Delhi holidays deliver a true feast for the senses.
Loud, bustling and exciting, nowhere epitomises the city’s spirit more than Chandni Chowk Market – a haven for spices, saris, silver and sweet treats in equal measure.
Weave through the crowds in a rickshaw, shop for souvenirs in twinkling emporiums and marvel at magnificent forts, palaces and temples. Visit for Diwali to enjoy a spectacular light show you’ll never forget.
Foodies will love the Indian-Punjabi-Mughlai fusion cuisine, with plenty of opportunities to treat your taste buds in refined restaurants and at countless street stalls.
You’ll fill your photo album at the city’s spectacular sites – don’t miss the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid or Akshardham as you explore India’s exciting capital.
From modern New Delhi to the walled Old Delhi, there’s so much to see and do in this thrilling city.
Haggle in busy bazaars, feast on fabulous food and explore historic sites – Delhi’s dazzling array of attractions are waiting to be explored.
There’s certainly no shortage of options when shopping in Delhi. Explore modern, multi-floor emporiums in New Delhi, as well as the wonderfully chaotic street markets of Old Delhi and the beating heart of the Chandni Chowk area.
Both are filled with locally-made clothing, Meenakari and Kundan jewellery and crafts that make superb souvenirs.
For fabric, fashion, fragrances and fine jewellery try Dilli Haat, Karol Bagh or Connaught Place. Select City Walk and Pacific Mall, meanwhile, offer famous brands and convenient food courts.
Delhi is a city full of romance, which makes it ideal for couples’ getaways. Begin with a peaceful walk through the Garden of Five Senses, which offers 20 acres of colourful blooms and serene parkland.
When you’re ready for a rest, enjoy dinner at the park’s very own restaurant, Fio Country Kitchen and Bar.
Seamlessly blending rustic charm with elegance, this eatery specialises in Italian cuisine and delivers great views of the garden as the sun sets.
If you’re planning a luxurious date night, try Sevilla at The Claridges. Alternatively, Kylin Skybar offers a romantic rooftop dining experience with a more relaxed feel.
There’s plenty for kids to do during holidays in Delhi. Little ones will love pretending that they’re a real-life train conductor at the immersive National Rail Museum.
The museum is dedicated to the rich transport history of India, with 3D experiences, train simulators and vintage signalling equipment. Don’t miss the Prince of Wales’s Saloon, a royal rail car built in 1875 for transporting VIP passengers around India.
This isn’t the only child-friendly attraction in Delhi. Kids will love stargazing at the Nehru Planetarium or exploring the collection of toys and dolls in the National Children’s Museum.
Delhi holidays serve up a selection of world-class treats for fans of all things creative.
Exhibit320, in Lado Sarai, features some of the most exciting contemporary art from all around India.
You can also spend an afternoon exploring Delhi Art Gallery, which focuses on 20th-century Indian art.
From modernist masterpieces to classics from the Bengal School of Art, you’ll be able to explore one of the most comprehensive collections of Indian art in the world.
Old Delhi is a treasure trove of historic sites, chief of which is the impressive 17th-century Red Fort.
It was built in 1648 as the home of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor and retains its importance to this day – with an annual speech broadcast by the Prime Minister from its ramparts.
Other notable sites include the grand India Gate war memorial at the eastern edge of New Delhi, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Humayun’s Tomb is a stunning 16th-century structure that is the resting place of the Mughal emperor of the same name.
Purana Qila Fort sits on a site that has been inhabited for over 2,500 years – it houses fascinating mosques and museums.
If you want to stay close to most of the key sights, it’s worth considering arranging accommodation in the popular Karol Bagh area.
Sitting between a rail and metro line, it benefits from excellent transport links. It’s also the perfect base from which to explore popular visitor destinations such as Old Delhi and Connaught Place.
Families planning a Delhi trip might want to stay in one of its southern districts, which offer a quiet and laid-back contrast to the bustling vibe of the city centre.
Attractions in this area include Mehrauli Archaeological Park, home to dozens of monuments of historical significance.
Meanwhile, the shopping area of Shahpur Jat is full of quirky stores, where you can hunt for souvenirs.
There is plenty to see and do after the sun goes down in Delhi. The Connaught Place area is packed with restaurants, with Berco’s, Parikrama, The Host and Castle 9 among the best places to eat here.
There’s also a chance to catch a film at the Carnival Cinema here. Stay nearby for easy access to Delhi’s nightlife.
The local currency in Delhi is the Indian Rupee (INR). Be prepared for some good-natured haggling over prices in markets and some shops.
The official language of Delhi is Hindi. Visitors will find that English, Punjabi and Urdu are also all widely spoken in the city.
The Delhi metro is the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to get around the city. Other transport options include buses, taxis and rickshaws.
Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (2 October) are all national holidays. Other prominent holidays include Cheti Chand, the beginning of the Hindu New Year in late March or early April, and Holi and Diwali – key Hindu festivals.
You can’t leave Delhi without experiencing its vibrant street food culture – it’s a vital part of the city’s identity.
Dishes to look out for include chole bhature – fried bread with a spicy concoction of onions and chickpeas.
It can be eaten for breakfast, although like its fellow early morning staple, the flatbread parathe, it can also be enjoyed as a tasty snack throughout the day. Chole bhature is often served with the yoghurt-based drink lassi.
If you like your food packed with plenty of spice, search out the sizzling-hot poori aloo or kachori with sabzi. You can also pick from a host of varieties of chaat, potato and crispy fried bread at food carts across the city.
Try local desserts too. Kulfi is an ice cream made with milk and dried fruits and comes in a range of flavours.
Delhi has a long and fascinating history, with the city having been inhabited for around 2,500 years.
Since the early days of Delhi, at least eight different communities have lived on the same site, contributing to the rich and varied cultural heritage that can be seen in the city today.
From the days of the Delhi Sultanate and the dominance of the Mughal Empire, to the rule of the British East India Company and the 1947 declaration of independence, this is a city with an intriguing story to tell.
Holidays in Delhi offer you the chance to learn more about this fascinating history.
The vast majority of people in Delhi practise Hinduism so Hindu festivals are widely celebrated across the city.
The most prominent is Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. This celebrates hope, friendship and goodwill, and stretches over five days in October or November.
During this time, there are firework displays and feasts with plenty of sweet treats and lots of lights and candles everywhere. Meanwhile Holi, celebrated in spring, is the festival of colour.
Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity are also popular religions. There are plenty of places of worship throughout the city, including the Jama Masjid – one of the largest mosques in India.
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