scanned and bags searched at ticket gates due to strict security policies.

To save money, you can purchase a Tourist Card at any Metro station for Rs. 100 ($1.39) for 1 day or Rs. 250 ($3.48) for 3 days.

This will give you unlimited travel across the Metro network except for the Airport Express Line. If you decide to pay for individual journeys, the minimum fare is Rs. 8 ($0.11) and the maximum Rs. 50 ($0.70).

However, note that the Metro gets really crowded during the two rush hours. But it’s a great way of minimizing your carbon footprint since the Delhi Metro was designed to significantly reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Rickshaws

If you want to be touristy and use an outdated but cool form of transport, check out the city’s cycle rickshaws. You’ll generally find these modified tricycle taxis around the tourist attractions in Old Delhi.

They’re slow and relatively expensive but fun. You should take a ride on one at least once during your stay. But they’re not a great choice for long-distance journeys or speed.

Autorickshaws, on the other hand, are a fast way to travel short distances since they can weave past the taxis and buses. They’re also really affordable, costing only around Rs. 25 ($0.35) for the first 2 km and Rs. 8 ($0.11) per each further kilometer.

However, sadly you’re likely to get scammed if you’re obviously a tourist. If you get quoted an obviously inflated fare, take a photo of the displayed license and contact Delhi Traffic Police.

Taxis and car rental

The traffic around Delhi can be pretty crazy, so taxis will be slow compared to the Metro. They’re also comparatively expensive. You pay a hire fee of Rs. 69 ($0.96) and Rs. 23 ($0.32) per km. You can always use an online taxi fare calculator to estimate the cost of your journey.

I really wouldn’t recommend you hire a car and drive around Delhi. A friend of mine living in Delhi once told me he never wore his seatbelt while driving so he could escape from his car faster when an accident happened. The way he spoke implied that said accident was inevitable.

If you’re feeling brave, note that there are no lanes and no traffic rules. My general impression is that the person with the loudest horn gets right of way at any junction.

You can hire cars from Avis, Savaari, and Zoom Car. Expect to pay between Rs. 150 ($2.09) and Rs. 200 ($2.79) per hour for a small vehicle.

Accommodations

Delhi is a huge city, and there are lots of places you can stay. However, most visitors head to Central Delhi around Connaught Place to be close to the attractions, South Delhi where many of Delhi’s events take place, Paharganj & Karol Bagh for budget accommodation, or Aerocity for modern luxury hotels.

Central Delhi

In Central Delhi you’ll find the old districts of Paharganj and Chandni Chowk, the modern business district, and Connaught Place. It’s an area where you can find a lot of upscale hotels, like the modern Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel in the center of the business district.

And if you want to stay in a colonnaded, colonial building that reminds you of the days of the British Raj, check out the Radisson Blu Marina Hotel in Connaught Place.

But not all the hotels in this area are expensive. If you’re traveling with family, check out the Blue Triangle Family Hostel run by the YWCA in the Pandit Pant Marg Area.

You can stay in basic but comfortable rooms in the center of the city for an affordable price.

South Delhi

This is a vast area of the city with broad, tree-lined boulevards. You can find lots of cozy guest houses in this suburban area of the city. You can easily reach South Delhi on the Purple and Blue Metro lines.

Saket Bed & Breakfast is a popular guesthouse only a 5-minutes-walk from Saket Metro Station It’s a luxurious house in a gated community in a quiet area.

But if you prefer to stay in a larger hotel, then there’s Bloomrooms. This is a boutique hotel ideal for couples and families only 2-minutes-walk from the Jangpura Metro Station.

Karol Bagh & Paharganj

If you’re traveling on a budget, the areas of Paharganj and Karol Bagh are a great place to stay. Paharganj is the main bazaar of New Delhi.

You’ll find lots of guesthouses and restaurants around, and it’s close to the main New Delhi Railway Station.

Karol Bagh is the area near Karol Bagh Metro Station, and it’s awash with guesthouses and hotels. Another area nearby, just north of Paharganj, is Chandni Chowk. There aren’t as many places to stay there, but it’s a great location.

Check out the Smyle Inn for basic, budget rooms in a super friendly hotel near the Main Bazar. Or consider Tara Palace in Chandi Chowk, with recently renovated, spacious rooms near the old bazaars.

Weather

Although New Delhi has a hot semi-arid climate, it experiences a distinct monsoon period during summer. Generally speaking, many people find the long summer of Delhi unpleasantly hot and humid while the winter is sometimes cold and often foggy.

The coldest winter temperatures are in January, with an average daily high of 69⁰F and a low of 46⁰F. But the city soon heats up.

By April, summer has begun and temperatures rise to a blazing high of 97⁰F and low of 70⁰F. The hottest month of the year is actually May, with an average high of 103⁰F and low of 78⁰F.

However, in late June the monsoon begins and cools things down a little. By August, the average daily high drops to 93⁰F and the low 80⁰F. In September, the monsoon comes to an end.

The summer heat lingers until October, but temperatures drop in November, when the average daily high reaches 83⁰F and the low 55⁰F.

As you can see, the summer in Delhi is super long, lasting from April through October. For much of this period, the city is unpleasantly hot. For most of the summer, Delhi is also extremely damp and humid, especially during July and August.

Attractions

Unless you’re going to stay for several months and spend all your time sightseeing, you won’t be able to see all of Delhi’s amazing attractions.

Jama Masjid

The Jama Mosque is a stunning 17^th-century, red sandstone structure in the Chandi Chowk area of Old Delhi. Its huge courtyard can hold up to 25,000 parishioners, and the view from its southern tower is spectacular.

But dress appropriately for your visit—covering your head, shoulders, and legs—or you won’t get in.

Built between 1644 and 1656, this is the largest and most impressive mosque in Delhi. It was built by Shah Jehan, the emperor who built the Taj Mahal for one of his wives (Shah means “emperor” though it’s now a common surname).

The Red Fort

Near the Jama Mosque, you’ll find the Red Fort. This famous fortress was also built by Shah Jehan when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638.

Over its long history, the fort was captured first by the Sikhs and then the British. It is now considered a symbol of India’s struggle for independence.

However, as a Brit, I feel the need to point out that the Mughal Emperors were also invaders. The original Mughal emperor came from Uzbekistan and most of his forces were what we would now call Afghans.

He captured Delhi in 1526 and his empire lasted until 1720. That’s why most of the major monuments are distinctly Islamic while the majority of the population are Hindus.

Humayun’s Tomb

This amazing building was constructed in 1570 as a tomb for the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. This was the first time that this kind of Islamic building was built in India.

Sixty years later, its design would influence the architect of the Taj Mahal. Humayun’s Tomb is set in beautiful formal gardens that make for great photo opportunities.

Lodhi Gardens

The tombs of the earlier 15^th and 16^th-century rulers are found inside a public park opened by the British in 1936 called Lodhi Gardens. It’s a great place to come to escape from the crazy crowds and heat of the city. This is where Delhi’s joggers and tai chi practitioners come to find peace.

Qutab Minar

This is a fantastic brick minaret and part of the oldest mosque in Delhi—Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Construction of the first story of the minaret began around 1193, but the next three stories weren’t added until 1220.

A lightning strike in 1369 destroyed the top story, but during reconstruction a further story was added, bringing the minaret to its current 240 feet.

The mosque was built by a Muslim invader called Aibak after he conquered Delhi. It was the first mosque built in India.

Aibak destroyed 27 Hindu and Jain temples then used the stones to construct this building on the site of one of the old temples.

The Qutab Minar minaret and the mosque are actually separate from one another though built around the same time.

Gandhi Smriti

I first read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography as a teenager, and I found it very influential. It’s so sad he was murdered by someone he was trying to help.

And this monument in Delhi is the house where he spent the last 144 days of his life. In its grounds, you can visit the exact spot where he was assassinated on 30^th January 1948.

Today the Gandhi Smriti is a museum dedicated to the martyr’s life. Incidentally, it’s also where the autobiography I read was purchased.

The house was originally a mansion owned by a wealthy Indian tycoon, a member of the Birla family. The last member of the family to own the house sold it to the Indian government for an obscenely large amount of money.

India Gate

This is a war memorial built by the British in 1933 in memory of the 70,000 Indian servicemen from the British Indian Army who lost their lives fighting in WWI and the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

India Gate is a major New Delhi landmark and takes the form of a victory arch like the Arc de Triomphe. At night it is floodlit, and it’s a popular location for evening strolls.

The Lotus Temple

This Bahai Temple in Delhi is one of the most photographed buildings in the capital. It is literally shaped like a lotus flower, constructed of concrete clad with white marble.

The temple is dedicated to the Bahai Faith which preaches that all religions and people are the same. They welcome visitors.

Swaminarayan Akshardham

This huge temple complex is another modern addition to Delhi’s skyline. It was opened by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Spiritual Organization in 2005 and is dedicated to displaying Indian culture.

The structure is a breathtaking pink and white marble masterpiece.

As an Englishman, this temple shames me. While we build structures that look like oversized tents in London, in Delhi they are building superb structures like the Swaminarayan Akshardham that rival the Taj Mahal for beauty and craftsmanship.