Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

What you gain

• ↑The Red Fort and Jama Masjid are within a 10-minute walk of each other — the grandest surviving examples of Mughal imperial architecture, and the Friday prayer at Jama Masjid (Asia's largest mosque) is one of Delhi's most atmospheric experiences
• ↑Chandni Chowk's specialised bazaars — the spice market of Khari Baoli, the silver market of Dariba Kalan, the sari market of Kinari Bazaar — have operated continuously since 1650 and the density of sensory experience is unmatched anywhere in India
• ↑The food of Old Delhi is legendary: Karim's restaurant (operating since 1913) for Mughal-era mutton dishes, the jalebis of Old Famous Jalebi Wala, the paranthe of Paranthe Wali Gali — every lane has a century-old food institution

What you sacrifice

• ↓Old Delhi is genuinely chaotic and overwhelming: the traffic, noise, and density require a tolerance for urban intensity that not all visitors have. Navigating by rickshaw is recommended over walking for first visits
• ↓Safety requires awareness — pickpocketing and scams targeting obvious tourists occur, particularly around the Red Fort entrance and Chandni Chowk metro exit. Keep valuables secured and ignore all unsolicited "guides"