Old Delhi is where the city feels most like itself, and it is a place you understand far better on foot than from a car window. Shah Jahan founded Shahjahanabad in the seventeenth century, with the Red Fort at one end and the great Jama Masjid at the other, and the avenue of Chandni Chowk running between them. Today the lanes behind it are a dense, noisy, wonderful tangle of spice sellers, bangle shops, sweet counters, printing presses and crumbling mansions, where a good guide turns every doorway into a story. This walking tour runs for three to four hours and is rated 5.0 from more than 300 reviews, which is a strong sign that the guiding delivers. Walks of this kind typically thread through the narrow lanes around Chandni Chowk, pass mosques, a Sikh gurdwara and Hindu temples that sit within a few hundred metres of one another, and stop at the markets that specialise in everything from silver jewellery to spices. The great virtue of doing it with a guide is that you reach the courtyards and side lanes you would never find alone, and you are shielded from the worst of the hassle.
How to prepare
Wear comfortable closed shoes you can slip off, since you may enter religious sites, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Mornings are cooler and the lanes are less jammed, though some shops open late, so the walk is livelier from mid-morning. Carry a small bag worn in front, a bottle of water and small notes for tips. The tour details tell you the meeting point and the exact stops, which vary by operator and day, so read them before you go.
What to expect
The pavements are narrow and shared with carts, rickshaws and motorbikes, so you spend a lot of the walk stepping aside. Jama Masjid is the great set piece: built by Shah Jahan and completed in the middle of the seventeenth century, it is one of the largest mosques in India, and visitors who are not praying are normally welcome outside prayer times if modestly dressed. The spice market at Khari Baoli, the jewellers of Dariba Kalan and the colourful Kinari Bazaar are among the sights a walk like this can include.
Making the most of it
If you want to eat your way through the same streets, take the Old Delhi food tour on a different day, since doing both in one sitting is too much. If you prefer a seated look at the quarter, the private city tour includes a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk. Whichever you pick, finish with something sweet and a rest before the evening.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk on foot through the lanes of Old Delhi, with stops at mosques, temples and markets.
Best time
Morning to mid-morning, outside the hottest hours and before the lanes fill; cooler months from October to March are best.
How long
Three to four hours on foot.
Tips
Wear shoes that slip off easily, cover shoulders and knees, keep valuables in front of you and read the meeting point in the tour details.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors and history lovers who want the atmosphere of the old walled city with a guide who knows the lanes.
- Families
- Fine for older children who enjoy crowds and noise; the lanes are narrow and busy, so small children may find it tiring.
- Couples
- A vivid, atmospheric morning that works well before a long lunch.
- Pair with
- The Red Fort, which sits at the eastern end of Chandni Chowk.
- Time needed
- A morning.
Good questions
How long is the Old Delhi walking tour?+
It runs for three to four hours, entirely on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Is it suitable for families?+
Older children usually enjoy it, but the lanes are crowded and noisy, so it can be tiring for toddlers and anyone who dislikes crowds.
What should I wear?+
Closed shoes that are easy to slip off, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees, since you may enter religious buildings.
Can I visit Jama Masjid on this walk?+
Walks in this area often include it. Modest dress is required and visits are normally outside prayer times, so check the tour details for the stops.
How is this different from the food tour?+
This is a heritage walk focused on architecture, markets and stories, while the Old Delhi food tour is built around tasting.
