Exploring the Charms of Old Delhi: 20 Top Things to Do and See
A trip to Old Delhi is like walking through history, and the things to do in Old Delhi are fascinating. Much of the Old City remains unchanged from when it was built in the 1650s, just more chaotic and polluted.
You can walk through the same markets, the same labyrinth of lanes, eat the same food and see much of the same beautiful Mughal architecture that existed hundreds of years ago.
These are my top 3 things to do and see in Old Delhi:
- Red Fort (UNESCO): Royal palace built in 1639
- Chandni Chowk: Bustling centre of Old Delhi and the most famous street in the city
- Jama Masjid: Largest mosque in Delhi, built in the 1650s
Top Things to Do and See in Old Delhi
I lived in Delhi and spent a lot of time in its historic centre. These are the top things to do and see to experience the charm of Old Delhi and glimpse its captivating past:
1. Red Fort (UNESCO)
Standing guard over Old Delhi is one of India’s most treasured sites, the Red Fort. This UNESCO world heritage site was built in 1639 by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan.
The Red Fort was the main royal palace of all successive Indian rulers until 1857. It’s the most beautiful Mughal architecture in Delhi and should be at the top of your list of things to do in Old Delhi.
I recommend buying your tickets in advance on the Architectural Survey of India website to avoid the busy ticket counter.
2. Chandni Chowk
A walk across Chandni Chowk is literally a walk through hundreds of years of history. Delhi’s most famous street was built in the 1600s and many havelis (mansions), markets and temples from that era still line the street.
Now that motorized traffic is prohibited between 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, it’s easy to walk the 1.3 km from one end to the other.
If you walk Chandni Chowk from the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid at the opposite end you will pass historic havelis, famous temples, busy street stands, and specialty markets.
Chandni Chowk is the name of the street, but the whole area and market is often referred to as Chandni Chowk as well.
3. Jama Masjid
Jama Majid was built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 1650s. Adorned with 3 large arched entrances, 3 marble domes, 4 towers and 2 minarets, it is one of the largest mosques in India.
For a small fee you can climb up the south tower and get spectacular photos of Old Delhi. It’s something a little unique to do, and will give you a great perspective of Old Delhi.
This is an active mosque and there is a dress code. Knees and shoulders must be covered, shoes must be removed, and women must cover their hair. Photos are allowed, but there is a fee for taking in a camera.
4. Khari Baoli (Old Delhi Spice Market)
This vibrant and busy market has stood here for 400 years. It was established in the Mughal era and is still one of Asia’s largest whole sale spice markets.
Khari Baoli is a paradise for home cooks and foodies. The variety of fresh spices, herbs, teas, dried fruits and nuts cannot be matched anywhere else in Delhi.
Don’t buy at the first shop you see, get into the back alleys and further along the market. Khari Baoli is one of the most popular things to do in Old Delhi and gets a lot of tourists. Prices come down the further in you go.
5. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is one of the most prominent and beautiful Sikh temples in India. Thousands of devotees visit every week.
Not only is the temple an architectural marvel, it is here the ninth Sikh guru was martyred, making this temple one of the most important to the Sikh community.
Everyone can visit the temple, regardless of religion or nationality. Make sure to take a peek at the kitchen where thousands of free meals are prepared each day by volunteers (langar). It’s impressive.
Women and men must remove shoes and cover their heads before entering the temple. Bandanas are available to borrow if needed.
6. Paranthe Wali Gali
Paranthe Wali Gali is one of the most famous lanes in Delhi for street food. Paranthas are Indian flatbreads, often stuffed, which are a staple of the northern Indian diet.
You’ll see paranthas for sale all over Delhi, but not like here. Everything from the traditional aloo or gobi (potato or cauliflower) to the unusual like banana or pea is available.
Unlike elsewhere in Delhi, these paranthas are served with pickle (chutney) and sabzi (vegetables). They are also fried in ghee, giving them a delicious, rich flavour.
After your paranthas, explore the famous wedding market of Kinari Bazaar, one of the best things to do in Old Delhi. It’s located off the lanes of Paranthe Wali Gali.
7. Specialty Markets of Chandni Chowk
The lanes off Chandni Chowk are a treasure trove of historic markets, some dating back to the time of Shah Jahan in the 1600s.
You can find everything in Chandni Chowk if you know where to look. Spices and dried fruits in Khari Baoli, Indian wedding accessories and trim in Kinari Bazaar, silver and jewelry in Dariba Kalan, stationary and wedding invitations in Chawri Bazaar, electronic good and lights in Bhagirath Palace, books in Nai Sarak, and fabrics in Katra Neel.
If you can bargain you’ll get some terrific deals. But be prepared for crowds, and just a heads up that Indians do not queue. These markets are closed on Sunday.
8. Fatehpuri Masjid
The famous street of Chandni Chowk starts at the Red Fort and ends at Fatehpuri Masjid. This was a royal mosque, built in 1650 for Fatehpuri Begum, one of Emperor Shah Jahan’s wives.
The mosque has a colourful history. It was severely looted and damaged by British soldiers in 1857, sold to a prominent Hindu merchant, sold back to the British and finally returned to the Muslim community 20 years later.
It’s a large mosque with a massive courtyard and several graves belonging to past Imams and Islamic scholars. This is an active mosque, shoes must be removed and women must cover their heads.
Fatehpuri Masjid is right next to Khari Baoli, the Old Delhi spice market.
9. Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir & Bird Hospital
Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi. Like much of the iconic architecture in the area, it was built in the 1650s.
There was a large Jain community in the area at that time, and Shah Jahan gifted them this land so they could build a temple.
Jains believe the path to enlightenment comes through non-violence to all living things. They are strict vegetarians who do not even eat root vegetables, as removing the root kills the plant.
In keeping with Jain faith, there is a charity bird hospital directly behind the temple. Birds are treated free of charge and then released into the wild.
Shoes and all leather items must be removed before entering the temple grounds. Photography is not allowed inside.
10. Eat Street Food in Chawri Bazaar
Exploring the thriving street food scene of Chawri Bazaar is one of the most fun and authentic things a visitor can do in Old Delhi.
This bustling market, famous for selling paper products is even more famous for the many chaat (snack) stands dotting its lanes. The street food is legendary – some of the best in the entire city of Delhi.
Do a self-guided street food tour with this DIY Old Delhi street food walk, where I take you to all my favourites.
11. Take a Walking Tour of Old Delhi
Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to see and enjoy Old Delhi, and one of the most popular things to do here. It’s the perfect place to take a heritage walk, a food tour, or a tour of the specialty markets.
A local guide can regale you with tales about the old city, take you to the must see sites and off the usual tourist trail gems.
I recommend these local companies:
If you don’t want to take a guided tour, do you own tour using my DIY heritage walk itinerary. I purposely wrote it with a first time visitor in mind.
12. Kathika Cultural Centre
One of the gems of Old Delhi, Kathika Cultural Centre is part museum, part cultural centre located in a beautifully restored heritage haveli.
Through exhibits featuring photographs, artefacts, jewelry and clothing and the haveli itself, you will learn what life in Shahjahanabad was like. Being able to explore an authentic haveli is a wonderful thing to do in Old Delhi.
The centre hosts live performances every afternoon, and offers a half day cultural program that includes a walking tour of Old Delhi, the live performance and lunch. Check the Kathika Cultural Centre website for upcoming events.
Insider tip: Old Delhi has several monikers. Its historic name is Shahjahanabad, in Hindi it is called Purani Dilli, and its pet name by locals is Delhi-6, a reference to the postal code.
13. Haveli Mirza Ghalib
This is the historic home of who many consider the greatest Mughal poet, Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. He loved Old Delhi and lived through the destruction of Shahjahanabad by the British in the 1850s.
Of Delhi’s demise he mournfully wrote:
The city of Delhi was emptied of its rulers and peopled instead with creatures of the Lord who acknowledged no lord—as if it were a garden without a gardener, and full of fruitless trees.
14. Naughara Gali
Near Kinari Bazaar is a group of 9 historic havelis from the 1700s on a lane called Naughara, which means 9 houses in Hindi.
The lane is a fascinating glimpse into the history and architecture of Old Delhi, one of the more unique things you can do and see here.
These homes belonged to wealthy Jain families and were designed with Mughal and Rajasthani details. Ornate balconies, overhanging windows, intricately carved doors and frescoes adorn the facades. The exteriors are subject to heritage restrictions, but an owner told me the interiors are completely updated.
There’s a lovely Jain temple at the end of the lane. Feel free to take a look but remove shoes and any leather items before entering.
15. Take a Cycle Rickshaw Ride
Explore the lanes and alleys of Old Delhi from a cycle rickshaw. This is a unique and immersive way to dive into the lanes and bazaars that make up the most historic part of Delhi.
The tight and often confusing labyrinth of alleyways are perfect for a cycle rickshaw, and these drivers are experts at navigating them.
Most drivers do not speak English, but they should be able to point out the different markets and points of interest.
Cycle rickshaws comfortably fit two people up front, and two more can sit in the back rear facing seat. Negotiate the price before you get in.
16. Chor Bazaar
Chor Bazaar is one of Delhi’s biggest and cheapest flea markets. It’s only open Sundays, when the rest of the Old Delhi markets are closed.
The market has been here since Mughal times and was originally a place for buying and selling stolen goods (‘chor’ is Hindi for thief).
It still has a reputation for dealing in stolen goods, especially electronics, so be cautious. Despite its reputation, you can get some fantastic deals if you bargain and go early in the morning.
The market is also known for pick pockets. Keep personal belongings close.
17. Eat in a Local Dhaba
Old Delhi is not just famous for street food, it has some famous dhabas too. Traditionally a dhaba is a roadside eatery, but these casual eateries have made their way into neighbourhoods also.
Don’t be fooled by the appearance of these restaurants. Although very humble, the food is delicious.
Many dhabas have open kitchens and serve delicious dals, biryanis and curries from giant vats. You’ll be able to get fresh naans, rotis and paranthas, usually baked in an onsite tandoor oven.
My favourite Old Delhi dhabas are Karim’s, Kake di Hatti and Manzoor Hotel. Eating at a dhaba is a very authentic Delhi thing to do.
18. Partition Museum
This informative museum is dedicated to remembering and educating the public about the most catastrophic event in recent Indian history, Partition.
Partition occurred on August 14, 1947. India was split into two dominions, Pakistan and India. The new borders were drawn up in a rush by a man who had never set foot in India previously. The result was one of the largest and violent exchanges of population in history.
For anyone wishing to understand India and its people, the museum is an absolute must. Tickets are issued by an online token system on the Partition Museum’s website.
19. Daryaganj Sunday Book Market
If you are a book lover, you will appreciate Delhi’s most famous book market. This market is open on Sundays only.
Thousands of books are laid out, all for remarkable prices. If there is no ‘fixed price’ sign, you are expected to bargain. Some books are even sold by the kilo.
There’s a good selection of new and second-hand best sellers, classics and everything else. Most books are in English.
20. Omaxe Chowk
Omaxe Chowk a gorgeous shopping mall that opened in 2024 in Chandni Chowk.
There was a lot of controversy over this mall, many thinking that it would take away from the charm and essence of Old Delhi, and hurt local businesses.
I’m not sure if it affected local business, but the mall itself is a showpiece of Indian culture. Not to mention it’s an air conditioned haven compared to the bedlam outside. There’s a good food court on the second floor.
How to Get to Old Delhi
There are several options to get into Old Delhi, but the best way is by Delhi metro. The metro is an excellent system, very user friendly and clean.
Traffic is terrible in this part of Delhi. And on top of that, motorized vehicles are forbidden on Chandni Chowk during the day. Even if you do come by car, you can only get so far.
Uber and Ola are also good options to get to Old Delhi, but like I mentioned, once you get there you will have to walk . These are the two most popular app based ride share systems in Delhi. They’re both reliable and cheap.
You can also use an auto rickshaw, though I avoid them going to Old Delhi because they’re exposed and I don’t like having all that traffic pollution and noise in my face.
Where to Stay in Old Delhi to Be Close to the Things to Do
Old Delhi is not where I recommend you stay in Delhi. It’s very congested, dirty and not the safest area to return to at night – but if you really want to this is where I recommend you do stay:
- Haveli Dharampura and Golden Haveli (luxury): Beautifully restored traditional havelis that are now boutique hotels. They are sister properties, 50 metres apart. The restaurant and cultural activities are at Haveli Dharampura, which is a UNESCO awarded heritage property.
It’s much better to stay in South Delhi or Central Delhi. Here’s the best areas and hotels in Delhi to stay at.
Last Words on Top 20 Things to Do and See in Old Delhi
Around every corner of Old Delhi there is a story to tell. While it may feel a little overwhelming at times, it is a unique part of Delhi that will transport you back in time.
There are so many things to do and see in Old Delhi, take your time and explore this historic part of India’s capital. It will be an unforgettable part of your Indian adventure.
