Delhi, the capital of India, is a city full of contrasts. There is history, culture, and chaos! It’s where ancient sites stand alongside modern metro lines. Delhi is filled with stunning sights, but to be honest: Delhi can also feel very overwhelming. Expect the traffic to be intense, and yes, expect that it can be very dirty! But we promise you that if you prepare your visit well, the city is definitely worth experiencing.
In this post, we’ll write about the best things to see and do in Delhi, where to stay, and how to get around. With our practical tips and planning, you can make most of your time in Delhi. And hopefully, you’ll understand why so many travelers fall in love with India’s capital. Are you ready to dive into Delhi? Then grab a chai and read on!
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This post is written around a three-day itinerary, which we believe is the ideal amount of time to explore India’s capital. Each day focuses on a different part of the city, so the distances between the sites are doable. The first day is about the charm of Old Delhi. The second day takes you through the colonial and modern highlights of New Delhi (our favorite part of the city). On the final day, you’ll get to explore the cultural sites in the South of Delhi.
To make your trip as smooth as possible, we’ve included a map featuring all the must-visit locations, along with the nearest metro stops. That way, you’ll have everything you need to explore Delhi free and independently.
Table of Contents
How to get to Delhi
Delhi is one of India’s best connected cities, so getting to Delhi is straightforward. There are three options:
By Plane
Most travellers arrive in Delhi by plane, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The airport of Delhi is well-connected to major cities around the world, but also with cities within India. We were several times at Delhi’s airport: We arrived with our flight from Europe in Delhi and also took a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh, for our visit to Ladakh. Overall, we considered Delhi’s airport quite enjoyable.
From the airport, you can take the Airport Express Metro Line. This is the quickest and most affordable way to get to New Delhi Railway Station. Another option to get from the airport to the city center is by taking a taxi or using a ride-hailing service like Uber. However, during our time in Delhi, we noticed that Uber wasn’t the most trustworthy option. Drivers often accept a ride, but then never showed up. We heard from several other tourists that this is very common in Delhi.
Read more: Want to see more about India? Read our post about Ladakh
By Train
Delhi has several railway stations, making it easy to take the train from almost any other Indian city. The city’s main stations are New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station (Delhi Junction), and Nizamuddin Railway Station. Train tickets can be easily booked in advance via the official website of the Indian Railway Company. We took several trains during our time in India and were surprised by the comfort and the punctuality of the trains. When you arrive at the station in Delhi, you can take a metro, tuk-tuk, or taxi to reach your destination.
By Private Transfer
If you’re coming from a nearby city like Agra or Jaipur, a private transfer can be the most convenient and comfortable option. There are plenty of companies that offer air-conditioned vehicle. This option can be useful if you’re traveling with family or friends. That way, you can split the bill, as a private transfer is often more expensive.
How to get around in Delhi?
The metro
Delhi has a very efficient metro system and we can promise you that the metro will be your best friend for getting around. In our opinion, it is the most affordable, reliable, safe and comfortable way to explore the city. Delhi’s metro system is extensive, making is possible to get to almost everywhere in Delhi by metro. Trains run frequently, and luckily for us, stations are signposted both in Hindi and English.
You can purchase tickets for individual rides. But as you will probably use the metro a lot, we suggest to do like us, and by a smart card for multiple trips. Another advantage of the metro is that you avoid the many traffic jams.
Tuk-tuks
Another vehicle we used plenty of times during our time in Delhi was the tuk-tuk. We used it often to get from the metro station to our final destination. Make sure to agree on a fare before you hop into the tuk-tuk. As in many other touristic areas, tuk-tuk drivers often overcharge you. In our post about Jaipur, we included some tips regarding taking a tuk-tuk. The same tips work in Delhi.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps are available, but as we mentioned before, these aren’t always reliable. We therefore highly recommend to ask your hotel to book a taxi for you. That way, you are guaranteed the taxi will show up.
Walking
We experienced that walking isn’t always the best option as the distances can be extensive and it gets very hot and humid in Delhi. The only place where we enjoyed walking was in New Delhi.
Where to stay in Delhi?
Finding decent accommodation in Delhi was a real challenge to us. We noticed that, when scrolling through booking websites, there are wildly conflicting reviews for the same property. It turned out that fake reviews are a common issue, making it hard to decide on where to stay.
We learned this the hard way during our first night in Delhi, before we continued our journey to Ladakh. We booked a hostel that seemed to have good reviews online, but the reality was a little bit different: cockroaches in the room, dirty sheets, moldy walls and ceiling, and sticky floors. Our mistake was trusting a recommendation from another travel blog that wrote about the best places to stay in Delhi. Judging by the state of that hostel, we’re pretty sure the writers never visited.
That’s why we will mention only one place in this section, a place where we personally stayed at that we loved: Zaza Stay. Zaza Stay offers clean, comfortable rooms equipped with air conditioning. We promise you, having aircon is a blessing in Delhi’s heat. Each room has a clean, spacious bathroom. The breakfast was tasty, and the staff were welcoming and helpful. The easiest way to get there from other locations in Delhi is to take to metro to Jangpura Metro Station (on the violet line, in violet on our map), then hail a tuk-tuk for the short ride to the hotel (we paid around 100 INR for the ride).
Check availability and prices for Zaza Stay on BOOKING.COM
A three-day itinerary in Delhi
Day 1 – Old Delhi
We’ll be honest. Old Delhi wasn’t our favourite part of Delhi. The crowds, noise, smells and chaos were a lot to handle, especially because we already spend some time in the chaos of the other cities of India’s Golden Triangle: Agra and Jaipur. That said, you can’t ignore that Old Delhi is an iconic part of the city. And tastes differ: many travellers love Old Delhi for its energy and history. So we do think it’s definitely worth exploring.
Stop 1: Jama Masjid Mosque
To get there, get on the violet line of Delhi’s metro and leave at Jama Masjid Metro Station (violet line, indicated in violet on our map).
The Jama Masjid Mosque is a symbol of the Mughal dynasty and it is one of the largest mosques in India. When heading to the mosque, you immediately start to feel the vibe of Old Delhi. The streets in front of the mosque are a whirlwind of activity, with vendors selling everything from spices to chickens, rickshaws driving through the crowds, and the smell of street food and other things in the air.
The mosque itself is an oasis in the middle of all this chaos. It was built in 1656 by emperor Shah Jahan, the same emperor that built the Taj Mahal. The mosque has a courtyard that gives entrance to 25,000 worshippers, and there are two towering minarets. Entering the site is free, but is you want to take pictures, you need to pay 300 INR (~3.40 EUR/3.50 USD). Keep in mind that you need to dress modestly. For women, scarves and robes can be rented and were obligatory. Also, keep in mind that you have to remove your shoes before entering the site.
Stop 2: The Red Fort
To get to the Red Fort, you have two options. You either walk from the mosque to the Red Fort ticket counter (500 meters) or you get on the violet metro line and you leave at Lal Qila Metro Station (violet line, indicated in violet on our map).
Before you can enter the Red Fort, UNESCO World Heritage Site you’ll need to buy a ticket at the ticket office (indicated on our map). The entrance fee is 550 INR (~6.20 EUR/6.40 USD) for foreign visitors and 50 INR (~0.55 EUR/0.60 USD) for Indian nationals.
The Red Fort is an architectural masterpiece and it served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. Inside, you can explore some beautifully preserved structures, including the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and wander around in the beautiful gardens.
Optional Stop: Chandni Chowk
If you are coming from the Red Fort, you can easily reach Chandni Chowk by foot, it is just crossing the street. If you want to take the metro, we suggest to get on the yellow line and stop at Chandni Chowk Metro Station (yellow line, indicated in yellow on our Delhi map).
Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and most busy markets in Delhi. We didn’t visit this time, as we’d seen many markets before and needed a break from the chaos. However, if bustling bazaars filled with things like spices, textiles, street food, … appeal to you, Chandni Chowk is worth exploring.
However, we do recommend to take a guide to make the most of your visit. That way, you don’t have to navigate yourself in the labyrinth of shops. And a guide can point out hidden gems you might otherwise miss. Without a guide, Chandni Chowk can feel overwhelming, especially if it is your first visit. These tours are often combined with tasting the delicious street food.
Book a great Chandni Chowk + streetfood tour
Stop 3: Raj Ghat and the Gandhi Museum
To get to Raj Ghat, hop on the violet line again and head to Delhi Gate Metro Station (indicated in violet on our Delhi map).
After the intensity of Old Delhi, Raj Ghat offers some peace and tranquillity. This memorial marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. The black marble platform, adorned with flowers, is simple and creates a peaceful stop.
While in the area, we stumbled upon the Gandhi Museum. A place that isn’t often mentioned on travel blogs, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our day. The entry to the museum is free and you can find an impressive collection of photographs, personal belongings, and letters here, that give you an insight into Gandhi’s life.
Stop 4: The Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham Temple is the final stop of the day. To get there, take the metro to Akshardham Metro Station (on the blue line, located in blue on our map).
Don’t expect an old building when you visit Akshardham Temple. This modern construction was completed in 2005. It truly is a masterpiece, with intricate carvings that show scenes from Indian mythology, history, and culture. The central monument, surrounded by gardens and fountains, is spectacular.
Keep in mind that no personal items are allowed inside the temple. This includes smartphones, cameras, bags, and even watches, all of which must be left at the secure cloakroom near the entrance. It felt a little inconvenient but nevertheless, the temple was worth is. Entry to the temple is free.
Day 2 – New Delhi
New Delhi was our favourite area in Delhi. It was refreshing with its spacious boulevards and peaceful parks.
Stop 1: Humayun’s Tomb
To get to Humayun’s Tomb, get on the metro and head to Nizzamuddin Metro Station (on the pink line, indicated in pink on our map).
Humayun’s Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we loved exploring this site. It is the perfect place to snap some beautiful pictures. This 16th-century building was built by Emperor Humayun’s widow, Empress Bega Begum, and is again an example of Mughal architecture.
The entry to Humayun’s Tomb is 550 INR (~6.20 EUR/6.40 USD) for foreign visitors and 50 INR (~0.55 EUR/0.60 USD) for Indian nationals. We arrived early, so it was not crowded and the morning light was excellent for photography.
Stop 2: Lodhi Garden
The nearest metro station to get to the wonderful Lodhi garden is Jor Bagh Metro Station (on the yellow line, indicated in yellow on our Delhi map).
Lodhi Garden is one of Delhi’s most loved green spaces and we totally understand why! This park has several ancient tombs, what makes exploring the park truly fascinating. We took our time to wander in the park and soak up the tranquillity of this place. The entrance to the garden is free.
Stop 3: Ugrasen Ki Baoli
To get to this ancient stepwell, take the metro and leave at Mandi House Metro Station (violet line, indicated in violet on our map).
Ugrasen Ki Baoli is an ancient stepwell hidden, in the middle of modern Delhi. This stepwell has 108 steps leading down to a water reservoir. This site gives a look into historical water conservation techniques and we loved this place because of its geometric design. Entry to the stepwell is free.
Stop 4: India Gate
To get to India Gate, you can take the metro to Central Secretariat Metro Station (located on the yellow and violet line, indicated in yellow in our map).
India Gate is probably one of Delhi’s most iconic landmarks. This war memorial is 42 meters high and was built to honor the soldiers of the British Indian Army who died during the first World War.
Also the surrounding area is really nice to walk around. Vendors sell snacks, ice cream, and souvenirs, so it’s a lively spot.
Day 3 – South of Delhi
On, our third day in Delhi, we headed South. For us, this area offered a relaxed pace, and was a great way to end our time in Delhi.
Stop 1: Qutub Minar
To get to this site, hop on the metro and leave at Qutub Minar Metro Station (on the yellow line, located in yellow on our map).
The site of Qutub Minar blew us away. It is one of Delhi’s most famous sites and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of this site is the tallest brick minaret in the world. This minaret was built in the 12th century. On the site, you can find many other historical structures. We loved exploring this site and taking pictures here. The entry fee to this site is 550 INR (~6.20 EUR/6.40 USD) for foreign visitors.
Stop 2: Lotus Temple
To get to the Lotus Temple, its best to take the metro to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station (on the violet line).
The Lotus Temple was something totally different in Delhi: a modern architectural building, shaped like a blooming lotus flower. Around the temple, you’ll find some nice gardens. The entrance to the temple is free and is definitely worth a visit.
Some additional tips for visiting Delhi
- Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
- Carry a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes for all the walking.
- Keep small bills in your pocket, always handy for when taking tuk-tuks or ordering snacks.
- Consider taking breaks from time to time, to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of Delhi.
We hope this 3-day itinerary for Delhi helps you planning your visit to Delhi. If you have any questions or remarks, do not hesitate to contact us via our social media channels.
Happy travels
Matthias and Mieke
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