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Many people are surprised to find out that Delhi experiences winters. Delhi is in northern India, and in December and January Himalyan winds sweep down the northern plains of the country. Delhi doesn’t get cold or snow like Canada (it’s more like Florida cold), but the cold weeks have their challenges. I live in Delhi and find the winters there more difficult than in Canada, mainly because there’s almost no central heating. Here’s what you should know before travelling to Delhi in winter.
Things to Know Before You Go
Winter Weather in Delhi
Winter arrives in Delhi by mid December and lasts until the end of January. Temperatures range from 0 to 15 Celsius (32 to 59 Fahrenheit). It never snows in Delhi, but it does get foggy. I’m talking about a dense, low lying fog that hangs around every morning and some evenings, making driving conditions hazardous.
These temperatures may not seem overly cold (especially if you’re from Canada, like me) but most homes, apartments, businesses and schools do not have central heat. Buildings are constructed to keep heat out with marble floors and concrete walls, which is helpful in summer, but awful in winter. Most people use electric or oil heaters to warm up their homes. Sometimes it’s warmer outside than inside.
If you’re traveling to Delhi in December or January, make sure your accommodation has heat and a hot water geyser. Luxury hotels will be well heated, but smaller properties and guest houses may not.
What to Pack for Delhi in Winter
Pack warm clothes like woolen sweaters, sweatshirts, thick socks and slippers. A light winter coat, hat, scarf and closed toe shoes should suffice for outdoors. If you’re staying in a luxury hotel or high end guest house they’ll have heat, but otherwise make sure to have a few sweaters to wear inside. Ladies, if you wear stockings (nylons), bring them from home because they are hard to find in Delhi.
Getting Around Delhi in Winter
It’s easy to get around Delhi in winter. It’s a dry season and the cold does not affect transportation, although the thick fog can make driving more challenging.
The best way to get around Delhi at any time of year is the Delhi metro. It’s one of the best metro systems in the world, and it goes everywhere. The metro is easy to use, clean, cheap and heated. Other ways of moving around the city are using a ride sharing app like Uber or Ola and taking auto rickshaws for shorter distances, but bring a jacket for the auto rickshaw – they are not enclosed and get cold in winter.
Things to Do in Delhi in Winter
1. Soak up the sun at one of Delhi’s favourite parks
Head to one of Delhi’s favourite parks like Sunder Nursery, Lodhi Garden or Nehru Park to take advantage of sunny days. For a very Delhi experience, bring a picnic. Winters in Delhi can be cloudy and cold, so when the sun does shine, take advantage of it and enjoy the time outdoors.
2. Get cultural at one of Delhi’s museums
Delhi has many wonderful and a few unusual museums. Learn all about the history of toilets at the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, discover the story behind India’s division in the Partition Museum, walk through heritage railway cars in the National Rail Museum, see modern art at the National Gallery of Modern Art and view antiquities from the Indus Valley Civilization in the National Museum. Many of Delhi’s museums are free and most are open Tuesday to Sunday.
3. Enjoy seasonal winter foods in Delhi
Delhi is the food capital of India and winter brings special foods that are only available during the colder months. The number one specialty that Delhiites look forward to when the temperatures drop is sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. Sarson ka saag is like spinach saag but made with mustard leaves instead of spinach and served with crispy corn rotis. Many restaurants add this to their menu in winter. You’ll also see stands on many Delhi streets selling shakarkandi ki chaat, roasted sweet potato tossed with masala and lemon juice, a super healthy street food.
Delhi has special sweets that are only available in winter too, like frothy daulat ki chaat, found in the lanes of Old Delhi, and mung dal halwa or gajar halwa. Here is where to find the best food in Old Delhi.
Delhiites also love to eat piping hot chole bhature and steamed momos in winter. Even though these foods are available year round, they’re extra delicious and comforting in winter.
4. Go bird watching at Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Winter is when migratory birds come through Delhi and it’s the ideal time of year for birding. The best place for bird watching is Okhla Bird Sanctuary on the Yamuna River, which hosts over 300 species of birds. To increase your chances of bird sightings go early in the morning and wear neutral or camouflage coloured clothing.
Okhla Bird Sanctuary is open 7:30 am – 5:00 pm, daily and the entrance fee is INR 350 (foreigner) and INR 1000 for a camera. It’s located in Noida (on the opposite side of the Yamuna River) near the Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station.
5. Enjoy lunch and shopping at Dhan Mill Compound
This is the perfect time of year to have a leisurely lunch at a cafe in Delhi’s newest hotspot, Dhan Mill Compound. Originally a warehouse and granary, it is now a hip, vibrant space full of cafes, designer shops and galleries. The best cafes are Cafe Dori (dog friendly) and the Palette Cafe. After lunch browse around the artsy shops and check out beautiful Indian fashion – Dhan Mill has become a new in spot for local fashionistas.
6. Go sightseeing
This is the perfect time of year to explore Delhi. Temperatures are nice and cool, and if you head out on a sunny day you’ll be in for a treat. Delhi is one of the oldest and most historical cities in the world – there is plenty to see. Check out Connaught Place and nearby Agrasen ki Baoli, Janpath Market and Jantar Mantar. Spend the day soaking in the sites of Old Delhi, like the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid. The possibilities are endless! For itinerary ideas, check out how to spend 5 epic days in Delhi.
7. Cozy up with a hot chocolate
Warm up in Delhi this winter with a rich cup of hot chocolate. Delhi has lots of wonderful cafes and chocolate shops for hot chocolate, like Choko La in Khan Market, Cafe Dori in Dhan Mill Compound or Chocolateria San Churro in GK2 M Block Market. If you really want to warm up, add a shot of Old Monk rum to your hot chocolate – rum has a warming effect on the body, and the Indian brand Old Monk is excellent.
8. Go souvenir shopping at Dilli Haat INA
This wonderful outdoor market is one of Delhi’s favourite shopping destinations for locals and visitors. It’s a pedestrian only, textile and cultural market with stalls selling local products from all across India.
Vendors change every few weeks so there’s always something new to see. For the best deals make sure to bargain. Have lunch at the Dilli Haat food court while there. You’ll be able to sample local specialties from many different states in India. Entrance fee is INR 100 and it’s open 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, daily.
There are 3 Dilli Haat locations in Delhi, make sure you go to the Dilli Haat INA location – it is the best one. Also, don’t go to Delhi Haat, a completely different place (and not nearly as good).
9. Treat yourself to a spa day
Nothing combats the dreary winter days in Delhi like a day at the spa. Ayurvedic massages with hot oil, steam rooms, hamman rub downs, body wraps, aromatherapy – Delhi has it all. The city has beautiful spas and wellness clinics, especially in the luxury hotels, but there’s also some more affordable options with excellent service. Here’s a list of the best spas and places to get a massage in Delhi.
10. Eat Indian comfort food at a local dhaba
Eat at one of the famous dhabas in Delhi. Warm up with butter chicken at Rajinder da Dhaba, indulge in dal makhni at Kake da Hotel, enjoy the famous stuffed nan at Kake di Hatti or savour chicken tikka masala at Prem Dhaba.
Eating at a dhaba is a very authentic Delhi experience. These dhabas are no-frills restaurants where the furnishings and service are basic, but the food is amazing. You know it’s going to be good when there’s a crowd of locals on the street waiting to get in.
11. Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights
Diwali is the biggest Hindu holiday of the year, it’s basically India’s Christmas. Streets are adorned with thousands of festive lights, markets are full of special Diwali decorations and diyas (clay lamps), melas and fairs spring up everywhere, and there are lots of Diwali parties. It’s a wondeful time to be in Delhi. Tradtionally it’s a family holiday, but there is plenty for a visitor to do for an authentic Diwala experience.
Where to Stay in Delhi in Winter
The most important things to keep in mind when booking a hotel in Delhi in winter is location and amenities (specifically heat). Delhi has hotels to suit every budget – everything from luxurious 5 star properties, to mid-range hotels to hostels.
Delhi is an enormous city (33 million people), and you don’t want to end up an hour away from the main sites or in a less desirable neighbourhood. South Delhi and Central Delhi are the best areas to stay in. These are safer sections of the city that are well connected by metro and close to many sites.
The other important thing in winter is to make sure your accommodation has heat. I know it’s India, but Delhi gets cold and central heating is not common. Luxury hotels will have heat and hot water, but mid-priced properties, boutique hotels, guest houses, Airbnbs, and hostels may not. Inquire about heaters and hot water geysers (wall mounted hot water heaters).
My favourite places to stay in Delhi in winter are:
- The Imperial (luxury)
- The Lodhi (luxury)
- Ambassador (mid-range and dog-friendly)
- Hotel Palace Heights (mid-range)
- Home@F37 (budget)
- Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget)
If you’re flying into Delhi, here’s how to get into the city from the airport.
The Wrap-up on Delhi in Winter: An Insider’s Guide
Don’t be discouraged by the colder winter weather in Delhi. There’s less tourists during these 6 weeks, and it’s the perfect time to explore the city without the scorching heat and sun. So pack a few warm sweaters and visit Delhi now!
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
