Delhi is India’s capital and a living palimpsest—layers of empires, revolutions, and reinventions. From the Mughals to modern ministers, power and poetry have flowed along its boulevards and bazaars. In two days you can taste its famed street food, gaze up at UNESCO World Heritage monuments, and feel the city’s pulse in spice markets and serene gardens.

Expect contrasts at every turn: the chant of a Sikh langar balanced by the hush of a tomb garden, the crackle of jalebis beside sleek cafés pulling single-origin espresso. Old Delhi dazzles with Jama Masjid, labyrinthine lanes, and sizzling kebabs; New Delhi unfurls with Raj-era grandeur, leafy enclaves, and contemporary design.

Practical notes: winters (Nov–Feb) are coolest; summers are hot; monsoon showers arrive roughly Jul–Sep. Many major sights accept cards/UPI, but carry small cash for rickshaws and snacks. Dress modestly for religious sites; remove shoes where required. Monday closures are common (e.g., Red Fort and many museums), and the Lotus Temple is also closed on Mondays—plan accordingly.

Delhi

Come for the monuments, stay for the meals. Delhi’s top sights include the soaring Qutub Minar, the charbagh gardens of Humayun’s Tomb (a Taj Mahal forerunner), India Gate and the ceremonial Kartavya Path, and the Bahá’í Lotus Temple. Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk lanes offer heritage sweet shops, paratha stalls, and centuries-old havelis.

Food is a headline act: buttery North Indian classics, smoky tandoori, and delicate street snacks. Don’t miss iconic stops near Jama Masjid, as well as modern regional plates at Lota Café and refined tasting menus at Indian Accent. Coffee lovers will find Blue Tokai and Perch pouring some of India’s best beans.

• How to get to Delhi: Fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From the airport, the Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station takes ~20 minutes (about ₹60); a taxi/ride-hail to central areas is ~45–75 minutes (₹400–₹800 depending on traffic).
• Arriving by train (domestic): Check schedules and fares on Trip.com trains. Major stations: New Delhi (NDLS) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM).
• Getting around: Delhi Metro is fast and clean; tuk-tuks are ideal for short hops; ride-hailing is widely available. Allow extra time for traffic at peak hours.

Where to stay (handpicked options and search tools):

• The Imperial, New Delhi — Heritage icon with museum-worthy art, palm-lined lawns, and a superb spa; walkable to Connaught Place.
• The Leela Palace New Delhi — Opulent rooms, rooftop pool, and standout dining in the embassy district of Chanakyapuri.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Home to Bukhara, legendary for dal and tandoor; polished service and club-level perks.
• The Suryaa New Delhi — Comfortable value in South Delhi; convenient for Lotus Temple and Nizamuddin area.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station — Clean, bright budget pick with excellent transit access.
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: Delhi | Apartment-style stays on VRBO: Delhi

Day 1: Arrival, Gardens and India Gate, Old Delhi Night Food Safari

Morning: Travel day. Aim to land by early afternoon so you can settle in and still explore. If you’re in the city early, grab a specialty espresso and almond croissant at Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters (several branches) or chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand in Paharganj—fluffy fried bread with spiced chickpeas that Delhiites swear by.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, then stretch your legs at Lodhi Gardens. Among domed 15th‑century tombs and banyan shade, you’ll get a soft landing into Delhi’s history. Swing by the National Crafts Museum complex next; have a late lunch at Lota Café where modern regional dishes shine—think millet ragi uttapam with podi, seasonal thalis, and aam panna in summer. Time permitting, loop past India Gate and the broad Kartavya Path for golden-hour photos.

Evening: Dive into Old Delhi on a guided food-and-heritage walk: The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk. Expect hot jalebis from Old Famous Jalebi Wala, stuffed parathas down Paranthe Wali Gali, wintertime Daulat ki Chaat (when in season), and kebabs near Jama Masjid—plus tales of havelis and trading guilds.

After the tour, consider a quick chai on a street corner or a late bite at Karim’s or Al Jawahar for smoky mutton korma with roomali roti. Carry small notes for rickshaws; dress modestly around Jama Masjid, where head/shoulder coverings may be requested.

Day 2: UNESCO Highlights and Market Hop, Farewell Lunch

Morning: Early breakfast at Saravana Bhavan (Connaught Place) for crisp ghee dosas, fluffy idlis, and filter coffee; or drop into Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (Khan Market) for an elegant brew and light eggs. Then set out on a customizable city tour that stitches together must-sees without the hassle: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available.

Ask your guide to prioritize New Delhi and South Delhi icons to complement last night’s Old Delhi: Qutub Minar (soaring 73 m victory tower; foreigner ticket ~₹600), Humayun’s Tomb (precursor to the Taj, set in fourfold Persian gardens; ~₹600), and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to witness the serene langar kitchen. If it’s not Monday, add the Lotus Temple’s tranquil grounds.

Afternoon: Sit down to a classic North Indian lunch on Pandara Road. Gulati is beloved for rich butter chicken, dal makhani slow-cooked overnight, and perfectly charred kebabs; Pindi next door is another stalwart for tandoori platters. For a lighter, regional-India spin, return to Lota Café or try Andhra-style thali at a no-frills canteen with punchy gunpowder and ghee.

Browse for last-minute gifts: Dilli Haat (INA) gathers handicrafts from across India—block-print textiles, ikat, brassware—and charges a small entry that keeps touts at bay; or dip into Khan Market for curated bookstores, spice blends, and linen. Leave ample time for airport transfer: the Airport Express from Shivaji Stadium is ~20 minutes to DEL; taxis can take 45–90 minutes in traffic.

Evening: Departure day. If you’ve got a late flight, consider a memorable finale: an early dinner booking at Indian Accent (contemporary tasting menu—blue cheese naan, Kashmiri morels, seasonal produce) or Bukhara at ITC Maurya (legendary dal and bread theatrics). Near the airport, Aerocity’s hotels offer easy options for a final bite before security.

Optional add-on for an extra day: Many travelers use Delhi as a springboard to the Taj Mahal. If you can spare a day, consider a same-day Agra trip by express train with guided transfers: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR (early start, evening return).

Insider tips:

• For photographs, Qutub Minar glows at early morning; Humayun’s Tomb is magical just after opening when the gardens are quiet.
• Carry a scarf; it’s useful for sun, dust, and temple etiquette.
• Most monuments now prefer e-payments; ticket prices for foreigners at major ASI sites hover around ₹500–₹700—keep a card or UPI handy.
• Air quality can dip in late autumn; check conditions and consider a lightweight mask if sensitive.

Getting in and out:

• Search flights to Delhi (DEL) on Trip.com — competitive fares; domestic hops (e.g., Mumbai/BLR–DEL) often ₹3,500–₹12,000 ($40–$150) one-way.
• Check Indian train options on Trip.com — convenient for Agra (Gatimaan/Tejas Express ~1h45–2h10).
• Compare flights on Kiwi.com — useful for multi-city or complex routes.

In just two days, you’ll have sampled Delhi’s essential flavors and forms—from a spice-tinged Old Delhi evening to sunlit gardens and grand Mughal silhouettes. Keep this guide handy, and you’ll move confidently between cafés, monuments, and markets—leaving with stories (and recipes) you’ll keep retelling.