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10

Delhi Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under India

A trip to Delhi
Delhi is the capital of India and home to a plethora of amazing attractions. It is an excellent hub for exploring northern India and the perfect base for visiting the famous Taj Mahal which is only a short distance away.

Today, the city is a curious blend of the modern and traditional, where the past co-exists with the present. You can find modern skyscrapers set alongside quaint houses and wonderful monuments located in stunning gardens.

Flights to Delhi
Delhi has two airports: Indira Gandhi, international airport and Palam, the domestic airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport is located just 20kms from the city centre and sees over 8.5 million passengers each year. This makes it one of the busiest airports in South Asia. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Dehli try lastminute.com.

Delhi has a good transportation network with a well laid out railway network and national highways. Trains connect all of the state capitals and international cities in the country. The city also has an extensive bus service; however, buses tend to be extremely crowded and uncomfortable. Taxis can be hailed virtually everywhere in the city. A fun and economical transportation option is to hire a three-wheeler auto rickshaw.

Dehli

Sightseeing in Delhi
Although a vast majority of travellers visit Delhi on their way to see the famous Taj Mahal in Agra, they are usually taken aback by the sheer number of activities and attractions on offer in this vibrant city. One of the top attractions is Chattarpur Mandir. This famous complex of temples was dedicated to Goddess Durga and was built in the middle of stunning grounds. Another major attraction is the National Museum. This houses exhibits and artefacts dating back to 2700 BC.

The city is also home to some truly amazing architecture including Rashtrapati Bhavan, a 1920s British imperialist masterpiece. Being one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Delhi is overflowing with ancient monuments and important archaeological sites. If you prefer the outdoors and nature, visit Rajghat as this is the park where Gandhi was cremated.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Delhi is not exactly famous for its nightlife; however many of the upmarket hotels have discos, nightclubs and bars. The city does see a good number of musical concerts, festivals and theatre productions. A popular evening event is the sound-and-light shows which take place every night at both Red Fort and Purana Qila. At Parsi Anjuman Hall, you can see the nightly Dances of India while jazz lovers can head over to the Jazz Bar at the Maurya Sheraton.
Delhi is synonymous with Mughlai cuisine. The best of Mughlai dishes can be found at road side eateries around Jama Masjid and Nzamuddin where kababs, rotis and biryani are popular with locals and visitors alike.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
A visit to the Cottage Industries Emporium will be a real treat for shoppers. This enormous complex sells a variety of products from all over India and is an excellent place to find that perfect souvenir. Along the main street of Old Delhi is the lively shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Endless stalls and shops sell products that range from jewellery to spices, silks, carpets and Indian trinkets. This area is always bustling, but still filled with old-world charm and can make for a delightful day.

Daytrips
Although the Taj Mahal is by far the most popular site visited from Delhi, there is plenty more to see, and it is easy to hire a private taxi or take trains and buses from the city to nearby destinations. Just a two-hour train journey away from Delhi, the Taj Mahal is one place that must be seen. Its cool, white marble structure and exquisite gardens are famed worldwide.

Set close to the city is India’s oldest heritage resort, Neemrana Fort Palace. Overlooking villages and towns below, the palace is located upon a magnificent hilltop, part of the Aravalli ranges which are regarded as the world’s oldest fold mountains.

Hauz Khas District Park lies in the centre of the city and is a wonderful place to spend a day relaxing. Boasting a selection of decent restaurants, as well as a deer park, fountain area and a charming rose garden, visitors can easily while away the day here.

Must-see attractions
Delhi is simply brimming with fascinating attractions, with perhaps the most famous being the Red Fort or Lal Quila. The imposing 17th century walls serve as a reminder of the power of the Mogul empire and the fort set the scene for the Indian uprising in the mid-19th century.

The nearby Jama Masjid dominates the Delhi skyline, overlooking the sprawling hub of Chadni Chowk. India’s largest mosque can hold up to 25,000 devotees at once and visitors are welcome.

One of Delhi’s best examples of Mogul architecture is the great Humayun’s Tomb, dating back to the 16th century. Sitting within a beautiful Persian garden, the tomb is one Delhi sites not to be missed.

The giant tower of Qutb Minar was built in the 12th century as a symbol of Islamic might. Now set in beautiful parkland, the tower flanks the oldest mosque in India. Even those who have no interest in architecture can enjoy the splendour of the peaceful gardens.

Best time to go
Delhi experiences a hot humid climate throughout the summer months, with temperatures peaking at 46ºC and the evenings hardly seeming to cool at all. The monsoon rains fall between June and September, with the chilly winter season starting in November and lasting to around March. The city holds a popular Kite Flying Festival each January in Connaught Place, and this can be a great time to coincide your visit.

Rainy day suggestions
With a short monsoon season, a cold winter and a long humid season, indoor attractions can be a pleasant way to escape Delhi’s weather extremes. The Nehru Memorial Museum is located in Nehru’s old house and features rooms preserved exactly as he left them. The Gandhi Memorial Museum, the fabulous National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art are all places that are well worth visiting.

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