Don't let your first impressions of Delhi stick like a sacred cow in a traffic jam: get behind the madcap faade and discover the inner peace of a city rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep with history and totally addictive to epicureans. Read the overview

Pictures

Inspiration

When to go

Summer in Delhi is no joke - from April the temperature climbs relentlessly to more than 45°C (113°F) in May and June and the heat doesn't really abate until October. Dust storms called loo sweep in from Rajasthan with considerable fury. The arrival of the monsoon, at the end of June, brings intense humidity - the murder rate usually peaks in this month.

From November to March is the best time to visit, with cool but sunny weather. Also, Holi, one of the most exuberant Hindu festivals, takes place around this time, in February or March. October sees the end of the monsoon, but is reasonably pleasant, although the days can still be pretty hot. Nights can be quite chilly in December and January.