3 Days in Delhi: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one is Old Delhi: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, the lanes of Chandni Chowk and Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat. Day two moves to Lutyens' New Delhi and its Mughal tombs: Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Garden and India Gate at dusk. Day three heads south to the Qutb Minar, then the Lotus Temple and Akshardham.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹1,800 to ₹3,600, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Summers are very hot, the monsoon brings rain from July to September, and winter days are pleasant but mornings can be foggy and smoggy.
Pack:
Comfortable walking shoes
Clothes covering shoulders and knees for mosques, gurudwaras and temples
A scarf to cover your head at the gurudwara
A mask for smoggy winter days
Local tips:
The Delhi Metro is the quickest way around; it reaches most sights on this plan.
Use app cabs or prepaid autos rather than hailing taxis on the street.
Many sights, including the Red Fort, Lotus Temple and Akshardham, are closed on Mondays.
Booking tips:
Buy ASI monument tickets online with a QR code to skip the counter queues.
Phones and bags are not allowed inside Akshardham; leave them at the cloakroom or at your hotel.
Getting there (from other Indian cities):
flight: Direct flights to Indira Gandhi International Airport from every major Indian city - About 2 hours from Mumbai or Bengaluru
train: Rajdhani, Vande Bharat and other trains to New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations - About 16 hours from Mumbai by Rajdhani
The Airport Express metro line runs from the airport to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes.
Allow extra time for traffic in the evening rush hour.
Day 1: Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk
Shah Jahan's walled city: the Red Fort, the great Jama Masjid, the bazaars of Chandni Chowk and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, ending at Raj Ghat.
Red Fort (morning): Start at the Red Fort, the Mughal palace-fortress completed by Shah Jahan in 1648, whose red sandstone walls run for more than two kilometres. Inside, walk through the Hall of Public Audience and the marble pavilions where the emperor lived. The Prime Minister addresses the nation from its ramparts every Independence Day. ₹35, Indian visitors; buy online to skip the queue Why visit: The Mughal emperors' palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Where India's flag is raised every 15 August Know before you go: Closed on Mondays; Security checks at the gate can take time
Jama Masjid (late morning): Walk to Jama Masjid, about 10 minutes, India's largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan in the 1650s. Its courtyard holds about 25,000 worshippers, and from the south minaret you can see over the rooftops of Old Delhi. Free, a fee may be charged for cameras and the minaret climb Why visit: One of the largest mosques in India; Views over Old Delhi from the minaret Know before you go: Closed to visitors during prayer times; Cover shoulders and legs; robes are lent at the gate
Chandni Chowk (afternoon): Walk into Chandni Chowk, the 17th-century bazaar laid out for Shah Jahan's daughter Jahanara. Its lanes specialise in silver, spices, saris and wedding cards, and the street food is famous. Stop at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib on the main street, which marks where Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in 1675. Free Why visit: Old Delhi's great bazaar and street food; Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib on the main street Know before you go: Take an e-rickshaw through the busiest lanes; Cover your head inside the gurudwara
Raj Ghat (late afternoon): Take an auto to Raj Ghat, about 15 minutes, the memorial on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. A simple black marble platform with an eternal flame stands in quiet lawns beside the Yamuna. Free Why visit: The memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; Calm gardens after the bazaar Know before you go: Remove shoes before the memorial; Go before dusk
Eat: Haldiram's - Chandni Chowk - A reliable vegetarian restaurant on the main street of Chandni Chowk, with chaat, thalis and sweets.
Evening: Come back to Chandni Chowk after dark for street food in Paranthe Wali Gali.
Budget for the day: ₹380 to ₹780 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Garden and India Gate
Mughal and Delhi Sultanate tombs in leafy south Delhi, then the grand avenue of Kartavya Path and India Gate at dusk.
Humayun's Tomb (morning): Start at Humayun's Tomb, built in the 1560s for the Mughal emperor Humayun and commissioned by his widow, Bega Begum. It was the first great garden tomb in India, with a red sandstone and marble mausoleum in a garden of water channels, and inspired the Taj Mahal. ₹35, Indian visitors Why visit: The garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal; A UNESCO World Heritage Site Know before you go: Mornings are cooler and quieter; Explore the smaller tombs in the complex too
Lodhi Garden (late morning): Take an auto to Lodhi Garden, about 10 minutes. This park is scattered with 15th and 16th-century tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi rulers, among lawns and old trees where locals walk and picnic. Free Why visit: Medieval tombs in Delhi's favourite park; A quiet walk among old trees Know before you go: Best in the morning or late afternoon
India Gate (evening): In the evening, go to India Gate, the war memorial arch completed in 1931 for Indian soldiers who died in the First World War, at the end of Kartavya Path. Next to it, the National War Memorial, opened in 2019, honours soldiers who have died since Independence. Both are lit up at night. Free Why visit: Delhi's grandest avenue and its war memorials; A lively evening scene on the lawns Know before you go: Crowded on weekend evenings; The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat or Khan Market
Eat: Saravana Bhavan - A South Indian vegetarian restaurant at Janpath, known for dosas and filter coffee.
Evening: India Gate and the National War Memorial are lit up after dark; ice-cream carts line the lawns.
Budget for the day: ₹480 to ₹980 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Qutb Minar, the Lotus Temple and Akshardham
The Qutb Minar in the south, lunch at Dilli Haat, the Lotus Temple in the afternoon, and Akshardham in the evening.
Qutb Minar (morning): Start at the Qutb Minar, the 72.5-metre tower begun around 1199 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi. Its carved bands of red and buff sandstone rise in five storeys. In the courtyard stands an iron pillar more than 1,500 years old that has barely rusted. ₹35, Indian visitors Why visit: The tallest brick minaret in the world, a UNESCO site; The ancient rust-resistant iron pillar Know before you go: Opens early; go first thing; You cannot climb the tower
Lotus Temple (afternoon): Take a cab to the Lotus Temple, about 40 minutes, the Bahá'í House of Worship opened in 1986. Its 27 white marble petals form a lotus, and inside is a silent prayer hall open to people of every faith. Free Why visit: A striking modern landmark open to all faiths; Silence inside the prayer hall Know before you go: Closed on Mondays; Silence is kept inside
Akshardham (evening): Take a cab to Akshardham, about 30 minutes, the Swaminarayan temple complex opened in 2005. The main temple is carved from pink sandstone and white marble, with thousands of figures, and the gardens and exhibitions surround it. Free, to enter; exhibitions and the water show are extra Why visit: A vast carved temple of pink sandstone and marble; The evening water show Know before you go: Closed on Mondays; Phones, cameras and bags are not allowed; use the cloakroom
Eat: Dilli Haat food stalls - An open-air crafts market whose food stalls serve dishes from every Indian state. A small entry fee applies.
Evening: Stay at Akshardham for the evening water show, which needs a separate ticket.
Budget for the day: ₹940 to ₹1,800 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Day trip to Agra: The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort by Vande Bharat or Gatimaan Express: The Taj Mahal is about two hours away by fast train. (Trade-off: A long day, best on any day except Friday, when the Taj is closed. - Costs more)
Add Hauz Khas: Hauz Khas Village, its lake and medieval ruins, in the evening: Cafés and bars beside 13th-century ruins. (Trade-off: Replaces Akshardham's evening. - Similar cost)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Delhi?
A 3-day Delhi itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, History lovers, Food lovers. It's not the best fit if You are visiting in May or June, when it is very hot or You dislike crowds and traffic.
How much does a 3-day Delhi trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹1,800 to ₹3,600 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Delhi itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Delhi?
The best time to visit Delhi is October to March.
How do I reach Delhi from other Indian cities?
Common options are flight (About 2 hours from Mumbai or Bengaluru), train (About 16 hours from Mumbai by Rajdhani). The Airport Express metro line runs from the airport to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes.
What are the must-see places in Delhi in 3 days?
Day 1: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat. Day 2: Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Garden and India Gate. Day 3: Qutb Minar, Lotus Temple and Akshardham.
Which Delhi attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, Lodhi Garden, India Gate, Lotus Temple and Akshardham are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Delhi?
Red Fort: ₹35; Humayun's Tomb: ₹35; Qutb Minar: ₹35. Prices are for Indian adult visitors; check the official site before you go.
Which Delhi sights are closed on Mondays?
The Red Fort, the Lotus Temple and Akshardham are closed on Mondays. Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar are open every day.
How do you get around Delhi?
The Delhi Metro reaches most sights and is cheap and fast. Use app cabs or autos for the last stretch, and e-rickshaws inside Old Delhi's lanes.
Where to Eat in Delhi
Sita Ram Diwan Chand - ★4.2-2243, Rajguru Marg, Chuna Mandi, Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi 110055, India
Wenger's - ★4.4 - Shop No: A, 16 Near Road, Inner Cir, Block A, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Andhra Bhavan Canteen - ★4.3-1, Ashoka Rd, Hyderabad House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Qureshi kabab corner - ★4.3-3943, Kasturba Hospital Marg, Kalan Mahal, Daryaganj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110006, India
THE BIG CHILL - ★4.5 - B-40, Inner Cir, Block B, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Sandoz Restaurant - L Block, CP - ★4.2 - L-9, Connaught Cir, Block L, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Gulati Restaurant, Pandara Road - ★4.3-6, Pandara Road, Market, near India Gate, Pandara Flats, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003, India
Triveni Terrace Cafe - ★4.4-205, Tansen Marg, Opp. FICCI Auditorium, Todermal Road Area, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Nightlife in Delhi
38 Barracks Restaurant and Bar - ★4.6 - M-38, Connaught Cir, Opp. Shanker Market, Block M, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
United Coffee House - ★4.2 - Inner Cir, E-15, Block E, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Kwality - ★4.4 - No.7, Regal Building, Sansad Marg, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Harlequin Restaurant Bar Lounge - Best Restaurant in CP | Top Restaurant in CP - ★4.6 - B 45/47, 1st floor, Near PVR Plaza, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Block B, Connaught Place, Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India