DAY 3 DELHI EXPLORATION: SOUTH DELHI
Round off your time in the city with a relaxing day in Day 3 Delhi exoloration, South Delhi. It’s undoubtedly been an action-packed trip to the city so far, so if you’re craving a more low-key day, South Delhi is the neighbourhood for you!
This area of Delhi is a chilled-out, green, and peaceful neighbourhood, with little hassle or noise to contend with. It’s a great spot to simply head out for a walk, wander around one of the parks, people-watch on the streets, and check out one of the local cafes.
There’s also some pretty cool attractions to check out.
Kick off your explorations of this neighbourhood with an amble around the Lotus Temple, a Sydney Opera House-esque Baháʼí Place of Worship that’s open to anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. There are just seven Bahai temples found in the world, and the white marble Lotus Temple is the only one in Asia. It’s a soothing spot, with nine turquoise pools and lush gardens to wander around.
Next, take an Uber over to Qutub Minar. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this towering minaret reaches a height of 73 metres and is surrounded by so many interesting ruins and structures.
Don’t skip this attraction! It’s far away from everywhere else in the city, but so worth venturing over to see it.
In the afternoon, if you’re not yet exhausted, head to the PVR Directors Cut cinema to watch a Bollywood movie. This is a luxury cinema in South Delhi, with comfortable chairs that recline, blankets, pillows, air purifiers, and waiters to bring meals to your seat.
WHERE TO STAY IN DELHI
Delhi is a sprawling city and there are so many options for where to stay.
I recommend opting for accommodation in South Delhi. As I’ve mentioned a couple of times already, it’s the calmer, cleaner area of the city, and you’ll be staying in a leafy suburb with less noise and a safer vibe.
I stayed in this incredible guesthouse, which absolutely made my stay in Delhi so much better. The welcoming owner did so much for us, from showing us around the local night market to driving us to tourist attractions, introducing us to his favourite breakfast spot, and even making a dozen phone calls when my SIM card wouldn’t activate. It’s one of the best guesthouses I’ve ever stayed in.
HOW TO GET AROUND DELHI
It’s so easy and so inexpensive.
You’ll likely arrive in the city just before sunrise, as that’s when most international flights seem to land, so you might be put off by tackling the public transport system. Don’t be!
I took the metro from Delhi Airport to our guesthouse in South Delhi and it couldn’t have been easier. In the early morning, it’s clean, quiet, calm, and uncrowded. There’s even a women’s-only carriage on all of the trains for all of my solo women out there.
For getting around the city, I recommend using a mix of Uber and rickshaws. Both are so easy to use and everywhere, so you’ll never have to wait long. I recommend always checking the price on Uber first, so that you have a maximum price for your journey with which to negotiate with the rickshaw drivers. It’s super-inexpensive! I paid just $7 for an hour-long Uber ride across Delhi. When it’s that affordable, there’s no reason not to use it.
WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DELHI?
For the majority of my India posts, you’re going to notice that I recommend visiting in winter, but for Delhi, I think early-or-late-winter would be the best time to visit.
At this time of year, you’re going to avoid the dense fog that rolls in every morning, there won’t be as much smog and pollution in the air, and the temperatures will still be manageable. I’d aim for October/November or February/March. Definitely avoid visiting immediately after Diwali, when the air pollution is always horrendous.
I’d also recommend double-checking when all of the attractions are open. The Lotus Temple is closed, for example, every Monday.
WHAT ABOUT DELHI BELLY, THO?
Delhi Belly: my biggest fear. I was absolutely convinced I would get food poisoning in India, because doesn’t it happen to everyone?
And yet, it didn’t. Despite eating pretty much anywhere that was serving up delicious-looking food, neither I nor my boyfriend suffered from food poisoning. I believe three things helped keep us safe:
Going vegetarian! Most of the locals in India are vegetarian — the country has the lowest amount of meat consumption in the world — so we switched over to a meat-free lifestyle, too. Note that I didn’t say plant-based, because you’re also going to want to avoid most fruits and vegetables while you’re in the country, too — especially if they’re uncooked or peeled.
Hand sanitiser! Much of what gets written off as food poisoning in India is general contamination from touching surfaces with bacteria on it, and then not washing your hands and touching your mouth. I used hand sanitiser on an hourly basis and took extra care not to touch my face. I also used the hand sanitiser to sterilise any utensils at restaurants, as they could have been washed with dirty tap water.
Pudin Hara! I’m a total convert to Pudin Hara — peppermint oil capsules from India — and take them every time my stomach feels a little unsettled. You can buy them from any pharmacy when you get to India, but you can also pick them up from Amazon. I took like, a hundred tablets with me, as I took a capsule with every single meal. I fully plan on keeping a large supply of these with me whenever I travel, as they were so life-changingly great at settling my stomach. An added bonus was the deliciously minty burps that overpowered the scent of curry that was emanating from my body.
AND THAT WAS DELHI!
So, my third day exploring Delhi with Geniefie Trip Planner was an unforgettable experience that left me completely enchanted by the city. Despite my initial apprehensions, Delhi’s vibrant energy, rich history, and diverse culture captivated me from the moment I arrived. From wandering through ancient monuments to indulging in the city’s culinary delights, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder. As I bid farewell to Delhi, I couldn’t help but reflect on the countless memories made and the newfound appreciation I had for this incredible city. Delhi has truly left an indelible mark on my heart, and I wholeheartedly encourage others to explore its charms and give it the chance it deserves.
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