How Many Days in Delhi Do You Need?
It’s your first time visiting India and you’re wondering how many days you’ll need in Delhi. I think 3 days is the perfect amount of time.
Delhi is incredibly historic and traditional, so you’ll want enough time to experience what makes Delhi so fascinating. But, Delhi can also be overwhelming, especially on a first visit. Three days gives you enough time to see the main sites and get a feel for the city without being exhausted by it.
How Many Days Do You Need in Delhi?
Delhi is an extremely historical city and it’s also the nation’s capital, so there’s enough important historic and cultural sites to justify several days.
Delhi is also very spread out and navigating it takes time. If you’re staying in South Delhi for example (one of the best areas to stay), it can take up to an hour to get into Old Delhi.
This is also a very intense city. There’s lots of people, noise, colours, smells – it’s full throttle and it looks like mayhem to a newbie. Longer isn’t always better.
Is 1 Day Enough in Delhi?
If you only have one day, I would cover a few main sites in New Delhi, and then venture into Old Delhi for the afternoon. One day will give you a taste of Delhi.
Here’s what one day could look like:
- Day 1: Lodhi Garden, Khan Market (lunch), India Gate, Old Delhi (Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Spice Market), Connaught Place (dinner)
That would give you a nice mix of culture, tradition and history while seeing some of the most famous and iconic sites of Delhi. It is a full day though, and you’ll have to keep moving.
Here’s an alternate Delhi in one day itinerary that doesn’t include Old Delhi, but does take you through an even older part of Delhi.
Is 2 Days Enough in Delhi?
With two days, you’ll get a much better sense of Delhi than you would in one day. I would focus on the sites of New Delhi on the first day, and then venture over to Old Delhi on day 2.
Two days in Delhi could look like this:
- Day 1: Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO), India Gate, Agrasen ki Baoli, Janpath Market, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Khan Market (dinner)
- Day 2: Old Delhi sites (Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Spice Market, Jama Masjid), Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial), Connaught Place (dinner)
Two days gives you a day to get acclimated before tackling Old Delhi. This suggested itinerary covers many significant cultural and historical sites.
3 Days in Delhi: The Sweet Spot
With three days, I would follow the two day itinerary above and spend the third day exploring South Delhi. Basically you would cover New Delhi on day 1, Old Delhi on day 2, and South Delhi on day 3.
- Day 3: Qutub Complex (UNESCO), Mehrauli Archeological Park, Hauz Khas Village & Fort, Dilli Haat
Here’s an alternate 3 day Delhi itinerary that you might prefer. It’s similar, but it includes the Bahai Lotus Temple and goes into more detail.
Should You Spend 4 or 5 Days in Delhi?
There is definitely enough to see in Delhi to fill weeks – the question is whether you want to spend that much time exploring such an intense city.
I love Delhi and think it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the world, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Delhi is noisy, crowded, chaotic and dirty. To a first-time visitor it can seem bonkers.
If you decide to stay longer here are things you could do:
- explore fascinating off the beaten path sites like Nizamuddin Dargah or Tughlaqabad Fort
- eat street food in markets that aren’t in Old Delhi
- take a cooking class or a walking tour
- shop at Delhi’s famous street markets
- visit cultural centres or Delhi’s museums
- see Akshardham Temple
If you do want to spend 5 days exploring Delhi, here’s a detailed 5 day Delhi itinerary.
How Many Days in Delhi for the Golden Triangle?
Delhi is the starting point of India’s Golden Triangle, which is Delhi – Agra – Jaipur. I recommend allowing two or three days in Delhi as part of the Golden Triangle.
Most visitors end up with an extra half or full day in Delhi at the end of the Golden Triangle also. That would give you time to do something more, like one of the suggestions above.
Where to Stay in Delhi
in Delhi, where you stay matters. Not only because the city is massive and you want to be near the sites, but also in terms of safety. Here are a few excellent properties that are well located for sightseeing and in good neigbourhoods:
- Imperial Hotel New Delhi (luxury): Delhi’s finest heritage hotel and my personal favourite. Excellent walkable area in Connaught Place.
- Lutyens Bungalow (mid-range): Heritage boutique property in one of the best areas of the city next to Lodhi Garden. Breakfast is included.
- Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget): Family run guest house in a residential area, near the metro and easy to explore the whole city from. Home-cooked breakfast is included.
Last Words on How Many Days do You Need in Delhi
For a first visit, three days gives you enough time to experience the most important historical and cultural sites. You’ll be able to explore Old Delhi and New Delhi, and get a feel for what makes Delhi so fascinating.
Delhi is an intense city, and sightseeing can be exhausting. Three days gives you a good introduction to Delhi before you move on to your next destination.
