Delhi.
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Overview

Delhi (Hindi: दिल्ली Dillī, Urdu: دہلی Dihlī, Punjabi: ਦਿੱਲੀ Dilī), the largest city in northern India, is the country's thriving melting pot. Home to New Delhi, the country's capital, Delhi is at the centre of India's arts, commerce, education, tourism and transit. As the capital of several empires over the last 2000 years, the city contains a striking array of well-preserved historic sites for tourists to visit.

Delhi is the core of the National Capital Region (NCR), one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, with nearly 30 million inhabitants in 2025.

Districts

For travel purposes, this article divides Delhi into seven districts. Much of Delhi's pre-colonial wonders is spread across South Delhi, South East Delhi and Old Delhi. The British first settled at North Delhi before moving to the new capital New Delhi in 1911.

Understand

Travellers with little experience of visiting developing megacities may find Delhi to be chaotic at its worst, crowded and for much of the year, polluted. Air pollution has been a major problem in Delhi since the 1980s, with much of the day dominated with a very unhealthy amount of particles. During the late spring and early summer months, the city is scorchingly hot. Dig a little deeper, however, and you will get a glimpse of order beneath the chaos, as well as India's traditional and modern cultural richness flourishing side by side. First-time visitors experiencing culture shock are advised not to compound it by visiting during adverse weather conditions, and get a decent hotel room so you can stay in comfort between your sightseeing trips. In addition, read up on the various scams and other uncomfortable situations travellers to India often encounter. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are readily available at the airport arrivals hall and convenience stores.

The name "Delhi" (Hindi: दिल्ली Dillī, Urdu: دهلی Dihlī, both roughly DIHL-lee) refers to the National Capital Territory (NCT) in Northern India, whereas New Delhi is the capital city within the NCT. The NCT is also considered a city of its own, governed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The modern English, Hindi and Urdu names are derived from the archaic Hindi-Urdu name Dehlī (देहली / دهلی). There has been much debate regarding the origin of that name, as well as various myths and legends. One of the most popular theories is that the name Dehlī is a corruption of the Persian word dahlīz (دهلیز), meaning "threshold" or "gateway", which is considered symbolic of the city as a gateway to the Indian Plains.

With evidence of continuous settlement dating back to the 6th century BCE, Delhi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Thought to have been built and destroyed eleven times, evidence of at least eight distinct settlements can still be seen in Delhi. The most well-preserved historic sites are from the periods of Muslim and British rule, between 1193 and 1947.

The legendary city of Indraprastha from the epic Mahabharata is said to have been situated where Delhi now lies, but no remains of it have been found.

From the 10th to 14th century, the city was centred in what is now South Delhi: (Surajkund) — Built in the 9th-10th century on what is now the far southern outskirts of Delhi, in Faridabad. A large water reservoir can be seen, well preserved. — Founded in perhaps the 11th century as a city named "Lalkot" under Hindu rule, in the current Mehrauli area. In around 1180, Hindu ruler Prithviraj Chauhan expanded this city and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora. Some of the ruins of the fort ramparts from this period are still visible around Qutb Minar and Mehrauli. — Shortly afterwards, in 1192, Muslim leader Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in battle. Ghori left his slave Qutb-ud-din Aibak as his viceroy, who in turn captured Delhi the subsequent year. After Ghori's death in 1206, Qutb-ud-din proclaimed himself the ruler of Delhi and founded what is known as the Slave Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. Qutb-ud-din contributed significantly in terms of architecture by building Mehrauli. His most prominent contribution is the starting of Qutb Minar (which was finally completed in 1220). The tombs and other buildings near the Qutb Minar also date to this period. — The Slave Dynasty was followed by the Khalji dynasty. In 1303 they established Siri, first as a military camp to protect against possible Mongol invasion, and later as a fortified city. Nowadays Hauz Khas complex (north of Mehrauli) contains ruins of Siri Fort, a madrasa, and other buildings from the period. — After the Khaljis there was chaos until Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (a Turk governor) invaded Delhi in the 1320s, started the Tughlaq dynasty, and founded a new capital Tughlakabad, in South East Delhi. His son Muhammad Bin Tughlaq created another city called Jahapanah in the area between Siri and Qila Rai Pithora, uniting them into one city. Tughlakabad continued, however, to be the main capital city.

Starting in the 14th century, new areas were built further north, near the current city centre: (Feroz Shah Kotla) — built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq's son, Feroz, in 1354. There still are some ruins which are visible around the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Central Delhi, near the river. The city was an enclosed large area and contained many palaces, mosques, pillared halls, and a multi-floored water reservoir. Feroz also erected a 1500-year-old Ashokan Pillar (previously erected in Meerut by Maurya emperor Ashoka) on top of the palace. Feroz was buried inside a lofty tomb in Hauz Khas. After his death, the sultanate became unstable and weak, and Delhi was conquered and sacked by Tamerlane. The Sayyid and Lodi dynasties who ruled Delhi after the Tughlaqs did less building, and the only relevant architecture visible from this period are the tombs at Lodi Gardens. The last of the Lodis was defeated by Babur, who then proceeded to establish the Mughal Empire in 1526. (Purana Qila) — In 1533, Babur's son Humayun built the new city of Dinpanah, near the river south of Firozabad. In 1540 Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri and forced to withdraw from Delhi. Sher Shah Suri established the new city Shergarh on the ruins of Dinpanah. Shergarh is near the Delhi Zoo. Humayun later reconquered Delhi and returned to power. He then completed the construction and proceeded to rule from Shergarh. (Old Delhi) — the following emperors moved away from Delhi and made Agra their capital. Shahjahan (Humayun's great-grandson) returned to Delhi and established Shahjahanabad, including the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. Much of the city wall, and three of its six gates, still exist today. (Lutyens' Delhi) — New Delhi was established in 1911 after the British decided to move India's capital from Calcutta (present-day Kolkata). It is a planned city, designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

People Fondly called "Delhiites" (DEHL-ee-IGHTS), the city's population is a heterogeneous mix of people originally belonging to different parts of the Indian plains and beyond. The original natives used to live on the banks of the Yamuna River, the only major river flowing through the city. However, not all descendants of the builders of Delhi's many Muslim monuments live here. Many of them migrated to Pakistan during the Partition of India in 1947, with the community in Old Delhi that is keeping old courtly traditions alive smaller than it once was.

On the other hand, the same Partition brought around five hundred thousand refugees from Punjab to Delhi. This led to a strong Punjabi influence in the city's language, dress and cuisine. Delhi also has South Indian communities in neighbourhoods like Karol Bagh, RK Puram, Mayur Vihar and Munirka. Other than that, there are prominent ethnic enclaves like Chittaranjan Park (Bengali), Majnu ka Tilla (Tibetan) and Punjabi Bagh (Punjabi).

The capital city status of New Delhi has later attracted people from other parts of India, making it a thriving melting pot. You can find at least one Delhiite whose ancestors migrated from at least one of the country's 28 states and 8 union territories. Quality education also draws students from different states, making up one of the most diverse student populations in the country.

Orientation Like the rest of the Gangetic Plains, Delhi is relatively flat. The only geographical features of any significance are the river Yamuna, which flows down the eastern side of the city, and the Delhi Ridge which form a wide but low arc across the west. On the west bank is the crowded and congested Old Delhi and, to the southwest, the broad, tree-lined avenues of New Delhi, built by the British to rule their Raj. The rest is an endless low-rise sprawl of suburbia and slums, with South Delhi generally wealthier.

The climate in Delhi goes through five distinct seasons. Winter, from December to January, is cold (the temperature drops to near freezing at night though the days are warm) and is notorious for the thick layer of smog that hangs over the city, resulting not only in cancelled flights and delayed trains, but also warnings to stay indoors and wear high-quality masks if you need to venture out. Spring, in the months of February and March, is pleasant with warm days and cool evenings. Summer, in April and May, is uncomfortably hot with temperatures soaring as high as 45 °C. Temperatures moderate during the monsoon season (June to September), but it is humid. Autumn, from October to November, brings warm days with relatively cool nights.

Delhi – India Charming Chaos by Johnny Fincioen. This book concentrates on today's power centre of New Delhi and its historical context. The text and the 117 original pictures offer the reader a holistic view of the way of life in the capital of India. Kultar's mime : stories of Sikh children who survived the 1984 Delhi massacre, Sarbpreet Singh's book on the 1984 genocide against Sikhs by anti-Sikh mobs. When a tree shook Delhi : the 1984 carnage and its aftermath, Manoj Mitta; a book on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Tibetans in Delhi, by S. Khurana, about refugees from Tibet living in Delhi. Delirious Delhi, Dave Prager; a portrait of Delhi by an expat resident.

The Government of India Tourist Office. The Government of India Tourist Office offers daily tours, coverings all of the major Delhi sites. If you should choose to go with the government-sanctioned day tour, be aware that due to the heavy agenda, you will need to have a quick foot, only 20-40 min are given for each sight, which is next to no time. Consider this day tour as a sampler. If there is a sight of particular interest, bookmark it and return at a later date. The staff at the tourist office is very helpful and the office has a lot of free information.

Official websites: Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Delhi Tourism Municipal Corporation of Delhi

Talk

Like the rest of the Hindi belt, the native language of the Delhi area is Hindi. It is spoken by almost all locals, quite often with Bihari and Punjabi accents. Most educated people are also fluent in English, and many shopkeepers and taxi drivers have a functional command of English. Punjabi and Urdu are also the official languages of Delhi, both of which are widely spoken/understood by the locals.

The Hindi spoken in Delhi is quite Persianised, similar to the one spoken in western Uttar Pradesh, and much less Sanskritised than the one spoken in Varanasi or Madhya Pradesh. Signage is usually bilingual in Hindi and English. However, the road signs in New Delhi (as well as in South and Central Delhi) are in Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. Announcements on the metro are in Hindi (male voice) and English (female voice). Unlike other major cities, locals are not multilingual, and local tour guides do not speak other Indian languages. Though people from all over India live in Delhi, finding a person who can speak other Indian languages is not so easy.

Get in

By bus Buses arrive from Kathmandu and Chitwan in Nepal (36 hr+) and virtually every city in India. Although not as comfortable as the trains, buses are the only choice for some destinations, mainly those in the mountains.

Delhi has three major Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs): Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is the major operator, but every state also runs its own buses and there are some private operators too.

Once you have purchased a ticket either at the ticket office or on-line prior to the trip, all you need to do is go to the rail car labelled with your class of service purchased. You can either get on and sit in the first available seat or, for higher classes of service, they will often post a passenger list on the car when it stops. Look for your name and go to the assigned car, cabin and seat. There is never a need to get a boarding pass so if anyone comes out of the crowd to tell you that, don't listen to them; it is a scam. If you're brave, you can simply purchase a general 2nd class ticket and then get on any car where there is availability. The conductor will come by and check your tickets after the train starts moving.

Ticket buying: The easiest way is to book online through the IRCTC booking website.

Do not trust strangers who appear out of the crowd to help you; ignore them. Always ask for assistance at the enquiry counter or policemen (in khaki uniform). Anyone who approaches you spontaneously should be completely ignored. Use one of the porters (in orange uniforms with metallic arms badges) to find your train and carry your luggage, in exchange for a tip.

By car Delhi is connected to other parts of India by national highways, including expressways. The expressways serving Delhi include: Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NE 4) — one of the longest expressways in India, connecting Delhi to Mumbai. Delhi–Dehradun Expressway — connects Delhi to Dehradun. Delhi–Gurgaon Expressway (NH 48) — provides direct connectivity to New Delhi from Gurugram. Delhi–Meerut Expressway (NE 3) — provides direct connectivity to New Delhi from Meerut. Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway (DND Flyway) — provides direct connectivity to New Delhi from Noida. DND–KMP Expressway (NH 148NA) — connects New Delhi and Noida to Faridabad. Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway — an under-construction expressway, intended to connect Delhi to Amritsar and Katra.

Get around

Getting around Delhi is always an adventure. Use the prices below as broad guidelines and agree on prices before setting off. The best way to travel is via metro, where there are separate cabins for women (which prove to be very useful during rush hour). Metro is clean, efficient, and typically ridden by relatively affluent middle-class students or commuters en route to/from work; there is almost nowhere in the city that you cannot get to by metro.

The massive Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, mostly hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city, although its increasing popularity means that rush hour crowds at key interchanges are starting to resemble Mumbai. As of 2026, there are 9 lines operational with 12 branches spanning over 370km and 271 stations:

Red Line : Dilshad Garden–Rithala Yellow Line : Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre Blue Line : Dwarka Sector 21–Noida Electronic City Blue Line branch: Yamuna Bank–Vaishali Green Line : Mundka–Inderlok Green Line branch: Ashok Park Main–Kirti Nagar Violet Line : Kashmere Gate–Ballabhgarh Orange Line : New Delhi–IGI Airport–Dwarka Sector 21 Pink Line : Majilis Park–Shiv Vihar Magenta Line : Krishna Park Extension –Botanical Garden Grey Line : Dwarka–Dhansa

Tokens can be used only from the station they are bought, so you can't buy two and use the second to return home. During rush hour, you might have to queue up for more than 20 minutes due to security checks, especially in the central stations.

The Yellow Line, in particular, is useful for getting to the Delhi Junction (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) and New Delhi railway stations, the ISBT bus terminal, the backpacker ghetto of Paharganj, Hauz Khas and Qutub Minar. The Blue Line is also handy for visiting Akshardham, Botanical Garden and accessing the western parts of Paharganj through RK Ashram Marg station. The Magenta Line is also useful for getting to the Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport and visiting Hauz Khas, Lotus Temple, Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Botanical Garden.

The first coach in every train is reserved for women only; violations incur a penalty. Male passengers accompanying women or girls are forbidden, too.

Be aware that if you wish to exit at a main station during rush hour, you will have to tackle your way through in order to get out before the opposite flow of passengers push you back inside. Don't be afraid of using your strength to push yourself out.

The red and blue buses are air-conditioned and the green and orange ones are not. As bus stops do not have bus routes written properly, it can be difficult to find your way. Asking other people at the bus stop is often the best way to find out about bus routes to your destination. However, the buses are pretty frequent, running every 15-20 min or so on most routes.

There are two kinds of buses in Delhi: Government run DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses (red and green with big windows) Privately run Blue-Line buses (orange)

If you have a choice, opt for a DTC bus. They will stop less frequently and will generally be less crowded too. Note that many buses, DTC ones too, will stop pretty much anywhere if there are enough people getting on or off.

DTC also runs special feeder buses from metro stations called DEVI(Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector) for last mile connectivity. Smaller electric bus fleet which run on shorter and narrower routes on which large DTC buses do not travel.

Board buses at the back and pay the ticket seller sitting right next to the door. Be sure to hang onto your tickets, as ticket checks are fairly frequent. Some seats on the left side of the bus may be reserved for women and the handicapped. When it's time to disembark, move to the front of the bus. As you might expect, all these guidelines are regularly ignored when buses are very crowded.

HOHO. Delhi Tourism operates a Hop On Hop Off bus service. A fleet of air conditioned low floored buses follow a pre-defined set of stops around the city and passengers can hop off the bus, see the place at one's own convenience and hop on the next bus. The service runs on a 45 minute interval and covers important monuments, memorials, museums and shopping places in the city. Each bus is staffed with a knowledgeable English speaking guide. The service does not operate on Mondays.

A taxi or hired car (usually with driver) is required to see many of the far-flung sites within and around Delhi. However, the metro is a far cheaper and equally comfortable option.

Most Delhi taxis are old but reliable CNG-run Ambassadors or Omnis in distinctive black-and-yellow livery and a green stripe. The hired family car of choice is usually a Toyota Innova or Chevrolet Tavera. The prices would also depend upon the vehicle size too. Black and yellow taxis are not air-conditioned.

Night charges (25% extra) apply between 11PM to 5AM. Book up to a few hours in advance. Many corporate people rely on these cabs for their daily commute and they may be booked during office hours. Tipping is not expected. After booking, you will receive an SMS with the car plate number, and the driver's name and mobile number. Usually the driver will call you and inform you that they have arrived. Many drivers speak English at a very basic level, so use short phrases.

You can use TaxiPixi services and avoid all the hassle, available on both Android and iOS.

As of 2024, taxi for hire apps also include Uber, Ola, and Rapido.

Don't take non-official taxis, they might take you to wrong hotels, or to a "tourist information centre", and try to sell you overpriced things. To be on the safe side, Check that whether the driver has their official documentation or not.

Taxi rides involving tourists in Delhi almost always involve minor scams. Most of the time, the driver will demand more money than originally agreed. At the destination, get your belongings out of the car first and leave the door open to slow the driver down if he follows you. Hand the money to the driver without stupidly asking for change and then immediately walk away as quickly as you can in the direction that would be most difficult for him to follow.

Transportation network taxis Delhi is also serviced by various transportation network ("ridesharing") companies including Uber and Ola Cabs. Make sure to check the tariffs in these before you pay. While most of these services accept cash, many can also be linked to online wallet services like Paytm, so overcharging is rarely a risk.

Auto rickshaws (also called three-wheeled scooters, tuk-tuks or simply autos) are good for shorter trips. Always in a distinctive yellow-and-green livery, auto rickshaws are three-wheeled partially enclosed contraptions that run on CNG and can seat three people in the back. In general, they are much cheaper than taxis and can be hailed from the street. If you're overquoted, don't be afraid to walk away. It's usually easy to find another one soon, usually with a driver who won't rip you off.

There are a number of "Pre-paid" auto stands run by the Police. Tell them where you want to go and pay them upfront. You then take the coupon and stand outside where a policeman will direct you to the next available Auto. When your journey is completed you hand the coupon to the auto driver and that's it. Nothing more to pay (despite what they may say).

Cycle rickshaws are three-wheeled, pedal/electric powered rickshaws with seats in the back to seat passengers and a driver in the front. They are good for short distances, or places which are too far to walk but too short for taking a bus/taxi/auto rickshaw.

Cycle rickshaws are best to use in Old Delhi to visit the intricate galis (walkways) and to enjoy the smells and sounds of the city.

Cycle rickshaws can still be found in some parts of Old Delhi and residential neighbourhoods, but they are becoming less common. In the early 2020s, battery-powered e-rickshaws have largely replaced them, as they are faster, more widely available, and usually cheaper for short trips. Travellers may therefore see fewer traditional cycle rickshaws compared to the past.

By electric rickshaw Electric rickshaws, popularly known as tuk-tuk or e-rickshaws, are also used to enjoy the streets of Old Delhi.

E-rickshaws are now widely available across Delhi and have become the most common form of short-distance transport. They are particularly useful for short trips within neighbourhoods and for last-mile connectivity to and from metro stations, markets, and bus stops.

For travelling in Delhi, you could hire a car. The road conditions are generally better than in the rest of India. However, traffic jams is a major concern in Delhi - and traffic in general is more chaotic than in first world countries.

Driving in Delhi can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with Indian road conditions. Traffic congestion is common, particularly during rush hours, and road discipline may be different from what drivers from Western countries are used to. Lane discipline is often loosely followed, honking is frequent, and sudden stops or turns are not unusual. First-time visitors from developed countries may find driving stressful, so it is generally recommended to avoid self-driving and instead rely on taxis, rideshare apps, or hired drivers.

On foot Much of Delhi is quite pedestrian-hostile. Distances are long, road signage is poor, and in the more tourist oriented areas, you'll be constantly accosted by beggars and touts. Crossing roads often involves wading across multiple lanes of heavy traffic. Try your best to move in a predictable straight line, so vehicles can weave around you. Better yet, latch onto a group of locals and cross in their shadow. If you really want to walk around, these places would be good:

Walk from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's house) to India Gate on the Kartavya Path (a walk of close to 3–4 km). Walk from Jama Masjid to Red Fort in the Chandni Chowk area. Far South Delhi go walk about in the forest. Try starting from south of Indian Institute of Technology through Sanjay Van to Qutub Minar. Note however that Sanjay Van is not always safe, and it is advisable to go there in a group, preferably during daylight. South Delhi-Green Park-Hauz Khas Village, then to the Hauz Khas ruined madrasa, offers a newer shopping area, an up-market arts village, old ruins, and some quality gardens.

See

Delhi is known for its impressive range of structures — fortifications, mosques, and tombs — built during the centuries when Delhi was the centre of large Muslim empires. There are dozens of notable sites scattered around the city, and several of them are internationally famous as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Detailed listings of all sights in Delhi can be found in the district articles.

The most visited sites are the Red Fort (the 17th century palace of the Mughal emperor), the Jama Masjid (a vast and beautiful 17th century mosque), the Qutb Minar (a 73-meter high tower, dating to the 13th century but still with well-preserved intricate carvings), Humayun's Tomb (the vast 16th century tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun), and the Purana Qila (a 16th-century Mughal citadel).

Newcomers often confuse between Delhi and New Delhi. In fact, New Delhi, the capital of India, is a city within the Delhi metropolis. New Delhi was built in 1911–12 under the British rule. Being centrally planned in the modern era, it features wide boulevards, large parks, and roundabouts between its government buildings. Popular sights here are the India Gate, the Kartavya Path "national mall" connecting the main government buildings, and Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace). Many of the most important museums in Delhi are located here too.

Another popular attraction is the Bahá'í Lotus Temple in the South East, a modern structure built with a flower-like shape. It is one of the most visited buildings in the world. The Akshardham is another such attraction in East Delhi.

Do

You can find many major sports venues in Delhi such as the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, the Ambedkar Stadium for football and the Indira Gandhi Arena - one of Asia's largest indoor arenas in the southeastern corner of Central Delhi. A bit further south is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, home to the national football team and the venue for major sports events in the city.

Events The Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi is worth watching. It begins on Republic Day in 26 January and lasts for three days. The parade begins with the flag unfurling of by the President. This is followed by marching from several military regiments along with their bands, and tableaux from various states signifying their cultures are displayed. They march from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the Kartavya Path to the India Gate. After that, they march north to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. A beating retreat ceremony signifies the end of the parade.

During the Independence Day on 15 August, the flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort, and the Prime Minister addresses the nation. This includes the past year's achievements, current challenges and call for further development. The speech is followed by a march past of the Indian military. Parades and pageants showcase scenes from the independence struggle and India's diverse cultural traditions. The airspace around the Red Fort is declared a no-fly zone during that day.

The New Delhi World Book Fair is India's second-oldest book fair. It is held on mid-January at Bharat Mandapam in South East Delhi.

Parks There are some green spaces in New Delhi, South Delhi and the surroundings. However, all the public parks are shut after sunset.

Learn

Delhi is a key centre of learning in India. The most famous universities in Delhi are JNU, DU, IGNOU, DTU, JMI, IIT and AIIMS. The official website of Delhi government's Directorate of Education is a good starting point for learning more about study opportunities in the metropolis.

Apart from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, there are many training and diploma-level institutes and polytechnics that cater to the growing demand for skill-based and vocational education. Besides conventional educational institutes, more and more foreigners also make the effort to learn Hindi or Urdu, and Delhi is home to both languages.

Work

Delhi's economy is expanding rapidly. In analogy many interesting work opportunities emerge. Monster, Jobted and other online job platforms are a good starting point to see what kind of jobs are on offer. Traditionally foreigners often work in the social sector or in teaching. Increasingly, however, expats work for multinational companies and even local Indian companies.

There is a great variety of employment opportunities in Delhi for foreigners, whether they would like to work in business, NGOs, educational institutes, or even government. Still, there is one caveat: the labour market in Delhi is highly competitive and so at many prestigious organisations, the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions available, which allows employers to receive highly talented applicants for rather meagre salaries (especially when compared to other international destinations).

Buy

If you're not afraid to haggle and bump elbows in bazaars, Delhi is a great place to shop. Most of the well-known bazaars are located in the most central parts of Delhi, both Old and New Delhi. Western-style malls are plentiful and are found further south—in South Delhi and South East Delhi, as well as the satellite cities of Gurugram and Noida. Many shopping districts are overcrowded on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Clothing Delhi is a shoppers' paradise when it comes to clothing. From centuries-old bazaars selling traditional fabrics and bridal wear to trendy street markets and luxury malls with international labels, travellers can find almost any style here. Bargaining is common in street markets, while fixed prices are the norm in malls and branded stores.

If you're looking for ethnic wear, Chandni Chowk can be a good place with historic lanes filled with sari and lehenga shops, ideal for weddings and festive attire. In Karol Bagh you can find affordable salwar kameez, saris, and everyday Indian wear. If you prefer to shop at a chain store, look for FabIndia with multiple outlets around Delhi. They have high-quality handloom cottons and silks in elegant, contemporary cuts.

For Western wear, some options include the Sarojini Nagar Market, famous for trendy, fast-fashion style clothing at bargain prices and the Janpath Market for youth-oriented clothing and accessories, with a bohemian touch. The Select Citywalk Mall (Saket) is a popular mall featuring both Indian and international fashion brands.

There are also some options if looking for both Indian and western clothing. The Lajpat Nagar Central Market is a blend of ethnic and Indo-western outfits at mid-range prices. Shahpur Jat features designer boutiques offering fusion fashion, popular with young professionals. Also, the state-run handicraft market Dilli Haat sells regional textiles, kurtas, and unique handmade clothing.

Traditional textiles and shawls Pashmina and Kashmiri shawls are available at government emporiums or Kashmiri shops (authentic ones are expensive and there are fake ones in circulation). Buy with a keen eye.

Block-printed fabrics from Rajasthan and Gujarat; stoles, dupattas, and bedsheets can be found at shops in Chandni Chowk.

Silk & handloom cotton – Banarasi silks, ikat, and khadi are widely sold in FabIndia, Khadi India, and state emporiums. Authentic silk is very expensive.

Spices and teas India is world-famous for its spices and teas, and Delhi is one of the best places to buy them. From the old spice bazaars of Old Delhi to modern specialty shops, travellers can find everything from fragrant cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon to masala chai blends and premium Assam or Darjeeling teas. Khari Baoli (Old Delhi) is Asia’s largest spice market, great for spices, dry fruits, and teas. Tea shops sell good-quality Assam, Darjeeling, and masala chai blends.

For computers and software, the best place to look is Nehru Place IT market complex in South East Delhi, an interesting combination of modern technology products and old world marketplace sales techniques. You can find cheap hardware here as well as both original and pirated software. There are also several similar markets in other parts of Delhi, mostly in West Delhi.

Books The Indian book industry is huge, producing annually about 15,000 books in English, and obviously far more in Hindi and other native languages. Delhi is a hub of this industry, so there are small, specialist bookstores that abound.

In general, good places to buy books are in Old Delhi (Daryaganj neighbourhood and the Nai Sarak Bookshop Area), plus shopping malls at the south.

The Daryaganj Sunday Book Market is a flea market-book market open on Sundays from 10AM to evening, with a vast selection. Bargain for best prices.

Eat

Delhiites complain about many things in their city, but the food will satisfy even the most demanding gourmet. Not only can you find some of the best Indian food on the subcontinent, but there is also an increasing number of excellent (if often pricey) international restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. When ordering, do remember that Delhi is about 1,000 km from the nearest ocean, so vegetarian, chicken and mutton dishes are the way to go.

Do visit Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk. This street has shops that make and sell solely parathas (stuffed Indian bread).

Delhi has arguably the best street food in India. However, do not eat unhygienic or open food. There are plenty of restaurants offering street food in a potentially more hygienic environment.

You can join local groups of foodies who go out regularly to sample and savour what new and old dishes the city has to offer. If you want a fully customized food tour tailored specifically for you, then Food Tour In Delhi is a good choice. The guests can explore the street food of Delhi in a fun and safe manner. Their tours cover food joints which are in business for 50 to 120 years and serve some of the best street food in the world. The tours cover winding streets of Old Delhi as well as swanky upscale markets located all over the city. The food tours are led by chefs and culinary experts with extensive experience and offer facilities such as pickup and drop, unlimited food which covers all major varieties of food available in the city. Another one of the most active groups is Food Enthusiasts of Delhi. They organize regular food walks, better known as Raids to various parts and joints in the city. It's a non-commercial group, brought together by their passion and love for food.

Drink

Delhi's nightlife scene has changed since the beginning of the millennium. There are plenty of modern, cosmopolitan places to separate you from your rupees. In a desperate attempt to keep the sex ratio vaguely equitable, many lounges and clubs have couples only policies (that is, no single men or men-only groups), enforced with varying degrees of strictness. While everything is supposed to shut down by 1AM, things can keep going much longer.

The coffee culture in Delhi consists mostly of large, heavily standardised chains. The two most common, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, can be found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Connaught Place. The UK-based Costa Coffee and the US-based Starbucks have also made a foray into the market. For listings of independent coffee shops, see the district articles.

Sleep

Smoking is not allowed in Delhi hotels.

Many of them are in the city centre, while others are further south, in the affluent southern areas or towards the airport.

The new official 'Delhi Bed and Breakfast scheme' has also contributed a range of private rooms available for bed & breakfast accommodation. These rooms range from cheap dumps to classy rooms in the best areas of Delhi.

Splurge Most of Delhi's expensive hotels are in New Delhi, roughly along the axis between Connaught Square and the airport. A few are located in areas further south and west.