The Perfect One Day in Delhi: An Insider’s Guide

So, you’ve got 24 hours in Delhi? You are in for a treat! Most people don’t realize Delhi is one of the most historically significant cities in the world. Don’t waste your day inside the hotel, get out and see India’s most fascinating city. I have lived in Delhi since 2020 and explored the city and inside out. This is a perfect one day in Delhi itinerary.

Are you coming to Delhi with children? I have a special one day in Delhi itinerary for kids.

Delhi is a mega city (33 million people live here), and there’s no way you can see it in one day. But with 24 hours you can definitely cover some highlights. By the time your one day in Delhi is finished, you’ll be looking forward to your next layover here!

Here’s what you’ll see on this one day in Delhi itinerary:

This is a very full day and you will be tired after, but you’ll cover a lot of ground. At the end of the day you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you saw quite a bit of Delhi.

The Perfect One Day in Delhi Itinerary

The thing to keep in mind is that Delhi is huge, and it can take hours to cross the city by car. With limited time in the city, this itinerary will take you to a couple of major sites and then focus on the best attractions nearby.

This is a jam-packed day so wear comfortable shoes, bring bottled water, a hat, sunscreen and head out early. I recommend fairly conservative dress, and women should bring a scarf or dupatta to cover their hair when required.

Start at Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO)

You will start your one day in Delhi at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delhi has 3 UNESCO sites and you can’t spend a day here and not visit any of them (Red Fort and Qutab Minar are the other two). Plus it happens to be one of the most magical monuments in the city.

This will be the most expensive entrance fee you pay today. If you buy your tickets online it is INR 550 (more about that later), children under 15 are free.

Humayun was one of India’s most famous Mughal emperors. The Mughals ruled India for over 300 years and are responsible for the Taj Mahal in Agra and Delhi’s most beautiful sites. Humayun’s Tomb is no exception – it is a captivating complex. In fact, there are several gorgeous tombs here, Mughal gardens and the graves of over 150 Mughal royals and their entourage.

Start your day as early as you can. There is no official opening time, but generally Humayun’s Tomb opens around sunrise every morning. I suggest being there for 8:00 am and buying your ticket in advance on the Archeological Survey of India website. Even though there isn’t much of a line-up early in the morning, it’s better to buy your ticket online. Staff aren’t always able to make change, process electronic payments, or be there to open the ticket booth on time.

Humayun first came to power in 1530 at the age of 22. He was very inexperienced, lost the empire and subsequently regained in 15 years later. Humayun spent most of his exile in Persia and brought much of the culture back with him when he returned to India.

Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden style Mughal tomb built in India. It set the precedent for many grand tombs built after, including the Taj Mahal.

The mausoleum was finished in 1572. It was commissioned by his chief wife, Bega Begum, who personally oversaw the construction and financed it.

Over the years it has seen a lot of history. It was here the last Mughal ruler of India sought refuge from the British during the Mutiny of 1857. During Partition it was used as a migratory camp for Muslims returning to Pakistan.

If you are staying in South or Central Delhi, either take an auto rickshaw to Humayun’s Tomb or an Uber if you’re more than 4 km away. If you’re staying in Gurugram or near the airport, you may want to consider taking the metro to save time and money. The nearest metro station is Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (aka JLN Stadium) on the Violet line. Use exit gates 2 or 3, and take an auto rickshaw from there (fare should not be more than INR 100).

Explore Delhi’s Sufism at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

This is the most important Sufi site in Delhi. It doesn’t get many tourists and is one of the more off the beaten path sites in Delhi, but well worth a visit.

From Humayun’s Tomb take an auto rickshaw to Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the shrine of Delhi’s most powerful Sufi saint. Don’t be alarmed – the dargah is in the heart of one of Delhi’s urban villages, and you will go through the narrow and congested lanes to get there.

Delhi has many of these urban village that escaped the city’s municipality by-laws following Partition.

When you get close to the dargah, women should cover their heads. Be prepared to remove your shoes before you enter – you can deposit them with one of the shops just outside the dargah entrance. Just leave a small tip (INR 50) when you retrieve your shoes.

There is no need to purchase flowers, coconuts are other offerings for the shrine, unless of course you want to.

This dargah is believed to hold great power and thousands of devotees visit each week. It is the resting place of Khawja Nizamuddin Auliya, a very powerful Sufi saint who lived during the Tughlaq dynasty. In fact, it was built by Emperor Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1325, who was a devotee of the saint.

This is a Muslim site, but people of all faiths come to pray to the saint. It is believed any wish made from the heart will be granted, regardless of religion.

Women cannot enter the shrine itself, but many pray and tie sacred threads through the jali (stone, lattice screens).

See an 800 Year Old Stepwell

Next to the dargah is the famous stepwell, Hazrat Nizamuddin Baoli. Do not miss this! It was built 800 years ago. If you walk along the side of the baoli you will come to a small covered bazaar in the back.

It is one of the few stepwells in Delhi fed by an underground spring and is considered sacred by many. It was built by the Sufi saint for his family and followers.

There is no fee to visit the dargah, but be prepared to be asked for donations or money by the less fortunate. Feel free to ignore or comply with these requests – there is no obligation.

Take an Auto Rickshaw Through Lodhi Art District

From the village of Nizamuddin, take an auto rickshaw. Tell the driver you want to go to Lodhi Colony to see the art murals and then Khan Market. He will definitely know Lodhi Colony but he may not understand about the art murals. Direct him to drive up and down the lanes so you can see the wonderful murals before heading to Khan Market. Pay him INR 200 for this, which should be plenty.

Lodhi Colony is India’s first open air art district – there are over 50 giant murals with social and ethical themes.

Most of the murals are located within Second and Fifth Avenues (east – west) and Jorbagh Road (north side) and a couple of lanes south of Veer Savarkar Park. Here’s a handy map of all the murals: St+Art India’s location guide.

Lodhi Colony neighborhood was originally built by the British in the 1940s to house their government employees. It is still government housing, and although the location is absolute prime, I’ve heard the apartments themselves are not in good condition. Many Indian government jobs come with housing – all on a very hierarchical status.

From here you are headed to Delhi’s favourite upscale market. This will be a terrific spot for lunch.

Stroll Through Khan Market and Have Lunch

By now you’re probably famished, and this is a great place to fuel up. Khan Market has many terrific restaurant options. It’s also a great market to browse through – there’s an excellent selection of local Indian brands and international name shops.

Khan Market has everything – clothing, books, jewelry, food stuffs, coffee shops, eateries, pubs, shoes and makeup.

This is one of Delhi’s more affluent markets where South Delhiites love to come to shop and socialize. It’s a great market for visitors because it’s calm and organized (by Delhi standards, that is), and free from traffic in the main lanes.

Good spots for lunch are Colocal, Mamagoto, the Blue Door Cafe, the Big Chill Cafe and Green Mantis.

My favourite Khan Market shops:

• Kama Ayurveda (ayurvedic beauty products)
• Fabindia (Indian clothing and home decor)
• Faqir Chand and Bahrisons Booksellers (two of Delhi’s best book shops)
• Big Chill Creamery (ice cream)
• Choko la (chocolates and sweets)
• Anand General Store (food stuffs/groceries)
• Aquamarine Jewellery

Pay Your Respects to the Father of the Nation at Gandhi Smriti Museum

No trip to Delhi is complete without a stop at one of the sites devoted to Mahatma Gandhi. And Gandhi Smriti Museum is a very special place – it is the home Gandhi stayed at during the last months of his life and where he died.

Gandhi is still considered the father of the nation. He is greatly revered across the entire country, his image even appears on the currency.

It was in the garden here that he was assassinated on January 30, 1948 (still a national holiday in India). I was there last spring with a group, and many reported feeling his presence while walking through the home and gardens.

When Gandhi stayed there, the home was owned by the powerful Birla family. Gandhi was staying there as their guest (ironically because it was felt this was safer for him). Immediately after his death, the rooms Gandhi stayed in were carefully preserved, even his famous spectacles were saved. The Birla family eventually sold the home to the government so that it could be turned into a memorial and museum.

You can view the rooms Gandhi stayed in and literally walk in Gandhi’s last footsteps to Martyr’s Column, the actual spot where he died.

Getting to Gandhi Smriti Museum is very easy from Khan Market. Just grab one of the auto rickshaws at the market, but make sure you specify Gandhi Smriti Museum on Tees January Marg. There is a Gandhi Smriti near Old Delhi (much further away) and an unscrupulous rickshaw driver could try to take you there and charge you much more. The ride to Gandhi Smriti Museum should be no more than INR 100.

Please note this site is closed on Mondays. Entrance is free. Many of Delhi’s museums and markets are closed Mondays.

Experience Indian Culture at Bikaner House

This is your chance to walk through and explore a real palace, for free. Bikaner House is the former palace of the Maharaja of Bikaner. In 2015 it was turned into an art and cultural centre to promote Indian talent. It is truly one of the hidden gems of Delhi.

This is one of those places that local art lovers and the expat community know about, but tourists almost never come here, unless they heard about it from me!

There are always several Indian art exhibits on at Bikaner House, and you can stroll through the lovely building and gardens. It’s a rare quiet oasis in the heart of New Delhi.

Take this moment to have a break at either L’Opera – a lovely cafe with exquisite Parisian style pastry, or the more casual Haldiram’s for lassi and one of the famous Indian snacks called chaats. Both are on the grounds of Bikaner House.

From Bikaner House, walk over to India Gate. It’s just across India Gate Circle, about a 5 minute walk. This will entail walking across the sometimes busy road. I suggest waiting for a break in the traffic, or look for locals crossing and just tag along beside them. I still employ this technique from time to time on really busy streets.

Walk over to India Gate and See India’s Parliament Buildings

A trip to Delhi is not complete without visiting India Gate. One of the most iconic symbols of Delhi, this war monument is one of the most popular meeting and hang out spots for locals.

It is always buzzing with activity and a wonderful place to observe Indian family culture!

This is a great spot to try street food. India Gate has some excellent bhel puri stands. You didn’t think I was going to give you a Delhi itinerary without squeezing in the most authentic of all Delhi experiences, eating the famous street food?

Street food is part of the culture of the city – and trust me, it is delicious! Just look for a stand that has got a steady stream of customers – locals always know where the best food is. If you have hand sanitizer, a dab before eating wouldn’t hurt.

At the opposite end of Kartavya Path is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President and India’s parliament buildings.

If you want to, and can, take an auto rickshaw down Kartavya Path to get a closer look at Rashtrapati Bhavan. There is a lot of construction in the area for Prime Minister Modi’s Central Vista project (new parliament buildings), and the road may not be fully open.

From India Gate take an auto rickshaw to Agrasen ki Baoli on Hailey Lane. This should cost no more than INR 80.

Step Back in Time at Agrasen Ki Baoli

At one time Delhi had one hundred stepwells. Now there are less than ten and this is one of the most beautiful. The current stepwell was built in the 14th century, but there was even older stepwell on this site that dated back to 3000 BC.

Agrasen ki Baoli has become popular, largely due to being featured in Bollywood films like the Aamir Khan classic PK. There’s always people here now, but when I first discovered it years ago hardly anyone would visit.

If you venture down the 108 stairs, don’t stare at the pool of black water at the bottom. It is rumoured to have mystical, but malevolent powers (Indian culture can be very superstitious).

While you’re there, take a look at the mosque in the corner at the top of the stairs. Almost nothing is known about the mosque except that it is likely several hundred years old.

The baoli closes at 5:00 pm, so make sure you get there at least 15 minutes before. There is no entrance fee.

Have Dinner in the Unofficial Centre of Delhi, Connaught Place

This is the last stop on your perfect one day in Delhi. You can actually walk here from Agrasen ki Baoli (it’s about 15 minutes), but I’m guessing you’re going to be pretty tired by now and an auto rickshaw will be the best bet.

Tell the driver to drop you off at Wenger’s – a well known bakery in the centre. Connaught Place is big (3 concentric traffic circles), and you want to end up in the inner circle.

Connaught Place is the unofficial centre of Delhi and the perfect place to have dinner. It’s a favourite hang-out and meeting spot for Delhiites and always full of activity. CP (as it’s referred to locally) was built by the British in 1933 as the commercial hub of New Delhi. It’s known for its colonnaded Georgian style buildings which now house international brand shops, restaurants, cinemas, art galleries and amazing cafes.

Good spots for dinner and my favourite Indian restaurants in CP are:

• Zaffran
• Pind Balluchi
• Saravana Bhavan
• Kwality
• Naivedyam

You already had a chance to do some shopping in Khan Market, but if there was anything you missed CP is one of the best places in Delhi for shopping. has everything, including a reliable money exchange at Tradex Financial Services (Block L-4), next to Haldiram’s.

If you are looking for authentic Indian print textiles for gifts or souvenirs, there are two great stores in CP: the Shop (in the Regal Building) and Soma (Block K-44).

Unfortunately this area has a lot of touts. Don’t be surprised if Indian men try to engage you in conversation. The best approach is to completely ignore them. This may seem rude (I’m Canadian so this is very counter intuitive for me), but it is essential!

If it’s not too late after dinner, you can walk around the inner circle of CP – it is safe there. Don’t go down any dark alleys and stick to the main circle where most of the people are. By this time it will be dark, so take an Uber or Ola back to your hotel. I don’t recommend taking auto rickshaws at night.

Getting Around During Your One Day in Delhi

Delhi has lots of transportation options. Traffic can be terrible, so for short distances I suggest walking or taking auto rickshaws, which can be found everywhere.

For longer distances, I highly recommend using the Delhi metro. It’s an amazing system and one of the best in the world. Not only is it modern, efficient and clean, it goes everywhere! It is very user friendly, but if you want a step by step guide, read how to use the Delhi metro.

If you can’t face the Delhi metro, Uber is widely used in Delhi. Ola and BluSmart are two more ride-share apps popular in the city. All are reliable. You can rent any one of these for hours at a time and make multiple stops. The cost is reasonable, and it’s like having a private car and driver for the day.

Of course you will need a phone with data to utilize these, but it’s relatively easy and cheap to get a local SIM in Delhi.

Avoid public buses and taxis. Buses are not 100% safe (especially for women), and taxis will rip you off.

Tips for Enjoying Your One Day in Delhi

Don’t let simple mistakes cost you time, and stress you out during your one day in Delhi. These tips will help you make the most of your limited time in the city.

1. Start as early as you can

You may dread the idea of getting up early when you’re on holiday, but this itinerary is pretty full. The sooner you start, the more time you will have to enjoy the city. Plus, Delhi can get hot. Do as much traipsing around as possible before the temperature really rises.

2. Dress for the weather and culture

Delhi has extremes in weather. In January the daytime temperature can go down to 5C, while in June the temperature regularly hits 45C. Check the weather before you pack.

The sun can be strong in Delhi, use sunscreen, and bring a hat and sunglasses.

India is a conservative country. Leave the short shorts and tank tops at home. Ladies, if you don’t want a lot of attention, dress modestly. Cover your legs, shoulders and cleavage. Keep a dupatta (Indian scarf) with you – an indispensable accessory in India. You’ll need it to cover your hair if you venture into a mosque or gurudwara, and it’s great as a shawl if you get chilly or just want to cover up.

3. Keep small bills

Change larger bills in shops that will take them and your hotel. Make sure you hang onto smaller bills for auto rickshaws, street vendors and buying water. Vendors are notorious for claiming not to have change, even when they do.

4. Keep hydrated

Drink lots of bottled water. Small bottles are INR 10 and larger bottles are INR 20, unless you buy designer water. Generally speaking, water in many restaurants is fine (not super casual dhaba joints), but you should ask to make sure it’s filtered. If there’s any doubt, drink bottled water.

5. Go with the flow

This is India… I can guarantee not everything will go according to plan. Sites randomly close, operating hours change without notice, roads are suddenly blocked.

The only thing you should expect is that something unexpected will happen. But if you relax and just go with it, you’ll have a much better time. Sometimes the best things happen when something else goes awry.

Want to Plan One Day in Delhi the Easy Way?

This do it yourself one day in Delhi itinerary is all you need to experience some of the best things about Delhi. It will take you to many of my favourite places and tell you how to get there.

But if you would rather not worry about navigating Delhi and just relax (as much as it is possible in a city like this), you can consider taking one of these fantastic tours of Delhi:

• half day tuk tuk tour of New Delhi
• half day cycle tour of Old Delhi
• breakfast, brunch or night food walk depending on your schedule

I highly recommend these tours. They are with ethical and reliable local companies. Looking for something else? Here are six incredible Delhi tours you can take.

Only One Night in Delhi?

If you only have one night in Delhi, these are some great things to do:

Where to Stay With Only One Day in Delhi

In a city this large and congested, deciding where to stay (especially if you only have one day in Delhi) can be challenging.

I’ve stayed all over the city, and I highly recommend you stay in South Delhi. It’s the more affluent part of the city, where the embassies, government buildings and nicer residential neighbourhoods are located.

Everything in this itinerary is in South Delhi so you won’t waste unnecessary time travelling. It’s also very well connected by metro. These are my favourite South Delhi hotels:

Imperial Hotel

I absolutely love this luxury heritage hotel. It’s my top pick and favourite hotel in the entire city. The location is excellent, right on Janpath Road in Connaught Place.

You can easily walk to many places from here – and that is not something I can say very often about Delhi.

The Imperial exudes Indian charm in a luxurious, but not pretentious way. It is very beautiful and guests are extremely well looked after. It also has one of the most famous restaurants in Delhi, Spice Route. I love the Imperial’s high tea buffet in the Atrium and their ornate outdoor pool. Plus the rooms are gorgeous and cozy!

If you’re a solo female traveler, the Imperial has Eliza rooms for women only, which feature special toiletries and extra security features.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at the Imperial Hotel Delhi

Bloomrooms @ Janpath

This is a fantastic hotel if you want the excellent location of central Connaught Place, but something budget friendly. It’s located in an area with five star luxury hotels and tucked away on a quiet side street. It’s a bright and cheerful hotel, part of the Bloomrooms chain. Great value for the area.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Bloomrooms @ Janpath

Ambassador, New Delhi

This is a wonderful older hotel, full of character and in one of Delhi’s most exclusive neighbourhoods next to Khan Market.

It’s a designated heritage building (built in 1947) and offers cultural activities like heritage walks, feeding Delhi pigeons on the lawns, and high tea. It’s also pet friendly.

While the hotel is not as flash as newer properties, it has lots of charm and is in one of the best residential neighbourhoods of Delhi. You can easily walk to Khan Market and Lodhi Garden, Delhi’s favourite park.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at the Ambassador, New Delhi

Bnineteen

This is a great small boutique hotel tucked away in a lovely residential area of South Delhi, next door to Humayun’s Tomb. You can be at the first stop of this one day in Delhi itinerary in less than 10 minutes.

This part of town is very historic, you’ll pass by two other beautiful Mughal era tombs when going to and from Bnineteen, the Sabz Burj and Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan Tomb. Ask for a room with a view of Humayun’s Tomb, it doesn’t get much more magical than that!

Don’t skip out on breakfast – it’s included with the room rate and very good. As much as I love this property, it is very close the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. If you are a light sleeper this could be problematic – you can hear trains from the property.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Bnineteen

Zaza Stay

I love this upscale guest house. It feels like a home, and staff are incredibly helpful. It’s in one of South Delhi’s best neighbourhoods, Nizamuddin West and most rooms have balconies which look out onto trees (make sure you ask for one of these rooms).

The location is excellent for this itinerary and exploring Delhi, it’s very close to Humayun’s Tomb. An excellent breakfast is included in the room rate.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Zaza Stay

Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast

This is one of Delhi’s most popular B&Bs, and for good reason. It is spotlessly clean (I swear you could eat off the floors), and it’s well located in one of South Delhi’s better neighourhoods, Hauz Khas. It’s within walking distance of Shahpur Jat and several ruins from Siri, Delhi’s second medieval city.

Rooms are very comfortable and the Gupta family will make you feel like an honoured guest. A very filling breakfast is included in the room rate. Reserve your room as far in advance as possible – this place gets booked up.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast

Where to Stay if You Have to be Near the Airport

If you need to stay near the airport but still want to be able to get into Delhi easily, the best place to stay is Aerocity. It’s conveniently located beside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and you can be at the airport terminal in minutes.

You can walk to the Delhi metro Aerocity station from the hotels and be at your first stop of this one day in Delhi itinerary in less than an hour. It would take much longer in a car, unless you leave very early in the morning. These are my favourite Aerocity hotels:

Andaz Delhi

This is a bright and modern luxury hotel. They have an excellent gym and top notch restaurants, including a specialty gin bar, Juniper. It’s part of the Hyatt chain so you know it’s going to be good. And it’s pet friendly.

If you want something special to do at night, Delhi’s premiere Sufi lounge and show, Khubani, is located on the grounds of the Andaz.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Andaz Delhi 

Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

This is my personal favourite of the Aerocity hotels. It’s sleek and contemporary, but still inviting and comfortable. Plus it’s pet friendly, which is always a big plus for me (and my dog). I love the rooms, which are stylish but still cozy. Staff are excellent and will do everything possible to ensure you have a great stay.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

Ibis New Delhi Airport

This is a great choice for a more budget friendly hotel, something there isn’t much of at Aerocity. The beds are super comfortable and rooms have black out curtains, a real plus if you’re trying to get over jet-lag. The Ibis has a gym, outdoor pool and restaurants. It’s another pet friendly hotel.

🎈Check rates & book your stay at Ibis New Delhi Aerocity

Do You Have More Than One Day in Delhi?

If you’re lucky enough to have more than one day in Delhi, you have so much to look forward to!

With an extra afternoon or morning, consider seeing one of Delhi’s other UNESCO sites, the Red Fort or Qutab Minar – both are spectacular. An extra half day would also give you enough time to visit one of Delhi’s most unique temples, Akshardham Temple or the Bahai Lotus Temple.

Consider exploring Old Delhi with my free DIY heritage walk of Old Delhi

If you have a few days in Delhi, be sure to check out my detailed 5 day Delhi itinerary to help you find the best sites.

You might also be interested in…

• How to Get from Indira Gandhi International Airport into Delhi
• Where to Stay in Delhi – Best Areas and Hotels for Every Budget
• 29 Amazing Things to Do in Delhi

Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing

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