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Old Delhi, Delhi — Area Guide & Where to Stay
Old Delhi is the walled quarter that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan laid out as Shahjahanabad in 1648, the seat of his empire. It sits in the north-central part of Delhi, west of the Yamuna River. The Red Fort guards its eastern edge, while Chandni Chowk runs straight through the middle. This is the capital's old heart.
About Old Delhi
Where to stay in Old Delhi
The right area depends on your trip — here's what each neighbourhood is best for.
Old Delhi is a dense bazaar quarter, so most rooms here are small lodges and converted havelis rather than large hotels. Staying near Chandni Chowk puts the Red Fort, the food lanes, and Ghalib ki Haveli within walking distance. The area suits sightseeing and street food far more than quiet.
Nights are loud. Travelers who want calm or upscale rooms usually base themselves in New Delhi and visit the old quarter by day.
About Old Delhi
What are the main landmarks in Old Delhi?
The Red Fort holds two collections, the Red Fort Archaeological Museum and the Indian War Memorial Museum. Near Kashmiri Gate stand Ludlow Castle, the Partition Museum, the Mutiny Memorial at Kashmiri Gate, and Saint James' Church, all bound up with the revolt of 1857. Off Chandni Chowk sits Ghalib ki Haveli, the restored home of the poet Mirza Ghalib.
By the Yamuna lie Raj Ghat and associated memorials, marking where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, with the National Gandhi Museum across the road. The Ambedkar National Memorial stands nearby.
What is the history of Old Delhi?
Shah Jahan founded the walled city of Shahjahanabad in 1648 and made it his imperial capital. The Red Fort housed his court. In 1857 the revolt against British rule turned Delhi into a battleground, and the decisive assault was driven straight through Kashmiri Gate.
The poet Mirza Ghalib kept his home in these lanes. Colonial churches such as Saint James' Church followed, while the Partition Museum recalls the upheaval of the 1947 division.
Where is Old Delhi?
To the east the quarter runs down to the Yamuna River, where the Red Fort rises straight above the water on its western bank. Kashmiri Gate marks the northern edge. Through the center runs Chandni Chowk, the market avenue that ties the Red Fort to the western lanes.
New Delhi lies immediately to the south.
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Updated July 2026