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So you’ve landed in Delhi and are probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. These are 5 great itinerary options for an easy first day in Delhi while you acclimatize. Each itinerary will take you to a calmer part of Delhi that is easy to get to and navigate.
Delhi is full on bonkers all the time, which is part of the charm, but it does take a little getting used to. You’ll notice none of these options include Old Delhi. While I highly recommend you explore the sites of Old Delhi, I don’t recommend you do it until you’ve had a couple of days to adjust.
You don’t need to hire a guide or a driver to show you Delhi. It’s a mega city, but it’s totally manageable if you have a game plan. And these are your game plans!
Delhi Itinerary: Easy Ways to Spend Your First Day
I love Delhi so much I moved there, but I remember how overwhelmed I felt the first time I visited. These 5 itinerary suggestions will take you to greener and nicer parts of Delhi, but still important sites you should see.
1. Lodhi Garden – Lodhi Art District – Khan Market
If you start your Delhi adventure this way, you will fall in love with the city. This is the most exclusive and one of the greenest areas of the city – it’s really the best of Delhi. It’s very central, so super easy to get to.
➡️ Stroll through Lodhi Garden, a lovely park famous for its diverse flora, fauna and monuments from the 13th and 14th centuries. The park is 80 acres, but you can see most of it between 1-2 hours. It’s a free public park.
➡️ Across Lodhi Road from the park is India’s first open air art district. There are over 50 giant murals with social and contemporary themes on the walls of residential buildings. It’s a quiet (by Delhi standards) neighbourhood and easy to walk around. Here’s a map of all the murals: St+Art India’s location guide.
➡️ Hop into an auto rickshaw and go to Khan Market. It’s very close and should cost less than INR 100. Khan Market is fantastic and a favourite of locals. The market has all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafes, and is an excellent spot to have a meal and pick up a few souvenirs. It’s pedestrian friendly and beside the Khan Market metro station, so you can get back to your accommodation easily.
2. Hauz Khas Village – Hauz Khas Fort – Deer Park
This is another of Delhi’s greenest and nicest areas. It’s also very historic. This is a pretty relaxing itinerary for a first day in Delhi.
➡️ Explore Hauz Khas Village, one of Delhi’s gentrified urban villages. It’s a pretty cool, boho kind of vibe, and gets very lively at night. Only local vehicles are permitted in the village, which is one main lane down the middle and a few offshoots, so it’s super easy to navigate.
➡️ Social (Hauz Khas) is an excellent restaurant for a meal. The menu has something for everyone, and the outdoor terrace overlooks the Hauz Khas Fort.
➡️ At the very end of the main lane in Hauz Khas Village is the Hauz Khas Complex from the 13th century. Besides a fort, there are ruins of a madrassa, mosque, and tombs of past rulers. Admission is INR 300 and it’s totally worth it. This is a hidden gem of Delhi. You can buy tickets online on the Archeological Survey of India website in advance (and they’re slightly cheaper).
➡️ Hauz Khas Fort abuts Deer Park, a lovely public park. Besides the peaceful greenery, the park has several tombs and wall mosques built between the 14th and 16th centuries. There’s a really nice walking path along the historic royal reservoir where you get great views of Hauz Khas Fort. The entrance to the park is just outside the gate at the top of Hauz Khas Village.
The nearest metro station is Green Park, and it’s about a 15 minute walk.
3. Qutub Minar Complex- Garden of Five Senses – Champa Gali
These sites are not as central as the others, but you’ll be able to easily move around by auto rickshaw or metro.
➡️ Start your day at one of Delhi’s UNESCO sites, the Qutub Minar. Try to go in the morning, because the Qutub Minar is Delhi’s most visited site and it gets busy. The Qutub Minar is the famous brick minaret, but the complex also includes other monuments, some of which date back to 1192. Admission is INR 600.
I recommend buying your tickets in advance online on the Archeological Survey of India website so you don’t have to wait at the ticket booth (they are also slightly cheaper).
➡️ From the Qutub take an Uber or an auto rickshaw the 2.5 km to Champa Gali. Champa Gali is a quirky lane in one of Delhi’s urban villages. It’s a laid-back spot with cafes, restaurants and unique shops. If you’re hungry, this is a good spot to eat. Jugmug Thela, Rose Cafe and Foresta Bistro & Cafe are all good.
➡️ You can either walk or take an auto rickshaw (should be well below INR 100) to Garden of Five Senses. This is a newer park that has lots of outdoor art installations, and distinct areas meant to stimulate the 5 senses, such as fountains, a water lily pond, Mughal garden and walking paths. Admission is INR 35.
To get back to your accommodation, head to the nearest metro station, which is Saket. It’s 1.5 km away, so grab an auto rickshaw.
4. India Gate – Rashtrapati Bhavan – Bikaner House
This part of Delhi is the middle axis of Lutyens’ Delhi. It was built by and for the British Raj, when India was a colony (India gained independence in 1947).
➡️ India Gate is Delhi’s Arche de Triomphe. The war monument is dedicated to fallen soldiers from WWI and the Anglo-Afghan war of 1919. An eternal flame burns in the center of the monument. But India Gate is also a hive of activity. There’s always buskers, street food sellers, hawkers, and picture takers – it’s a fun spot.
➡️ Opposite India Gate is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. It’s the largest president’s house in the world, 50 times larger than the White House! Take an auto rickshaw up Kartavya Path to see the most famous building in Delhi.
➡️ Get the auto rickshaw to drop you off at Bikaner House, the former palace of the Prince of Bikaner. It’s now an arts and cultural centre, open for free to the public. This is your chance to explore an Indian palace. There are 4 restaurants on site, so have a bite to eat and enjoy the relative peace.
You’ll be right in the centre of Delhi and can easily go anywhere from here. The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat.
5. Connaught Place – Jantar Mantar – Janpath Market – Agrasen ki Baoli
This itinerary focuses on the centre of Delhi, Connaught Place. You’ll be able to walk everywhere if you want to. Be aware this area is rife with touts – ignore everyone.
➡️ Connaught Place is the British built shopping and business hub built by the British. Even if you don’t do any shopping, it’s interesting to stroll along the colonnaded walkways. This is the unofficial centre of the city – you cannot come to Delhi and not visit Connaught Place!
➡️ Next, visit Jantar Mantar, the 18th century astronomical observatory. These are a collection of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. Admission is INR 300 (you can buy tickets in advance on the Archeological Survey of India website). Just walk straight down Sansad Marg from Connaught Place to get there.
➡️ Around the corner from Jantar Mantar is one of Delhi’s best street markets, Janpath Market. It’s actually 4 markets rolled into one: the main market, a Gujarati market, a Tibetan market and a street market. You can pick up all kinds of clothing, small household items and souvenirs.
If you want something to eat, there are excellent Indian restaurants on Janpath Road, like Sagar Ratna, Saravana Bhavan and Punjab Grill.
➡️ Depending on which end of Janpath Road you end up, either walk or take an auto rickshaw to Agrasen ki Baoli. Delhi used to have hundreds of stepwells, but there are very few remaining. This is the most spectacular of the surviving stepwells. And it’s absolutely free.
The Barakhamba Road metro station is a 10 minute walk.
How To Get Around Delhi for These Itineraries
Delhi has excellent transportation options. If you’re staying within a few kilometres of where you want to go, the easiest way is auto rickshaw or Uber. Both are safe and very popular in Delhi. If you’re further out, the best way to get around the city is by metro. Delhi has an amazing metro system – don’t hesitate to use it.
At night only use Uber – it is the safest option.
Where to Stay in Delhi
These are some of my favourite places to stay in Delhi. They are all excellent and well located for exploring the city.
📍Imperial Hotel New Delhi (luxury) – The Imperial is Delhi’s best heritage hotel and a personal favourite. Built during the British Raj, it exudes traditional luxury without feeling stuffy. The location is superb, right on Janpath Road, within walking distance of numerous shops, restaurants and attractions.
📍Lutyens Bungalow (mid-range) – This heritage property has an incredible location right beside Lodhi Garden, in what could be the very best neighbourhood in Delhi. Rooms are elegant but comfortable, and breakfast is included. There’s an outdoor pool.
📍Prakash Kutir B&B (budget) – This is South Delhi’s best family-run bed and breakfast. It’s located in Hauz Khas, a better residential neighbourhood, near a metro station and market with shops and restaurants. A home cooked breakfast is included, and it’s super clean. It’s a good base to explore the city from.
The Wrap-up on Delhi Itinerary: Easy Ways to Spend Your First Day 2024
Whichever option you choose, these are all fantastic ways to help you ease into Delhi while making sure you see something amazing. Delhi really is an incredible city, just give it a chance.
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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
