An Insiderâs take on Travelling Delhi- Top 25 Experiences
The Capital of India is an intense affair on all the 5 senses and for good! If youâre up for exploring the best places and experiences of Delhi, weâre all game here. Read this blog on a lazy weekend for inspiration if youâre a Delhiite. And if youâre just visiting, youâll know the place pretty well by the end of it.
Here's everything that this travel blog of Delhi covers. Click on a category to directly land on that info, or else you can always read through everything for the best travel research :P
The must-visit Monuments of Delhi: The Obvious & not-so-obvious
- Street Shopping Recommendations
- The Culture Bazaars of Dilli
- Chaat places that you have to try
- Breakfast, Delhi Style
- Best places in Delhi for a fine lunch
- Non-veg lovers, assemble here
- The Arts of the city
- Events which are So-Delhi!
- The best nightlife hubs
- Book markets for the reader in you
The Monuments- Make all those history lessons come alive
1. Qutub Minar
Try going at 7 am, right when it opens, for the most serene views of the worldâs tallest minaret. When youâre done marvelling at the beauty of the red and pink sandstone structure, there are some dhabas right around the corner for you to have a filling breakfast.
Where- Near the Qutub Minar metro station, Yellow Line
Open between 7am & 5pm
2. Safdarjang Tomb
This monument almost never makes the cut when people recommend places to visit in Delhi, and weâre just sitting here wondering why. A sandstone and marble mausoleum with beautiful Mughal style architecture, visit here to curve away from the tourist crowd.
Where- Nearest Jor Bagh Metro Station, Yellow Line
Open between 7 am and 5 pm
3. Ahinsa Sthal
A Jain Temple with the most peaceful vibes, visit this place for a refreshing getaway from the general chaos of Dilli.
Where- Mehrauli, near Qutub Minar Metro Station, Yellow Line
Open between 8am & 8pm
Other recommendations would be the Humayun's Tomb & the Jama Masjid.
Street Shopping- It canât get any better or cheaper
4. Sarojini Nagar
You saw it here first! If one place could contain all the fashion stores of YOUR choice, it would be Sarojini Nagar. It is hands down your paradise if you like to change your wardrobe too often!
You can also pick up a âRet Wala Bhuttaâ, a steaming plate of momos, and a Banta Soda on the streets to keep you going in your quest to find the perfect clothes.
Where- Near INA metro station
Closed on Mondays, open between 10 am and 9 pm
5. Janpath
Situated in the heart of the city, Janpath is a 1.5km street market with styles and designs to fit all your fashion AND budget needs. From junk jewellery to dresses and hand towels to shoes, Janpath has it all!
Connected to Janpath are two more street markets that you must not miss on your visit â The Tibetan market and the Gujarati Handloom Street. Oh, and a final pro tip â bargain as you like.
Where- Near Janpath Metro Station
Closed on Sundays, open between 11 am & 9 pm
The Hat-ke Cultural Bazaars
6. Dilli Haat
The best thing about Dilli Haat is that it has food from all over the country, with stalls dedicated to cuisines of different states of India. The must tries are the Kashmiri and Manipuri stalls for authentic food. Along with a mix of cultural dishes, the haat is also big on traditional clothes, home-dĂ©cor, and other shopping elements exclusive to different parts of India. Even if you donât have the budget for high-end shopping, the bazaar is worth a visit.
Where- Delhi Haat INA Metro Station, Yellow Line
7. Nature Bazaar aka Dastkar Mela
A unique market of 100 stalls, the items they sell here keep on changing with festivals and events.
Where- Kisan Haat, Near Qutub Minar Metro Station, Yellow Line
When you think of Delhi, youâre bound to think of its Chaats
8. Shri Ram Chaat Corner
While chaats are available at every market of Delhi, we want you to try the best of it. The chatpate gol gappe, papdi chaat, and aloo tikki here are the absolute must-haves!
Where- Malviya Nagar Main Market, Near Malviya Nagar Metro Station
9. Natraj ke bhalle
Be it the unbearable Delhi heat or the chilling winters, you will always find people gathered around the corner shop of Natraj, hogging on their Dahi Bhalle and Aloo Tikki. Natraj also has a cafĂ© at the same premises with more options for drool-worthy street food, just in case a single plate of chaat isnât enough for your cravings.
Where- Chandni Chowk, Near Chandni Chowk Metro Station
Breakfasts, Delhi style
10. Laxman fast food
This food joint near IIFT serves finger-licking keema parantha. We also highly recommend the dal makhani and Tawa roti here.
Where- Qutub Institutional Area, near IIT Metro Station, Magenta Line
11. Nagpal ke Chhole Bhature
Up for trying Delhiâs favourite dish? Grab a plate of scrumptious chhole bhature in the Amar Colony & youâll keep coming back for more.
Where- Lajpat Nagar, near Moolchand Metro Station
Fancy lunches to make the most of posh Delhi
12. The Big Chill
Best Pasta in Delhi? The Big Chill is the answer. Load on their out-of-the-world pasta (more than 20 dishes to choose from!!) and end it with the amazing Irish cream tiramisu for dessert to have a fine-dining experience.
Where- Multiple outlets across Delhi
13. Café Delhi Heights
Their Amritsari fried sole fish is a MUST TRY. There are other very-Delhi things on the menu too, so youâll have a ball here.
Where- Multiple outlets across Delhi
14. Pa Pa Ya/ Yum Yum Cha
If youâd like to experiment a little with the cuisine, head to either of these for some great Sushi with drinks if you like âem.
Where- Multiple outlets across Delhi
For all your non-veg cravings
15. Karimâs
If you know Delhi even a bit, you know this name for sure. Have the chicken changezi, khameeri roti, and âistooâ aka Mutton Stew at this most famous food place in Delhi!
Where- Chandni Chowk Gali, near gate no.1 of Jama Masjid, Jama Masjid Metro Station
16. Rajender da Dhaba
When you land up near the area, you will find a lot of restaurants named Rajinder Express, RDX etc. But donât worry because all of them are pretty much the same. Donât miss the Mutton Galouti Kebab with roomali roti when youâre at any of those.
Where- Safdarjung, near AIIMS Metro Station
17. Al-Kauser
Head here for the best Mutton Biryani youâll find in Delhi. Period.
Where- Near RK Puram-Sector 7 Metro Station
For the love of Art
18. Lodhi Art District
Donât forget your cameras as you set to stroll across this artsy gully of Delhi. Try the first half of the day (before 11) for good light and great pictures.
Where- Lodi Colony, near Jor Bagh Metro Station, Yellow Line
19. NGMA
The National Gallery of Modern Art is a mesmerizing affair for anyone who is even remotely interested in arts like sculpture-making, painting, and sketching. The place also conducts weekend art classes at a nominal fee of INR 20 if youâd like to learn basic sketching or painting. Heads up- bags are not allowed at the workshop, so carry only the things that can fit in your pockets.
Where- Shershah Road, near Central Secretariat Metro Station, Yellow Line
Must-see Events of Delhi
20. Nizamuddin Dargah Qawwali
One of the most sacred shrines visited by pilgrims from all over the country, this Dargah holds qawwali every Thursday. The experience is soothing and very cultural, so we recommend you go there.
Timings: 6pm, 7.30pm & 9pm on Thursdays
Where- Nizamuddin Dargah, near Jangpura Metro Station, Violet Line
21. Ghalib in Delhi
A beautiful rendition of Ghalibâs imaginary life in modern Delhi, this play is a great summary of the city in present times. It happens regularly in different auditoriums, so the bests you can do is look out for it.
The Big-City Nightlife
22. Connaught Place
From chic cafes to fancy dine-ins, food-chains, bakeries, famous shopping brands, and pubs thudding with the trendiest songs, CP, as the area is popularly known, has it all. Circle around all the blocks and pick one place that suits your mood and youâre set for a great time!
Where- Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Yellow Line
23. Aurobindo Marg
With cafes, pubs, and restaurants, this street has some upmarket places to enjoy a late-night meal or dance your heart out. Summerhouse, one such pub here, is a really popular name in Delhi, just saying.
Where- Near Green Park Metro Station, Yellow Line
Book markets- Because just one shelf of books is never enough
24. Daryaganj Book Market
As the market is open only on Sundays, try reaching there at 9 in the morning as itâll be easier to find the books you want. From the most popular reads like Gone Girl and The Book Thief to the hidden gems of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Ayn Rand, the market has it all. So, the real question here is, do you have the eye to find exactly what youâre looking for?
Where- Near Chowri Bazar Metro Station, Yellow Line
25. Nai Sarak
A hub of academic publishers, this is where you go to buy all your course books. Be it state board, central, international, youâre likely to find what youâre looking for here. You can also shop for wholesale stationery items for cheap on this street.
Where- Near Chowri Bazar Metro Station, Yellow Line
Yay! You made it till the end. So, ready for some serious Delhi expedition? Here's the good news. We've got not one, but two places for you to stay in Delhi. One in the quiet and very green lanes of Vasant Kunj, South Delhi, which you can check out here. And the other one, right in the middle of all the chaos of central Delhi, Paharganj, which you can book here. Get yourself a dorm bed booked with us and get going, the joyride is real and the thrill- exceptional. See you on the other side. :D
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