Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Delhi For Tourists

Picking the right neighborhood to stay is very important. Especially in a bustling city, as diverse as Delhi. Be sure to choose a location that checks all the boxes- safe, easily approachable, closer to the tourist spots and markets. 

Based on the above parameters, we have made a list of the best neighborhoods to stay in Delhi. The list is not rank based. Every neighborhood has its own bonus in terms of closeness to markets or tourist attractions or the airport etc.

• Connaught Place
• Chandni Chowk
• Karol Bagh
• Defense Colony
• Mehrauli
• Hauz Khas Village
• Rajpath Marg
• Chanakyapuri
• Dwarka
• Saket

Do not miss on our Free Resources for Delhi. 

Connaught Place

Located right in the center of the city, Connaught Place, CP for short, is one of the best places to stay in Delhi for tourists. The infrastructure is colonial in style and the vibe is a potent mix of modern and historical.

There are sprawling gardens, historical structures, most brands, a lot of bars and pubs etc. all packed in one beautiful place. There are Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and a very famous Hanuman Temple around the heart of CP.

You can also check out Heritage cinemas like the Odeon and Rivoli, for example. There are high-end brands to shop to your heart’s content.

There is also the Janpath market, which is famous for its street shops. There are also several iconic street food vendors in Connaught Place (CP)

The best part about CP is the lack of crowds that are characteristic of Delhi. Bonus, all that greenery. There are several upscale restaurants and a lot of luxury hotels. 

All modes of transportation-cabs, buses, metros or rickshaws, are easily available

• The closest metro to CP- Rajiv Chowk
• Airport to CP

 Chandni Chowk

If CP is situated in the heart of Delhi, Chandini Chowk is the heart of Old Delhi.

There are many mughal era monuments in this area. For example: Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Diwan-i-aam, etc.

The best part about this marvellous place is that is a shopper’s paradise. It is the largest wholesale market spice in Asia. From spices to jewellery, fashion apparel to electronics, everything is available in Chandni Chowk.

Chandni Chowk is especially famous for its street food. You can view our do-it-yourself walking tour of Chandni Chowk post for more details

You can stay in Haveli Dharampura to experience palatial living in a recently modernized Mughal era building. Here are some other hotels you can stay in Chandni Chowk. 

The only catch is that it is very congested and it is difficult to maneuver vehicles inside. There are autos available for short distances and there is metro as well. This area is not for the faint of heart or for those that do not like walking.

• The closest metro to Chandni Chowk- Chandni Chowk Metro Station
• Airport to Chandni Chowk

Karol Bagh

Located in Central Delhi, Karol Bagh is easily approachable by cabs, buses, and metros. Karol bagh has the best of everything, brands, and non-brands, high-end restaurants, and street-side eateries, top-notch book shops to second-hand establishments.

It even has both upscale and budget-friendly neighborhoods. Most tourists traveling on a pre-booked tours stay in Karol Bagh.

Two things we definitely recommend are the tandoori momos (dumplings) at Art of Spices and Kulfi (a cold treat) from Roshan di Kulfi. Do not miss out on the Monday Market- a flea market – a one-stop destination for budget shopping; curtains, table cloths, mats, and other household items. It is also super close to Paharganj, Connaught Place, and Old Delhi.

Here is a list of places to stay in Karol Bagh. 

• The closest metro to Karol Bagh- Karol Bagh Metro Station
• Airport to Karol Bagh

Defence Colony

An affluent locality situated in South Delhi, which is easily accessible by cabs and metro. Defence colony has some of the most top-class designers and high-end luxury stores.

This is the neighborhood you should opt for if you are visiting the city for a shopping extravaganza and want to live in style and comfort.

Safdarjung Tomb and Lodhi Gardens are some of the visual delights nearby. 

Here is the list of hotels near the Defense colony you can stay in. 

• The closest metro to Defense Colony- Lajpat Nagar Metro Station
• Airport to Defense Colony

Mehrauli

The Mehrauli archaeological park is the most amazing collection of monuments in one campus, especially the Qutub Minar complex.

Majestic mosques such as the Jamali Kambli Masjid and Quwwatul Islam Masjid. Famous temples like Chhatarpur Temple and Jain Mandir Dadabari can all be found in Mehrauli. Not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qutub Minar, The Alai Darwaza, Tomb of Balban and Zafar Mahal here. The Garden of Five Senses which hosts more than 200 varieties of floral beauty and beautiful waterfalls and walkways is also located nearby.

Mehrauli is the best choice if you want to spend your days in the place that had been a testament to the glorious past. 

It is very well connected by cabs and metro. Here is a list of hotels you can stay in. 

• The closest metro to Mehrauli- Qutub Minar Metro Station
• Airport to Mehrauli

Check out the architectural evolution of Delhi post for more information.

Hauz Khas Village

One of the best places to stay in Delhi for tourists, Hauz Khas Village has the coolest neighborhood to stay in Delhi. It is hip and historic- a mix of the heritage and culture of Delhi along with ultra-modern touches.

The village has ancient historical ruins of different tombs, mosques and a water tank. Kalkaji temple and The Lotus Temple are close by. There is a very picturesque Deer Park. The Delhi Tourism Department organizes a Light and Sound show here which we highly recommend.

There are Classic English Tea rooms, cafes and great party places in Khas as well. There are a lot of funky, pop eateries in HKV. The best art galleries are also here. Hauz Khas has the best nightlife of all the neighborhoods mentioned so far. 

Check out some amazing hotels to stay near Hauz Khas.

• The closest metro to Hauz Khas- IIT Delhi Metro Station
• Airport to Hauz Khas

Rajpath Marg

Rajpath Marg flaunts the breathtaking path, flanked by symmetrically planted trees, leading up to India gate. You can walk up Raisina Hill which houses the Presidential Quarters. Take a stroll around the Parliament house. Enjoy roadside food, visit the Daryaganj Sunday Book Market.

This is one of the most serene places to stay in Delhi. We recommend witnessing an organized and extremely disciplined 30-minute change of guard ceremony here. It is also easily connected by cabs and metro. 

Here is where you can stay in and around Rajpath. 

• The closest metro to Rajpath Marg- Central Secretariat Metro Station
• Airport to Rajpath Marg

Chanakyapuri

Chanakyapuri is an extremely affluent neighborhood. It is one of the nicest places to stay in Delhi for tourists and boasts of numerous parks, open spaces and upscale houses. Most of the foreign embassies are located here. The yearly bazaar held at the Ashok Hotel is also here. As are, Akbar Bhawan, the National Rail Museum, Nehru Park and National Rose Garden. 

Here is where you can stay. 

• The closest metro to Chanakyapuri- Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station
• Airport to Chanakyapuri

Dwarka

If you are planning a short trip and wish to stay near the airport, either stay in Aerocity or Dwarka. Dwarka is located near the Indira Gandhi International Airport but there isn’t anything to see in this area. It is quite dead and cheap.

You can book your stay in one of the hotels in Dwarka if you are planning to stay near the airport.

• The closest metro to Dwarka- Dwarka Metro Station
• Airport to Dwarka

Make sure to check out our Ultimate Guide To Arriving At Delhi International Airport. 

Saket

Saket is every shopper and food lover’s delight. It is home to some of the best chain of restaurants and shopping malls. Most of the city’s top-notch hotels can also be found in this area. 

Here are some hotels you can stay in Saket.

• The closest metro to Saket- Malviya Nagar Metro Station
• Airport to Saket

Now that you are all settled in, here is a list of the most overlooked tourist attractions in Delhi.