Once again capital of India in 1931, the city enjoys an exceptional vitality. It competes with Mumbai for the title of the most trendy city in the country. The opinions are quite clear-cut and everything depends on whether you have your heart leaning north or south. Delihites are often considered as haughty by the other inhabitants of the country. Its rich historical past is telescoped by the bubbling modernity that makes the city vibrate. From Old Delhi, which no longer sees time pass by, to the wide wooded avenues of New Delhi, the megalopolis offers many faces. No less than 7 cities have been uncovered within the boundaries of the current capital. The oldest remains date back to the Maurya Empire, around 300 BC. The majority of the administrative buildings date back to the early 20th century and are integrated into the plans of the new city designed by Edwin Lutyens. It connects Old Delhi and its remains of the Mughal Empire to the ancient cities of Tughlaqabad or Merauli. Life is organized around multiple districts with very different atmospheres: Hauz Khas and its golden youth, Khan Market is its chic boutiques, Old Delhi and its many bazaars teeming with people, Nizzamudin and its Muslim tombs, Pahar Ganj and its "low budget" tourists... Connaught Place is becoming a real nerve centre. Its many restaurants, bars and shops enliven the white colonnades day and night. Lively, lively, sprawling, Delhi forms a whirlwind where Indians from all over the country meet, many of whom come to seek a better future. The capital can quickly create an oppressive feeling when you are foreign to its pace and mode of operation. Traffic jams are legendary and so is its pollution. The misery that appears at each crossroads with its beggars who come to knock on the windows of cars leaves a bitter taste. It testifies to the vertigo that grips the country and its unbridled development that leaves many of its inhabitants on the margins. Don't let these inequalities stop you, because Delhi is absolutely worth a visit (or several) and is fascinating and even pleasant to the most daring.HistoryIn the 8th century AD, the Tomara dynasty built a fortress there. But Delhi (or Dilli for the Indians) will only go down in history at the end of the 12th century. In 1192, the Muslim military leader Qutab ud-Din, lieutenant of the Afghan invader Mohammed de Ghor, seized the city and proclaimed himself "Sultan of Delhi".For more than three centuries, ephemeral Muslim dynasties - often ruled by tyrants without moral and political conscience - followed one another. Thus, the actions of the sovereigns Khijli, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi are not sustainable.Some found new neighbourhoods with fortresses, bazaars and mosques in the south of Delhi ; others stand out for their cruelty and obscurantism. In 1526, the arrival of the Mogul dynasty in power changed the city's destiny forever.If Babur, the founder of the lineage, chose Agra as his capital, his successor, Humayum, settled in Delhi in Purana Qila (the Old Fort). Akbar and Jehangir prefer to rule from Agra. Between 1627 and 1658, Shah Jahan moved to Delhi where he built a new district, Shahjahanabad, which he embellished with the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort (Lal Qila).Aurangzeb's death (1707) sounded the death knell for Mughal power. During the 18th century, Delhi was looted three times. Peace was restored after the arrival of the British, who then exercised the reality of power. The Cipay revolt (1857), joined by the last emperor Bahadur Shah II, was particularly violent. After regaining control, the British sent the ruler to Rangoon, Burma, executed his two sons and moved the capital to Calcutta. It was not until December 11, 1911, by decision of King George V, that Delhi regained its title. It was at this time that work, planned over twenty years, was undertaken to bring out the new city, New Delhi, inaugurated in 1931.The city todayNew Delhi now has a population of more than 21 million and is considered the second largest megapolis in the world by the United Nations. It has a special administrative status as a Territory of the Union. As such, it is jointly administered by the Central Government of India and the Government of Delhi. It is constantly expanding and now spills over into the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh or Haryana. The municipality is struggling to cope with this unbridled development, particularly in terms of housing and urban mobility. Major metro extension works are underway, but they will not be enough to close the city's infrastructure gap. Traffic jams are legendary and there is a lack of peripherals and bypasses to hopefully reduce congestion to a minimum. As a result, the pollution rate is one of the highest in the world and health crises follow one another. A study published in 2018 placed New Delhi at the top of the most polluted world capitals. The PM2.5 level (micro-particles with a diameter of < 2.5 micrometers) measured in November 2017 was 11 times higher than the limit rate recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Disarmed by this scourge, the municipality does not do much and only blames farmers in neighbouring states who burn in winter.

What to visit Delhi?

When to go to Delhi?

The high tourist season begins in October, after the monsoon, and continues until April. The temperatures are then pleasant during the day, even cool in Delhi. At night, the thermometer drops, sometimes approaching 5°C. During this period, the prices of restaurants and hotels are multiplied by two or three... The low tourist season starts in May and ends at the end of September. From May to the beginning of July, the heat is stifling. Because of this heat, tourists do not visit Delhi and its surroundings during this period. Prices are low, but you really need to have courage to bear the heat and humidity. The excitement is at its peak during the festivals of Holi, in February or March, the festival of colors that marks the beginning of spring, and Diwali, in October or November, the most important Hindu festival of the year, the festival of lights and candles to celebrate the return of Rama to his kingdom.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

New Delhi is characterized by a semi-arid subtropical climate with large temperature differences between the mild and sunny winter and the very hot and humid summer. January is the coolest month with days around 20°C and nights around 8°C. The most uncomfortable months are May and June with days where the temperature often exceeds 40 °C and nights where the temperature hardly goes under 26 °C. At the beginning of July, the monsoons begin.

Jan.
/ 21°
Feb.
10° / 24°
Mar.
15° / 30°
Apr.
21° / 36°
May
27° / 41°
June
29° / 40°
Jul.
27° / 35°
Aug.
26° / 34°
Sept.
25° / 34°
Oct.
19° / 33°
Nov.
12° / 29°
Dec.
/ 23°
Budget

Currency

The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). The cost of living is more expensive in Delhi than in secondary cities. However, with a budget of 10 to 15 € per day it is modest hotel, small gargotes and public transport, with 50 to 70 € per day, comfortable hotel, quiet district, modern restaurant, car with driver to visit the surroundings, with 150 to 200 € per day, you are a maharaja!

Procedures

To travel to New Delhi, as in the rest of the country, a visa is required. You can obtain a tourist visa online, it allows you to reside in New Delhi for 30 days. For this you will have to fill out a very detailed form (www.indianvisaonline.gov.in). Make sure that your passport is in perfect condition, that it has two blank pages and that it is valid for 6 months after your return date.

Health

No vaccine is required to enter the Indian territory and therefore New Delhi. Only an anti-malaria certificate is required for travelers coming from infected areas, notably by the yellow fever virus. However, precautions must be taken. It is recommended to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as hepatitis A and B and to have an up-to-date vaccination booklet (DT Polio, tetanus...). You should also know that few visitors escape a tourista during their stay in New Delhi. Always be careful about your food and drinks.

How to go to Delhi? Our advice & tips

New Delhi is in the catalog of travel agencies. You can include the capital in a tour to the north of the country or concentrate on the only capital whose richness you will not exhaust even in one month. Booking your stay in New Delhi is a good choice because this sprawling city impresses and a specialist will know how to choose for you the best districts, the best tours, the best periods. Booking your stay for the festival of Diwali, will simplify your life!

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With a direct flight, it takes 8 hours to reach New Delhi from Paris. It is possible to organize your stay alone, even if for a first time, it may seem ambitious to manage alone. You need a good knowledge of the city to begin to find your way around and understand how it works.

In New Delhi the main means of transportation are motorized or bicycle-pulled rickshaws. You can travel long distances with them at low cost. Negotiate the price of the ride before you get on. There is also an extensive bus network. In addition, New Delhi has a metro system that continues to expand its lines.

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Pictures and images Delhi

La tombe de l'empereur Humayun. f9photos
Monument dédié à Mahatma Gandhi. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Mosquée Jama Masjid, Delhi. Mlenny - iStockphoto
Le temple hindou de Lakshmi Narayan. Donyanedomam

Discover Delhi

When to travel?

The high tourist season begins in October, after the monsoon, and continues until April. The temperatures are then pl...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

New Delhi is characterized by a semi-arid subtropical climate with large temperature differences between the mild and...
Read more about it

Budget

Currency

The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). The cost of living is more expensive in Delhi than in secondar...
Read more about it

Formalities

To travel to New Delhi, as in the rest of the country, a visa is required. You can obtain a tourist visa online, it a...
Read more about it

Health

No vaccine is required to enter the Indian territory and therefore New Delhi. Only an anti-malaria certificate is re...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

With a direct flight, it takes 8 hours to reach New Delhi from Paris. It is possible to organize your stay alone, eve...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

New Delhi is in the catalog of travel agencies. You can include the capital in a tour to the north of the country or...
Read more about it

Getting around

In New Delhi the main means of transportation are motorized or bicycle-pulled rickshaws. You can travel long distance...
Read more about it

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