New Delhi in 3 days

India's capital, where Mughal tombs, colonial avenues, and the chaos of Old Delhi's bazaars tell a thousand-year story. Best time to visit: October-March (cool, dry). Average daily budget: $30 to $80 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Old Delhi, The Mughal core: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the frenetic spice and textile bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

Morning: Humayun's Tomb. The magnificent Mughal garden-tomb, a UNESCO site and architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

Afternoon: Explore Old Delhi, The Mughal core: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the frenetic spice and textile bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

Evening: Red Fort & Chandni Chowk. The mighty Mughal fort, then the sensory overload of Old Delhi's oldest bazaar and its street food.

Eat: Old Delhi street food: paranthas, chaat, and jalebi in Chandni Chowk

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: New Delhi (Lutyens'), The colonial capital: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and broad tree-lined avenues.

Morning: Qutub Minar. The soaring 73m victory tower and surrounding ruins, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon: Explore New Delhi (Lutyens'), The colonial capital: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and broad tree-lined avenues.

Evening: Taj Mahal day trip to Agra. The world's most famous monument, reached in two hours by fast train. The classic golden-triangle add-on.

Eat: Butter chicken and dal makhani, both Delhi inventions

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Hauz Khas, A trendy urban village around a medieval reservoir and ruins: cafés, boutiques, and nightlife.

Morning: Old Delhi by rickshaw. Dive into the chaos of Old Delhi, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Red Fort and the frenetic Chandni Chowk bazaar, best explored by cycle-rickshaw with a street-food stop.

Afternoon: Explore Hauz Khas, A trendy urban village around a medieval reservoir and ruins: cafés, boutiques, and nightlife.

Evening: Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. New Delhi's serene Mughal masterpieces, Humayun's Tomb (a Taj Mahal forerunner) and the soaring Qutub Minar, both UNESCO sites and a calm contrast to the old city.

Eat: Kebabs and Mughlai cuisine in the old city

Hidden gems

Qawwali devotional singing at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah on a Thursday evening.
The stepwell of Agrasen ki Baoli, a serene ancient water tank near Connaught Place.
The Lodhi Gardens at dawn, full of tombs, joggers, and green calm.
Lodhi Art District, the city's open-air street-art neighbourhood.

Getting around

Delhi's clean, efficient, air-conditioned Metro is by far the best way to beat the traffic and connects most major sights. Use Uber and Ola for door-to-door trips, and autorickshaws for short hops (insist on the meter or agree a fare). Old Delhi is best explored on foot or by cycle-rickshaw. The airport links to the centre via the Airport Express metro.

Safety

Delhi requires street smarts. Use app-based taxis, avoid unsolicited 'tourist office' touts (especially near the station), and be firm with persistent vendors. Women travellers should take extra care, especially at night, and prefer pre-booked transport. Air pollution is severe in winter; sensitive travellers may want a mask. Drink only bottled or filtered water.

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