Whether you are a tourist visiting India, on a business trip or looking for an apartment to rent, you want to know the areas to avoid in Delhi and the best places to stay in New Delhi.
Indeed, Delhi is a dynamic and lively city, which attracts many tourists and visitors from all over the world. However, as with many capitals, it has its share of dangerous neighborhoods that should be avoided. It is therefore more prudent to find out in advance about the neighborhoods to avoid in Delhi before choosing your accommodation.
To help you, here is a guide to Delhi with a map to better identify the neighborhoods to avoid and the best areas to stay. And at the end of the article, you will find a hotel recommendation in a safe area of Delhi.
This article is written by bringing together the most recent information on the safety of Delhi's neighborhoods (press articles, traveler forums, rankings and statistics). it is a simple synthesis of data which contains neither judgment nor discriminatory remarks.
Is Delhi in India a safe city in 2024?
To assess whether Delhi is a safe or dangerous city, I compared its crime level with other major cities around the world.
For this, I consulted the site Numbeo.com which publishes the ranking of 423 cities around the world according to their crime index. However, in 2024, Delhi is in 89th position, which is in the high average of the most criminal cities in the world.
With a crime index of almost 60, it can therefore be said that Delhi is not a safe city unlike cities like Dubai, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Copenhagen ou Montreal.
To compare the crime level of Delhi to the world level, I supplemented my research on other sites like statista.com ou populationu.com which rank only the most dangerous cities in the world. However, these sites put at the top of the cities of the Mexico, South America and the USA and do not mention the city of Delhi in India!
So, let's put it into perspective by considering that Delhi is not a safe city in 2024 but that it is not one of the most dangerous cities in the world either.
It should be noted, however, that violent crimes have been on the increase in recent years (see article from the outlookindia.com or indiatimes.com). See for yourself on the official website of the Delhi Police.
Delhi dangerous city for tourists?
Without being a dangerous city like Johannesburg, Mexico City ou Fortaleza, Delhi is still a city where tourists should exercise great caution, especially women.
Indeed, here is what the Government of Canada recommends on its Official website : “Crimes committed against women are common in India. Foreign women are often the target of unwanted attention. Staring, verbal abuse, groping and other forms of sexual harassment can happen anywhere, including tourist sites and areas. Attackers sometimes act in groups. Reports of rape and assault against foreign women have increased. You must be particularly vigilant: In Goa, in Delhi, on all public transport, in yoga centers, ashrams and other places of spiritual retreats. »
There have also been cases of theft and scams in Delhi as mentioned France Diplomacy : “It is recommended to avoid travel agency touts who operate particularly on arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and at the New Delhi railway station. Sometimes acting with the connivance of taxi or rickshaw drivers, they make it appear that the hotels with which tourists have made reservations are closed or inaccessible. Taxi drivers may also take the tourist to isolated places, stop and bring in other passengers who are complicit in the scam to impress the traveler and force him to pay more for his trip. It is therefore strongly recommended to take prepaid government taxis when leaving the airports. »
Is it safe to visit Delhi?
Although Delhi has its share of security challenges, it remains a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to experience the beauty and vibrancy of India.
As long as tourists exercise caution and avoid certain areas, they can have a safe and enjoyable trip to Delhi. For this, it is recommended to avoid walking alone at night, to hide valuables and to use trusted transport services.
And of course, tourists should avoid the dangerous areas of Delhi which you will discover in more detail below.
Map of Delhi neighborhoods
With its 31 million inhabitants, the capital of India is very large. It has 11 main districts:
- Central Delhi
- East Delhi
- New Delhi
- North Delhi
- North East Delhi
- North West Delhi
- Shahdara
- south delhi
- South East Delhi
- South West Delhi
- West Delhi
Each district includes many neighborhoods, the complete list of which you will find on Wikipedia: Delhi neighborhoods list
To identify neighborhoods to avoid in Delhi, you can enlarge the following map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kxFQ423tXk2jqwNq5
Dangerous neighborhoods in Delhi
According to government sites and travel forums, the 3 most dangerous areas of Delhi are the neighborhoods:
- byOld Delhi. especially the crowded streets around Jama Masjid,
- de Nabi Karim,
- de paharganj especially all around New Delhi station.
Indeed, these 3 neighborhoods are infamous for their crowded and chaotic streets, which can be stressful for tourists. Moreover, these neighborhoods are also known for their high incidence of crimes such as thefts, scams, and assaults.
"Avoid small hotels in Paharganj and Nabi Karim, central districts of New Delhi, which have become dangerous (crime)". Source France Diplomacy
Neighborhoods to avoid in Delhi
In addition to these 3 dangerous neighborhoods, here are the other neighborhoods to avoid in Delhi (according to forums, blogs and press articles) especially at night:
- Lajpat Nagar
- Seelampur
- Seemapuri
- Nand Nagri
- Some streets of Nizamuddin
South Delhi is considered one of the safest areas of the city, but there are also a few neighborhoods to avoid. One of them is the district of INA market, known for its security issues. This area is particularly dangerous for women and travelers, and it is advisable to avoid it altogether.
Area to avoid in central Delhi
Tourists should also avoid the area around GB Road (Garstin Bastion Road). It is indeed the red light district of Delhi, known for its illegal activities, including human trafficking, prostitution and drug trafficking.
Neighborhoods to stay in Delhi
Apart from the few dangerous or avoidable neighborhoods mentioned above, there are very pleasant areas in Delhi where visitors can stay in the capital. It's difficult to say which are the most beautiful or best areas to stay in because it depends on your tastes, the type of stay you are going to spend in Delhi and your budget.
However, according to real estate agencies and various forums or blogs, the best areas to stay are mainly in the south and central Delhi:
- Vasant Kunj
- golf links
- Greater kailash
- Shanti Niketan
- Hauz Khas
- Saket
- Chanakyapuri
- Connaught Place
- chandni chowk
- Defense Colony
- Aerocity
Find out now what are the favorite neighborhoods of tourists and where are they located?
Where to stay in New Delhi for tourists?
Delhi has magnificent monuments such as the Red Fort, the Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, the India Gate, the Jantar Mantar or Old Delhi that every traveler must visit. But sometimes, it is better to move away from the tourist sites to stay in a quiet area.
For tourists coming to visit Delhi, here are the two best areas to stay:
- Connaught Place in the district of New Delhi (closer to monuments and the best tourist attractions),
- the neighborhoods of South of New Delhi (more modern and more residential).
Connaught Place best area to stay
Connaught Place is the best area to stay for tourists. Indeed, it is one of the liveliest districts of New Delhi with many bars, restaurants and beautiful shops. With its Rajiv Chowk metro station, staying in this area is ideal for visiting the whole city!
Which hotel in New Delhi?
The hotel The Connaught New Delhi - IHCL is a large modern hotel, well equipped and whose location in the heart of Connaught Place is perfect for a tourist stay.
Cheap hotel in New Delhi
For tourists on a budget, here is a hotel with the best value for money and very well located in the center of New Delhi: Hotel Palace Heights
