Delhi is a city of empires and contrasts—where 17th-century bazaars tumble into tree-lined avenues and glassy galleries. From Mughal marvels like Humayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort to modern icons like the Lotus Temple, every neighborhood whispers a different chapter of India’s story.

Founded, rebuilt, and reimagined across centuries, Delhi’s layered past reveals itself in spice-scented alleys, Sufi shrines, colonial boulevards, and striking contemporary art. Come hungry: Old Delhi’s kachoris and jalebis vie with refined Punjabi grills and inventive Indian fine-dining.

Practical notes: Many monuments are busiest on weekends and evenings; the Red Fort is closed Mondays. Dress modestly for religious sites. Delhi Metro is efficient and inexpensive; autos and app cabs fill the gaps. Winter (Nov–Feb) is cool; summers are hot—hydrate and pace yourself. Air quality can fluctuate; consider a mask on high-AQI days.

Delhi

Delhi rewards curiosity. Begin in the walled city for a sensory plunge, then step into leafy New Delhi to feel the scale of a capital built for ceremony. South Delhi’s ruins and cafés make a perfect finale—sunlight on sandstone, espresso in hand.

Unmissable sights include Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, India Gate along Kartavya Path to Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Bahá’í Lotus Temple. For living culture, catch qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah (typically Thursdays), explore Lodhi Art District’s murals, and browse textiles at the Crafts Museum.

How to get to Delhi: Fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Traveling domestically? Check Trip.com trains for intercity options.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Browse vacation rentals on VRBO Delhi or hotels on Hotels.com Delhi.
• Classic heritage: The Imperial, New Delhi (museum-like corridors, central location).
• Top-end service: The Leela Palace New Delhi (rooftop pool, refined dining in Chanakyapuri).
• Gourmet address: ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home of iconic Bukhara and Dum Pukht).
• Good value: The Suryaa New Delhi (near South Delhi sights).
• Budget and transit-friendly: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (clean, bright, efficient).

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place, and Sunset at India Gate

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and freshen up. For a gentle first taste of Delhi, head to Connaught Place’s colonnades. Pop into Khadi India for handspun cotton and stroll to Central Park for people-watching. Coffee options: Blue Tokai (CP kiosk or Khan Market roastery) for Indian-origin espresso, or Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market for a polished café vibe.

Evening: Walk or ride to Kartavya Path for India Gate at golden hour; the war memorial glows at sunset, families picnicking on the lawns. After dark, the axis toward Rashtrapati Bhavan feels cinematic. Dinner nearby on Pandara Road: Gulati (butter chicken and tandoori platters), HaveMore (old-school Punjabi classics), or Pandara’s 24x7 bread shops for late-night kulchas. For a nightcap, Sidecar (GK2) mixes award-winning cocktails; The Piano Man Jazz Club (Safdarjung Enclave) often hosts live sets—book ahead.

Day 2: Old Delhi—Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Red Fort

Morning: Arrive early at Jama Masjid; climb the minaret for a sweeping view. Dress modestly; a robe rental is available at the gate. Breakfast like a local: Shyam Sweets (bedmi poori and nagori halwa), Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala (spicy kachoris), or Sita Ram Diwan Chand (legendary chole bhature) if you’re nearer Paharganj. Dive into Chandni Chowk’s lanes—Dariba Kalan (silver), Kinari Bazaar (trims), and Khari Baoli, Asia’s biggest spice market.

Afternoon: Tour the Red Fort (note: closed Mondays). Consider a cycle rickshaw to Chandni Chowk’s renovated central avenue for a breather. Lunch at Karim’s or Al Jawahar (mutton korma, kebabs) just off Jama Masjid Gate 1. For dessert, Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale serves stuffed kulfi (mango in season). If you prefer crafts with air-conditioning, head to the National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum (Crafts Museum); Café Lota here presents regional Indian plates with finesse (try the millet bhel and Nagaland pork curry).

Evening: Around sunset, continue to Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial) for a reflective pause. If your visit falls on a Thursday, experience soul-stirring qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah (arrive by 6–6:30 pm; dress modestly). Dinner options nearby: Lakhori at Haveli Dharampura (heritage setting, refined Old Delhi menu) or Daryaganj (by the “inventors of butter chicken”) in CP if you’re heading back central.

Day 3: Signature Sights with a Private Guide (Full Day)

Maximize your time and skip logistics with a customizable private tour that blends Old and New Delhi highlights. You can choose pickup from your hotel, air-conditioned transport, and local insights that open doors.

Book this: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

Typical route: Qutub Minar (arrive early for soft light), Mehrauli Archaeological Park’s stepwells and tombs, Lotus Temple (quiet contemplation; closed Mondays), Humayun’s Tomb (prototype for the Taj), a drive along Kartavya Path past India Gate, and a tailored Old Delhi photo stop if you skipped something yesterday.

Lunch ideas: Café Lota (regional Indian with craft-forward plating) or Andhra Bhavan Canteen (canteen-style thalis that Delhi insiders swear by; arrive early for lunch rush). Dinner splurge: Bukhara at ITC Maurya (front-row to the tandoor; order the Dal Bukhara and Sikandari Raan) or Dum Pukht for slow-cooked Awadhi elegance—both in the same hotel, so you can choose your mood.

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train (Full Day)

Seeing the Taj Mahal from Delhi is entirely doable in a day—best via the Gatimaan Express (about 1 hr 40 min each way). Early start, big payoff.

Book this: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

What to expect: Pre-arranged train tickets, door-to-door transfers in Agra, expert guide, and timed visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort (often with lunch included). Typical timings: depart ~8:00 am, return ~7:30–8:30 pm. If traveling independently, chair car fares usually run roughly ₹800–1,500 one-way; factor in local taxi time between Agra Cantt station and the monuments (15–25 minutes each way).

Back in Delhi, keep dinner light and close to your hotel. Central options that serve late: 24/7 at The Lalit (ample variety) or K3 at Aerocity if you’re near the airport. Sleep well—you’ve earned it.

Day 5: South Delhi Heritage, Lodhi Art District, and Khan Market

Morning: Start at Qutub Minar as the gates open to beat crowds. Then cross into Mehrauli Archaeological Park for a contemplative walk among lesser-visited tombs and the stepwell Rajon ki Baoli. Brunch nearby: The Grammar Room (sunny terrace with ricotta pancakes and desi-inspired eggs) or Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mediterranean courtyard under the banyan).

Afternoon: Head to Humayun’s Tomb for classic Mughal geometry and red sandstone set in charbagh gardens. Continue to Lodhi Garden for a relaxed stroll among domed tombs, then into Lodhi Art District to discover rotating street-mural walls—great for photos in soft afternoon light.

Evening: Shop Khan Market’s compact arcades for books (Bahrisons), handicrafts, teas, and indie fashion. Dinner choices: Indian Accent (inventive tasting menus; book ahead), Gulati again if you’re craving North Indian comfort, or Sagar Ratna (reliable South Indian vegetarian). If you missed a temple, consider Akshardham’s weekend fountain show (check hours; closed Mondays). Toast your trip with an Indian gin and tonic at Perch or a tea flight at Triveni Terrace Café (lovely courtyard by day).

Food & drink cheat sheet (save for later)

• Street eats: Bedmi poori at Shyam Sweets; jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala; Daulat ki Chaat (winter only); chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand.
• Classic North Indian: Gulati, HaveMore, Moti Mahal (Daryaganj), Bukhara (ITC Maurya), Dum Pukht (ITC Maurya).
• Contemporary Indian: Indian Accent (tasting menus), Café Lota (regional small plates), The Grammar Room (brunch with a view of Qutub complex treetops).
• Cafés & bars: Blue Tokai, Perch, Sidecar (GK2), The Piano Man Jazz Club.

Getting around

Delhi Metro is clean, frequent, and budget-friendly (₹10–60 per ride). For short hops, autos and app cabs are easiest; plan 30–45 minutes between major areas off-peak, 60–90+ in rush hour. For Agra, consider the Gatimaan Express (~1 hr 40 min); search schedules on Trip.com trains.

Optional upgrades and extensions

• Prefer a different guide style? Consider an alternative full-day city tour: Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour (similar coverage with flexible pacing).
• If you’d like to add Jaipur and stay a night in Agra, a multi-day Golden Triangle is easy post-trip—ask us to tailor it to your pace.

Five days in Delhi will leave you with tender memories: the hush beneath domes, the blaze of spices, the hush of gardens at dusk—and, of course, that first glimpse of the Taj. Come back for longer; Delhi always has another layer to reveal.