Delhi is a living palimpsest—cities layered atop cities—from the Sultanate and Mughal courts to Lutyens’ imperial avenues and today’s buzzing creative scene. You’ll wander medieval stepwells, Mughal mausoleums, and modern art spaces by day, then linger over tandoori smoke and slow-cooked kebabs by night.

Expect contrasts: rickshaws zigzag through Chandni Chowk while e-buses glide along Kartavya Path; a soft qawwali floats from Nizamuddin Dargah, and a jazz sax sets the mood at a South Delhi club. This itinerary balances icons like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb with markets, cafes, and neighborhoods locals love.

Practical notes: Delhi’s Metro is fast, safe, and air-conditioned; cabs and auto-rickshaws (with meters or apps) fill the gaps. Air quality can dip in winter—carry a mask if sensitive—and many temples require covered shoulders and knees. Bring small notes for street food, and appetite for discovery.

Delhi

India’s capital packs centuries into neighborhoods: Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) with its spice bazaars and mosques, New Delhi’s stately government quarter, and leafy South Delhi dotted with ancient ruins, cafes, and galleries. Food is a full-contact sport here—fiery chaat, buttery kebabs, and parathas fresh off the tawa.

• Top sights: Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lodhi Gardens, India Gate/Kartavya Path, Akshardham, Lotus Temple, Hauz Khas Village, Rajon ki Baoli, Gandhi Smriti.
• Experiences: Chandni Chowk rickshaw ride, spice tasting at Khari Baoli, qawwali at Nizamuddin (typically Thu evenings), craft shopping at Dilli Haat, modern art at Kiran Nadar Museum and NGMA, heritage dining at The Imperial or ITC Maurya.
• Cafes and dining: From Blue Tokai’s specialty coffee to Perch Wine & Coffee Bar, classic kebabs at Karim’s and Bukhara, contemporary Indian at Indian Accent, hearty plates at Gulati and Rajinder Da Dhaba, and vegetarian gems like Sattvik and Carnatic Cafe.

How to get to Delhi: Fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Search global options on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Dubai ~3.5 hrs, London ~8.5–9 hrs (often $650–$1,000 roundtrip in economy), New York ~14–15 hrs (nonstop or 1-stop, commonly $900–$1,300).

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Imperial, New Delhi — Heritage grande dame near Connaught Place; museum-worthy corridors and a classic afternoon tea.
• The Leela Palace New Delhi — Opulent rooms, serene rooftop pool, and standout North Indian dining.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Home of the legendary Bukhara; favored by diplomats, central for sightseeing.
• The Suryaa New Delhi — Good value near South Delhi and Okhla; easy access to Lotus Temple and markets.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station — Bright, budget-friendly, and practical for Old Delhi/rail links.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Delhi | Apartment-style options on VRBO: Delhi.

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

Morning: Fly into DEL. If you arrive early, freshen up at your hotel and keep the morning light—jet lag is real. Grab specialty coffee at Blue Tokai (multiple outlets) with a cardamom croissant or a masala omelet roll.

Afternoon: Stroll Connaught Place’s colonial colonnades (CP) for a first feel of New Delhi. Pop by the Central Park for a breather, window-shop at Janpath, then stop at Triveni Terrace Cafe for seasonal thalis, millet bowls, and their excellent filter coffee with a leafy courtyard view.

Evening: Head to India Gate and Kartavya Path at dusk as the monument lights up and families gather for kulfi and roasted corn. Dinner nearby: choose Gulati (Pandara Road) for butter chicken, dal makhani, and roomali rotis; or United Coffee House in CP for a retro dining room and a menu ranging from Anglo-Indian classics to robust North Indian curries.

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

Morning: Fuel up at Sita Ram Diwan Chand (Paharganj) for iconic chole bhature or at Kake Di Hatti (Chandni Chowk) for massive naan with creamy palak. Climb Jama Masjid’s minaret for views over a sea of domes and havelis; dress modestly (robes available on-site).

Afternoon: Rickshaw through Chandni Chowk’s lanes: Natraj Dahi Bhalla for tangy dahi vada, Kuremal Mohan Lal for stuffed kulfi, and Khari Baoli spice market—sniff saffron, cinnamon, and asafoetida. Explore the Red Fort’s ramparts and museums (closed Monday); budget ~600 INR (~$7.25) for foreigners.

Evening: Dinner at Karim’s (since 1913) or Al-Jawahar by Gate 1 for mutton burra, nihari, and sheermal. Cap with a warm kesar milk at a street-side stall. Optional: catch the Red Fort sound-and-light show or head to Haveli Dharampura’s rooftop for night views of Old Delhi’s domes.

Day 3: Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Art District, Nizamuddin

Morning: Start at Humayun’s Tomb, the inspiration for the Taj—perfect sunrise light on red sandstone and white marble. Walk to the serene Isa Khan’s Tomb and the Sunder Nursery gardens next door for coffee and a slow ramble among restored Mughal pavilions.

Afternoon: Explore Lodhi Gardens (watch for parakeets and peacocks) and the nearby Lodhi Art District’s open-air murals. Lunch at Cafe Lota (at the Crafts Museum area) for regional Indian plates: bhatt ki churkani (Garhwali black soybean), paniyaram, and mahua dessert.

Evening: On Thursdays (and some weekends), experience qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah—arrive by 6:30–7 pm, dress conservatively, and carry a light scarf. For dinner, book Indian Accent (at The Lodhi) for inventive plates like blue cheese naan and meetha achaar pork ribs; reserve ahead.

Day 4: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli’s Ruins, and Hauz Khas

Morning: Visit Qutub Minar (open daily; ~600 INR adults foreigner) before tours arrive. Then wander Mehrauli Archaeological Park to Rajon ki Baoli (a magnificent stepwell), Jamali Kamali Mosque, and scattered tombs framed by kikar trees.

Afternoon: Brunch at The Grammar Room (Mehrauli) for shakshuka, avocado toast with Indian twists, and great coffee. Continue to Hauz Khas Village: check the 14th-century madrasa ruins around the reservoir and people-watch in Deer Park.

Evening: Drinks at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (Khan Market or Vasant Vihar) for spritzes and small plates, or Sidecar (GK2)—one of Asia’s best bars—for bespoke cocktails. Dinner at Rajinder Da Dhaba (Safdarjung Enclave)—order mutton seekh, butter chicken, and tandoori fish; casual, delicious, and bustling.

Day 5: Crafts, Design, and Neighborhood Markets

Morning: Head to the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy for live crafts and a village-architecture courtyard; pick up handloom stoles or black pottery. If you’re with kids, the National Rail Museum’s vintage engines and toy train are a hit.

Afternoon: Lunch at Triveni Terrace Cafe if you missed it, or try Diggin (Chanakyapuri) for crisp pizzas, pesto pasta, and lush garden vibes. Shop at Dilli Haat (INA) for regional crafts—bamboo baskets from the Northeast, Ajrakh prints, Bidriware—and sample momos or Rajasthani thali.

Evening: Contemporary art fix at Kiran Nadar Museum (Saket) or NGMA (India Gate area). Dine at Dum Pukht (ITC Maurya) for slow-cooked Awadhi biryanis and kakori kebabs, or at The Imperial’s vintage restaurants for a dose of Raj-era ambiance.

Day 6: Day Trip to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Getting there: Easiest is the Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (≈1 hr 40 min). Book seats on Trip.com Trains; Chair Car typically ~$12–$20, Executive ~$25–$35. Trains usually depart around 8:10 am and return near sunset. Private car via Yamuna Expressway takes ~3.5–4 hrs each way (leave ~5:00 am if you want Taj at opening).

Morning: Visit the Taj Mahal first (closed Fridays; foreigner ticket ~1,300 INR + 200 INR for mausoleum). Wear socks for cool marble; no food inside, and bags are screened. Hire an ASI-certified guide at the gate for context and the best vantage points by the reflecting pool.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pinch of Spice (Agra)—clean, reliable North Indian dishes—or book Esphahan at The Oberoi Amarvilas for a splurge (advance reservations essential). Explore Agra Fort’s palaces and the Musamman Burj, where Shah Jahan viewed the Taj.

Evening: Return to Delhi by train; grab a light dinner on arrival—try Carnatic Cafe (Greater Kailash) for crispy dosas, fluffy idlis, and filter coffee, or Bikanervala for a quick, vegetarian North Indian plate.

Day 7: Akshardham, Lotus Temple, and Last-Minute Shopping (Departure Day)

Morning: Visit Akshardham Temple (closed Monday) for intricate pink sandstone carvings and peaceful gardens; allow time for security. Alternatively, head to the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship; closed Monday), a striking marble “lotus” with a tranquil prayer hall.

Afternoon: Brunch at Sattvik (Saket) for refined vegetarian North Indian or at The Big Chill (Khan Market/Saket) for crowd-pleasing pastas and cakes. Do a final spin through Khan Market’s boutiques or CP’s Janpath stalls for block-printed textiles and brassware before your afternoon departure.

Evening: If your flight is late, enjoy an early dinner at Bukhara (ITC Maurya)—the famed dal and massive family naan are worth the hype. Otherwise, one last espresso at Perch or a masala chai to-go for the road. Head to DEL with the Metro Airport Express or pre-booked cab.

Local transport notes: The Delhi Metro reaches most sights; purchase a day pass or a rechargeable card at any station. Ride-hailing apps cover the rest; always confirm the route and fare. For intercity or long-haul, search Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Booking your stay: For a heritage base, look at The Imperial, New Delhi or diplomat-favorite ITC Maurya. For modern polish, The Leela Palace New Delhi; for value and access, Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station or browse Hotels.com: Delhi and VRBO: Delhi.

In one week, you’ll taste Delhi’s street food, trace empires through stone and marble, and catch the city’s contemporary pulse—from murals and markets to live music and cocktails. With one sparkling day at the Taj Mahal, this plan balances icons and insider spots so you leave both awe-struck and well-fed.