Delhi wears its history like palimpsest—layer over layer—from the Sultanate and Mughal capitals to Lutyens’ New Delhi and today’s tech-forward metropolis. You’ll taste it in smoky kebabs, trace it in sandstone minarets, and hear it in the call to prayer drifting over tangled bazaars.

In three days you can sample Old Delhi’s fever-dream of alleys, step into UNESCO icons like Qutub Minar, and immerse yourself in living craft museums and bold contemporary art. Coffee lovers are in luck: Delhi’s third‑wave scene hums with roasteries and sunny cafes that pair perfectly with gallery hopping.

Practical notes: Many major museums close on Mondays; check hours before you go. Winters can be foggy and cool (pack a layer), summers are hot (hydrate). Use the Metro and rideshares, carry small bills for rickshaws, and dress modestly for religious sites. Street food is a joy—follow busy stalls and eat freshly cooked.

Delhi

India’s capital is really many cities in one: Mughal-era Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), leafy diplomatic Chanakyapuri, creative Hauz Khas and Mehrauli, and the grand axes of New Delhi. It’s a place for bold appetites—historic, artistic, and culinary.

• Top sights: Qutub Minar complex, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, India Gate, Lodhi Gardens, Agrasen ki Baoli.
• Museum hits: National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (Saket), Gandhi Smriti, National Rail Museum, Partition Museum (Dara Shikoh Library).
• Adventurous bites: Old Delhi chaat and jalebi, butter-soaked parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali, kebabs at Karim’s, tandoori sparkle at Bukhara.
• Coffee culture: Blue Tokai Roastery (multiple outlets), Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (civilized, buzzy), The Grammar Room (leafy perch over Mehrauli), Colocal (bean-to-bar cacao and coffee), United Coffee House (classic Connaught Place institution).
• Where to stay: Connaught Place for central access, Aerocity for easy airport runs and dining clusters, South Delhi for galleries and greenery.

Book your stay: Browse city-wide picks on Hotels.com or apartment-style stays on VRBO. For vetted favorites: The Imperial, New Delhi (heritage and art-lined corridors), The Leela Palace New Delhi (rooftop pool, refined service), ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home of iconic Bukhara), The Suryaa New Delhi (value with a pool, South Delhi access), and Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (bright, budget-smart near rail).

Getting to Delhi (DEL): Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. From the airport, the Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station takes ~19 minutes (about ₹60); a rideshare to central areas is ~30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Intercity trains: Planning a day trip to Agra? Check schedules on Trip.com Trains. The Gatimaan Express does Delhi–Agra in ~1 hr 40 min.

Day 1: Old Delhi Rush, Spices and Skylines

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, fuel up with a flat white and almond croissant at Blue Tokai (Khan Market or Vasant Vihar) or a South Indian filter coffee and podi idli at Saravana Bhavan (Connaught Place) to shake off jet lag.

Afternoon: Check in, then make for Shahjahanabad. Climb the Jama Masjid’s southern minaret (modest dress; small fee) for a red-sandstone panorama. Plunge into Chandni Chowk by rickshaw—peek into kinari (wedding trimmings) lanes and the spice-laden Khari Baoli. For a sit-down museum-meets-meal, the National Crafts Museum’s Café Lota plates regional hits like millet bhel and jackfruit cutlets, ideal before wandering its village of artisans.

Evening: Eat your way through the alleys on this guided walk (great for adventurous appetites): The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk. Expect tangy kulle chaat, parathas sizzling in ghee, jalebis straight from the cauldron, and stories of traders and emperors.

Cap the night with a craft cocktail or a pour-over at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (Khan Market). If it’s Thursday and you want goosebumps, consider the qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah around sunset—go with a guide, dress modestly, and keep valuables close.

Optional guided intro: Prefer a structured overview (Old + New Delhi by car and rickshaw, customizable half- or full-day)? Book Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available for a seamless highlights circuit and insider narration.

Day 2: Taj Mahal by Superfast Train (Adventure Day Trip)

Morning: Pre-dawn coffee and a quick bite—The Grammar Room (Mehrauli) opens early on weekends; otherwise grab a Blue Tokai cappuccino to go. Board the Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (~1 hr 40 min). The easiest way to do it—with entry tickets, guides, and transfers handled—is this top-rated tour: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR.

Afternoon: Gaze at the Taj Mahal’s inlay work shifting with the light; then explore the red ramparts and marble pavilions of Agra Fort. Many tours include a 5-star buffet lunch; ask to try Mughlai classics like murgh musallam. If you’re DIY-ing the day, you can also compare train tickets on Trip.com Trains (expect ~$12–$35 per person each way in AC classes).

Evening: Return to Delhi around dusk. Celebrate with a refined tasting menu at Indian Accent (progressive Indian, reservations essential) or go classic at Bukhara in ITC Maurya for smoky dal and frontier-style kebabs. Nightcap at Sidecar (award-winning cocktails) or a calm espresso tonic at Colocal (Chhatarpur).

Day 3: Monuments, Museums, and Coffee Before You Fly

Morning: Start in Mehrauli Archaeological Park for a low-crowd walk among mossy tombs and stepwells, then enter the Qutub Minar complex for Delhi’s earliest mosque and that 73-meter tower of victory. Brunch at The Grammar Room (sourdough with shakshuka, airy pancakes) or head to United Coffee House in Connaught Place for old-school Viennese blends and eggs Kejriwal.

Afternoon (pre-departure): Choose a museum circuit near central Delhi. For modern and contemporary, the NGMA (near India Gate) displays Amrita Sher-Gil to Tyeb Mehta; pair it with Triveni Terrace Café next door for light thalis and excellent filter coffee under bougainvillea. If you love living traditions, go to the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (weavers at work; superb galleries). With kids—or rail buffs—swap in the National Rail Museum (Chanakyapuri). Aim to leave for the airport 4 hours before an international flight (Metro Airport Express or rideshare; ~45–75 minutes by road at midday).

Lunch ideas (pick one): Triveni Terrace Café (seasonal North Indian plates), Café Lota (regional hits with a modern twist), Diggin (European-leaning comfort near Santushti), or SodaBottleOpenerWala (Parsi specials—dhansak, berry pulao).

Coffee, Food, and Nightlife Shortlist

• Coffee: Blue Tokai (roastery-fresh espresso; multiple outlets), Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (coffee and natural wines), The Grammar Room (leafy, sunlit), Colocal (bean-to-bar chocolate and cappuccinos), United Coffee House (heritage ambiance).
• Breakfasts: Triveni Terrace Café (upma, poha, fresh juices), Café Lota (regional breakfast boards), IHOP-like stacks at The Grammar Room but with a Delhi twist.
• Lunch/Dinner: Indian Accent (innovative; book ahead), Bukhara (legendary dal and kebabs), Karim’s (Old Delhi institution for nihari and kebabs), Al-Jawahar (robust Mughlai gravies), Jamun (nostalgic Indian plates), Andhra Bhavan Canteen (fiery thali, budget-friendly).
• Bars: Sidecar (ranked among India’s best), PCO (speakeasy vibes), Home (live music; Aerocity), Hoots’ (serious spirits).

Logistics & Budget Notes

Local transport: Delhi Metro is extensive, air-conditioned, and fast; get a stored-value card. Auto-rickshaws are great for hops under 3 km; insist on the meter or agree on a fare first. Rideshares are plentiful.

Costs (indicative, per person): Metro rides ₹30–₹80; rickshaw hops ₹60–₹200; museum entries ₹20–₹500; Indian fine-dining dinner $30–$80; specialty coffee $2–$4. With a budget score of 82, mix a heritage hotel night with excellent midrange meals and a splurge dinner.

More Viator Options If You Add Time

Craving a longer cultural arc? Consider a compact Golden Triangle circuit if you extend your trip: 3-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi.

Where to book travel and stays again: Flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com; trains via Trip.com Trains; hotels via Hotels.com and VRBO.

Seasonal tips: October–March is prime weather. If air quality dips, consider indoor-heavy days (museums, cafes) and carry a mask. Many monuments have e-ticket lines—ask your guide or check ticket counters early.

In three days, you’ll thread through Delhi’s centuries: mosque courtyards and marble tombs, crafts revived by master hands, and a caffeinated creative scene. The Taj day trip adds a shot of wonder, while Delhi’s food—from alley snacks to white-tablecloth finesse—does the rest.