Delhi, India

New Delhi

India's capital combines the crowded bazaars and Mughal monuments of Old Delhi with the broad avenues and gardens of the planned imperial city of New Delhi.

New Delhi: Old Delhi Heritage Walking Tour
Featured walk: Old Delhi Heritage Walking Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Delhi has been the capital of empires for centuries, and its monuments span them all. Old Delhi, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, is a dense maze of bazaars around the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. New Delhi, laid out by the British in the early twentieth century, has grand avenues, India Gate and government buildings.

Walking here is intense: crowds, traffic and heat are part of the experience. A guided walk through Old Delhi is the best way to see its food, markets and hidden havelis safely and with context.

What makes New Delhi distinctive

  • The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid
  • The bazaars and food lanes of Old Delhi
  • Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • India Gate and the avenues of Lutyens' Delhi

Walking tours in New Delhi

Hand-picked guided walks in New Delhi, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in New Delhi · History walks in New Delhi · Night and ghost tours in New Delhi

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Old Delhi

    Chandni Chowk and its bazaars, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid.

  • Lutyens' Delhi

    The planned capital of broad avenues and bungalows.

  • Nizamuddin

    A historic area around a Sufi shrine, near Humayun's Tomb.

  • Hauz Khas

    Medieval ruins and a lake surrounded by cafés and boutiques.

Free self-guided walk

Old Delhi, from the Red Fort to Jama Masjid

A free self-guided walk through Old Delhi from the Red Fort along Chandni Chowk, past the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, to the Jama Masjid.

2.3 km · 4 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Chandni Chowk

    Best with a guide, through the spice market, food lanes and havelis.

  2. Lodhi Garden

    A peaceful park with 15th-century tombs.

  3. Kartavya Path

    The ceremonial avenue from India Gate towards the presidential palace.

Practical walking notes

  • Crowds and traffic

    Old Delhi's lanes are packed with people, rickshaws and scooters. Go with a guide on your first visit.

  • Air quality

    Pollution is often severe from late October to January. Check the air-quality index and limit outdoor activity on bad days.

  • Heat

    April to June is extremely hot. Walk early in the morning.

  • Customs

    Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites and remove shoes where asked.

When to visit

  • October–March

    Cooler and dry; the best walking weather, though early winter can bring smog.

  • April–June

    Very hot.

  • July–September

    Monsoon rains and humidity.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Indira Gandhi International Airport is linked to the centre by the Airport Express metro line.

  • By rail

    Fast trains link Delhi with Agra (for the Taj Mahal) in under two hours.

Local transport

  • Metro

    Clean, efficient and air-conditioned; the best way to cross the city.

  • Rickshaws and ride-hailing

    Auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws in Old Delhi, and app-based cabs.

Questions travellers ask about New Delhi

Is Old Delhi safe to walk?

It is crowded rather than dangerous. Watch your belongings and consider a guided walk.

Can I visit the Taj Mahal from Delhi?

Yes, as a long day trip by train or car to Agra.

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Country overview

India

Mughal monuments, bazaars and an imperial capital

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-26. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.