Delhi wears its history openly: ancient citadels and Mughal mausoleums share space with leafy boulevards, buzzing markets, and a culinary scene that swings from smoky kebab stalls to white‑table‑cloth icons. Founded and refounded by dynasties over a millennium, the city today is a tapestry of Old Delhi’s cramped bazaars and New Delhi’s stately architecture.

Travelers come for UNESCO heavy-hitters—Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the Red Fort—then stay for the late‑night chaat, fragrant biryani, and lively art districts. By day, explore craft museums and gardens; by night, sip at wine bars or catch live jazz. A quick train ride places the Taj Mahal within easy reach for a dazzling day trip.

Practical notes: Winters (Nov–Feb) are cool but can be hazy; summers (Apr–Jun) are hot—hydrate and plan siestas. Dress modestly at religious sites, and expect security checks at major monuments. The Delhi Metro is clean, affordable, and often fastest; UPI and cards are widely accepted.

Delhi

India’s capital pairs grandeur with grit. Wander Chandni Chowk’s fragrant spice alleys one hour, then step into the serene symmetry of Humayun’s Tomb the next. South Delhi’s Hauz Khas offers medieval ruins beside a lake, while Lutyens’ stately avenues frame India Gate and Parliament.

• Top sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden, Agrasen ki Baoli, Akshardham Temple (closed Mondays), Sunder Nursery.
• What to eat: Old Delhi chaat (Aloo Tikki, Papri Chaat), kebabs at Karim’s, buttery Dal Bukhara at ITC Maurya, refined regional plates at Indian Accent, modern Indian at Cafe Lota.
• Fun fact: Delhi’s Qutub Minar complex preserves the 4th‑century Iron Pillar, famed for resisting corrosion for over 1,600 years.

Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):

• The Imperial, New Delhi (heritage, museums and Connaught Place nearby): Check rates
• The Leela Palace New Delhi (luxury, Diplomatic Enclave): Check rates
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home to Bukhara): Check rates
• The Suryaa New Delhi (great value in South Delhi): Check rates
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (budget, spotless, central): Check rates
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com: New Delhi hotels or VRBO apartments: New Delhi vacation rentals

Getting in and around: Fly into DEL (Indira Gandhi International). Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (typical one‑stop flights from North America are 16–22 hours; from SE Asia 4–6 hours). The Airport Express Metro reaches central Delhi in ~20 minutes. For the Agra day trip, book trains on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive, India Gate Sunset, and Connaught Place Classics

Afternoon: Land in Delhi and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a stroll along Kartavya Path to India Gate—Delhi’s WWI memorial—when the golden hour lights up the sandstone. Pop into Blue Tokai (Connaught Place) for a flat white and cardamom‑kissed pastry.

Evening: Explore Connaught Place’s colonnades. For dinner, choose United Coffee House (vintage Delhi vibes, butter chicken and keema samosas) or Daryaganj (the “inventors of butter chicken” lineage; try the dal and tandoori platters). Nightcap at 1911 Bar in The Imperial—historic photos, classic gimlets, and quiet elegance.

Day 2: Old Delhi—Mughal Monuments and Street‑Food Legends

Morning: Start at Jama Masjid (dress modestly; shoe covers provided) and climb a minaret for city views. Breakfast crawl in Chandni Chowk: try stuffed parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali, jalebi fresh from the kadai, and kachori with aloo at Jung Bahadur. Walk to the fragrant Khari Baoli Spice Market—look for brick‑red chili towers and sacks of fragrant cardamom.

Afternoon: Tour the Red Fort (closed Mondays; consider swapping with Humayun’s Tomb if so). Detour to Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s serene memorial. If you prefer a guide and private car, this flexible favorite covers Old and New Delhi highlights: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options.

Evening: Return to Chandni Chowk hungry for a guided tasting: The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk pairs hidden‑gem snacks with stories of the walled city.

Day 3: Tombs, Gardens, and South Delhi Style

Morning: Explore Humayun’s Tomb, prototype for the Taj Mahal, then stroll into Sunder Nursery—heritage pavilions, lotus ponds, and a great coffee kiosk near the lake. Brunch at Triveni Terrace Café (light, seasonal thalis; excellent lemon tart) or Cafe Lota at the Crafts Museum (millet khichda, Rajasthani lal maas tacos).

Afternoon: Head to Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, and wander Mehrauli Archaeological Park (Rajon Ki Baoli stepwell, mossy tombs). Beat the heat with gelato at Crèmeborne or a cold coffee at Perch (Vasant Vihar).

Evening: Splurge at Indian Accent (at The Lodhi)—blue cheese naan, duck khurchan cones, and inventive regional flavors; book well ahead. For something classic-North-Indian, Gulati on Pandara Road serves rich butter chicken and kebabs.

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

Make it a bucket‑list day. This top‑rated tour handles logistics, seats you on the Gatimaan Express (about 1h40 each way), and includes guides and transfers: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train. Expect sunrise or mid‑morning Taj views, Agra Fort, and time for the Baby Taj if pace allows.

Independent option: Book the 12050/12049 Gatimaan Express on Trip.com Trains (~₹700–1,600 / $9–20, AC Chair Car), departing Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt; hire a local guide on arrival.

Day 5: Crafts, Galleries, and Khan Market Flavors

Morning: Dive into India’s craft traditions at the National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum (Crafts Museum)—don’t miss the village courtyards. Coffee and a modern Indian brunch at the on‑site Cafe Lota (try the spinach chilla or Amritsari fish).

Afternoon: Browse the National Gallery of Modern Art (Indian modernists through contemporary installations). Then stop at Gandhi Smriti (where Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days) for a thoughtful hour in the gardens and exhibits.

Evening: Khan Market crawl: start with a glass of Chenin or a pour‑over at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar, then dine at Town Hall (excellent sushi and Asian grills) or Khan Chacha (legendary rolls and kebabs). If you prefer cocktails, swing down to Sidecar (GK II)—among Asia’s best bars—for house infusions and a short, smart menu.

Day 6: Hauz Khas Village, Lakeside Ruins, and Royal Recipes

Morning: Walk the medieval reservoir and crumbling pavilions of Hauz Khas, then loop Deer Park’s shaded paths. Brunch at Elma’s (tea and cakes) or get espresso at Blue Tokai (SDA Market) with a masala croissant.

Afternoon: If you missed it earlier, explore the Lodhi Art District’s open‑air murals and relax in Lodhi Garden under ancient banyans. Alternatively, visit Akshardham Temple for ornate carvings and evening fountain show (closed Mondays; no phones/cameras inside—lockers available).

Evening: Feast on North‑West Frontier classics at Bukhara in ITC Maurya (order the Dal Bukhara and giant naan). For an equally regal, Awadhi‑style experience, Dum Pukht (same hotel) slow‑cooks kebabs and biryanis in sealed handi pots. Reservations recommended.

Day 7: Boutiques, Baolis, and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Last‑minute shopping: Shahpur Jat’s indie boutiques for hand‑embroidered jackets and block‑printed dresses, or Sarojini Nagar for bargain fashion. Swing by Agrasen ki Baoli, a 14th‑century stepwell tucked behind Connaught Place, for striking photos.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Rajinder Da Dhaba (Safdarjung Enclave)—order mutton seekh, butter chicken, and rumali roti at the standing counters—or go vegetarian at Sagar Ratna (crispy dosas, tangy rasam). Head to the airport via the Airport Express or a pre‑booked cab.

Evening: Departure day—if your flight is late, consider an easy coffee stop at The Imperial’s Atrium or a quiet garden stroll at Sunder Nursery before you go.

Extra tips: Many monuments close on Mondays (notably Red Fort; Akshardham too). Carry a scarf for temple visits; remove shoes where required. Delhi Metro Smart Cards save time and a bit of money; rides typically ₹20–60 ($0.25–0.75). For seamless intercity planning, compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and trains on Trip.com Trains.

Optional multi‑day add‑on: If you decide to expand beyond Delhi during your stay or on a return visit, consider a curated Golden Triangle getaway (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) like this 3‑Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour.

Seven days in Delhi gives you time to savor both the blockbuster monuments and the everyday magic—steaming chai, spirited bazaars, and green gardens that locals love. With a Taj Mahal day trip and memorable meals, you’ll fly home with photos you’ll frame and flavors you’ll crave.