Delhi does not reveal itself at once. It is a city of layered capitals—Indraprastha, Shahjahanabad, Lutyens’ Delhi—stacked across millennia. Within a few kilometers you move from sandstone mausoleums and marble minarets to tree-lined boulevards, art-deco corridors, and cafés humming with third-wave coffee.

Expect headliner UNESCO sites like Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid, plus living neighborhoods where the best storytelling happens: Chandni Chowk’s spice-laden lanes, Khan Market’s bookshops, Mehrauli’s ruins, and Hauz Khas’s medieval tank. Food is a parallel itinerary—parathas, nihari, chaat, butter chicken, and refined tasting menus.

Practical notes: The best weather runs October–March. Delhi Metro is fast, clean, and cashless-friendly; rideshares (Uber/Ola) are widely available. Dress modestly for places of worship; note weekly closures (e.g., Red Fort and many museums on Monday; Lotus Temple and Akshardham also closed Monday). Air quality can fluctuate—consider a light mask.

New Delhi

New Delhi is the administrative heart and a gateway to India’s “Golden Triangle.” Lutyens’ broad avenues link India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan, while South Delhi hides tomb gardens, craft museums, and design-forward cafés. Old Delhi, once Shah Jahan’s walled capital, concentrates centuries of street food and syncretic architecture in a few electric square kilometers.

• Top sights: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan (exterior), Lodhi Gardens, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Hauz Khas Fort and lake.
• Food highlights: Chandni Chowk’s parathas and jalebi, Karim’s kebabs, Daryaganj’s butter chicken legacy, Pandara Road North Indian stalwarts, and modern Indian at Indian Accent.
• Neighborhoods to browse: Khan Market (books, cafés), Shahpur Jat (indie boutiques), Mehar Chand Market (design stores), Dilli Haat (handicrafts and regional food).

Where to stay (by vibe): Connaught Place for centrality and metro access; leafy South Delhi (Lodhi area, Nizamuddin, Greater Kailash) for heritage and cafés; Aerocity for modern hotels and quickest airport run. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting in and around: Search flights to Delhi (DEL) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, the Airport Express Metro reaches New Delhi Station in ~20 minutes; cabs to central areas take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. For intercity rail (including Agra), check Trip.com Trains.

Curated tours you can book:

• Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

  

  Ideal first-timer overview with a private guide covering Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Qutub Minar, and more. Customizable pacing and pick-up make the city feel effortless.

• Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

  

  Maximize a single day in Agra with Gatimaan Express timings, private guiding, and door-to-door transfers. See the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort without the logistics headache.

• Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Trip from Delhi all Inclusive

  

  Prefer the road? This car-based sunrise option beats the crowds and pairs the Taj with Agra Fort, plus a leisurely lunch.

Day 1: Arrival, Lodhi Gardens, and Khan Market

Morning: Fly into Delhi. If you arrive early, grab a restorative specialty coffee at Blue Tokai (multiple outlets) or Indian Coffee House (Baba Kharak Singh Marg) for old-school charm and simple dosas.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs at Lodhi Gardens, a local favorite park dotted with 15th-century tombs. Walk the shaded loops between Bara Gumbad and Sikandar Lodi’s tomb, then pop to nearby Triveni Terrace Café (Triveni Kala Sangam) for light, seasonal Indian plates—think palak patta chaat and millet khichdi.

Evening: Browse Khan Market’s bookshops and boutiques. For dinner, choose your Delhi debut: Indian Accent (modern Indian tasting menu; book ahead), Pandara Road classics like Gulati (butter chicken, kakori kebab), or The Piano Man (Safdarjung) for live jazz after a casual bite. Nightcap at Sidecar (GK2), a regular on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, for perfectly balanced Indian-accented cocktails.

Day 2: Old Delhi heritage and New Delhi icons

Morning: Start at Jama Masjid (dress modestly). Climb a minaret for sweeping views if open, then dive into Chandni Chowk: sample fresh parathas on Paranthe Wali Gali, hot spirals at Old Famous Jalebi Wala, and tangy Natraj Dahi Bhalle. Consider a short cycle-rickshaw ride for the spice-scented lanes and havelis.

Afternoon: Walk or drive to the Red Fort (allow ~90 minutes; foreigner tickets typically ₹600–700) and Raj Ghat, then sweep down the ceremonial axis: India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan (exterior). Cap with either Humayun’s Tomb (Persian-influenced gardens; foreigners ~₹600–650) or the Crafts Museum for textiles and tribal art.

Evening: Head to Dilli Haat (INA) for curated crafts from across India and regional stalls—Nagaland smoked pork, Kashmiri wazwan, Rajasthani dal-baati. If you’d prefer everything handled, book the Old & New Delhi City Tour (Viator) above for door-to-door guiding.

Insider notes: Many monuments close on Monday. If your Day 2 is a Monday, swap Red Fort/Humayun’s Tomb with Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park (both usually open).

Day 3: Taj Mahal day trip from Delhi (Agra)

Morning: Early pick-up for the Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (~8:00–8:10 AM; ~1h40m to Agra Cantt). Seated breakfast onboard or pack pastries. Meet your guide and head straight to the Taj Mahal—white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones; photos are best from the main platform and Mehtab Bagh across the river if time permits.

Afternoon: Continue to the red-sandstone Agra Fort, a fortified city with Jahangir’s Palace and views of the Taj. Lunch suggestions: Pinch of Spice (reliable North Indian) or a hotel restaurant for AC comfort. If energy allows, add the delicate Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj).

Evening: Board the return Gatimaan (~5:45–6:00 PM; ~1h40m). Back in Delhi, celebrate with tandoori excellence at Bukhara (ITC Maurya; book ahead) or a legacy butter chicken at Daryaganj. Prefer a guided, all-in service? Book the Taj Mahal Day Tour by Superfast Train (Viator). If sunrise is your dream shot, opt for the car-based Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Trip (Viator).

Logistics: Train chair car fares are typically ~₹1,000–1,600 ($12–20); executive class ~₹2,000–3,000 ($25–36). Viator options bundle tickets, guides, and transfers, which is worth it for time savings.

Day 4: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli ruins, Hauz Khas, and departure

Morning: Beat the crowds at Qutub Minar, the soaring 12th–14th century complex with ornate calligraphy and the Iron Pillar. Stroll over to Mehrauli Archaeological Park for layered tombs and stepwells tucked in scrub forest—bring water and walking shoes.

Afternoon: Brunch at The Grammar Room (Mehrauli) for sunny eggs and good coffee or sample regional dishes at Café Lota near Pragati Maidan. Wander Hauz Khas ruins around the 14th-century tank and peek into designer studios. Last-minute shopping at Shahpur Jat (indie boutiques) or Khan Market, then head for the airport via the Airport Express or taxi.

Evening: Departure day—if you have time to spare, a calm pre-flight pause in Lodhi Colony’s art district murals or a quick filter coffee at Saravana Bhavan (CP) keeps it close to central metro lines.

Daily food map you’ll love:

• Breakfast/coffee: Blue Tokai (any outlet), The Grammar Room (Mehrauli), Café Lota (Crafts Museum), Saravana Bhavan (CP) for South Indian dosas and filter coffee.
• Lunch ideas: Karim’s or Al-Jawahar (Jama Masjid area; kebabs, nihari), Pinch of Spice (Agra day), Triveni Terrace Café (light, seasonal plates), SodaBottleOpenerWala-Style Irani cafés if you find one open near you.
• Dinner: Indian Accent (modern Indian), Bukhara (legendary dal bukhara and tandoor), Gulati (Pandara Road classics), Daryaganj (butter chicken backstory), Perch (Khan Market) for wine-and-small-plates.
• Sweet stops: Kuremal for stuffed kulfi, Old Famous Jalebi Wala for hot jalebis, Gianis for rabri falooda.

Transit tips and costs: Delhi Metro Smart Card saves time; most rides cost ₹20–60. Airport Express to central Delhi ~₹60–80 and ~20 minutes. Auto-rickshaws are best for short hops (₹50–200 in town); agree on meter or a fair price before starting.

Accommodation booking: Compare top areas and prices on Hotels.com, or secure family-size apartments and heritage stays via VRBO.

Getting to/from Delhi and trains: Check global flight deals on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For Indian rail (including the Gatimaan Express to Agra), search schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.

This 4-day New Delhi itinerary balances must-see monuments with neighborhood wanderings and standout dining, topped off by a well-planned Taj Mahal day trip. Use the metro when you can, rickshaws when you must, and your appetite always. Delhi rewards curiosity—with every turn, another story.