Delhi Travel Guide: Mughal Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb & Old Delhi
Delhi is one of the world's great capital cities — a 1,000-year-old layering of Hindu, Muslim, Mughal, British and modern Indian civilisations, where a single afternoon's walk can take you through the world's second-largest spice market, past the 73m sandstone Qutub Minar, into the marble dome of Humayun's Tomb (the blueprint for the Taj Mahal), and onto the manicured British-era boulevards of New Delhi designed by Edwin Lutyens. With 33 million residents and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the city limits, Delhi is the natural arrival point and capital chapter of every India tour.
Explore Tweet World Travel India Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
History & Cultural Influence
Delhi has been the capital of eight successive empires over 3,000 years — Hindu, Tomara, Sultanate, Mughal, Maratha, British and finally independent India (since 1947). Each layer remains visible today: Hindu temples in Mehrauli, Sultanate-era Qutub Minar (1192), Mughal Red Fort (1648) and Humayun's Tomb (1572), British-era Connaught Place and Parliament House (1911–1931), and the new capital boulevards of Edwin Lutyens' New Delhi. Old Delhi — the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad — and New Delhi — the British capital — together form the world's most stratified urban landscape.
Modern Delhi is India's government and culture capital, India's second-largest city by population and the world's sixth-most-populous urban area. It is the country's primary international gateway: Indira Gandhi International Airport receives 70+ million passengers a year. For most travellers, Delhi is the first or last city — usually 2–3 nights of intense culture and food before the Golden Triangle (Agra, Jaipur) or onward to Rajasthan, Varanasi or Khajuraho.
Quick facts:
Population: 33 million (Delhi NCR)
UNESCO sites within Delhi: three — Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar complex
Languages: Hindi (official), widely spoken English, Punjabi, Urdu
Best for: first-time India arrival, Mughal architecture, street food, shopping, cultural depth
Best season: October–March (cool dry)
Top Attractions
Red Fort (Lal Qila) — the 1648 sandstone fortress of Shah Jahan; the Indian Prime Minister addresses the nation from its ramparts every 15 August.
Humayun's Tomb — the 1572 Mughal masterpiece that inspired the Taj Mahal; the most photogenic tomb in Delhi.
Qutub Minar — the 73m sandstone victory tower of 1192; surrounded by India's earliest Islamic ruins.
Jama Masjid — India's largest mosque (1656); climbing the minaret offers panoramic views over Old Delhi.
Chandni Chowk — Old Delhi's 17th-century main bazaar; the world's second-largest spice market.
India Gate & Rajpath — the British-era WWI memorial; Republic Day parade route.
Lotus Temple, Akshardham, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib — three of Delhi's most beautiful contemporary religious sites.
Must-Try Dishes
Butter chicken — invented in Delhi in the 1950s; rich tomato-cream curry with charcoal-roasted chicken.
Chole bhature — spicy chickpea curry with deep-fried fluffy bread; Punjabi-Delhi street-food classic.
Parathas (Paranthe Wali Gali) — stuffed Indian flatbreads from the famous alley in Old Delhi (Gali Paranthe Wali).
Mughlai biryani — fragrant rice with meat, saffron and warm spices; Karim's near Jama Masjid is the legendary spot.
Kulfi — frozen condensed-milk dessert, traditionally served on a wooden stick.
Festivals & Local Celebrations
Republic Day — 26 January: massive Rajpath parade with military, cultural and state contingents.
Holi — March: festival of colours; Delhi celebrates loudly and joyously.
Diwali — October/November: festival of lights; every Delhi home and street is lit with oil lamps and fireworks.
Independence Day — 15 August: PM addresses from the Red Fort; flag-raising ceremonies.
Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha — varies: major Old Delhi Muslim celebrations.
What to Do
Take a sunrise rickshaw tour through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk before the heat and crowds.
Visit Humayun's Tomb in late afternoon for the best photographic light on the red sandstone.
Climb the Qutub Minar and walk the surrounding 12th-century ruins.
Have lunch at Karim's near Jama Masjid (open since 1913) for the best Mughlai food.
Visit the Lotus Temple in the evening for the architectural lighting.
Take an evening sound-and-light show at the Red Fort.
Shopping
Khan Market — Delhi's most expensive market for designer Indian fashion, books, gifts.
Chandni Chowk — spices, silver, jewellery, fabrics; bargain hard.
Dilli Haat — fixed-price government-run craft market with regional Indian specialties.
Khan Chacha & Sarojini Nagar Market — street fashion and accessories.
DLF Emporio (Mall) — top-end Indian designer fashion (Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Anita Dongre).
Weather: Best Time to Visit
October–March (Best): cool dry winter; 10–28°C; clearest weather of the year.
April–June: hot dry pre-monsoon; 35–45°C; avoid mid-afternoons.
July–September: monsoon brings rain and humidity; heavy daily showers.
November–December: occasional smog from agricultural burning and winter inversion; air quality can be poor.
Cultural Etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees at mosques, temples and gurudwaras.
Remove shoes before entering religious sites.
At gurudwaras (Sikh temples) cover your head — scarves provided at Bangla Sahib.
No public displays of affection.
Tip 10% at restaurants if service charge not included.
Essential Travel Information
Getting around: Delhi Metro is excellent and affordable. Uber and Ola work well. Auto-rickshaws are cheaper but negotiate the fare. Avoid driving yourself.
Money: ATMs everywhere. Cards accepted at hotels, malls and most restaurants; cash for street food and markets.
Connectivity: Excellent 4G/5G via Airtel, Jio. eSIMs are easiest for travellers.
Visa: e-Visa available for most nationalities; apply online via indianvisaonline.gov.in (USD 25–100 depending on duration).
Safety: Delhi is safe for most travel but watch for taxi scams at the airport (use pre-paid taxi or Uber). Women travellers should take standard precautions, especially at night.
Where to Stay
Ultra-luxury — The Oberoi New Delhi, The Imperial New Delhi (a 1931 colonial classic), The Leela Palace New Delhi, Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi.
Boutique heritage — The Lodhi (former Aman New Delhi), Bloomrooms Janpath, Manor New Delhi.
Mid-range — The Lalit, Pullman New Delhi, Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar.
Best neighbourhood: Central Delhi (Connaught Place, Lodhi Road) for tourists; New Delhi for diplomatic comfort; Aerocity for airport convenience.
Explore Tweet World Travel India Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers for first-timers planning a Delhi stop on an India tour.
How many days should I spend in Delhi?
Two to three nights covers the headline sights, a Mughal architecture afternoon and an Old Delhi food tour. Most premium tours include Delhi as the 2–3 night arrival or departure hub.
Is Delhi safe?
Generally yes for tourists. Stick to busy areas, use Uber/Ola at night, avoid late-night walks alone. Women travellers should take standard precautions.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
October to March for cool, dry weather. Avoid April–June (extreme heat) and November (smog).
How do I get from Delhi airport to the city?
Airport Metro Express to New Delhi station (20 minutes, INR 60). Uber or pre-paid taxi (USD 10–20 to central Delhi). Hotel transfers are the safest option after a long flight.
Delhi or Mumbai first?
Delhi for Mughal history and as a gateway to the Golden Triangle. Mumbai for British heritage and Bollywood. Both are essential — many premium tours include both.
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