Top 10 places to visit in New delhi - india’s underrated capital city
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This past May, I was given the opportunity to study abroad with one of my favorite professors and one of my best friends in New Delhi, India. When I was first presented with the opportunity I was like, “WOAH. I cant believe I get to see the Taj Mahal!” Jokes on me, when they said New Delhi, they meant ONLY New Delhi. I traveled like, 30 hours across the globe to get to India and didn’t see the Taj Mahal. Tragic, I know.
BUT, New Delhi was worth the trek. Unfortunately, it gets cut out of a lot of India itineraries, which I think is unfair. There is plenty to see and do (and eat) in New Delhi; here’s a list of what I think are the top 10 things to do in New Delhi if you find yourself lucky enough to stop by for a few days (on your way to the Taj Mahal, I’m sure; I’m jealous happy for you).
So many people, when I told them I was going to India said, and i quote: “Ew, why?” uhhhhhh excuse me what? What is that supposed to mean?? RUDE. I get to laugh in their face now, because India blew me away. It’ll blow you away too. No Taj Mahal necessary.
First things first: you do need a visa to travel to India. The good new is that a 30 day tourist visa is free. you can get ahold of your visa through iVisa! They make everything so easy and I recommend them for everything.
Transport: I know it can seem very daunting in a city as hectic as New Delhi. The traffic is one of the craziest things I have EVER seen. It’s terrifying, but also fascinating. If I had to sum it up and make it easy for you, I have one word: Autos. They’re sometimes known as tuk tuks in other parts of Asia. Super easy to flag down, in fact they’ll probably follow you incessantly until you hop in. Super cheap, just make sure you bargain for the price!
Lets start with where to stay. I stayed at Le Meridien, because my professor booked our accommodation. I have no idea how much that is, but I’m assuming a lot (lol), but it was very centrally located, which I would recommend. I never felt unsafe in the city, but I don’t know if I would be able to say the same for something further away from New Delhi’s infrastructure.
Moving on to the more exciting stuff: FOOD. New Delhi’s food scene is the greatest, ever. If I could have every meal for the rest of my life in New Delhi, I would. And I don’t even LIKE Indian food that much to be completely honest. The food is so gourmet, and the prices are so cheap (rip to the 25% tax on alcohol though, steer very clear). Here are some of my favorite places that I ate.
Where to Eat in New Delhi
Soda Bottle Opener Wallah
This restaurant is located in Khan Market, which is a very popular shopping center in New Delhi, but it looks a little rough. Don’t be put off by the outside because the inside holds the cutest atmospheres! Soda Bottle Opened Wallah is a classic Iranian restaurant, and their chicken curry and bread was AMAZING. The second greatest food I had the whole time i think. Their waiters are deaf, so the menu was super interactive and the vibe was very inclusive. Would recommend.
Cafe Lota
The number one best food I had during my time in India. It was mildly difficult for us to find, as it is located inside of the Handicrafts Museum! I thought they were just next door but you do actually have to go inside. Super beautiful outdoor seating, so my suggestion would be to go at night so that you don’t have to deal with the heat!
Ping’s Cafe Orient
This restaurant is the one pictured below with the red balloons! If you can, eat on the roof terrace! It’s covered, so it’s out of the sun. This restaurant is more traditional “Chinese” food, which they refer to as south Asian. If that’s your thing, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
SARAVANA BHAVAN
Title in all caps because you HAVE to go here. It’s mandatory; I’m giving you no choice. And to think I almost walked out of this establishment.
Let me set the tone.
Lauren and I walk into this cafe-thing and the host is rude to us off the bat. It is our last meal in Delhi, and after two weeks of beautifully aesthetic meals, she dragged me to this shambly restaurant with cafeteria platters and grossly colored sauces and big floppy...things on the platters. I was not happy. It was so incredibly hot, however, (India really be like that lol) that we didn’t have it in us to leave and find another place before catching our flight. So, we pointed to something random on the menu and shrugged.
It came, and I was skeptical^^^ as you can see. And then i took a bite. And I went to heaven. That’s all.
Top 10 places to visit in
New Delhi
1) Humayun’s Tomb
Believe it or not, the majestic, pristine Taj Mahal was modeled after this red sandstone tomb. If you really think about it, however, the tomb of Humayun is much more impressive because of how much older it is, and how much fewer resources were available to the builders at the time.
Funny story, Humayun was known as a great and wise leader, but this tomb was built because he tripped on his robe and fell down the stairs. And died. And I think I’M clumsy. I have nothing on Humayun.
This list isn’t necessarily in any order, but if I had to rank the top 10 places to visit in New Delhi, Humayun’s tomb would still be at the top of the list:)
2) India Gate
With the rest of my free afternoon on the first day, we braved the inSANE heat to walk towards the India gate. Don’t be stupid like us, take an auto.
At the India gate, we turned into celebrities all of a sudden. There are more photos of me floating around New Delhi than I have on my camera roll, I swear. A lot of people may be put off by having random strangers ask to take pictures with you, or have you hold their baby, but my best advice is just to embrace it. It can be fun for you too! For every person that took a picture with me with their own phone, I asked for a selfie with them too. It made them happy, and those are some of my favorite pictures.
‘There’s not much to see at the India gate, except, well, the India gate. It is close to the national museum, but depending on which exhibit they’re showing, I’m not sure I would totally recommend that.
3) Qutub Minar
This is essentially a really tall tower. But it’s like, really tall. And it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are lots of super cool ruins all around it, and I’d definitely allot at least 2 hours to see the whole complex (and take all the bomb pictures of course).
There are lots of locals that will offer to take your picture from cool vantage points, please make sure you tip them!! Definitely one of the top 10 places to visit in New Delhi.
4) Red Fort
Not gonna lie, my group kinda sped through this beautiful fort, and my pictures are lackluster, rip. The fort, however, is STUNNING, easily one of THE top things to do in New Delhi. You can’t go to New Delhi without seeing the beautiful sandstone arches, marble structures, and incredible British barracks. It’s super cool dichotomy to see, as all the Indian architecture mixed with the British colonial barracks is not something you’d normally see. There’s a small entrance fee, but nothing crazy.
5) Dili Haat (and Cottage Industries Emporium)
If you’re interested in buying spices, cashmere, woven bags, scarves, or any other beautiful Indian goods, I found these two places to be the best! Dili Haat is an outdoor market, whereas the Emporium is more of a warehouse with small shops. I got my nicer jewelry at the emporium, as the goods are sourced from verified sellers, and I had faith that I wasn’t being scammed.
Dili Haat is so much more fun though. One word: bartering. BARTERING. The most fun ever. Everything is overpriced (but you wouldn’t know it, because everything’s super cheap anyways bc...India), and they know you’re a tourist. My favorite tips for haggling the price down are as follows:
1) Don’t be afraid to walk away, in fact, use it as a tactic.
2) Shop around, see everyone’s prices. If store #1 has earrings for 300 rupees, and store #2 has earrings for 250 rupees, I go and tell one store that the other store had them for 180 rupees. They get upset and match the price, which is still business for them. Voila.
3) Use the local language if you can! I couldn’t do this in India, but in South America I have a big advantage.
6) Lotus Temple
Okay, so I had never heard of the Bahai religion until coming to the Lotus Temple, and I am SO into it. It teaches harmony and uses every major religious book to found their statutes of love and fairness. I was able to sit in for a service, and it was truly beautiful.
But not as beautiful as the temple itself. It is a FEAT of architecture, and is the home screen of my laptop now. I just really enjoy looking at it. Go in the visitors center, too, as it gives you so much incredible information about the other temples around the world (and where the ones in the US are! Looks like I’m going on a road trip) and the religion itself.
7) Safdarjung’s Tomb
Okay I don’t know why, but so many people hate on this monument. Some describe it as a “confusing and displeasing jumble of ornamentation.” Sure, it’s not well kept, or all cohesive, but I still think it’s beautiful. People took pieces of this tomb to decorate and furnish the grander tombs, so it is a little ransacked and bare, but the architecture is still incredible. Up close you can definitely see how much it looks like a little patchwork quilt. I love it despite all the hate it gets, But it is overpriced, so be prepared. Give Safjardung’s tomb a little more love, it needs it.
8) Agrasen Ki Baoli
Step wells are very common in India. They used to show the leaders generosity and commitment to his people, as water was not plentiful in India. The deeper the step well, the wealthier and more generous the king. Now the step wells are empty,(well not completely, they’re filled with bats now), but they sure are still beautiful, especially with the more modern buildings rising up in the background. The contrast is striking, and perfect for your insta;)
Definitely one of the top 10 places to visit in New Delhi!
9) Lodhi Gardens
There’s not an astronomical amount of things to see here, but if you’re up for a chill day of walking around in nature, then it could be for you! Try to not go on a hot day, as there is M I N I M A L shade. The temples are simple but beautiful, though, and not to be missed!
10) Ghandi Museum
Last but not least, of COURSE you have to go to the Ghandi Museum. Ghandi is everyone’s first thought when India is mentioned. He did so much for the country, and the museum is extremely interactive, unlike any museum I have been to! And to say that I saw the exact place where such a global hero and symbol of peace was martyred for his cause? Unreal.
And that concludes my list of the top 10 things to do in New Delhi! That being said, India is definitely somewhere that can be extremely intimidating to plan by yourself. I would definitely recommend looking into different tour options so that you don’t have to worry about any of the logistics! Here are some recommendations.
Moral of the story, so many people pass by New Delhi in favor of the bigger, more touristy cities in India. But as you can see, it is so worth your time! Your belly will thank you!! Your eyeballs will thank you!! The rest of you might melt, but you’d be surprised at what you can get used to. 10/10 would recommend. I <3 New Delhi.
Did I miss anything? If you’ve been, what would you say are the top 10 places to visit in New Delhi?
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