Quick answer
Day one covers Old Delhi, with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, then Bangla Sahib and India Gate. Day two is Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery, Lodhi Garden and qawwali at Nizamuddin. Day three takes in the Qutub Minar, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas and Akshardham. Mid-range land costs start around ₹12,000 per person.
The route
- Old Delhi
- Central Delhi
- Nizamuddin and Lodhi
- South Delhi
- Akshardham
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Old Delhi and Central Delhi
Morning: Red Fort from 9:30 am, then Jama Masjid and a cycle-rickshaw through Chandni Chowk to the Khari Baoli spice market.
Afternoon: Lunch in Old Delhi, parathas or kebabs near Jama Masjid, then the Metro to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Evening: India Gate and Kartavya Path at dusk, then dinner in Connaught Place.
Stay: Connaught Place or Karol Bagh
The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. If day one is a Monday, swap it with day two.
- 2
Day 2
Mughal tombs, gardens and Sufi music
Morning: Humayun's Tomb at opening time, then Sunder Nursery next door.
Afternoon: Lunch at Khan Market or Lodhi Colony, Lodhi Garden and the Lodhi Art District murals, or the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya if you prefer a museum.
Evening: Qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah after evening prayers; Thursdays are best.
Stay: Same hotel
Carry a scarf or cap for the dargah; heads should be covered.
- 3
Day 3
Qutub Minar, Hauz Khas and Akshardham
Morning: Qutub Minar at opening, then the free Mehrauli Archaeological Park next door.
Afternoon: Hauz Khas Village and Deer Park, then Dilli Haat at INA for crafts and regional food.
Evening: Akshardham's exhibitions and water show, then the airport or station.
Akshardham is closed on Mondays and doesn't allow phones; on a Monday, do Connaught Place and Janpath shopping instead.
How this Delhi plan is built
Delhi is too big to criss-cross, so each day covers one belt of the city. Old Delhi gets a morning when the lanes are manageable, the Nizamuddin and Lodhi area gets a day built around Mughal tombs and gardens, and the south gets the Qutub and Hauz Khas before Akshardham in the east to finish. The Metro reaches nearly every stop, and a car with driver makes the transfers easier for families.
What the cost covers
The mid-range figure of about ₹12,000 per person assumes two or three nights in a 4-star hotel in Connaught Place or Karol Bagh on twin sharing, a private car for three days, a guide for Old Delhi, and entry fees. It excludes meals, flights and anything you buy. Travelling by Metro instead of car cuts the cost by roughly a third.
Order around closures
The Red Fort, Akshardham, the Lotus Temple and the National Museum close on Mondays. Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar and Lodhi Garden are open daily, so put them on Monday. Jama Masjid closes to tourists at prayer times, so mornings work best.
In winter, fog and smog can make early mornings grey. Keep the outdoor monuments for late morning and afternoon, when visibility improves.
Plan the rest
See the best time to visit Delhi, the longer list of things to do in Delhi, the Delhi food guide and where to stay in Delhi. From Delhi, Agra is under two hours by train.
Frequently asked questions
Which day of the week should I start this Delhi itinerary?
Is the Metro practical for this itinerary?
Is three days in Delhi too much?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
