Delhi Weather in May

May: serious heat

May feels like Delhi turning up the heat: afternoons can reach 42°C, and even nights stay warm. The air is dry, with little rain, though brief showers are possible. Long daylight doesn't make sightseeing easier when the sun is fierce.

Save outdoor visits to Humayun's Tomb or Qutub Minar for the morning, then spend the hottest hours in an air-conditioned museum or on the Metro. Chandni Chowk is fascinating, but its crowded lanes can feel especially draining in the heat. A long walk through Lodhi Garden is better left for a cooler month.

If you hate crowds, May's quieter sights may suit you, but the heat is a real trade-off.

Festivals and holidays

Buddha Purnima, which marks the Buddha's birth, may fall in May. Its date follows the lunar calendar, so it changes each year. You may also encounter Eid celebrations in May, depending on the lunar calendar. Jama Masjid and Old Delhi are good places to notice the city's festive atmosphere, but check local arrangements before setting out.

Many Delhi schools are on summer break around this time. Families may travel, while the city's popular sights generally see fewer international visitors than in the cooler months.

A quieter, hotter visit

May is low season compared with November to February, Delhi's most comfortable and popular travel period. You're more likely to find lower hotel rates and less pressure at major sights, though deals vary. June brings the same high daytime heat and more rain, so May is drier, not mild.

For a practical heat-smart route, take the Metro to Central Secretariat and visit the National Museum during the afternoon. Its air conditioning offers a welcome pause before you head back out. Delhi's Metro also helps you avoid a long, hot ride between sights.