New DelhiTravel Guide

Connaught Place, the business hub and heart of New Delhi, is where you’ll find India’s finest restaurants, most popular markets and many entertainment options, including a vintage cinema within walking distance of the metro. So, if you’re keen to stay close to the action but in supreme luxury, look no further! The four-star Radisson Blu Marina Hotel Connaught Place is a firm favourite among discerning travellers and a quiet oasis in the city. Get pampered at the spa after a day of sightseeing and enjoy a glass of bubbles before dinner in the glitzy bar. Take it up a notch to five-star and you get The Park, known for its award-winning dining. Looking for something even more luxurious and extravagant? It doesn’t get more lavish than in the residential area of Greater Kailash in South Delhi, known for its five-star hotels. One of the most talked-about is Eros Hotel New Delhi, Nehru Place. This gorgeous hotel boasts three restaurants, a bar, a health club, an outdoor pool and a spa. If shopping is your favourite activity, stay in Lajpat Nagar with its many shops, stalls and the well-known Central Market (more about that later). Here you’ll find the boutique four-star Manor Hotel with its Zen vibes, stylish air conditioned rooms and an impressive on-site restaurant and bar.

Prefer your creature comforts a little more low-key? The Neem Bed and Breakfast in Greater Kailash is ideal. It’s small, cosy and your friendly home-away-from-home that’s close to the metros, bars and restaurants. But if you’re counting your coins, Lajpat Nagar has an array of hotels and inns to suit every budget. Here you’ll find the New Rajdhani Inn, an apartment block with small, basic, comfy rooms and free Wi-Fi. Then there’s the fabulously named Moustache Hostel Delhi in the New Friends Colony district, a mixed dormitory for adults that’s rated safe and friendly for solo female travellers by other solo female travellers. There’s a communal kitchen, friendly staff, airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, and you get a continental breakfast thrown in.

“The Crown of all Palaces”, the Taj Mahal, is a spectacular white marble mausoleum and one of the world’s architectural wonders. Constructed between 1632 and 1653 in memory of Emperor Shah Jahan’s third wife, it stands proudly on the banks of the River Yamuna as a testament of his love for her. While it’s situated in Agra, a few hours’ drive from New Delhi, it’s a must-see when you visit India.
 

For something completely different, head to New Delhi’s Museum of Illusions in Connaught Place. From holograms and mirrors that distort to a zero-gravity room, this is fun for the whole family!

This minaret (a tower associated with mosques) erected in 1192 by the territory of Delhi’s first ruler, Qutbu'd-Din Aibak, rises above its admirers at a height of almost 73 metres. This makes it among the highest towers in Asia. A Word Heritage Site and popular tourist attraction, the Qutub Minar was built with red sandstone and marble on five levels and offers an incredible backdrop for your vacation snaps.

Another famous construction, Rashtrapati Bhavan is home to India’s president – a magnificent building considered an important symbol of India’s democracy. You can take a tour via three separate circuits and also admire the perfectly manicured Mughal Gardens or wander into the Rashtrapati Bhawan Museum complex – a history buff’s “mecca”, full of memorabilia from various presidencies.

The Lotus Temple is a huge religious structure built to resemble a lotus flower and well worth a visit to appreciate the magnificence of its architecture. Set in a park surrounded by pools, it welcomes everyone to enjoy the tranquillity. You could also spend a day at the Akshardham Temple, which features a variety of exciting exhibits and activities, including the Sahaj Anand Water Show. We recommend exploring the two thematic gardens: Bharat Upavan with its lush green grass and bronze statues and the lotus-shaped Yogi Hriday Kamal, featuring a winding pathway and stones engraved with quotes from some of the world’s most respected leaders.

With a history dating back to medieval times, the Hauz Khas Village in South Delhi is where it’s at if you’re looking for the buzz of bars, clubs, gastropubs and live music. It’s Party Central in other words. The village is also home to artists, galleries, boutiques and the beautiful green space dotted with ruins called Deer Park (yes, you guessed it, because deer roam there).

World-famous Bukhara Restaurant, found in the ITC Maurya hotel, has been serving diners from (almost) the exact same menu since it opened its doors four decades ago. It’s also apparently hosted some famous patrons in its time, like Arnold Schwarzenegger! Here, you’ll enjoy regional specialities from northwestern India, including tandoor-cooked kebabs, courtesy of the open kitchen. Another winner is Tamra Restaurant in Connaught Place, housed in the Shangri-La Eros hotel. It features Southeast-Asian and European cuisine with an extensive menu of local and international favourites for all-day dining. Chor Bizarre in the Bikaner House cultural complex, central New Delhi, is a highly-rated restaurant known for authentic Indian cuisine and an immersive culinary experience. Traditional décor, attentive service and fabulous flavours combine to make it a must for your foodie itinerary!

New Delhi’s street food is legendary, and lucky for you, vendors are everywhere selling all kinds of delicious snacks! From disc-shaped flatbreads stuffed with boiled potatoes and chickpeas called pani puri to samosas and spicy kebabs, your tastebuds are in for a treat. A famous street food hotspot is Lajpat Nagar where vendors and takeaway places sell a wide variety of Indian and international “quick bites” like momo dumplings (originating in Tibet), burgers and pizzas New Delhi-style and Indian omelettes, to mention just a few. The city’s many bazaars are also a good place to hunt down street food.

There are hundreds of markets, also called bazaars, scattered across India. They’re ideal places to find souvenirs and gifts, and also something you really should experience! But in New Delhi, Janpath Market is the market to head to. From home décor to traditional Indian clothing, there’s little you won’t find for sale. Khan Market is another favourite, slightly more posh than Janpath Market. It’s populated with bookshops, street food corners and boutiques. We also recommend a stroll along Khari Baoli Road in the Chandni Chowk district, where you’ll find Asia’s largest spice market. Central Market in Lajpat Nagar is another must-visit. Often used as the backdrop to Bollywood movies, and where some of the city’s oldest stores can be found, it’s also a market for the ladies! Browse the narrow alleys for gorgeous Indian clothing and fabrics, glitzy fashion jewellery, shoes, accessories and cosmetics. Enjoy a snack at a street vendor or take a break from shopping and pop into one of the many eateries dotted around the market.

New Delhi’s shopping malls are big, beautiful and full of branded outlets for your shopping pleasure. Select City Walk is the largest, boasting stores like Aldo, Forever 21 and Sephora, to name just a few. You can enjoy the best of both worlds here, with plenty of bustling flea markets stationed right outside. Pacific Mall, Tagore Gardens is another good one. Well laid out and housing top international apparel, tech and electronics brands, there’s also entertainment for all ages with a movie theatre and a play zone for kids. If high-end fashion is what you’re after, you’ll want to set aside a few hours of your vacation to stroll through DLF Emporio and its many top stores – Louis Vuitton or Cartier, anyone?