The Perfect One Day in Delhi: An Insider’s Guide
So, you’ve got one day 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, go see India’s most fascinating city.
I lived in Delhi for years and explored the city inside and 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.
This is a full day, but you’ll cover a lot of ground. In just one day you’re going to see quite a bit of Delhi.
Here’s what you’ll see on this one day in Delhi itinerary:
- World heritage UNESCO site
- Off the beaten path sites, including a Prince’s palace
- Popular Delhi street market
- Tribute to Gandhi
- Dinner and lunch in two of Delhi’s most popular areas
- Outdoor art district
- Delhi’s famous war monument & favourite gathering spot
Delhi is a mega city, and there’s no way you can see it in one day. But with 24 hours you can cover some of the things that make Delhi a remarkable city.
The Perfect One Day in Delhi Itinerary
Delhi is huge and it can take hours to cross the city by car. So you don’t waste time travelling, this itinerary takes you to a couple of major sites and then focus on the best attractions nearby.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring bottled water, a hat, sunscreen and start early. Dress conservatively, and women should bring a scarf or dupatta to cover their hair when required.
1. Start at Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO)
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 one of them.
Humayun’s Tomb is a Mughal era tomb complex in South Delhi. The largest and most impressive tomb is Humayun’s. It is one of the tombs that inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. It was built in 1572.
The Mughals ruled India for over 300 years and Humayun is one of the most famous emperors.
I recommend being at Humayun’s Tombs for 8:00 am and buying your ticket in advance on the Archeological Survey of India website. You can buy tickets in person, but staff aren’t always there on time or able to make change.
Entrance fee: INR 600 (550 online), children under 15 free
2. Witness Delhi’s Sufism at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah
From Humayun’s Tomb take an auto rickshaw to Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the shrine of Delhi’s most powerful Sufi saint.
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. But it will be worth it.
This is the most important Sufi site in Delhi, it gets thousands of devotees every week of all religions. The dargah is believed to hold great power. It is the final resting place of a very powerful Sufi saint who lived during the Tughlaq dynasty, Khawja Nizamuddin Auliya.
It was built by Emperor Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1325, who was a devotee of the saint.
Remove your shoes before entering the dargah area, and women must cover their heads. You can leave your shoes with one of the shops just outside the dargah entrance for a small tip (INR 50).
Women cannot enter the shrine itself, but many pray and tie sacred threads through the jali (stone, lattice screens).
There is no fee to visit the dargah, but you will probably be asked for money from some less fortunate devotees.
See an 800 Year Old Stepwell
Next to the dargah is a famous stepwell, Hazrat Nizamuddin Baoli. Do not miss this! It was built 800 years ago.
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.
Entrance free
3. 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 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 250 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. Here’s a handy map of all the murals: St+Art India’s location guide.
Lodhi Colony was originally built by the British in the 1940s to house their government employees. It is still government housing, but I’ve heard the apartments themselves are not in good condition despite this being absolute prime real estate.
From here go to Khan Market for lunch.
4. Stroll Through Khan Market and Have Lunch
Khan Market is Delhi’s favourite upscale market and it has many terrific restaurant options.
This is a great market to browse through – there’s an excellent selection of local Indian brands and international name shops.
This is an affluent market where South Delhiites love to shop and socialize. It’s good for visitors because it’s relatively calm 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.
5. Pay Your Respects to the Father of the Nation at Gandhi Smriti Museum
No trip to Delhi is complete without paying respect to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi is considered the father of the nation and greatly revered across the entire country.
To get here, just take an auto rickshaw from Khan Market. Tell the driver Gandhi Smriti Museum on Tees January Marg. There is a Gandhi Smriti near Old Delhi, much further away.
Gandhi Smriti Museum is the home Gandhi stayed at during the last months of his life and where he died. He was assassinated in the garden on January 30, 1948 (a national holiday in India).
Entrance free, closed Mondays
6. Experience Indian Culture at Bikaner House
Take an auto rickshaw from Gandhi Smriti Museum to Bikaner House. It’s 2.2 km.
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 one of the hidden gems of Delhi.
This is one of those places local art lovers and the expat community know about, but tourists don’t.
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.
Have a snack or coffee break here. There are several nice cafes and the casual Indian eatery, Haldiram’s.
Entrance free
7. Walk over to India Gate & See India’s Parliament Buildings
From Bikaner House, walk over to India Gate. It’s just across India Gate Circle, about a 5 minute walk.
India Gate is one of the most iconic symbols of Delhi. The 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 can’t visit Delhi without having the most authentic local experience, eating Delhi’s famous street food.
Street food is part of the culture of the city, and it is delicious! Look for a stand that has got a steady stream of customers – locals always know where the best food is.
At the opposite end of Kartavya Path is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President and India’s parliament buildings.
If you want you can take an auto rickshaw down Kartavya Path to get a closer look at Rashtrapati Bhavan. You can walk it too, but it’s 3 km.
Entrance free
8. Step Back in Time at Agrasen Ki Baoli
From India Gate take an auto rickshaw to Agrasen ki Baoli on Hailey Lane. This should cost no more than INR 100.
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.
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.
Free (closes at 5:00 pm)
9. Have Dinner in the Unofficial Centre of Delhi, Connaught Place
This is the last stop on your perfect one day in Delhi. You can walk here from Agrasen ki Baoli – it’s about 15 minutes.
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 called locally) was built by the British in 1933 as the commercial hub of New Delhi. It’s known for its colonnaded Georgian style buildings, international brand shops and restaurants.
Good spots for dinner and my favourite Indian restaurants in CP are Zaffran, Pind Balluchi, Saravana Bhavan, Kwality and Naivedyam.
This area has a lot of touts. Ignore any unsolicited conversation and just keep walking.
After dinner you can walk around the inner circle of CP – it’s safe. Don’t go down any dark alleys and stick to the main circle where most of the people are.
Take an Uber back to your hotel, or an auto rickshaw if it’s not far and you’re not alone (I don’t recommend taking auto rickshaws alone at night).
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:
- Start early: This is a full day, and sites are quieter and cooler earlier.
- Dress modestly: Loose clothing that covers shoulders chest and knees is best.
- Keep small bills: You’ll need them for auto rickshaws and street vendors.
- Stay hydrated: Drink bottled or filtered water only.
- Go with the flow: In India it is rare for everything to go according to plan. There are unexpected closures, sudden road blocks… You’ll be happier if you can just go with it. Sometimes the best things happen when something else goes off the rails.
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. The best area to stay in is South Delhi.
I am very familiar with these properties, and recommend them because they are exceptional and in good neighbourhoods. They are also well located for seeing Delhi, especially if you only have one day.
- The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi (luxury): Beautiful heritage hotel full of charm and character. The location is excellent for exploring Delhi in a walkable area close to many sites, shops and restaurants. This is my favourite Delhi hotel.
- Lutyens Bungalow (mid-range): Heritage boutique property in one of the best areas of the city next to Lodhi Garden. Fantastic area near many sites. Breakfast is included.
- Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget): Family run guest house in a very good area of South Delhi, near the metro and easy to explore the whole city from. Spotlessly clean. Home-cooked breakfast is included.
How to Get to Get Around Delhi
The best ways to get around to see these things in Delhi is by metro, Uber, auto rickshaw, or any combination of these.
The Delhi metro is really good – don’t be nervous about using it. And auto rickshaws are everywhere and super convenient. Uber is also good in Delhi, and very cheap.
I go into more detail in this article on how to get around Delhi.
Do You Have More Than One Day in Delhi?
With an extra afternoon or morning, consider seeing one of Delhi’s other UNESCO sites, the Red Fort (in Old Delhi) or Qutab Minar. Both are spectacular.
An extra half day would give you enough time to visit one of Delhi’s most famous temples, Akshardham Temple or the Bahai Lotus Temple. Or, you could explore the most famous street in Delhi, Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi.
Want to Plan One Day in Delhi the Easy Way?
If you don’t want to deal with navigating Delhi, consider taking one of these tours:
- Half day tuk tuk tour of New Delhi with India City Walks
- half day cycle tour of Old Delhi with Delhi by Cycle
- breakfast, brunch or night food walk with Delhi Food Walks
Last Words on the Perfect One Day in Delhi
This do it yourself one day in Delhi itinerary is absolutely manageable on your own. It’s a good roundup of history, culture and food – all the things that make Delhi unique.
