"Travel to India - Best 1st City?" Topic

We are planning a trip to India in the spring and want to spend 10 days in one city (we are not fans of the nine cities in 3 days). It will be our first time in the country.

So for first timers, what city would you suggest we visit?

The only city I visited in India is likeliest the easiest to get to – Delhi. Plenty to keep you busy there, plus you have the option of a day (or multi-day) side trip to Agra for the Taj Mahal.

Hopefully others with more experience or information will be along to add better suggestions!

I second willthepiper's recommendation. Be sure to check out Jantar Mantar and eat at Kwality near Connaught Place.

Although it is not a city that I care for, a first visit to India should be Delhi/Agra. 10 days is a long time to stay in Delhi, though.

You might consider taking a cheap flight to a smaller, quieter town in the north, like Deradun, for 3 days or so. The Himalayan foothills are a good antidote to Delhi.

I'd do it at the end of my stay in Delhi. You could fly back from Deradun on the same day your international flight leaves, so that you don't have to leave the airport again.

I've been to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai. I liked Chennai the most – its not far to Pondicherri – which has lovely beaches. There's also Mahabalapurim, which is a Unesco heritage site.

New Delhi is currently very polluted, I would suggest heading to Jaipur. It's a smaller city a few hours drive from New Delhi, there is an amazing palace on a hill top over looking Jaipur, well worth a visit.