Best time to visit Delhi by temperature
The best time to visit Delhi, judged only by temperature, is the cooler stretch from November to February. Afternoons are mild, mornings are cold, and long days on foot at the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb or the lanes of Old Delhi are far easier than in summer. March and October are transition months: warmer, but still manageable if you start early. The same idea applies if you are searching for the best time to visit new delhi, because it is one city and one climate.
This is a reading of the climate normals, not an official recommendation, and it says nothing about clean air or smooth flights. April to June are very hot, July to September are the rainy months. For the numbers month by month, open the Delhi weather page.
Our pick: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur tour
Our take: This seven-day tour stretches over several cities, which helps once you have chosen your travel window; check the validity of the booking against your dates.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Golden Triangle tour and other trips for the cooler months
A seven day Golden Triangle tour by private vehicle with a local guide and bottled water fits a trip in the cool months, and day trips and city tours are listed with live prices and availability.
Festival dates in Delhi 2026
Dates from the official Delhi calendar of government days off for 2026. A day off for offices does not mean that every sight or shop is closed, so check the opening times of your sight before you go.
| Festival | Date in 2026 | What it can mean for a visit |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January, Monday | Parade day. Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory for the 2026 parade, so expect road closures around Kartavya Path and India Gate |
| Holi | 4 March, Wednesday | Holika Dahan is listed on 3 March. Expect a lively, colourful day in the streets |
| Independence Day | 15 August, Saturday | The Red Fort was closed from 15 July until 15 August 2026 for the preparations, and the ceremony is not an ordinary ticket visit |
| Diwali | 8 November, Sunday | Still ahead at the time of writing. Check opening times and transport closer to the date |
Plan the days around the festivals you want to see and the ones you would rather avoid. On parade and festival days, allow extra time for every transfer and see India Gate and the Red Fort on other days if you prefer quiet.
Weekly closures at the main sights
A few big sights close on one weekday, and the day matters when you build a schedule.
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, which affects any Taj Mahal tour from Delhi. The Lotus Temple and Akshardham are closed on Mondays, so see the Lotus Temple and Akshardham on another day. The Red Fort is open on Mondays since an order of 13 February 2026, reported by PTI on 21 February 2026.
Opening times can change, so check the current day and hours before you travel.
Air quality from October to February
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) describes very high air pollution in northern Indian cities roughly from October to February. Children, older people and anyone with a health condition can be affected more strongly. The air quality body CAQM publishes air quality categories and a staged system of measures called GRAP.
This page does not show a current air quality value or GRAP stage. If you travel in the cool months, check the latest figures on the day and keep your plan flexible.
Putting a trip together
For a first visit, pick your season by what you want to do. Walking tours of Old Delhi and long days at open-air monuments suit the cooler months. If you come in the heat, plan early starts and indoor breaks. If you come in the rains, keep a light rain layer in your bag and allow extra time for transfers. A road trip to Agra and Jaipur also follows this logic, and winter fog on the road is a reason to leave room in the schedule. See Golden Triangle tours from Delhi for the route, and where to stay in Delhi for areas to base yourself.
Best time to visit Delhi: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Delhi?
By temperature, the cooler months from November to February are the easiest for sightseeing. March and October are transition months. This is a reading of the climate normals and does not promise clean air or smooth flights.
Is Delhi too hot in summer?
April to June are very hot. May has the highest average daily high in the climate normals. If you come then, start early and plan indoor breaks.
When is Diwali in 2026?
On 8 November 2026, a Sunday. It is still ahead at the time of writing, so check opening times and transport closer to the date.
Which sights are closed on which day?
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. The Lotus Temple and Akshardham are closed on Mondays. The Red Fort is open on Mondays since an order of 13 February 2026.
Is winter a good time given the air pollution?
Winter is the cooler season, but the FCDO flags high air pollution in northern Indian cities roughly from October to February. Check the current air quality on the day and keep your plans flexible.
Is this the official Delhi tourism website?
No. This is an independent guide and not the website of the Delhi government, the Archaeological Survey of India or the airport.