Delhi is a city that rewards curiosity. It has been the seat of empires for nearly a millennium, and you feel that weight of history in every sandstone arch and spice-laden lane—yet it remains relentlessly modern and creative. From the grand avenues of New Delhi to the tangled alleyways of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), contrasts don’t clash; they converse.

Expect UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar—each telling a chapter of India’s story. But save room for the living city: qawwali at Nizamuddin, artisan markets at Dilli Haat, indie galleries, and cafés sprinkled across Lodhi and Hauz Khas. Delhi is also your perfect launchpad for a Taj Mahal day trip, an easy train hop to Agra.

Practical notes: October–March is the most pleasant season; winter can bring morning fog and occasional air-quality dips, so pack a light mask if you’re sensitive. Mondays see closures at places like the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, NGMA, and Akshardham—swap days if needed. The Delhi Metro is efficient; consider the Tourist Smart Card (1-day ~₹200, 3-day ~₹500, plus refundable deposit) for unlimited travel.

Delhi

Delhi dazzles with Mughal domes, Indo-Saracenic government blocks, leafy gardens, and some of the world’s most storied markets. It’s a feast for the senses: the scent of cardamom and ghee, the clang of temple bells, and the thrum of cycle rickshaws in Chandni Chowk.

Top sights include Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, Rajpath’s (Kartavya Path) ceremonial boulevard, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the gleaming Akshardham Temple. Beyond monuments, make time for Lodhi’s public art, Hauz Khas’s medieval reservoir-and-ruins, and sunset walks in Sunder Nursery.

Where to stay: For five-star splendor, The Imperial’s art deco elegance and The Imperial, New Delhi are icons, while the legendary tandoor restaurant Bukhara calls ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel home. The Leela Palace New Delhi pampers with rooftop views and a serene spa. Great-value bases include Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (bright, efficient) and The Suryaa New Delhi (South Delhi access). Browse more stays on Hotels.com or family-friendly apartments on VRBO.

How to get there: Book international flights to DEL on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Dubai (3.5–4h, often $130–300), Singapore (5.5–6h, $180–420), London (8.5–9h, $500–900), New York (14–16h, $650–1,100). The Airport Express Metro gets you to central Delhi in ~20 minutes.

Intercity rail: For the Taj Mahal run, the Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra takes ~1h40m; you can research train schedules on Trip.com Trains, though the day trip below packages tickets, guides, and transfers.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place Classics, and India Gate Glow

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with coffee at United Coffee House (old-world chandeliers, 1942 vintage) or a specialty pour-over at Blue Tokai (multiple outlets). Stroll the colonnades of Connaught Place for bookstores, khadi textiles, and street snacks—try a plate of chaat from Natraj Dahi Bhalla (creamy yogurt, tangy tamarind, a Delhi favorite).

Evening: Head to India Gate at dusk as the memorial lights up and families gather for picnics and kulfi. Dinner nearby on Pandara Road: Havemore for butter chicken with tandoori roti, or Gulati for robust North Indian curries. Nightcap at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (clean European plates, craft cocktails).

Day 2: Old Delhi—Spice Lanes, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort

Morning: Breakfast like a local in Chandni Chowk: hot jalebis at Old Famous Jalebi Wala and a paneer paratha at Paranthe Wali Gali. Visit Jama Masjid—climb the minaret for rooftops stitched with kites. Wander Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market; shop for saffron, garam masala, and tea.

Afternoon: Explore the Red Fort (UNESCO; plan ~1.5–2 hours; foreign tickets ~₹600–700, about $7–9). Pop into the restored havelis near Dharampura; pause for lassi or a thandai. Lunch at Karim’s or Al Jawahar for mutton korma and sheermal—century-old recipes born in the shadow of the Jama Masjid.

Evening: Take a short rickshaw ride through Chawri Bazaar at golden hour. For a refined dinner, Lakhori at Haveli Dharampura serves heritage Delhi recipes in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion. Craving dessert? Try Daulat ki Chaat (seasonal milk foam sweet) if visiting in winter, or Kuremal Mohan Lal for stuffed mango kulfi in summer.

Day 3: Delhi Essentials With a Guide (Full-Day Tour)

Maximize your time with a curated city tour that balances Old and New Delhi’s headline attractions and hidden gems. You’ll cover more ground, skip logistics, and glean context from a local expert.

• Recommended experience: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available (Viator)

  

  Typical inclusions: Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Parliament area, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and a Chandni Chowk rickshaw ride. Expect door-to-door transport and a knowledgeable guide.

Food tips today: Start with filter coffee and idli at Saravana Bhavan (Connaught Place). Midday, grab a thali at Andhra Bhavan canteen—beloved for peppery curries and ghee-laced rice. For dinner, book Bukhara at ITC Maurya for smoky dal and kebabs cooked in a clay tandoor, or Indian Accent (The Lodhi) for inventive tasting menus riffing on subcontinental classics.

Day 4: Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Art Walk, and South Delhi Evenings

Morning: Breakfast at Café Lota (at the Crafts Museum) for millet idli, palak chaat, and regional coffees. Visit Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO; allow ~90 minutes; foreign tickets ~₹600–700) and then stroll Sunder Nursery—heritage monuments, lily ponds, and a lovely café for lemonade in the shade.

Afternoon: Explore the Lodhi Art District, India’s best open-air contemporary mural gallery. Continue to Qutub Minar (73 meters of intricately carved sandstone; plan ~1.5 hours; foreign tickets ~₹600–700). Mehrauli Archaeological Park next door offers quiet ruins and stepwells if you want extra wandering.

Evening: Head to Hauz Khas Village for the 14th-century reservoir and madrasa complex at sunset. Dinner options: Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen (momos, thukpa, tingmo) or SodaBottleOpenerWala (Parsi comfort food—berry pulao, dhansak). For live music and excellent jazz standards, The Piano Man in Safdarjung is a local favorite.

Day 5: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train (Full-Day)

Tick off the Taj Mahal without the hassle: early pickup, fast train seats, expert guide, Agra Fort add-on, and return to your Delhi hotel by evening. It’s an efficient, unforgettable day.

• Recommended experience: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR (Viator)

  

  Gatimaan Express runs ~1h40m each way. Typical tours include transfers, tickets, a licensed guide, and lunch; expect a dawn pickup and evening drop-off.

Food tips today: Early breakfast box from your hotel. In Agra, many tours include lunch at a vetted restaurant; if you have time for a sweet stop, try petha (candied ash gourd), the city’s specialty.

Day 6: Temples, Faith, and River Breezes

Morning: Start at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib—listen to the kirtan and see the langar kitchen serving thousands daily; modest dress appreciated. Continue to the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship; tranquil gardens and a lotus-petal sanctuary). Note: Lotus Temple is closed Mondays.

Afternoon: Head to Akshardham Temple for intricately carved sandstone and a serene stepwell-style courtyard; allow 2–3 hours. Phones and bags are restricted—lighten your carry. If museums are more your speed and it’s not Monday, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) presents Indian modernists in a gracious crescent-shaped complex.

Evening: Thursday evenings are special at Nizamuddin Dargah with qawwali (Sufi devotional music); dress conservatively and carry a light scarf. Dinner after in nearby Sundar Nagar or Khan Market: Town Hall (sushi and grills) or SodaBottleOpenerWala’s playful Parsi fare. For a classic North Indian finale, book The Spice Route at The Imperial for a Southeast-Asian-leaning tasting menu in an art-laden dining room.

Day 7: Market Hopping and Farewell Brunch

Morning: Coffee at Blue Tokai or Theos for viennoiserie and pastries. Browse Khan Market’s boutiques—Anokhi for block prints, Good Earth for design-forward homewares, and small bookstores tucked in upper floors. Alternatively, visit Dilli Haat (INA) for curated crafts from across India and a food court where you can nibble momos from the Northeast, Kashmiri kahwa, and Rajasthani dal-baati.

Afternoon: Brunch at Fig & Maple (inventive seasonal plates, leafy terrace) or Indian accent snacks at Café Dori (airy, design-forward). Head back to your hotel, check out, and transfer to the airport via Airport Express Metro (~20 min from New Delhi station) or a taxi (~30–60 min depending on traffic).

Evening: In transit.

Where to Stay in Delhi (Curated Picks)

• The Imperial, New Delhi — Museum-like corridors, art deco suites, and destination dining (The Spice Route, 1911 Bar). Central for sightseeing.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Home of Bukhara; polished rooms and an excellent concierge team; great for food-focused travelers.
• The Leela Palace New Delhi — Palatial rooms, serene spa, a rooftop pool, and refined service in diplomatic enclave quiet.
• The Suryaa New Delhi — Solid value in South Delhi; handy for Lotus Temple, Akshardham, and Okhla Bird Sanctuary.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station — Simple, bright rooms; great if you want easy rail/metro access.
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.

Getting Around, Timing, and Tips

• Metro & cabs: The Delhi Metro is clean and efficient; rides usually ₹20–60 within core zones. For cabs, ask your hotel to arrange or use reputable app rides.
• Closures: Many major sights and museums close on Mondays; reorder Day 2–6 if your trip overlaps. Red Fort and Lotus Temple are Monday-closed; Qutub and Humayun’s are typically open daily.
• Tickets: Most major monuments cost ~₹600–700 ($7–9) for foreign visitors. Carry a photo ID.
• Seasonal notes: Winters are crisp mornings with occasional fog; summers are hot—start early and hydrate. Post-monsoon (Oct–Mar) is ideal.
• Flights & trains: Search deals to DEL via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For rail research in Asia, check Trip.com Trains.

Optional add-on (if you extend): Want more beyond Delhi? Consider a 3–5 day Golden Triangle loop (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) to add forts, palaces, and pink city bazaars—several well-reviewed options depart from Delhi on Viator.

In a week, you’ll have traced Delhi from Mughal grandeur to contemporary cool—tasting your way through parathas, kebabs, and cutting-edge kitchens, with a luminous Taj Mahal day trip in between. Keep your mornings early, afternoons flexible, and appetite wide open; Delhi rewards the curious.