India’s capital and its cinematic coastal powerhouse make a perfect duo for a one-week journey. Delhi layers millennia—from Mughal red sandstone to Lutyens’ imperial boulevards and a thriving café scene. Mumbai, once a string of fishing islands, now hums with Art Deco gems, spicy street eats, and the world’s busiest film industry.

Expect contrasts: chai-scented lanes near Jama Masjid, tree-lined avenues around Lodhi Gardens, and then Colaba’s colonial facades, fishermen’s docks, and glossy Bandra galleries. Along the way, taste buttery parathas, smoky kebabs, Gujarati thalis, and coastal seafood pulled fresh from the Arabian Sea.

Practical notes: winter (Oct–Mar) is most pleasant; summers get hot and humid. Major sights sometimes close on Mondays (Red Fort, Lotus Temple; Elephanta Caves in Mumbai), so check days in advance. Book trains and domestic flights early. For international and domestic flights, compare routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Delhi

Delhi wears its history boldly: UNESCO sites like Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, grand axes like Rajpath, and Old Delhi’s tangled bazaars. Come for the monuments; stay for the food—from parathas and jalebis to modern Indian tasting menus.

• Top sights: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, India Gate, Lodhi Gardens, Lotus Temple, National Crafts Museum.
• Food highlights: Paranthe Wali Gali, Karim’s (kebabs), Sita Ram Diwan Chand (chole bhature), Lota Café, Bukhara, Indian Accent.
• Local tips: Use the Delhi Metro for speed; carry small change; Mondays see some key closures.

Where to stay (Delhi): For a refined stay, consider The Imperial, New Delhi, The Leela Palace New Delhi, or ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Excellent midrange: The Suryaa New Delhi. Budget-chic: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station. Browse more stays on Hotels.com Delhi or apartment-style options via VRBO Delhi.

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi, Lodhi Greenery, and India Gate Glow

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll in Lodhi Gardens—tomb-dotted lawns where kites wheel above 15th-century mausoleums. Coffee at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market or a masala chai at Café Lota by the National Crafts Museum.

Evening: Drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate as it lights up at dusk, a war memorial turned social hangout. Dinner nearby: Bukhara at ITC Maurya for legendary dal and tandoor (book ahead), or Indian Accent for inventive fine dining with home-style echoes. Nightcap at Sidecar (creative Indian infusions) or an early sleep to reset.

Day 2: Old Delhi’s Spice and Splendor

Morning: Breakfast at Sita Ram Diwan Chand (pillowy chole bhature) or Indian Coffee House in Connaught Place for old-school filter coffee. Head to Old Delhi: climb Jama Masjid’s minaret for city views, then cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk’s lanes—spice at Khari Baoli, silver at Dariba Kalan, and paratha stalls sizzling since the 19th century.

Afternoon: Street-food lunch crawl: dahi bhalla, kachori, and kulfi falooda. Walk the red ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Red Fort (closed Monday; swap in Raj Ghat and the National Museum if needed). Consider a guided city tour for efficient navigation and stories behind the stones.

Evening: Unwind in Connaught Place’s colonnades. Casual dinner at Rajinder Da Dhaba (butter chicken and seekh rolls) or kebab royalty at Karim’s near Jama Masjid. Dessert: jalebi hot from the kadai at Old Famous Jalebi Wala.

Optional tour to streamline Day 2: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available.

This customizable private tour hits Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, and more with hotel pickup.

Day 3: New Delhi Icons and Garden Time

Morning: Cappuccinos and croissants at Blue Tokai or a South Indian breakfast (idli, dosa) at Saravana Bhavan in CP. Explore Qutub Minar’s victory tower and sandstone-carved Quwwat-ul-Islam complex. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb—Persian charbagh gardens framing the precursor to the Taj.

Afternoon: Pause for a seasonal thali at Andhra Bhavan Canteen (crowd favorite) or the breezy Lota Café. Stroll Lodhi Art District’s murals before the serene Lotus Temple (Baha’i House of Worship; closed Monday). If time allows, browse Dilli Haat for crafts from across India.

Evening: Sunset walk around India Gate lawns. Dinner at Moti Mahal (butter chicken’s birthplace) or the contemporary Indian mezzes at Comorin (Gurugram, if you don’t mind the drive). Try pista kulfi to finish.

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi (Agra)

Beat the crowds with a Taj Mahal day trip. Easiest is the Gatimaan Express from Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (~1h45 each way; seats from ~INR 800–1,500). Book trains on Trip.com Trains. A private driver takes ~3–4 hours each way via Yamuna Expressway. In Agra, pair the Taj with Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj). Return to Delhi by evening for a light dinner near your hotel.

Recommended, all logistics handled: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR.

Includes round-trip train tickets, guided Taj and Agra Fort visits, and transfers.

Mumbai

Mumbai is India’s front-row seat to the sea: Gothic Revival and Art Deco facades, bustling bazaars, leafy Bandra villages, and sunsets that pull the whole city to Marine Drive. It’s as much about energy as sights—the pace quick, the snacks quicker.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Kala Ghoda, Colaba, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Bandra Fort, and Elephanta Caves (UNESCO).
• Food highlights: pav bhaji at Chowpatty, vada pav at Ashok Vada Pav, seafood at Trishna, late-night kebabs at Bademiya, Gujarati thali at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, modern Indian at The Bombay Canteen.
• Local tips: Elephanta Caves are closed Mondays; ferries run from the Gateway of India (~1 hour). Traffic is heavy—use the Metro/suburban trains with guidance or book app cabs.

Where to stay (Mumbai): Waterfront icons include The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and The Oberoi, Mumbai. Midrange favorites: Hotel Residency Fort (near CST), Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach for sunsets. Value picks: Hotel Residency Andheri or The Westin Mumbai Garden City in Goregaon. See all options on Hotels.com Mumbai or browse apartments on VRBO Mumbai.

Day 5: Fly Delhi → Mumbai, Colaba & Fort

Morning (Travel): Fly from Delhi (DEL) to Mumbai (BOM): ~2–2.5 hours; typical one-way fares ~USD 45–120 booked early. Compare times and prices on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for a morning departure to land by late morning.

Afternoon: Check in, then set out on foot: Gateway of India’s basalt arch, the Taj’s grand facade, and the art galleries in Kala Ghoda. Coffee and brun or bun maska at Kyani & Co. (Irani bakery) or Kala Ghoda Café’s cool, vaulted space. Peek inside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus for late-Victorian exuberance.

Evening: Dinner at Trishna (butter garlic crab; reserve) or Khyber (North-West Frontier classics among paintings and arches). Night options: a sundowner along Marine Drive’s Queen’s Necklace or a rooftop at Dome (Nariman Point). For a guided orientation after dark, consider the tour below.

Optional night tour: Mumbai By Night: Lights & Luminance.

See illuminated landmarks, art districts, and seaside boulevards with insightful commentary.

Day 6: Elephanta Caves and Mumbai Icons

Morning: Quick breakfast: Swati Snacks (soft khaman dhokla) or a vada pav from Ashok Vada Pav if you’re nearby. Catch the ferry to Elephanta Island from the Gateway of India (first boats ~9:00 AM; ~1 hour each way; round-trip ~INR 240–300). Explore 5th–7th-century cave temples—bas-reliefs of Shiva including the famous Trimurti.

Afternoon: Return to the city for Dhobi Ghat (the open-air laundry), the Oval Maidan’s Art Deco fringe, and the Prince of Wales Museum precinct. Lunch options: Shree Thaker Bhojanalay for a lavish vegetarian thali, or seafood thalis at Highway Gomantak for Malvani flavors.

Evening: Sunset from Marine Drive or Girgaum Chowpatty with a paper cone of bhel puri. For a deep dive into snacks and bazaars, the street-food tour below is memorable (and safe on the stomach with a well-vetted route).

Recommended tours for Day 6:

Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

Door-to-pier logistics, ferry tickets, and expert commentary on the caves’ iconography.

Bombay Street Food And Evening Bazaar Tour

Snack through Chowpatty and lively markets with a local expert; vegetarian-forward and great at sunset.

Day 7: Markets, Museums, or Dharavi Insight, then Departure

Morning: Breakfast at The Bombay Canteen’s weekday menu (if timing aligns) or Prithvi Café in Juhu for strong cutting chai and parathas. Choose your finale: browse the boutiques and art spaces of Kala Ghoda, stroll Bandra’s Ranwar Village street art and cafes, or take an educational walking tour of Dharavi to understand the neighborhood’s recycling and small-industries economy (book with reputable operators).

Midday / Departure: Early lunch: Bademiya (rolled roomali kebabs) or a Parsi meal at Jimmy Boy (sali boti, berry pulao). Head to the airport—BOM security can be busy; arrive 2.5–3 hours early for international flights. If you still have a few hours, a taxi up to Bandstand Bandra for sea breeze and Bollywood bungalow spotting is a relaxed sendoff.

Optional structured wrap-up: Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED.

Ideal if you want efficient transport, a curated route, and local storytelling before your flight.

Getting Between Cities and Around

• Delhi → Mumbai: 2–2.5-hour flight; typical fares USD 45–120. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Delhi ↔ Agra (day trip): Gatimaan Express ~1h45 each way; Trip.com Trains. Car via Yamuna Expressway ~3–4 hours each way.
• Local transport: Delhi Metro is clean and fast; in Mumbai, combine Metro, black-and-yellow taxis, and app cabs. For short hops, auto-rickshaws (not permitted in South Mumbai) are efficient.

Suggested Daily Eating & Coffee Cheatsheet

• Delhi breakfast: Blue Tokai; Saravana Bhavan; Sita Ram Diwan Chand. Lunch: Café Lota; Rajinder Da Dhaba; Paranthe Wali Gali tastings. Dinner: Indian Accent; Bukhara; Moti Mahal.
• Mumbai breakfast: Kyani & Co.; Kala Ghoda Café; Prithvi Café. Lunch: Shree Thaker Bhojanalay; Highway Gomantak. Dinner: Trishna; Khyber; Bademiya; The Bombay Canteen.

Note: Check weekly closures—Red Fort and Lotus Temple often close Monday; Elephanta Caves close Monday; some museums close Wednesday. Reserve top restaurants and tours in advance, especially Nov–Feb.

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

• Taj Mahal Day Tour by Superfast Train

Mumbai Tours Recap:
• Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

• Bombay Street Food And Evening Bazaar Tour
• Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour

This 7-day Delhi and Mumbai itinerary balances history, street eats, crafts, and coastline—plus the Taj Mahal, of course. With well-chosen stays, smart transport, and a few strategic tours, you’ll cover a lot without feeling rushed. India rewards curiosity; let each neighborhood tempt you to linger.