Delhi has been the seat of empires for nearly a millennium—from the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals to the British Raj—leaving a skyline of domes, stepwells, and sandstone gates. Today it’s equal parts capital city and cultural kaleidoscope, where Sufi shrines hum beside contemporary galleries and third-wave coffee roasters.

Across one week, you’ll wander Old Delhi’s spice-scented lanes, gaze up at Qutub Minar, stroll Mughal gardens at Humayun’s Tomb, and sample kebabs where recipes predate the printing press. We’ve woven in craft markets, modern neighborhoods, and a polished food scene that ranges from thali canteens to award-winning kitchens.

Practical notes: October–March is the most pleasant season. Expect traffic; the efficient Delhi Metro is your ally (consider a 1- or 3-day Tourist Card). Dress modestly for temples and mosques, and check weekly closures (many monuments close on Monday). If traveling in winter, monitor air quality and plan more indoor stops.

Delhi

Delhi is many cities in one: the walled alleys of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), the garden tombs of the Mughals, and Lutyens’ grand avenues of New Delhi. Street food legends and refined dining coexist—both unmissable parts of the experience.

• Top sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden, India Gate, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Shahpur Jat (boutiques), Hauz Khas Village (medieval tank and cafes), Khan Market (books and bistros), Meherchand Market (design stores), Connaught Place (colonial arcades).
• What to eat: Parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali; kebabs and nihari near Jama Masjid; butter chicken where it was popularized; thalis at state canteens; kulfi and jalebi for dessert.

Where to stay (handpicked areas: Connaught Place/Khan Market for central access; Aerocity for airport and sleek hotels; South Delhi for greenery):

• The Imperial, New Delhi — Heritage icon with museum-like corridors, steps from Connaught Place.
• The Leela Palace New Delhi — Plush rooms and stellar restaurants in leafy Chanakyapuri.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Home to Bukhara, famed for tandoor classics.
• The Suryaa New Delhi — Good value near South Delhi sights and Okhla Bird Sanctuary.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station — Clean, bright, budget-friendly, ideal for train travelers.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: New Delhi | VRBO: New Delhi apartments

How to get to Delhi:

• Fly into DEL (Indira Gandhi International). Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Typical one-stop US–DEL is 16–22 hours, ~$700–$1,200 roundtrip; Southeast Asia–DEL is 5–7 hours, ~$120–$350 one-way.
• Domestic trains and intercity rails: check schedules on Trip.com (trains). Agra–Delhi superfast options take ~1h40–3h, usually $3–$15.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place Arcades, and Classic Delhi Eats

Afternoon: Arrive at DEL and take the Airport Metro to New Delhi Station or a taxi to your hotel. Stretch your legs around Connaught Place’s colonial colonnades and the green of Central Park.

Evening: Start with coffee and a pastry at Wenger’s Deli (since 1926) or a filter coffee at the Indian Coffee House on Baba Kharak Singh Marg. For dinner, choose Kwality (butter chicken, chana bhatura; old-school vibe) or The Spice Route at The Imperial for Southeast Asian flavors in a hand-painted dining room. Nightcap at 1911 Bar (Imperial) or Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market.

Day 2: Old Delhi’s Forts, Faith, and Street Food

Morning: Begin at Jama Masjid; climb the southern minaret for a city panorama. Dive into Chandni Chowk for a paratha breakfast in Paranthe Wali Gali and sample jalebi fresh from the kadhai. Walk to Khari Baoli, Asia’s biggest spice market—cardamom and chili perfumes everywhere.

Afternoon: Explore the Red Fort (allow 1.5–2 hours). Tuk-tuk to Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s serene cremation memorial. Lunch near Jama Masjid at Karim’s (mutton korma, seekh kebab) or Al Jawahar (nihari, tandoori).

Evening: Consider a heritage dinner at Lakhori (Haveli Dharampura) with kathak performances on select nights, or roam for kulfi at Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale. If you prefer a curated day with transport and guide, book this well-reviewed option:

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

Note: Red Fort and some museums close on Monday. Plan swaps if needed.

Day 3: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Ruins, Lodhi Art, and a Destination Dinner

Morning: Tour Qutub Minar, a 12th-century UNESCO tower, and wander Mehrauli Archaeological Park (Jamali Kamali Mosque, Rajon ki Baoli stepwell). Stop for specialty coffee at Blue Tokai (Saket) or a hearty brunch at The Grammar Room (Mehrauli).

Afternoon: Head to Lodhi Garden for a green interlude among Sayyid and Lodi tombs, then stroll the Lodhi Art District’s open-air murals. If you love craft traditions, detour to the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy; lunch at its beloved Cafe Lota (regional Indian plates).

Evening: Book one of Delhi’s marquee tables: Indian Accent (inventive tasting menus; reserve in advance) or Bukhara at ITC Maurya (dal bukhara, Sikandari raan; apron bibs and no cutlery tradition). For cocktails, Sidecar (GK 2) is consistently ranked among India’s best bars.

Day 4: India Gate, Government District, Museums, and Markets

Morning: Photograph India Gate in the soft light, then pass Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat buildings—classic Lutyens’ Delhi. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to hear kirtan and peek into the massive community kitchen; modest attire required.

Afternoon: Choose one or two museums: Gandhi Smriti (where Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days), the National Rail Museum (great with kids), or NGMA (modern Indian art). Lunch at Triveni Terrace Cafe for seasonal thalis and terrace views over Triveni Kala Sangam.

Evening: Shop crafts and textiles at Dilli Haat (INA)—artisan stalls rotate by state; try momos at the Northeast counters. Dinner nearby at Rajinder Da Dhaba (legendary kebabs, buttery chicken tangri) or AnnaMaya at Andaz Aerocity if you prefer a polished farm-to-table feel.

Day 5: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train (from Delhi)

Make this the day you see the Taj without the logistics headache. The Gatimaan Express whisks you from Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra in about 1 hour 40 minutes, with an expert guide meeting you on arrival. The itinerary typically covers the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and the “Baby Taj” (Itimad-ud-Daulah), plus a proper lunch—then you’re back in Delhi by evening.

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

Food tips in Agra: Try petha sweets and a cup of masala chai. Back in Delhi, grab a late dinner at Khan Market (Town Hall for Asian plates, Yellow Brick Road at Ambassador for comfort classics) or a quick kebab roll at Khan Chacha.

Day 6: Temple Architecture, Garden Tombs, and South Delhi Eats

Morning: Visit Akshardham Temple for exquisite carvings and serene gardens (no phones/cameras allowed; deposit counters available). Alternatively, start at the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship), a petal-shaped icon that invites silent reflection.

Afternoon: Explore Humayun’s Tomb, prototype to the Taj and a triumph of charbagh garden design. Stroll next door at Sunder Nursery, a beautifully restored heritage park with lakes, Mughal-era monuments, and a great cafe for a light lunch.

Evening: Browse Meherchand Market’s design stores or the indie boutiques of Shahpur Jat (Nappa Dori, Nicobar, etc.). For dinner, book Dum Pukht (slow-cooked Awadhi classics) or head casual with crispy dosas and filter coffee at Sagar Ratna (Defence Colony) if you’re craving South Indian comfort.

Day 7: Hauz Khas, Boutique Hopping, and a Grand Farewell

Morning: Amble around Hauz Khas Village’s medieval reservoir and pavilions, then refuel at Elma’s Bakery for scones or grab a flat white at Third Wave Coffee. If you prefer a quieter start, return to Lodhi Garden for a jog and breakfast at The All American Diner at India Habitat Centre.

Afternoon: Khan Market is perfect for last-minute gifts—bookstores, artisanal chocolates, and stylish homeware. Pause for a light lunch at SodaBottleOpenerWala (Parsi staples) or a salad-and-kebab plate at Cafe Delhi Heights.

Evening: Toast your week with high tea at The Imperial or sunset at a rooftop like Q’la near Mehrauli. Final feast options: Indian Accent for the tasting menu or Bukhara for tandoor hits. Jazz lovers can end at The Piano Man Jazz Club (check nightly lineups).

Local transport and timing tips:

• Delhi Metro covers most sights; buy a Tourist Card (1-day or 3-day) for unlimited rides. Autos and app cabs (Uber/Ola) fill the gaps.
• Monument fees for foreign visitors are usually INR 600–800 per major UNESCO site; e-tickets save time. Many major sights close Monday.
• Dress modestly for religious sites; head coverings are offered at gurudwaras. Keep small bills for tips and rickshaws in Old Delhi.

Optional add-ons if you extend your stay: a food-focused walk in Chawri Bazaar at dusk, a Sufi qawwali evening at Nizamuddin Dargah (Thursdays are most atmospheric), or a pottery session at Sanskriti Kendra in Anandgram.

Delhi rewards curiosity: the more you wander, the richer it becomes. With this plan, you’ve tasted its layers—from Mughal grandeur to modern gastronomy—and ticked off a Taj Mahal day trip with minimal fuss.