Delhi wears centuries of power and poetry on its sleeve. Empires rose here, leaving onion-domed silhouettes, colonnaded avenues, and a cuisine that fuses royal kitchens with street-side ingenuity. It’s also a city of views: from Qutub’s soaring minaret and Humayun’s serene charbagh symmetry to mirror-still lakes and the floodlit India Gate after dusk.

This 2-day plan is crafted for a Sunday arrival and Monday departure, sequencing sites around weekly closures (many monuments and temples are closed on Mondays). You’ll taste iconic Old Delhi bites, catch a spiritual water show, and walk landscaped gardens revived by careful restoration. Transit times are realistic, with metro and rideshare options noted.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for religious sites (shoulders/knees covered), carry a scarf for head coverings, and expect security checks at major sites—especially Akshardham (no phones/cameras inside; free cloakrooms provided). ASI monument entry is typically ~INR 40–50 for Indian nationals and ~INR 500–600 for foreign visitors; booking tickets online can reduce queues.

Delhi

Delhi is really two cities woven together: the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) and Lutyens’ grand civic heart (New Delhi), with leafy neighborhoods and art districts in between. Its top sights—Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb—are UNESCO World Heritage centers where histories echo off red sandstone and marble.

Beyond monuments, locals savor morning walks in Lodhi Garden, sunset at Hauz Khas lake, langar at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and late-night laps around India Gate’s Kartavya Path. Food spans kebabs at century-old institutions, thalis at state canteens, and inventive tasting menus.

• Top highlights: Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Akshardham (Sunday), Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden, India Gate, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Hauz Khas lake.
• Local flavors: Karim’s and Al Jawahar near Jama Masjid, Natraj Dahi Bhalle, Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Andhra Bhavan Canteen, Rajinder Da Dhaba, United Coffee House, Indian Accent.
• Getting around: Delhi Metro (clean, fast; INR 20–60 per ride), auto-rickshaws for short hops, Uber/Ola for cross-town rides (INR 200–700 depending on distance/traffic).

Where to stay: For easy access, base near Connaught Place (central), Aerocity (airport + restaurants), or Mehrauli/Hauz Khas (for Qutub and green neighborhoods).

• Search VRBO stays in Delhi (great for groups, apartments near Hauz Khas or Greater Kailash).
• Search Delhi hotels on Hotels.com (filters for Connaught Place, Aerocity, Chanakyapuri).

Getting there: Fly into Indira Gandhi International (DEL). Compare fares and timings here:

• Search flights to Delhi (Trip.com)
• Search flights to Delhi (Kiwi.com)

Trains within India: For intercity arrivals/departures (e.g., Agra/Jaipur–Delhi), compare options here: Search India trains (Trip.com)

Day 1 — Sunday: Old Delhi Icons, Red Fort, and Akshardham’s Evening Show

Assumed arrival: Early afternoon. Drop bags and aim for the Red Fort first (it’s closed Mondays, so Sunday is your window).

Afternoon (2:00–6:30 pm)

• 2:00–4:15 pm | Red Fort (Lal Qila): Explore Mughal courts and pavilions beyond the Lahori Gate. Don’t miss Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas (“If there is a paradise on earth…” inscription), and the Rang Mahal. Allow ~2 hours. Entry ~INR 40 (Indian)/~INR 500–600 (foreign). Rideshare from central Delhi: 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• 4:30–6:30 pm | Chandni Chowk & Jama Masjid stroll: Hop a cycle rickshaw to zigzag through the newly pedestrian-friendly Chandni Chowk. Snack trail: Old Famous Jalebi Wala (piping hot jalebis), Natraj Dahi Bhalle (since 1940), and a glass at Giani di Hatti (rabri falooda). Step into Jama Masjid’s courtyard (shoes off; modest attire) for sweeping views of Old Delhi’s rooftops as the light softens.

Evening (6:30–10:00 pm)

• 6:30–9:00 pm | Akshardham Temple & Water Show: Metro or cab to Akshardham (Monday closed; Sunday open). Note: No phones/cameras inside—use the free cloakroom. Wander the intricately carved mandir and gardens, then watch the Sahaj Anand multimedia water show (usually around 7:30–8:00 pm; confirm timing on arrival). Security lines can take 30–45 minutes.
• Dinner options (9:00–10:30 pm):
  • Gulati (Pandara Road): North Indian classics—creamy butter chicken, mutton rara, and melt-in-mouth kakori kebabs. Popular with Delhi families; open late.
  • Daryaganj – By the Inventors of Butter Chicken (Connaught Place): Nostalgic plates with a modern polish; try their signature butter chicken and dal makhani.
  • Haldiram’s (various, incl. near Akshardham): Quick, vegetarian comfort food—chaats, chole bhature—if you want something close and casual.
• Optional night view (10:30–11:00 pm): Swing by India Gate & Kartavya Path for the illuminated arch and lawn-side kulfi/ice-cream carts. It’s a beloved local night-time stroll.

Day 2 — Monday: Gardens, Tombs, Qutub Minar, and Cityscapes (Departure in the Afternoon)

Note: Many marquee sites are closed Mondays (Red Fort, Lotus Temple interiors, Akshardham). Today focuses on beautiful places that are open and famous for their views.

Morning (7:00 am–12:30 pm)

• 7:00–8:15 am | Lodhi Garden: Locals’ favorite for dew-fresh lawns, parakeets, and 15th-century tombs. Photogenic domes, banyan roots, and mirror-still ponds make for atmospheric shots.
• Breakfast (8:15–9:00 am):
  • Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters (nearby outlets): Single-origin pour-overs, cold brew, and eggs–avocado toasts to fuel your day.
  • Saravana Bhavan (Connaught Place): South Indian vegetarian staples—ghee roast dosas, idli-vada combos, filter coffee.
  • Sita Ram Diwan Chand (Paharganj, earlier opening): Iconic chole bhature—hearty and spicy if you want a proper Delhi breakfast.
• 9:15–10:45 am | Humayun’s Tomb: The prototype for the Taj, this Persian-style garden-tomb is all symmetry, red sandstone, and white marble inlay. Arrive right after opening to enjoy soft light and fewer crowds. Allow ~90 minutes.
• 10:50–11:40 am | Sunder Nursery: A short hop from Humayun’s—heritage tombs, lotus ponds, and native-plant gardens. It’s a tranquil green break with lovely photo angles.
• 11:50 am–12:10 pm | Lotus Temple (exterior view): Interiors are closed Mondays, but you can still admire the petal-shaped facade from the roadside park for a “postcard” shot.

Afternoon (12:30–3:30 pm)

• Lunch (12:30–1:30 pm):
  • Andhra Bhavan Canteen (near India Gate): South Indian thalis with refills, famed for spicy gongura and weekend biryanis; fast-moving line, great value.
  • United Coffee House (Connaught Place): A 1942 landmark with colonial decor; order the UCH Special Coffee, tomato fish, or butter chicken for an old-Delhi-meets-CP vibe.
• 1:45–3:15 pm | Qutub Minar Complex: India’s tallest brick minaret anchors ruins of the early Delhi Sultanate—Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, and intricately carved pillars. It’s a showstopper for architecture and skyline shots. Expect 60–90 minutes.
• Depart for airport/train (from ~3:15 pm): Aerocity is ~35–70 minutes by car from Qutub depending on traffic, or take the Yellow Line to New Delhi Station and connect to the Airport Express. If you have a later flight, see “Extra time” below.

Extra time (if departing late on Monday):

• Hauz Khas Lake & Deer Park (4:00–5:30 pm): A golden-hour favorite—lake reflections, medieval pavilions, and peacocks. Great for relaxed photos.
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (5:45–6:30 pm): Calm waters of the sarovar and kirtan hymns; cover head and keep shoulders/knees covered. You can volunteer in the community kitchen (langar) if time allows.
• Dinner ideas:
  • Rajinder Da Dhaba (Safdarjung Enclave): No-frills, legendary kebabs, tikkas, and rolls—beloved by locals.
  • Indian Accent (The Lodhi): A tasting-menu pioneer—blue cheese naan, pulled-pork phulka tacos, seasonal reinterpretations; reserve ahead.
  • The Grammar Room (Mehrauli): Cozy, leafy views near Qutub; small plates and excellent coffee/cocktails.

Logistics & Tips (Quick Reference)

• Closures: Red Fort, Lotus Temple interiors, and Akshardham are closed Mondays—hence their placement on Sunday for visits or a Monday exterior photo stop.
• Tickets & costs (approx.): ASI monuments ~INR 40–50 (Indian) / ~INR 500–600 (foreign). Rickshaws in Old Delhi ~INR 100–300 per short ride; Metro INR 20–60 per trip.
• Transit sequencing: Sunday focuses on Old Delhi then Akshardham; Monday clusters around Lodhi–Nizamuddin–Mehrauli to reduce cross-town traffic.
• What to wear/bring: Comfortable shoes, modest clothing, scarf for head coverings, small daypack. At Akshardham, leave electronics behind or use cloakroom.

Suggested stays (central and convenient): Browse by neighborhood and deal filters here: Hotels.com: Delhi | VRBO: Delhi

For flights and trains, compare options and times here: Trip.com Flights • Kiwi.com Flights • Trip.com Trains (India)

Why this plan works: It aligns perfectly with Sunday/Monday openings, minimizes backtracking, and blends headline monuments with the places Delhiites actually linger—gardens, lakes, gurudwaras, and night-lit avenues. You’ll get historic depth, great city views, and unforgettable meals in just 36–48 hours.