Delhi wears 1,000 years of history in layers: Sultanate citadels, Mughal gardens, Raj‑era boulevards, and contemporary neighborhoods humming with art and coffee. From the spice‑laden lanes of Chandni Chowk to the serene symmetry of Humayun’s Tomb and the tree‑shaded paths of Lodhi Gardens, every day feels like a time‑travel walk.

It’s also one of the world’s great food capitals. Start with hot jalebis in Old Delhi, graduate to kebabs and butter chicken, and end with inventive plates at India’s best modern Indian kitchens. Between bites, ride the clean, efficient Metro, haggle for handlooms at Dilli Haat, and find quiet in gleaming temples.

Practical notes: Winters are crisp and ideal; summers are hot—hydrate and plan midday museum breaks. Many major sights close on Mondays; the Red Fort and several museums do, and Akshardham is also closed on Mondays. Dress modestly for religious sites, watch for touts near monuments, and consider a pollution mask during peak haze.

Delhi

The capital of India splits into two personalities: Old Delhi’s walled city—perfumed with cardamom and history—and New Delhi’s grand avenues designed by Lutyens. Together they host UNESCO sites (Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort), landmark temples (Lotus Temple, Akshardham), and leafy parks like Lodhi Gardens and Sunder Nursery.

• Top sights you’ll love: Jama Masjid’s vast courtyard, the echoing minaret of Qutub Minar, Mughal‑era charbagh gardens at Humayun’s Tomb, the Kartavya Path vista from India Gate, and sunset at Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
• Food highlights: Parathas, kebabs, chole bhature, kulfi, and modern Indian tasting menus. Don’t miss Karim’s (Mughlai), Rajinder Da Dhaba (tikkas), Café Lota (regional plates), and Bukhara (legendary dal).
• Fun fact: Delhi has been the capital of at least seven historic empires; you can step through most of them in a single Metro day pass.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO):

• The Imperial, New Delhi – Heritage landmark with museum‑grade corridors; iconic for afternoon tea and central location near Connaught Place.
• The Leela Palace New Delhi – Polished service, rooftop pool, and top dining; great base for embassies and South Delhi sights.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel – Home to the famed Bukhara; ideal if you’re chasing Delhi’s culinary classics.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station – Clean, design‑forward, excellent value and Metro access.
• The Suryaa New Delhi – Convenient for South Delhi (Lotus Temple, Okhla Bird Sanctuary) with spacious rooms.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – New Delhi | VRBO apartments – New Delhi

How to get to Delhi (flights and trains):

• International flights: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the hub. Typical nonstop times: London ~8.5–9.5 hours; Dubai ~3.5–4 hours; New York ~13.5–15 hours. Round‑trip economy often ranges from ~$650–$1,200, depending on season. Search deals on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. If you’re flying from or within Europe, compare on Omio flights.
• Trains within India: High‑speed and express trains connect Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Amritsar, and more. For Delhi–Agra, the Gatimaan Express is ~1h40m. Check schedules on Trip.com trains.
• Airport into the city: The Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station takes ~20–25 minutes and is often faster than taxis during rush hours.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place, and a Taste of Delhi

Afternoon: Land at DEL and ride the Airport Express to New Delhi Station or taxi to your hotel. Settle in, then take a leg‑stretching loop around Connaught Place’s colonnades—peek into Wenger’s (classic bakery since 1926) for a pineapple pastry or chicken patty.

Evening: Welcome dinner options: - Indian Accent (at The Lodhi): contemporary Indian tasting menu—blue cheese naan and meetha achar pork ribs made it famous. - Gulati (Pandara Road): butter chicken and lachha parathas in a lively dining room. - Saravana Bhavan (CP): for crisp ghee roast dosas and filter coffee if you want something light after the flight.

Nightcap: Stroll the Kartavya Path vista from India Gate; the illuminated arch is a gentle first night photo stop. Grab kulfi at India Gate vendors if you have room.

Day 2: Old & New Delhi in One Sweep (Guided)

Cover the city’s greatest hits efficiently on a guided full‑day tour that blends Old Delhi’s bazaars with New Delhi’s monuments.

Recommended experience (includes hotel pickup):

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

Expect Jama Masjid, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk’s spice‑rich lanes, views of the Red Fort, then Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Lotus Temple or India Gate. It’s customizable; tell your guide if you prefer more time at Mughal sites or markets.

Food intel: Ask to pause for Old Delhi bites—jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala, bedmi puri with aloo at Shyam Sweets, or kebabs at Karim’s by Jama Masjid. Back in New Delhi, cap the day at Café Lota (regional small plates like millet bhel and kathal kebab) near Pragati Maidan.

Day 3: Mehrauli, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, and Khan Market

Morning: Coffee at Blue Tokai (Saket or GK) or Perch Wine & Coffee (Khan Market). Head to Qutub Minar (UNESCO)—a 73‑meter victory tower with exquisite Arabic calligraphy; explore the Alai Darwaza and Iron Pillar. Walk next door in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park to spot stepwells (Rajon Ki Baoli) and mossy tombs—magical in soft light.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Grammar Room (Mehrauli) for shakshuka or avocado toast with Indian twists, or Olive Bar & Kitchen for Mediterranean beneath a banyan tree. Then drive to Humayun’s Tomb, prototype to the Taj’s garden design; linger for symmetry shots. Finish with a gentle amble through Lodhi Gardens—Sultanate tombs among parakeets and joggers.

Evening: Pre‑dinner browse in Khan Market (bookshops, artisanal foods, boutiques). Eat at Town Hall (sushi + grills), or go classic at Bukhara in ITC Maurya for tandoori platters and the smoky black dal (reserve well in advance). Dessert: Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale for stuffed mango kulfi, if you’re in Old Delhi again.

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

Tick off a world wonder in a single, well‑planned day from Delhi. The Gatimaan Express gets you to Agra in ~1h40m; guides handle logistics so you can focus on the marble.

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

Typical flow: Early transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin Station, train to Agra, guided Taj Mahal visit, Agra Fort, time for marble‑inlay workshops, and return by evening. If you prefer a private car instead of the train, consider this alternative:

All Inclusive Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj from Delhi by Car

Dinner back in Delhi: Rajinder Da Dhaba (curbside tikkas and buttery rolls) or a lighter bowl at Perch. Early night recommended.

Day 5: Raj‑Era Avenues, Museums, and Akshardham

Morning: Breakfast at Theos (pastries) or Theos‑style cafes around CP; alternatively, try Sitaram Diwan Chand for iconic chole bhature if you want an old‑school Delhi start. Walk the Kartavya Path from India Gate toward the Secretariat; swing by Gandhi Smriti, where Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days, for a poignant and well‑curated small museum.

Afternoon: Choose one: - National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) for Amrita Sher‑Gil and post‑Independence art; or - National Rail Museum (great with kids) for vintage engines and a toy train; or - Partition Museum (Dara Shikoh Library, Kashmere Gate) for moving oral histories and artifacts. Lunch at Andhra Bhavan Canteen: a thali of rice, pappu, rasam, and curries—fast, affordable, beloved by locals.

Evening: Visit Akshardham Temple (closed Mondays). No phones or cameras inside; expect security lines. The evening Sahaj Anand water show blends lasers, fountains, and storytelling—family favorite. Simple vegetarian dinner at the on‑site canteen, or head back toward town for Café Lota if you didn’t try it earlier.

Day 6: Hauz Khas, Sunder Nursery, and Sufi Evening

Morning: Wander Hauz Khas Village ruins and the adjoining Deer Park, where medieval pavilions meet a tranquil reservoir. Brunch at Elma’s (cakes and eggs) or AMA Café in Majnu‑ka‑Tilla (Tibetan quarter) for momos and thenthuk if you’re up for a detour.

Afternoon: Garden time at Sunder Nursery, a restored 16th‑century landscape with lotus ponds and heritage tombs; it’s a photographer’s dream. Coffee and seasonal bakes at the on‑site café. If textiles are your thing, browse handlooms at Dilli Haat (INA)—small entry fee, rotating artisans from across India.

Evening: Head to Nizamuddin Dargah for soul‑stirring qawwali (traditionally most vibrant on Thursdays; check times). Dress modestly and cover shoulders; you may buy flowers outside as an offering. Dinner nearby at Ghalib Kabab Corner (seekh kebabs, nihari) or at Karim’s Nizamuddin.

Day 7: Last‑Minute Shopping and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Blue Tokai or Colocal (for chocolate lovers). Pick up souvenirs: hand‑block prints and scarves at Shahpur Jat boutiques, artisanal pantry goods at Khan Market, or crafts at Dilli Haat if you want a one‑stop shop. Brunch at Café Lota (yes, it’s worth repeating) or Triveni Terrace Café (airy terrace, excellent pakoras).

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport. The Airport Express from New Delhi Station to DEL is ~20–25 minutes; by taxi allow 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.

Evening: Departure. If you have extra hours, a serene pre‑flight stroll in Lodhi Gardens is a perfect farewell.

Food & Coffee Cheat Sheet (Save This!)

• Breakfast: Sitaram Diwan Chand (chole bhature), Saravana Bhavan (dosa + filter coffee), Blue Tokai (specialty coffee), The Grammar Room (brunch).
• Lunch: Café Lota (regional), Andhra Bhavan Canteen (thali), Town Hall (sushi + grills), Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mediterranean).
• Dinner: Indian Accent (modern Indian), Bukhara (tandoor classics), Gulati (comfort North Indian), Rajinder Da Dhaba (casual kebabs), Karim’s (Mughlai old‑timer).
• Sweets: Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale (stuffed kulfi), Old Famous Jalebi Wala (hot jalebis), Wenger’s (retro bakery).

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Metro: Clean, fast, and air‑conditioned; grab a Tourist Card for unlimited rides on busy days.
• Cabs & autos: Use app taxis, or insist on the meter for autos. Carry small bills for short rides.
• Closures: Many museums and Akshardham close on Mondays; Red Fort also typically closed Mondays. Plan Old Delhi for Tue–Sun if possible, and avoid major prayer times at Jama Masjid on Friday mid‑day.
• Dress & etiquette: Modest attire for temples/dargahs; remove shoes where required. Always ask before photographing people.
• Health: Drink sealed bottled water; street food is a highlight—choose busy stalls with high turnover.

Optional extension: If you’re tempted to expand beyond Delhi, consider a multi‑day Golden Triangle circuit after your week.

3-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi

Seven days in Delhi blends dynastic history, bazaar bustle, and temple calm—with a shining detour to Agra for the Taj. You’ll leave with saffron in your bag, songs in your head, and a map of the city etched into your appetite.