Delhi is an ancient city wearing many crowns—Indraprastha of the Mahabharata, Mughal capital Shahjahanabad, and the planned imperial seat of New Delhi. Today it’s a kinetic blend of crumbling stepwells, leafy avenues, cutting-edge galleries, and some of the world’s most exciting cuisine.

From the Red Fort and Qutub Minar to Humayun’s Tomb and the lotus-petal Bahá’í House of Worship, Delhi gathers UNESCO World Heritage with ease. Food is a highlight: buttery kebabs, fiery chaat, and modern Indian tasting menus all in one city. Markets like Chandni Chowk and Dilli Haat reveal craft traditions from across India.

Practical notes: air quality can fluctuate—check the daily AQI and consider an N95 in winter. Many museums/temples close one day a week (e.g., Red Fort and Akshardham on Mondays; confirm before you go). Get a Delhi Metro Tourist Card for quick, affordable travel, and use ride-hailing for late nights. For flights to/from Delhi, search Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Delhi

Delhi dazzles with contrasts: dawn calls to prayer drifting over Jain bird hospitals; neon bazaars humming beside Lutyens’ colonnades; parathas fried in century-old woks and tasting menus plated like sculpture. You’ll walk among empires, sip specialty coffee, and watch kites rise over sandstone domes.

• Top sights: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, India Gate/Kartavya Path, Lodhi Garden, Lotus Temple, Akshardham, Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
• Eat & drink: Old Delhi legends (Karim’s, Al Jawahar), South Indian canteens, Pandara Road North Indian favorites (Gulati, Havemore), modern Indian icons (Indian Accent), specialty coffee (Blue Tokai, Perch).
• Good to know: The former National Museum is closed for redevelopment; try the National Rail Museum, NGMA, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, and the Crafts Museum instead.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO):

• Style icon with Raj-era art: The Imperial, New Delhi (Connaught Place).
• North-West Delhi classic with famed Bukhara: ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
• Opulent and contemporary: The Leela Palace New Delhi (Chanakyapuri/Diplomatic Enclave).
• Great value and crisp design: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station.
• South Delhi comfort with pool: The Suryaa New Delhi (near Lotus Temple/ISKCON).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Delhi | VRBO – Delhi

Getting here and around: Fly into DEL (IGI Airport) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. The Airport Express Metro reaches central Delhi in ~20 minutes. Use Delhi Metro/auto-rickshaws by day, ride-hailing at night. For the Taj Mahal day trip, consider the Gatimaan Express via Trip.com trains.

Featured tours (bookable from Delhi):

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

  

  View details on Viator
• Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train (Gatimaan)

  

  View details on Viator
• All Inclusive Private Taj Mahal Luxury Tour from Delhi by Car

  

  View details on Viator

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes, and India Gate Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. If you’re near Connaught Place (CP), shake off jet lag with a specialty pour-over at Blue Tokai (Dhan Mill or CP area outlets) or a citrusy cold brew at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market. Stretch your legs in leafy Lodhi Garden among medieval tombs and parakeets.

Evening: Head to India Gate and the ceremonial boulevard (Kartavya Path) around golden hour. The arch glows beautifully at dusk, and families gather for kulfi and popcorn. Dinner nearby on Pandara Road: Gulati for butter chicken and creamy dal (classic Delhi comfort), or Havemore for tandoori platters and flaky lachha paratha.

Night: If energy allows, circle CP’s inner and outer circles for night photography and a sweet stop at Wenger’s for old-school pastries. Turn in early—tomorrow brings Old Delhi’s whirlwind.

Day 2: Old Delhi—Mosques, Markets, and Mughlai Flavors

Morning: Start with chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand (Paharganj)—pillowy, spicy, iconic. Explore Jama Masjid’s vast courtyard (dress modestly), then plunge into Chandni Chowk’s lanes: Dariba Kalan for silver, Kinari Bazaar for wedding trims, and Khari Baoli—the largest spice market in Asia—where burlap sacks spill turmeric and star anise.

Afternoon: Lunch at Karim’s (Mughlai kebabs, nihari) or Al Jawahar near Gate 1 of Jama Masjid—both beloved for smoky grills and slow-cooked gravies. Visit the UNESCO-listed Red Fort for Mughal architecture and gardens (note: closed Mondays). Cool down with stuffed kulfi from Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale (mango season is magic).

Evening: Ride a cycle-rickshaw at twilight when shop lights flicker on, then wrap with jalebis at Old Famous Jalebi Wala. Prefer a guided day? Book the Old & New Delhi City Tour for private transport and expert context (typical from ~$35–$70 per person):

Book on Viator

Day 3: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Ruins, and Garden Delhi

Morning: Espresso and almond croissant at The Grammar Room or Perch’s Khan Market outpost, then Qutub Minar’s soaring victory tower (73 m) with intricate calligraphy. Wander Mehrauli Archaeological Park to find stepwells like Rajon ki Baoli and mossy tombs shaded by neem trees.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Olive Bar & Kitchen (Qutub)—Mediterranean plates under a banyan tree; or Jamun (Lodhi Colony) for regional Indian favorites like Kathal Biryani. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, prototype for the Taj, where red sandstone and white marble mirror in Mughal charbagh gardens.

Evening: Golden-hour stroll through Lodhi Garden, then dinner in Khan Market: Town Hall (sushi and grill, lively) or Mamagoto (pan-Asian comfort). For a North Indian finale, detour to Bukhara at ITC Maurya for the legendary Dal Bukhara and giant family-size naans—reserve ahead.

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi (Train or Car)

Two superb options—both start early and run most of the day. Choose the style that suits you, and plan an easy Delhi dinner on return.

• By Superfast Train (Gatimaan Express): 1 hr 40 min each way from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt. Tour often includes platform pickup, guided visits to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and a quality lunch. Typical from ~$80–$150 per person. Book here:
  

  

  Book the train tour. If booking train tickets separately, search Trip.com trains.
• By Private Car (Yamuna Expressway): ~3–4 hours each way with dawn pickup; flexible pacing and hotel-to-hotel convenience. The all-inclusive option often covers entrance fees and lunch. Typical from ~$90–$170 per person depending on group size.
  

  

  Book the car tour

Food tips in Agra: Try Pinch of Spice for North Indian mains and clean restrooms; cafe stop at Sheroes Hangout for coffee and a great cause. Back in Delhi, keep dinner light: a late-night kathi roll at Nizam’s in CP hits the spot.

Day 5: Museums, Crafts, and Contemporary Culture

Morning: Breakfast in the garden at Triveni Terrace Cafe (idli-sambar, aloo tikki, and masala chai) inside the Triveni Kala Sangam arts complex—then amble through its gallery spaces. Head to the National Rail Museum (Chanakyapuri) for vintage engines and a toy-train ride.

Afternoon: The Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy near Pragati Maidan showcases vernacular architecture and master artisans; Cafe Lota next door serves seasonal regional plates (ragi dosa, sabudana popcorn). Shop textiles and handicrafts at Dilli Haat INA—an open-air market with artisans rotating by state; small entry fee applies.

Evening: Sunset at Hauz Khas Deer Park and the 14th-century reservoir ruins, then dinner in the area: Yeti (Himalayan momos, thukpa) or Coast Cafe (Kerala-style coconut curries). For dessert, seek out Colocal at Dhan Mill for single-origin Indian chocolate and a hot chocolate nightcap.

Day 6: Temples, Green Pockets, and Aerocity Eats

Morning: Visit Akshardham Temple early for serene carvings and gardens (closed Mondays; photography restricted). Alternatively, start at the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship) and sit in quiet reflection beneath its 27 petal-like shells.

Afternoon: Lunch at Andhra Bhavan Canteen for a south Indian thali that locals line up for—fast, affordable, delicious. Then explore the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers’ Museum) and Teen Murti Bhavan grounds for modern history. If shopping calls, Aerocity’s Worldmark has sleek boutiques and cafes.

Evening: In Aerocity, dine at AnnaMaya (Andaz) for farm-to-table Indian dishes or at K3 (JW Marriott) for a polished, multi-cuisine spread. Back towards central Delhi, United Coffee House in CP pours nostalgia (and excellent cold coffee) in a chandeliered setting.

Day 7: Breakfast, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Grab artisanal coffee and a flaky pastry at Blue Tokai (Dhan Mill) or a South Indian breakfast at Saravana Bhavan’s functioning outlets (check nearest open branch) for crisp dosa and filter coffee. Pick up spices and teas at INA Market to take Delhi’s aromas home.

Afternoon: Last stroll through Khan Market for bookshops and boutique finds or CP for khadi cotton and handicrafts under colonnades. Depart for the airport via the Airport Express Metro (~20 minutes from New Delhi Station) or a pre-booked car. For flights, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Evening: Flight day—keep it light. If time permits, a quick plate of street-side chaat at Haldiram’s or Bikanervala scratches that final Delhi craving without straying far.

Optional Swap or Add-Ons (season and closures)

• Monday closures can affect Red Fort, Akshardham, some galleries—swap Day 2/6 accordingly.
• Air quality tips: aim outdoor-heavy days after winter rain or on lower-AQI mornings; plan museums on high-AQI days.
• If you prefer a guided overview of Delhi on one day, consolidate Day 2 or 3 with this tour and transport included:
  

  

  Old & New Delhi City Tour

Budgeting snapshot (per person, typical): Delhi Metro rides ~$0.30–$1; coffee $2–$4; hearty lunch $4–$12; nice dinner $15–$40; museum entries $1–$6; city tour $35–$70; Taj day trip $80–$170.

Across seven days, Delhi’s stories unfurl—from Mughal mausoleums and bustling bazaars to quiet gardens and modern galleries. You’ll eat brilliantly, ride the Metro like a local, and carry home spices—and memories—that linger.