Red Fort red sandstone facade in Old Delhi

🇮🇳 India · दिल्ली

Delhi: what to see, where to stay, 2026 tips

India's capital and gateway to the Golden Triangle, Delhi blends the glorious chaos of Mughal Old Delhi with the colonial avenues of New Delhi. Three UNESCO sites, spectacular temples and legendary street food await over 2 or 3 days.

📍 See 📅 When to go 🗺️ Itinerary

Delhi at a glance

Population

32 M

Airport

DEL (IGI)

Ideal stay

2 to 3 days

Budget / day

€25-120

Flight Paris

~8h30 direct

Time diff

+3h30 / +4h30

Current climate

Best season

Photo : Junaid Ahmad Ansari / Unsplash

In brief

Delhi in brief

1

Two cities in one

Old Delhi for Mughal chaos and rickshaw lanes, New Delhi for wide avenues and colonial gardens. Seeing both changes everything.
2

Three UNESCO sites in a row

Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort fit into two unhurried days. Mughal architecture at its peak.
3

Metro before rickshaw

Delhi's metro is air-conditioned, fast and very cheap. Ideal for crossing the city during hot or gridlocked hours.
4

Keep a cool head with touts

Ignore the fake tourist offices near New Delhi station. Book ahead and set the rickshaw fare before getting in.
5

The gateway to the Golden Triangle

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur form India's most classic loop. Agra sits 1h40 away by express train.

Must-see

What to see in Delhi?

★ #1 📍

Red Fort (Lal Qila)

UNESCO-listed Mughal fortress in red sandstone, former seat of imperial power.

⏱ 2 h 💰 600 ₹ (€6.50) UNESCO

★ #2 📍

Jama Masjid

India's largest mosque, in the heart of Old Delhi. Climb the minaret for the view.

⏱ 1 h 💰 Donation Minaret 100 ₹

★ #3 📍

Qutub Minar

73m 12th-century victory minaret, the tallest brick minaret in the world. UNESCO.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 600 ₹ (€6.50) UNESCO

★ #4 📍

Humayun's Tomb

Mughal mausoleum that inspired the Taj Mahal, symmetrical Persian gardens. UNESCO.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 600 ₹ (€6.50) UNESCO

★ #5 📍

India Gate

42m triumphal arch dedicated to Indian soldiers. Lively lawns in the evening.

⏱ 30 min 💰 Free In the evening

★ #6 📍

Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi)

The historic bazaar. Rickshaw lanes, spices, jewelry and endless street food.

⏱ Half-day 💰 Free Rickshaw 150 ₹

★ #7 📍

Lotus Temple

Lotus-shaped Bahá'í House of Worship, 27 white marble petals. Total silence.

⏱ 1 h 💰 Free Photo spot

★ #8 📍

Akshardham

Monumental Hindu complex in pink sandstone and marble. Vast carvings and gardens.

⏱ 2-3 h 💰 Free entry No cameras

★ #9 📍

Connaught Place (New Delhi)

New Delhi's circular colonial center. Shops, cafes and air-conditioned restaurants.

⏱ 2 h 💰 Varies New Delhi

★ #10 📍

Raj Ghat

Gandhi memorial by the Yamuna, black marble slab and a peaceful garden.

⏱ 45 min 💰 Free Reflection

Choose your district

Where to stay in Delhi?

Connaught Place

The center of New Delhi. Well connected to the metro, comfortable hotels, restaurants. From €30/night.

★ Recommended

Paharganj

The backpacker district near New Delhi station. Very cheap, lively. From €8/night.

Backpack

South Delhi (Hauz Khas)

Smart residential areas, cafes, galleries and the Hauz Khas lake. From €45/night.

Trendy

Aerocity

Modern hotels near IGI airport. Practical for transit or a late arrival. From €60/night.

Airport

Old Delhi

In the heart of historic chaos, near Chandni Chowk and the Jama Masjid. From €15/night.

Authentic

Getting around

Getting around Delhi

🚇

Delhi Metro

The most efficient. Air-conditioned, clean, fast. Women-only car at the front of the train.

🛺

Auto-rickshaw

The local experience for short hops. Insist on the meter or set the fare beforehand.

🚖

Uber / Ola

Reliable, cheap apps. Fare set in advance, ideal to avoid haggling.

🚆

Express train to Agra

The Gatimaan Express reaches Agra in 1h40 from Hazrat Nizamuddin station.

Climate & crowds

When to visit Delhi?

Ideal Fair Avoid

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ideal season

Oct to March · 15-28°C, clear skies · Ideal, the best time to visit

Fog and pollution

Dec to Jan · 8-20°C, morning smog · Fair, mornings sometimes hazy, flights delayed

Summer and monsoon

Apr to Sept · 35-45°C then rains · Avoid, scorching heat then July monsoon

How much

Delhi budget (per day)

Backpacker

€25

per day

🏨 Paharganj dorm: €8
🍛 Street food: €4
🚇 Metro: €2
🎫 1 UNESCO site

Recommended

Comfort

€70

per day

🏨 3-4★ hotel: €40
🍽️ Mixed restos: €15
🚖 Uber + metro: €7
🎫 Activities + guide

Premium

€180

per day

🏨 5★ The Imperial: €130
🍽️ Fine dining: €35
🚖 Private driver
🎫 Private tours

Our tested itinerary

Delhi in 2 days

Day-by-day program.

Day 1: Mughal Old Delhi

9am Red Fort (Lal Qila)
11am Jama Masjid + minaret climb
12:30pm Rickshaw through Chandni Chowk
2pm Paratha street food in Old Delhi
5pm Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial)

Day 2: New Delhi and UNESCO

9am Humayun's Tomb
11am Qutub Minar
2pm India Gate + colonial avenues
4pm Lotus Temple
7pm Dinner at Connaught Place

Detailed itinerary →

Around

Tours from Delhi

📍

Agra

1h40 by train · The Taj Mahal

📍

Jaipur

5h away · Rajasthan's pink city

📍

Rishikesh

5h away · Yoga and Himalayan Ganges

📍

Amritsar

6h by train · The Sikh Golden Temple

FAQ

Delhi FAQ

How many days to visit Delhi? +

Two days cover the must-sees: Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk for Old Delhi, then Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate and the Lotus Temple for New Delhi. Three days let you add Akshardham and breathe between sights.

What's the best neighborhood to stay in Delhi? +

Connaught Place for centrality and the metro. Paharganj for tight budgets and backpackers. South Delhi (Hauz Khas) for a quieter, trendier stay. Aerocity if you have an early or late flight.

Is Delhi dangerous? +

Delhi is generally safe by day for attentive tourists. The main risks are scams: fake tourist offices near New Delhi station, rickshaws that detour to commission-paying shops. Solo women travelers favor Uber/Ola at night and the women-only metro car.

How do I get from IGI airport to central Delhi? +

The Airport Express Metro (orange line) links the airport to New Delhi in 20 minutes for around 60 ₹. A prepaid Uber or Ola costs 350 to 500 ₹ depending on traffic and is handy with luggage.

Do you need a visa for Delhi? +

Yes. French nationals must obtain a tourist e-Visa before departure. See our India visa guide for the 2026 procedure and fees.