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There are many reasons Delhi should not be skipped over on your trip to India. I live in Delhi – it is one of the most fascinating cities I have ever seen. This is all the inspiration you need to spend more time in Delhi and find out what it is so famous for.
What is Delhi famous for?
Our list starts with history, after all Delhi is one of the most historic cities in the world, but Delhi is also famous for delicious food and the culture. Get ready to start dreaming of your trip to Delhi!
1. Delhi is a virtual living history lesson
Delhi is famous for its history and historic monuments. From prehistoric to its time as a British colony, Delhi has a remarkable history.
Delhi is the site of 9 historic cities, each city conquered and re-built by successive rulers. The first city of Delhi was called Lal Kot and it was settled in 1052. After that came 8 more cities, each one leaving behind marvelous architecture and artefacts. Consider exploring Delhi’s 7th city with this free DIY heritage walk of Old Delhi. Today’s Delhi is a hodgepodge of buildings left over from the medieval cities and Victorian architecture left by the British Raj.
All you have to do is wander around Delhi to come across historic monuments from all eras; there are literally hundreds of them, and sometimes in the most unexpected places. Many are free to visit.
2. Delhi is famous for its food
Delhi is a food lover’s paradise. It’s the food capital of India and quickly becoming known as an international foodie destination. Delhiites love to eat and feed others, food is a huge part of the culture.
Not only is the street food scene on fire, there are incredible and beautiful restaurants serving authentic international foods. Want real Japanese ramen – go to Mensho Tokyo; craving Middle Eastern shawarma and kebabs – head to Layla’s; starving for Napoli pizza – da Suzy has you covered. The list is endless, including top notch Indian food from all over the country.
But the real deal is the street food. There are street foods stands on just about every corner, at every market, outside every site and every metro station in Delhi. It’s plentiful, fresh and delicious. If you want to eat well on a tight budget, this is the way.
Delhi has street foods from all over India as well as specialties from Tibet, Nepal and Afghanistan. The city is a melting pot of different cultures that have made their way into the cuisine on the streets.
3. Delhi is famous for its street markets
Shopping is always top of the list for visitors, and Delhi is famous for its street markets. There are specialty markets for everything – fabrics, souvenirs, Indian clothing, western clothing, household and decor items, even furniture.
Locals love to hang out in markets like Khan Market, Connaught Place and Dhan Mill Compound which are destinations in themselves, full of shops, restaurants and cafes. If you’re attending a wedding in Delhi, you’ll find everything you need at Shahpur Jat, and Karol Bagh Market. Souvenir hunters flock to the pedestrian-only cultural market of Dilli Haat. Whatever it is you are looking for, Delhi has a market for it and often at remarkable prices.
Make sure to bargain when shopping at Delhi’s street markets. Unless there’s a sign indicating prices are fixed, you are expected to bargain – this is how you’ll get some great deals.
4. Delhi has many famous spiritual sites
India is a very spiritual country and Delhi is famous for its spiritual sites. Delhi is home to people from many different religions: Hindu, Islam, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian and each built beautiful religious buildings of worship.
Not only are there temples and mosques, there are dargahs where Sufi saints are worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus, like Chirag-e-Delhi Dargah and Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, and ashrams devoted to meditation and spiritual devotion.
Delhi is home to very old temples, like Kalkaji Mandir that is 3000 years old and Yogmaya in Mehrauli which is 5000 years old. Then there’s modern but stunning temples like the Bahai Lotus Temple and Akshardham, one of the largest Hindu temples in the world.
5. The uniqueness of Lutyens’ Delhi
Lutyens’ Delhi is an area in New Delhi, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who worked for the British Empire while India was under British rule (1858-1947). It is the greenest part of Delhi, characterized by wide leafy boulevards and spacious colonial-style bungalows. It’s a unique part of the city built from a central vista with an imposing rectangular mall. At one end in is India Gate, India’s Arc de Triomphe, and at the opposite, the grand Rashtraphi Bhavan, once the Viceroy’s House.
Lutyens’ Delhi is a lovely part of the city to walk around and a main reason why New Delhi is one of the greenest capital cities in the world.
Unfortunately, a large part of Lutyens’ Delhi is under threat of demolition. Successive governments have deemed the massive bungalows too expensive to maintain and an unpleasant reminder of imperialism. The World Monuments Fund in New York named the area as one of the planet’s 100 most endangered heritage sites.
6. Delhi has a world-famous metro system
Not only has the Delhi metro won international awards and is regularly ranked among the world’s best metro systems, it’s even featured in Bollywood movies.
Recognized as the lifeline of the city, it’s a marvel of efficiency. Currently the Delhi metro has 12 lines, 286 stations and 389 km of track. It’s clean, modern, cheap and easy to use. The system is completely colour coded, even with coloured footprints on walkways, making it simple to navigate despite its size. In traffic clogged Delhi, it makes getting around easy and much faster than driving. To promote women’s safety, the first coach in the moving direction is reserved for women only.
If you’re planning to take the metro, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Delhi metro.
7. Delhi has a buzzing nightlife
After seeing the sites all day, head to one of the lounges or dance clubs that Delhi is famous for. The city has beautiful bars, with large outdoor spaces. And if you’re a night owl, there are all night dance clubs featuring some of the best djs in Asia that keep going until 5 or 6 in the morning if the crowd is there. Whether you want to listen to traditional sufi music, hear a rock cover band or dance all night to techno beats, you’ll be spoiled for choice every night in Delhi.
8. Delhi is famous for ayurvedic medicine
India is the birthplace of ayurveda, and Delhi is famous for its ayurvedic clinics and hospitals. The word ayurveda is from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). It’s an ancient holistic system of medicine that originated 3000 years ago.
For anyone searching for a more natural approach to medicine or specific ailments, Delhi has many options. Nearly 80% of the Indian population practice ayurveda and it’s readily available. Ayurvedic products are easily obtained online or in shops, there are numerous clinics and hospitals devoted to ayurvedic medicine and most spas offer ayurvedic massage and therapies.
9. Delhi is famous for having Asia’s largest wholesale spice market
Delhi is world-famous for Khari Baoli, the spice market in Old Delhi. It is one of the oldest and largest wholesale spice markets in Asia. Established in the 17th century, it is the place to shop for spices, herbs, nuts, dried fruits and tea. The market is very popular with locals and tourists – it features on just about every tour of Old Delhi.
The best time to go is around 11:30 when the market is just getting going. It will be an adventure for your olfactory senses, it’s almost impossible to walk through the market without sneezing. You’ll also get some great photos.
The shops on the main street sell a lot of convenient, pre-packaged items, and many sell their own special masala blend. If you go into the back lanes you’ll find smaller vendors where the prices are better. Make sure to bargain – vendors often raise the prices for visitors.
10. Delhi is famous for street art
Delhi is famous for street art. Many international artists have beautified Delhi’s urban landscape with art murals – most of which have a social or environmental theme. In fact, you can see art murals in all corners of the city, even highway underpasses have been painted.
India’s tallest mural is the image of Mahatma Gandhi which covers an entire side of the multi-story Delhi Police Head Quarters. Some of the more well known areas are India’s first outdoor art district, Lodhi Art District, and the trendy urban village of Shahpur Jat. Outdoor art also features heavily in Delhi’s other urban villages like Hauz Khas Village and Khirki Village. Shankar Market and Sarojini Nagar Market also have large murals.
The Wrap-up on What is Delhi Famous For? 10 Things That Make Delhi Famous
In terms of a tourist destination, Delhi doesn’t really get a fair shake. Most visitors aren’t aware that Delhi is famous for many things, and they miss out on one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. The next time you come through Delhi, take a few days to explore the city – you will not be disappointed!
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