Breezy winds, earthy hues and warm cups of kadak chai- the season's first showers are finally here!
Followed by days of scorching heat, the arrival of monsoons in the national capital is clearly a whiff of fresh air for its residents. With cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, the city transforms itself into a cinematic scene as the season's first raindrops appear. This year, here's a list of ten things that you can try out on a rainy day in Delhi, for the ultimate monsoon experience!
1. Go for a heritage walk
The cooler seasons in the city are a perfect reason to finally start off on the sightseeing tours that you had kept delayed for days. As the cityscape entirely transforms itself with the arrival of monsoons, heritage walks become the perfect way to explore the city. Revive in the charm of the nation’s capital as you get a taste of Delhi’s history and culture at its finest!
A list of popular destinations often frequented by locals and tourists alike include:
Humayun's Tomb
Timings: 6am-6pm
Nearest Metro: JLN Stadium
Qutub Minar
Timings: 7am-5pm
Nearest Metro: Qutub Minar
Safdarjung Tomb
Timings: 7am-5pm
Nearest Metro: Jor Bagh
Lal Quila
Timings: 9:30am-4:30pm
Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk
Purana Quila
Timings: 7am-5pm
Nearest Metro: Pragati Maidan
Jama Masjid
Timings: Jama Masjid
Nearest Metro: 7am-12pm, 1:30-6pm
2. Visit Rooftop Cafeterias
As the skies turn dark and grey, rooftop cafeterias have the most picturesque views of the city to offer! Indulge in your favourite meal as you unwind over the company of your family and friends on a typical rainy day in Delhi.
Here’s a list of popular rooftop cafeterias and eateries around the city that must be on your list!
Dramz, Mehrauli
Timings: 1pm - 1am
Nearest Metro Station: Malviya Nagar
Mia Bella, Hauz Khas
Timings: 10am-1am
Nearest Metro Station: Green Park
BOA Village, Civil Lines
Timings: 11:30am - 12:30am
Nearest Metro: Civil Lines
Norwang Café, Majnu ka Tila
Timings: 1-10pm
Nearest Metro: Vidhan Sabha
The Potbelly Café, Shahpur Jat
Timings: 1pm - 11pm
Nearest Metro: Sarojini Nagar
3. Do it the 'Dilli-wala' way - Indulge in Street Food
The Delhi experience remains incomplete without the mouthwatering treats one might find in every nook and corner of the city. Be it cups of kulhad wali cutting chai, fresh plates of fried pakoras, steaming hot momos or roadside-roasted bhutta, these flavourful street-side snacks are the ultimate delight for foodies in and around the city!
Here’s a list of places you can visit for the best street food in the city:
Chandni Chowk
Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk
Connaught Place
Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk
Moolchand
Nearest Metro: Moolchand
Yashwant Place
Nearest Metro: Bhikaji Cama Place
INA Market and Dilli Haat
Nearest Metro: Delhi Haat INA
4. In nature's lap - Go for a nature walk!
During the drizzly summer days, nature walks become the perfect way to unwind and relax.
Delhi has an abundance of parks and gardens that one might head out to, for a walk in the rain. Soothe your senses on a showery Sunday evening, while breathing in the fresh petrichor and experiencing the city’s natural charm up close!
Here’s a list of popular places that you could choose to visit:
Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate
Timings: 6am-8pm
Nearest Metro: Khan Market
Garden of Five Senses, Saket
Timings: 9am-5:30pm
Nearest Metro: Saket
Deer Park, Hauz Khas
Timings: 5am-8pm
Nearest Metro: Hauz Khas
Sunder Nursery, Nizamuddin
Timings: 7am-10pm
Nearest Metro: Lajpat Nagar
5. Drive down the streets of Delhi
Monsoons in Delhi are perfect for a drive down the roads of the capital. Head out for a ride during the off-peak hours to experience a different side of Delhi monsoons. A ride around India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan with your favourite tracks playing in the background are the ideal way to put an end to a long tiring day.
6. Be the Bookworm- Try 'Book-café ' hopping
A rainy day spent silently curled up in the corner of a quaint cozy cafeteria with a book in your hand as you sip on a warm cup of cappuccino is something you should definitely try out this season. Explore the inner bookworm in you as you visit one of the many book cafes that the city has to offer.
A list of places you could visit to include:
Jugmug Thela, Saket
Timings: 10:30-12:30pm
Nearest Metro: Saket
Cha Bar, Connaught Place
Timings: 10am-9pm
Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk
The Readers Café, Indirapuram
Timings: 11am-11pm
Nearest Metro: Vaishali
May Day Bookstore and Café, West Patel Nagar
Timings: 11am-6:30pm, Mon-Fri and 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun
Nearest Metro: Shadipur
Café Green, CR Park
Timings: 11am-11pm
Nearest Metro: Nehru Place
Café Turtle, Khan Market
Timings: 10am-8pm
Nearest Metro: Khan Market
7. Explore the Markets of Delhi
Delhi is known across the country for the variety of vibrant marketplaces it has to offer. Post a heavy shower, as the temperatures cool down, you can choose to visit one of the popular local markets in the city to suit your shopping needs! Depending upon your requirements you can visit popular spots ranging from Khan Market to Dilli Haat.
8. Jazz up the Weekend!
If you are someone with a keen interest in music, visit one of the many places in Delhi that have live music options to offer! The Piano Man Jazz Club in Safdarjung Enclave and Nukkad Café and Bar in SDA market are places you can head out to for two different yet memorable musical evenings. For more information on musical events, keep a heads up for the local live performances happening in the city through apps like insider.in and bookmyshow.com.
9. Visit Majnu ka Tila
Tucked away from the city’s center, this tiny Tibetan settlement has everything that a traveller could ask for! Being a place frequented by University students, ‘MKT’ as it is popularly known, has a wide variety of affordable options to serve the travellers on a tight budget.
If you plan on visiting this place, be sure to try out the ever popular laphings and momos that the place has to offer!
10. Yolo, so Yulu?
These monsoons hop onto one of those bright blue bikes that have clearly captured the hearts of Delhi’s residents! Download the Yulu app to find the bikes nearest to you and experience the ultimate joyride as you head out for a spin. A few popular places you can choose to visit include the University of Delhi-North Campus, Connaught Place and Lodhi Art District.
Pro tip: Yulu rides past midnight have a charm of their own. If you can, be sure to check this one off your list!
Barring the occasional traffic and messy streets, monsoon's in Delhi are a delight worth experiencing. If you're in the city during this time of the year, be sure to try out a few a few of these activities, to make the most of your time in the city!
Must Read: museum in delhi, tourist places near delhi within 100 kms
Think we missed out something? Let us know in the comments below!