Best Time to Visit New Delhi

November to February: the sweet spot

This is when Delhi is at its best. Days are warm and dry, and the sun feels good on your skin. Nights get properly cold, especially in December and January, when lows drop to around 7–9°C. You'll want a jacket for evenings at India Gate or a rooftop dinner in Hauz Khas.

It's the best time for walking Old Delhi's lanes, exploring Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar, or wandering Lodhi Garden. It's also high season, so expect more visitors at the big sights. Hotels fill up around Christmas and New Year. Early mornings in winter can be foggy, which sometimes delays trains and flights. Smog is also worst around late October to November, so if you're sensitive to air quality, keep that in mind.

Notable events: Diwali, the festival of lights, usually falls in October or November, and the markets glow. Republic Day on 26 January brings a big parade down Rajpath (now Kartavya Path). The Surajkund Crafts Mela, held nearby in February, is a good day trip.

March and October: the shoulder months

Both are rated Good. October is the clearer of the two, with lots of sunshine and almost no rain. March is warm and bright, and it's the last comfortable stretch before the heat arrives.

March brings Holi, the festival of colours. If you want to join in, wear clothes you don't mind ruining. If you don't, stay indoors that morning, since streets get messy. Late October can also feel lovely, with crowds still thinner than in winter.

April to June: heat

Be honest with yourself here. April is hot, and May and June are the hottest months, both with highs of 42°C. Afternoons are fierce, and the dry air feels like an oven. Plan sights for the early morning, then spend midday in the air-conditioned National Museum or a Connaught Place café. Prices drop and the Red Fort is quieter, but it's tough going.

July to September: monsoon

Rain arrives in earnest in July, with showers on most days. It's sticky, grey and humid, and roads can flood. The upside is green parks and far fewer tourists. Mughal gardens look their best. Travelling with kids or elderly relatives? Skip this stretch.

If you're on a budget and can handle the damp, it's the cheapest time to go. Otherwise, aim for winter.