A Delhi tour is unlike other city experiences because here history is not just seen through eyes.. It is served on a plate. Every street and every lane has a story to tell and a memory to offer. In one corner, where you are awed by the ruins of an ancient haveli, its broken arches and stone pavements echoing the lives of its inhabitants from centuries ago. Right around the bend wafts the smell of parathas and kebabs, presumably from the same lineage of khansamas that once graced its kitchen halls.
Delhi Sightseeing By Car
Now, a Delhi Sightseeing tour by car is practical for the following reasons.
The sheer size of the city
Delhi isn’t a city to be covered in a day. A New Delhi city tour alone can last a full day, from Humayun’s Tomb covering Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to Connaught Place, while Old Delhi hides the Red Fort and Paranthe Wali Gali.
With a car, you are dropped off at the entrance, travel by foot and are picked up without getting lost in the maze of lanes or having to deal with unruly traffic problems.
Time-efficiency
Any attraction requires its own pocket of time. And a lot of that time goes into navigating through the unpredictable Delhi traffic and chasing transport.
With a car, the journey becomes more comfortable and effortless, leaving you enough time to pause at a bazaar or catch your breath while climbing the steps of the Red Fort.
Convenience for Shopping
Delhi is not a city. It carries the weight of ages and has its heritage shaped by layers, or rather patchworks of ancient civilisations, Mughal rule, colonial era and post-independence era that are reflected in its lifestyle and cuisine.
Navigating through this patchwork becomes smoother with a car ride, and you can explore more places in a day without breaking your journey.
You can also visit the – Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi
Where to Shop and Eat in Old Delhi
If you’re visiting Old Delhi, don’t forget to explore the following spots for sure.
Lal Quila ( Chatta Chowk Bazaar )
Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, Lal Quila houses thriving hubs inside and outside its walls.
Inside the fort, right next to Lahori Gate, you step into the Chatta Chowk Bazaar (Meena Bazaar), famous for its fabrics, silks and souvenirs. You can find some beautiful kutchwork bags, juttis and silver earrings here. But the trick is to walk and search till you find a reasonably priced stall.
Chatta Chowk is not primarily known for food, but outside Lal Qila is a hub of eateries, including the famous Kareems, Padam Chaat Corner and Kureishi Kababs. Do keep an eye out for Shiv Misthan Bhandar or some mind-blowing jalebis at Jalebi Wala
Chandni Chowk Bazaar
Less than 1.5 km away from Lal Quila via Jama Masjid, designed by Jahanara Begum, is the famous Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk offers diverse shopping from ethnic wear, bridal wear, earrings, books and much more.
You can start with checking out their natural, chemical-free ittars made from flowers, woods, herbs and spices while keeping an eye out for the 200-year-old shop of Gulabsingh Johrimal.
In the heart of the market, close to Gouri Shankar Temple, is the Dariba Kalan Market, where you can find intricate silver and gold ornaments. The Meena-Kari and Jadau-Kundan jewellery of this place are really famous, especially from Beliram Jain and Sons and Sri Ram Hari Ram Jewellers.
Around 3-4 km from Chandni Chowk is Bhagirath Palace, one of India’s largest wholesale markets for electric goods and a paradise for gadget lovers.
During all of these, keep in mind there is a place you simply cannot miss that is less than 4m drive from these shops.
Parathe Wali Gali
Almost running parallel to Dariba Klan, Parathe Wali Gali is a foodie’s paradise and renowned for its wide range of paratha ( flat-bread ) shops.
Sundays are the best days to visit, as the surrounding market is closed. The place has a vibe of its own, and along with the amazing parathas, the side dishes are a big bonus.
Some of the noteworthy eateries here are the Babu Ram Shop, famous for its pethe ki sabzi with Pt. Kanhaiyalal Durgaprasad Dixit outlet serving Bhindi Paratha, Nimbu Paratha and other unusual combinations.
Post indulging to your heart’s content, walk straight ahead and take a left turn at the first fork to head to Kinari Bazaar.
Kinari Bazaar
Often referred to as the ‘Wedding Bazaar’, you can find a wide selection of fabrics here, from decorative laces to sarees and lehengas. The place is particularly famous for its vast collection of decorative items, including garlands, ribbons and other ceremonial clothing decorations.
P.S.- If you are a Lattkan fan, you have to check out Aggarwal’s and Anpurna Zari House
Naughara Gali
Ten minutes from Chandni Chowk is Naughara Street, a famous destination for textiles, particularly Indian handlooms with Zari and Chikankari work.
It is also known for its wide range of food stalls, particularly the urad dal kachori that is served piping hot with aloo ki sabzi or imli ki chutney.
Where to Shop and Eat in New Delhi
Just like Old Delhi, New Delhi has numerous spots to please your heart.
Janpath Market
A lively street corner near Connaught Place, Janpath Market is known for its affordable items, including trending fashionable wears, bags, oxidised jewellery and home-decor items
They even have a huge collection of juttis and leather products.
Do not miss Shop number 79 for leather products and Shop 75 for sarees and shawls.
Janpath is famous for housing Sarvana Bhavan, famous for its south-indian food and desserts. While there, feel free to try the aloo chat and mango lassi of Pappu Chat Bhandar.
Delhi Haat
For an entry fee of 10 Rs for children and 20 Rs for adults, Delhi Haat ( around 18-20 minutes from Janpath ) is an open-air market famous for native and ethnic products.
Open from 11 am to 8 pm, it offers a wide range of handcrafted items including textiles, jewellery, pottery and even wooden furniture. It is essentially a place where artisans bring their crafts to visitors, so rest assured, the best Nehru jackets, kurtis, sarees and shawls can be obtained at an affordable price here.
If you are collecting souvenirs, do check out their pearl jewellery and hand-made mirrors.
The place is especially known for its pan-indian food stalls ranging from Indo-Chinese, Sikkimese noodles to Naga food stalls.
Rest assured, among the sightseeing places in New Delhi, Delhi Haat has the best to offer.
Sarojini Market
In the vicinity of Delhi Haat stands Sarojini Market, the ultimate shopping destination for bargain hunters and fashion enthusiasts.
Famous for offering export surplus and factory rejects from famous brands, the place is cheapest on Mondays, featuring massive stock clearance at prices as low as 100 rupees.
The collection keeps changing, and you have to look around and inspect the quality before haggling with the dealers.
The place is huge, and rest assured, you are going to have a great time exploring its lanes. But do explore the rear-end selling serveware like crockery, aesthetic plates, and mugs.
Shopping is hard work, and in case all of the touring makes you hungry, the chaats and pani puri here are to die for.
Lajpat Market
Lajpat Market is famous for its ethnic and trendy clothing at affordable prices and offers a wide range of items from fabrics to home furnishings and other everyday home essentials.
From bags to unstitched suits to gowns and buttons, you can find everything here.
Some places that you simply cannot miss here are the Istri Vastr for fabrics, chikan and georgette work and Ramji Sons for economically priced ethnic wear.
The Jutti Lane is a hotspot for juttis and Kolhapuris, while Rajco is the ultimate destination for bedsheets and sofa covers.
While in Lajpat, it would be a sacrilege not to check out the Dolma Aunty Momo shop right at the entrance. The establishment does not have seating, but the vegetarian menu is worth every hype heard.
Are you visiting Delhi for the first time? Are you confused about how to make the most out of your New Delhi city tour? Explore our budget-friendly Delhi tour packages that are preferred by locals and outsiders alike. SRM Holidays Pvt Ltd takes care of all the arrangements for a hassle-free journey.
