Delhi is where empires rise in stone and steam in the kitchens. From the sandstone arcades of Humayun’s Tomb to the whispering lanes of Chandni Chowk, the city is a tapestry of dynasties—Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, the Raj—stitched together by heady spice and the ring of bicycle bells.

It’s also a city of contrasts: gleaming Lutyens boulevards and tree-filled Lodhi Garden meet crumbling stepwells and courtyard havelis. Expect a thrilling blend of forts, Sufi shrines, Sikh gurudwaras, contemporary murals, and some of India’s most celebrated restaurants and street food.

Practical notes: The best months are October–March; summers are hot and winter air quality can dip, so check advisories. Dress modestly at religious sites (head covering at gurudwaras, shoes off at mosques/temples). Get around on the efficient Delhi Metro, trusted taxis, or app cabs. Stay hydrated (bottled water) and carry small cash for markets.

New Delhi

Delhi rewards curiosity. Start with UNESCO heavyweights—Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort—then plunge into Old Delhi’s sensory symphony: jalebis sizzling, sandalwood smoke near Jama Masjid, and porters threading through Chandni Chowk.

Modern Delhi is equally compelling: the Lodhi Art District’s outdoor gallery, the Crafts Museum’s living traditions, and Akshardham Temple’s intricate carvings. Evenings glow around India Gate and Kartavya Path, where families picnic and vendors push chai.

Where to stay (by vibe): Connaught Place for a central hub and classic cafes; South Delhi (Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash, Mehrauli) for leafy lanes and dining; Aerocity for sleek, airport-adjacent convenience.

• Browse stays on VRBO New Delhi and Hotels.com New Delhi.

How to get here: Fly into IGI (DEL). Search deals on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. The Airport Express Metro reaches New Delhi Station in ~20–25 minutes; taxis to Connaught Place take ~35–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Rail within India: For Agra day trips (Gatimaan Express, ~1h40m, ~$12–40), use Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place Stroll, and India Gate at Dusk

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a slow loop around Connaught Place (CP): pop into Wenger’s Deli for old-school pastries, then an artisanal espresso at Blue Tokai or Perch Wine & Coffee Bar. CP’s colonnades are great for orientation and errands (currency exchange, SIMs).

Evening: Head to India Gate and the grand Kartavya Path as the monument lights up. It’s a beloved local promenade with ice-cream carts and families—ideal for a relaxed first night.

Dinner: Book Indian Accent (inventive regional plates—blue cheese naan, duck khurchan) or 1911 at The Imperial for classic North Indian. For a casual Delhi welcome, try Saravana Bhavan (vegetarian South Indian dosas, filter coffee) or Pandara Road’s Gulati (butter chicken, dal makhani). Nightcap at Sidecar (award-winning craft cocktails in GK-II).

Day 2: Old & New Delhi Icons with a Private Guide

Cover the big-hitters efficiently with a guided full-day tour that weaves Old Delhi’s mystique with New Delhi’s boulevards.

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

Expect Jama Masjid (remove shoes; modest attire), a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli spice market, then New Delhi landmarks like India Gate, Parliament House, and Qutub Minar or Humayun’s Tomb. Note: Red Fort and many museums close on Mondays; your guide will swap in alternatives like Lodhi Garden or Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

Food stops en route: Breakfast lassi at Amritsari Lassi Wala (CP) or kachori at Jung Bahadur in Chandni Chowk; lunch at Karim’s or Al Jawahar (Mughal grills, nihari) near Jama Masjid; dessert at Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale (stuffed kulfi). Vegetarian favorite: Haldiram’s for chaat and raj kachori.

Day 3: South Delhi Heritage—Qutub Minar, Mehrauli, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Art

Morning: Start at Qutub Minar (UNESCO; early arrival avoids crowds). Wander Mehrauli Archaeological Park—tombs, baolis, and crumbling pavilions—then a coffee with views at Dramz or brunch at The Grammar Room near the Qutub complex.

Afternoon: Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, the Mughal precursor to the Taj Mahal; nearby Isa Khan’s garden-tomb is a quiet gem. Stroll Lodhi Garden, a local favorite for domed tombs under banyans. Tickets for major ASI monuments run about ₹600 for foreign visitors; cards accepted.

Evening: Explore the Lodhi Art District murals. Dinner at Bukhara (legendary open-fire kababs, dal Bukhara) or Dum Pukht (slow-cooked Awadhi classics) at ITC Maurya—reserve ahead. If it’s Thursday, consider Qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah (dress modestly, keep valuables secure).

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi by Superfast Train

Make a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the Taj. Depart New Delhi/Nizamuddin around 8:10 a.m. on the Gatimaan Express (AC Chair Car or Executive Chair; ~1h40m), explore Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, then return by early evening (~7:30 p.m.).

Main option (guided, efficient): Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

Prefer a chauffeured car? All Inclusive Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj from Delhi by Car

Logistics: Typical train fares ~$12–40; book seats early on Trip.com Trains. Carry ID for station checks; modest attire for the Taj. Back in Delhi, celebrate with kebabs at Rajinder Da Dhaba or Punjabi Tadka at CP.

Day 5: Crafts, Markets, and Hauz Khas Lakeside Sunset

Morning: National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (Pragati Maidan) pairs living craft demos with an excellent breakfast at Café Lota (millet idli, sabudana popcorn, regional thalis). If you love textiles and handlooms, this is nirvana.

Afternoon: Dilli Haat (INA) curates artisans from across India—great for block-prints, silver, and shawls; sampling stalls dish out momos, litti chokha, kashmiri kahwa. Then head to Hauz Khas: wander the 14th‑century madrasa ruins and lakeside deer park.

Evening: Sunset over Hauz Khas lake; dinner in Mehrauli’s heritage cluster—Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mediterranean under a neem tree) or Jamun (regional Indian, purple-hued dining room). Dessert: kulfi falooda at Roshan Di Kulfi (Karol Bagh) en route back.

Day 6: Temples, Gurudwara Service, and Khan Market Browsing

Morning: Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship; serene prayer hall; closed Mondays) followed by Kalkaji Mandir nearby. If Monday, swap in Gurudwara Bangla Sahib for sublime kirtan and consider volunteering at the langar kitchen (cover head; scarves provided).

Afternoon: Akshardham Temple (closed Mondays). Marvel at the carved pink sandstone, boat ride dioramas, and evening fountain show. Alternatively, visit the Partition Museum (Old Delhi) or National Gallery of Modern Art.

Evening: Browse Khan Market’s bookshops and boutiques; snack at SodaBottleOpenerWala (Parsi staples) or Town Hall (sushi, Asian plates). For North Indian classics, Moti Mahal or Pindi at Pandara Road are time-tested.

Want a guided refresher covering highlights you missed? Old & New Delhi Private Tour - Half or Full Day (Rated Excellent)

Day 7: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: A gentle walk through Lodhi Garden or the Sunder Nursery heritage park (near Humayun’s Tomb). Brunch at Triveni Terrace Café (sprouted moong chaat, parsi akuri, lemon tarts) with a peek at the galleries below.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Central Cottage Industries Emporium or Janpath for souvenirs. Depart for the airport via the Airport Express (20–25 minutes to T3 from New Delhi Station) or taxi.

Food send-off: Pick up sweets at Chaina Ram (karachi halwa) or Nathu’s; grab a final chai. If time allows, a quick plate of chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand is a true Delhi goodbye.

Insider Tips:

• Closures: Red Fort and Akshardham close Mondays; check schedules for the President’s House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) gardens during bloom season.
• Getting around: Delhi Metro is fast and inexpensive; use women-only coaches if preferred. For autos, agree on fare or use meter/app.
• Etiquette: At mosques and temples, cover shoulders/knees; at gurudwaras, cover head. Photography rules vary—look for signs.

Book the essentials:

• Flights: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com
• Trains (for Agra): Trip.com Trains
• Stays: VRBO New Delhi | Hotels.com New Delhi

In one packed week, you’ll taste Old Delhi’s history, stroll New Delhi’s grand avenues, linger in verdant gardens, and stand before the Taj Mahal’s marble glow. This itinerary balances headline monuments with food pilgrimages and local neighborhoods—so Delhi feels both epic and intimate.