2026-04-17

I stayed in New Delhi for a week, and this article is perfect for first-time visitors to India who want a comfortable trip while still experiencing the local culture.

1. Is this article good for me?

1.1 First-time Visitor

It can be a bit of a culture shock when you visit India for the first time. In this article, I’ll share some simple tips to help you enjoy your journey more comfortably.

I’ll also talk about the preparations before traveling to India in a later section, including vaccine shots and the e-visa application process.

1.2 Comfy travel

In this guide, I won’t be covering long-distance local buses, trains, or budget accommodations.

Instead, I chose a more comfortable travel style—staying in nicer hotels, using convenient transportation, and visiting selected places and restaurants. About 90% of my time was spent in downtown New Delhi.

If you’re looking for village travel experiences or backpacking tips, I recommend checking resources like Lonely Planet.

1.3 Clean food

Before my trip to India, I got several vaccine shots and prepared basic medicines. Thankfully, I didn’t experience any stomach issues during my stay.

So in this article, I’ll be sharing a list of restaurants where I felt comfortable eating. If you’re looking to explore authentic street food, you can find plenty of recommendations on other travel websites.

2. Travel

2.1 India Gate

I was really excited to visit India Gate, as it appeared in one of my favorite Indian movies, Half Girlfriend.

You can check out the scene on YouTube (around 1:38)—it made the experience feel even more special when I saw it in real life.

Delhi Gate is the southern gate of many in the historic walled city of (Old) Delhi, or Shahjahanabad. The gate links the New Delhi city with the old walled city of Delhi. It stands in the middle of the road, at the end of Netaji Subhash Chandra Road (or Netaji Subhash Marg), at the edge of the Daryaganj.- From Wiki

2.2 Rashtrapati Bhavan

Presidential Residence” previously “Viceroy’s House”) is the official home of the president located at the Western end of Rajpath in New Delhi, India. – From Wiki

2.3 Humayun’s Tomb

I didn’t have the chance to visit the Taj Mahal on this trip, but I learned that its architectural concept was actually inspired by Humayun’s Tomb.

When I visited, I could really feel the similarity—the symmetry, the gardens, and the peaceful atmosphere all reminded me of what I imagine the Taj Mahal to be like.

I highly recommend visiting early in the morning. It’s much less crowded, and the weather is more comfortable, which makes the whole experience feel even more calm and special.

• Ticket: Foreigner INR500($7.67) , Indian is INR30($0.46) INR and USD translation

Humayun’s tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum (also known as Haji Begum) in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by her.- From Wiki

2.4 Kingdom of dream

This was the only destination on my trip that was outside of New Delhi—located in Gurugram, about 50 minutes away from downtown.

The building and interior decorations are very impressive. At times, it even reminded me of the Venetian in Las Vegas, with its vibrant, themed atmosphere.

The highlight here is definitely the Bollywood-style live performance. The energy, music, and dance make it a really fun and unique experience. I’d recommend renting earphones so you can better understand the show.

After the show, I suggest taking the Metro back to downtown New Delhi—it’s a much easier option compared to dealing with the heavy rush-hour traffic.

• Ticket is around $77~$115. Ticket booking link: Expedia

2.5 Qutub Minar 

You’ll be amazed by this masterpiece created centuries ago. Qutub Minar is one of the most iconic historical landmarks in India and is often considered among the country’s great architectural wonders.

It was built in 1193 by Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak, and its intricate carvings and towering structure truly reflect the craftsmanship of that era.

Standing there, you can’t help but feel the scale and history—it’s a place that makes you appreciate how advanced architecture was, even hundreds of years ago.

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a movie scene—because you actually have.”

• Ticket: Foreigner INR500($7.67) , Indian is INR30($0.46) INR and USD translation

You might also recognize Cheeni Kum—a scene featuring Qutub Minar appears around 1:42 in the YouTube clip below.

It’s fun to see how this historic landmark has been used in movies—it makes visiting in person feel even more special, like stepping into a familiar scene.

3. Food

During my trip, I followed a few simple tips that many people recommend when visiting India for the first time:
only drink bottled water, avoid cold foods (including yogurt and ice cream), and choose clean, well-rated restaurants.

By following these guidelines, I didn’t experience any stomach issues during my 7-day trip, which made the journey much more enjoyable.

I also recommend using Zomato, which is similar to Yelp. It’s very helpful for finding local, authentic, and clean restaurants. You can easily check ratings, photos, and reviews before deciding where to eat.

iOs link, Android link.

3.1 Barbecue Naiton

This is a popular chain restaurant in India that offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The food felt fresh and clean, which made it a comfortable choice during the trip.

One of the most interesting parts of the experience is their service style. Each table has a small flag—when you keep the flag up, the staff will keep bringing different skewers of freshly grilled food to your table.

It’s a fun and interactive dining experience, especially if you want to try a variety of dishes without having to order each one individually.

3.2 Chaayos

This is a comfortable café to relax and take a break during your trip. The atmosphere is cozy and modern, making it a nice place to sit down, enjoy a drink, and escape the heat outside.

Most of the customers I saw were young couples or friends hanging out, which gives the place a relaxed and trendy vibe.

If you’re looking for a clean and easy spot to recharge during the day, this is a great option.

3.3 Costa coffee

There are many coffee chains in Delhi, such as Starbucks and Cafe Coffee Day.

Personally, I enjoyed spending time at Costa Coffee. It offers a comfortable, Western-style café environment, which can feel familiar—especially during a busy trip.

At the same time, it’s also a great place for people-watching. You get to sit back, relax, and observe daily life in Delhi while enjoying your coffee.

4. Shopping

4.1 DLF

DLF malls are considered some of the more premium shopping destinations in the area. You’ll find a mix of traditional Indian items—like beautiful sarees—as well as well-known Western brands.

It’s also a comfortable place to spend time, especially if you want a clean and modern environment. The restaurants here are generally well-maintained, making it a good option for a relaxed meal during your trip.

4.2 Select City Walk 

Another premium shopping mall in New Delhi, Select Citywalk is a convenient and comfortable place to visit.

It’s located very close to the Sheraton New Delhi Hotel—only about a 5-minute walk—making it an easy option for shopping, dining, or just taking a break during your trip. (I’ll share more about the hotel later.)

The mall offers a good mix of international brands, local stores, and clean restaurants, all in a modern and relaxed setting.

4.3 Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is an open-air market established by the New Delhi government, designed to showcase traditional Indian crafts and regional food from across the country.

Overall, it felt clean and well-organized compared to many other local markets, which made it a comfortable place to explore.

You can find a variety of handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs here, along with food stalls offering dishes from different regions of India—all in one place.

4.4 Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Delhi. Here, you can find a wide variety of products at very reasonable prices—from clothing and fabrics to accessories and souvenirs.

It’s a vibrant and lively place, but also quite crowded and chaotic, especially for first-time visitors.

While the street food here is very famous, I personally wouldn’t recommend trying it on your first trip. It might be better to stick with cleaner restaurants until you’re more familiar with the local environment.

5. Transportation

5.1 Uber

Using Uber in India can be a bit different from what you might expect.

In my experience, it wasn’t always very convenient. Sometimes drivers wouldn’t start moving right away after accepting the ride. Instead, they might call you first to ask about your destination, and then decide whether to proceed with the trip.

Because of this, you may experience delays or cancellations, so it’s a good idea to allow extra time or have a backup plan when getting around. There’s another similar app : Ola

5.2 Tuk-Tuk

Taking a tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) was a unique experience, but not always the most comfortable one. The traffic can be very crowded, and at times it feels like other vehicles are passing extremely close to you.

You’re also more exposed to dust and air pollution compared to other forms of transportation, which can make the ride less pleasant—especially for longer distances.

That said, tuk-tuks are everywhere and very easy to find, making them a flexible and convenient option for getting around. I would recommend using them for short trips rather than longer journeys.

5.3 Prepaid taxi

Prepaid taxis are a reliable and trustworthy option, especially when arriving at the airport.

You simply pay for your ride in advance at the official counter, receive a ticket, and then proceed to your assigned taxi. This system helps avoid price negotiation and makes the process more straightforward for first-time visitors.

5.4 Metro

The Metro in New Delhi is clean, fast, and air-conditioned, making it one of the most comfortable ways to get around the city.

Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the Metro, which helps maintain its cleanliness.

Personally, I had a very good experience using it—it felt efficient, and I was able to get a seat most of the time, which made the journey even more pleasant.

5.5 Airline

For this trip, I flew with Air India and IndiGo. If you’re interested in more details about the flight experience, you can check out my full article: India flight experience – Air India & IndiGo

6. Hotels

For my stay, I chose a 5-star hotel located in a safe area with good management.

I think this is a great option for first-time visitors to India, as it provides a more comfortable and predictable environment—especially after a full day of exploring the city.

6.1 New Delhi Sheraton Hotel

Sheraton New Delhi Hotel is a 5-star hotel located about 40 minutes from the airport, making it a convenient choice for travelers.

The hotel is clean, cozy, and well-managed, which made my stay very comfortable.

I especially enjoyed their restaurant. For my first meal in India, I ordered a Chinese dish—Mapo Tofu (vegan)—which felt both familiar and satisfying after a long trip.

6.1.1 Lobby picture

6.1.2 Room Pictures

6.1.3 Restaurant pictures

6.1.4 Booking link

6.2 The LaLiT New Delhi 

The LaLiT New Delhi is another 5-star hotel located close to downtown and several major tourist attractions, such as India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Its central location makes it very convenient for sightseeing and getting around the city.

One of the highlights of my stay was the complimentary breakfast—the variety and quality were excellent, and it was a great way to start the day before heading out to explore.

6.2.1 Lobby picture

6.2.2 Room Pictures

6.2.3 Restaurant pictures

6.2.4 Booking link

6.3 The Oberoi 新德里歐貝羅伊飯店

The Oberoi New Delhi is a luxury 5-star hotel that I wasn’t familiar with before this trip—but it truly left a strong impression on me.

It’s located about 40 minutes from the New Delhi airport. The entrance feels quite private, almost like passing through a hidden gate, which adds to the exclusive atmosphere.

The design is elegant and modern, with a strong Western-style influence. Everything—from the rooms to the service—feels refined and high-end.

I would highly recommend staying here if you want to experience a truly luxurious and upscale side of New Delhi.

6.3.1 Lobby picture

6.3.2 Room pictures

6.3.3 Restaurant pictures

It’s located nearby the human-built lake. It is most high class breakfast/ brunch place I have tried in New Delhi. It offers many International cuisine.

6.3.4 Booking link