Delhi, the capital city of India, is home to about 19 million people. Along with being the political core of India, Delhi is also the heart of all cultural activities, business and transportation. It is one of the most visited cities in India and is a hot travel destination for both Indians and foreigners.
The city has a rich cultural history since it was the capital of many ancient kingdoms that existed in India. At the time of the British rule in India, Delhi was also modernized. As a result, Delhi boasts of a number of forts, tombs and ancient structures, and at the same time, is also known for a number of the modern state of the art buildings and monuments. The ancient traditions of the city are still live in part called Old Delhi,’ and that is the most popular travel area for tourists.
What is a must-do in Delhi?
There is so much to do in Delhi when you travel here, that it is difficult to know where to start from. From exploring the street food in Old Delhi to visiting the heritage sites like Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb, and then exploring the modern age gigantic shopping malls, designer boutique stores at Haus Khas and Shahpur Jat, Delhi has something to offer for everyone.
Related Article : Things to do in Pondicherry
What is the best thing about Delhi?
The best thing about Delhi is that it is a perfect mix of ancient and modern culture. On the one hand, you can witness the narrow streets full of small and big shops selling all kinds of products in Chandni Chowk, and on the other hand, you can toast your eyes with the grandeur of the vast luxury shopping malls.
Delhi is full of small street vendors selling the best of sweets and savories and also known for giving the best five-star dining experiences. It is the co-existence of these contrasting experiences that make Delhi an exceptional and unusual travel destination.
Best Walks
No travel to Delhi is complete without exploring the two most popular kinds of walks – scenic and food. The best scenic walk to take is around Central Delhi and India Gate. This would cover the major political sights like the Parliament and the Supreme Court, the beautiful Botanical Gardens and Lodi Garden, and the ancient tourist spots like Humayun’s Tomb and Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.
The best walk to take is undoubtedly the food walk in Old Delhi. You can taste vegetarian and non-vegetarian, as well as sweet and savory delicacies. From the famous street food to the overnight cooked mutton and kebabs, from the widely available fresh cookies to the famous and inimitable Daulat ki Chaat,’ there is no experience better than that of an Old Delhi food walk.
Best Restaurants
Delhi is home to the most distinctive variety of food in India, which is available in the smallest of streets and also in the biggest luxury hotels. Though it is tough to zero down the best restaurants in Delhi, some places are definitely a must-visit. To experience five-star luxury and lip-smacking food, the Michelin Star restaurant Indian Accent tops the list. Though some people might find it to be a little heavy on the pockets, there are also mid-range restaurants like Gulati’s at Pandara Road and Karim’s in Old Delhi serving scrumptious food. For the more budget-friendly options, the kebabs at Khan Chacha and south Indian cuisine at Sagar Ratna are a must-try.
Music
Since Delhi is the cultural hub of India, music is an essential part of the lifestyle. Tourists can witness all kinds of music from traditional Sufi and Bollywood melodies to live Jazz and rock. A number of music shows with Sufi music and qawwalis are performed at famous monuments like the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. At the same time, an increasing number of cafes and pubs host live bands every night that play the best of Western and Bollywood music and are mostly visited by foreigners on travel.
In addition to this, Delhi also has several auditoriums that host live shows by classical artists and new promising singers daily to encourage rising talent. A number of rock concerts and performances by Bollywood singers are also held regularly.
Nightlife
For people who travel to Delhi, the nightlife is not just about dancing in the night clubs or enjoying a drink in any of the myriad bars. There is much more to the nightlife, ranging from live music to late-night street food binging. Some night walks involve excellent opportunities for sky gazing and enjoying the winter chill.
Best day trip
A trip to Delhi is incomplete without a trip to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, which is one of Seven Wonders of the World. Agra is only a 3 to 4-hour road journey and can be easily covered as a day trip. Along with visiting the Taj Mahal, a trip to Agra can also include visiting the Fatehpur Sikri (fortress of Mughal King Akbar) and relishing the famous sweets of the town.
Less popular facts about Delhi
Delhi is a shopping hub for tourists, but what people do not know is that shop owners sometimes end up charging exorbitant rates to foreigners, and thus it is important to bargain with them as much as possible. Moreover, irrespective of how happening Delhi’s nightlife is, there have been major safety issues for tourists and women in particular. Thus, it is not advisable for people on travel to step out alone in less populated areas without proper knowledge of the locality.
Every popular tourist destination has its pros and cons, but the advantages of travel outweigh the cons. Nowhere in the world would you find a city with culture and modernism as diverse as in Delhi, and nowhere would you find people as welcoming and helpful as in Delhi. Despite being one of the most polluted cities in the world, Delhi has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Despite being popular for the limited safety of women, The people in the city are most friendly and accommodating.
