Delhi · Best Time to Visit

Delhi has a hot semi-arid to humid-subtropical climate with sharply defined, sometimes extreme seasons, so when you visit matters as much as where you go. According to India Meteorological Department normals for the city, the broad pattern runs: a scorching pre-monsoon summer, a humid monsoon, a short pleasant autumn, and a cool, foggy, heavily polluted winter.

April to June is the searing peak of summer. Mean maximum temperatures climb into the low 40s Celsius — April averages around 41°C and May around 44°C, with record highs pushing past 47°C — and dry, dusty afternoon winds (the andhi) are common. Sightseeing at exposed monuments becomes genuinely punishing; if you must travel then, plan outdoor visits for early morning and evening, and hydrate constantly.

July to September is the southwest monsoon. The rains break the worst of the heat but bring high humidity and occasional heavy downpours that can flood roads; July alone averages over 200 mm of rain. Temperatures ease into the mid-30s. The upside is lush greenery and thinner tourist crowds; the downside is sticky weather and unpredictable showers.

October to March is the recommended window, and for good reason — days are pleasant to cool, skies (early in the season) can be clear, and monuments are comfortable to explore. But two honest caveats apply. First, air quality. From roughly late October through much of the winter, Delhi's air can deteriorate to "very poor," "severe" or worse on the national AQI scale, driven by a combination of crop-residue (stubble) burning in neighbouring states, Diwali firecrackers, vehicular and industrial emissions, and stagnant winter air that traps pollutants. November is often the worst month; there are frequently stretches with no "good" air-quality days at all. Travellers with respiratory or cardiac conditions, young children and older visitors should take this seriously — check a live AQI reading before your trip, carry a well-fitting N95 mask, and consider timing your visit for later winter or the shoulder months. Second, December–January fog. Dense cold-weather fog regularly reduces visibility to near zero on winter mornings, causing significant delays and cancellations of flights and trains — build buffer time into tight itineraries.

The city's marquee events also cluster in this window. Republic Day (26 January) brings the grand parade down Kartavya Path; Holi (the spring festival of colour, February–March, on a lunar date) and Diwali (the autumn festival of lights, October–November) are the year's biggest celebrations. If a specific festival is your aim, confirm the exact date for the year you travel, as most follow the Hindu lunar calendar.

When not to go: peak summer (May–June) for the heat, and, if air quality is a priority, the worst of the post-Diwali November smog. February and March, and October, tend to offer the best balance of pleasant weather and comparatively better air.