India Tourism in Delhi: Where to Go and What to Know (2026)
A Delhi-born guide explains how to see Delhi in one to three days, which places to skip, and how to avoid common tourist problems.
Short answer: one day is enough for the best of Delhi, three days for more
Delhi has around a hundred places a guide can show you, and some of them are not on any official list. You do not need all of them. Most visitors do well with one well-planned day: Old Delhi in the morning, then the best of New Delhi in the afternoon. If you want to go deeper, two to three days is comfortable.
This guide is written by a Delhi-born guide who runs food and heritage tours in the city. It tells you where to go, what to skip, and what to watch out for, without trying to sell you anything. Where something is general information and not from our own experience, we say so and link the source.
Old Delhi and New Delhi: two different cities in one
Old Delhi was built by Shah Jahan, the same emperor who built the Taj Mahal. Delhi sits in the centre of the country, and the thinking was simple: whoever rules from here can rule across India. That idea has not really gone away. Today the government and Parliament sit in New Delhi, and the politics of the country are still run from here.
| Old Delhi | New Delhi | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is today | A huge working market area | Government and corporate offices |
| What you see | Spice, electronics, shoes and eyewear markets, narrow lanes, heavy traffic | Wide roads, Parliament, India Gate, large monuments |
| What it feels like | Busy, loud, full of life | Open, orderly, calmer |
| Best for | Food, markets, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk | Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Qutub Minar |
Old Delhi is about business. We describe it to guests as one of the largest markets in Asia, with something for every kind of shopper, which is also why the traffic is so heavy. New Delhi is about government and offices.
Delhi in one day: the route we use with guests
This is the order we follow on a one-day private tour. Old Delhi comes first, then the monuments of New Delhi.
Route A: the relaxed day
- Jama Masjid
- Chandni Chowk
- Spice Market
- Red Fort (we pass by, we do not go in)
- Humayun's Tomb
- India Gate
- Parliament (from outside)
- Agrasen ki Baoli
- Lotus Temple
To add one more big monument, swap in Akshardham Temple or Qutub Minar.
Route B: the full day, for guests who want both
The same stops, with Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Parliament and Agrasen ki Baoli done together first, then Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Spice Market and a Red Fort pass-by. It is a long day, so choose it only if you are comfortable with it.
Why we do not go inside the Red Fort
Most of our guests come to India for the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is similar in style to Agra Fort, so we usually save that time for Agra. In our experience a large part of it is also closed to visitors. If you love forts, go inside, and check current timings first.
Why these stops are grouped this way
Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Parliament and Agrasen ki Baoli are close to each other. Akshardham is a little further away from the others.
Opening days, hours and ticket prices change. Check them on the official site of each monument before you go; we have not listed them here because we have not verified current figures.
How many days do you need in Delhi?
One day is enough to see the best of Delhi, and many of our guests do exactly that. If you want to see more of the city, spend at least two to three days. Delhi has around a hundred places a guide can show you, and some are not on any official list, so a second or third day gives you the time to go beyond the famous names without rushing.
Two things first-time visitors get wrong
1. Eye contact and money at red lights
At traffic lights, people, often children, come to the car window or walk up to you and ask for money. Guests who make eye contact or start a conversation usually find the request becomes harder to ignore. Keep your window up, look ahead, and do not hand over money or open your bag in the street.
2. Saying yes to photo requests when you are alone at a monument
At popular monuments, people often ask for a picture with you, especially if you are travelling alone. When one person gets a yes, more people tend to join, and a crowd can form around you very quickly. It is hard to tell who is friendly and who is not. We would suggest a polite no, or doing it only when you are with your guide or a group you trust.
Both situations become much easier with someone local beside you. They know how to step in politely and keep the day moving.
Overrated and underrated: our honest view
Overrated: the Lotus Temple. From outside it looks wonderful, a huge building shaped like a lotus flower. Inside there is nothing to see: no images, no statues, only benches for prayer. Many guests are happy with the view from outside, which is why we usually pass by.
Underrated: Agrasen ki Baoli. It was little known for a long time. Many Bollywood films have since been shot there, so more people now know it, but it is still a quiet, interesting stop compared with the big monuments.
Skip inside the Red Fort if you are also visiting Agra, for the reasons in the one-day route above.
Getting around Delhi: what we have seen
| Option | Our experience | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Private car with a guide | The easiest and most relaxed option. Your guide can tell you what is worth your time and where to skip. | Choose a licensed operator. |
| Uber | We have found it reliable. | Check the driver and car details in the app. |
| Ola | Many rides are fine, but we have seen drivers stop the car mid-journey and ask for more money. | Check the fare in the app before you start, and keep the app open during the ride. |
| Auto-rickshaw | A common scam is to take you to shops instead of your destination, because the driver earns commission. | Agree the destination clearly, and say no to any shop stop. |
| Metro | Not covered in our own experience. | Not known |
If you are short on time, a private car with a guide avoids most of these problems.
What to wear, and where to shop
Dress. To visit temples and mosques, cover your legs and arms. Shoes. Wear comfortable shoes, because you will walk a lot.
Shopping. If you want to shop without worrying about scams, go to the government-promoted shops. One example is Dilli Haat. Scams are much less likely there, because the shops are promoted by the government. Compare this with the shops an auto driver may take you to, which are usually chosen for commission.
Where to eat in Delhi
- Old Delhi: the place to go if you want the original food that local people eat.
- Connaught Place: the better choice for clean, hygienic restaurants, cafes and bars.
- Haldiram's: a good medium-budget option, and you will find outlets across the city.
For the full picture, read our guides: What to Eat in Delhi, Famous Street Food in Delhi and Is Indian Street Food Safe? Reel vs Reality.
Women, families and older travellers: worry against reality
Many visitors arrive believing India is not safe for women, or that people will treat them differently. Our experience with guests is different. Almost every guest arrives with questions about scams, food, history and Indian people. Once they travel with a local guide, or with someone who knows the city, those worries fade, because they see the real Delhi and not the one they imagined.
This is not a promise that nothing will ever go wrong. Use normal care, keep your belongings close, and keep the tourist helpline in your phone: 1800111363 or 1363. A local guide simply makes every one of the situations in this guide easier.
Best season for Delhi
Winter is the best time to visit Delhi. Summer is very hot, so if you must come then, plan early mornings and rest in the middle of the day. For the full month-by-month picture, with heat, monsoon, fog and crowds, read Worst Time to Visit India.
If a friend asked what to do in Delhi for one day
If a friend of ours had one day and did not want to spend money on tickets, we would tell them to do Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, the Spice Market and Red Fort from outside. Then we would drive past Akshardham, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Parliament and Agrasen ki Baoli. They would love it, and the rest you can see in other cities too.
The one exception is Qutub Minar. If you want to see it, give it a place in your day.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Delhi?
One day covers the best of Delhi. Two to three days lets you see more of the city without rushing.
What should I see in Delhi in one day?
Our usual order is Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Spice Market, a Red Fort pass-by, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Parliament, Agrasen ki Baoli and Lotus Temple. See the one-day route above.
What is the difference between Old Delhi and New Delhi?
Old Delhi, built by Shah Jahan, is a busy market area. New Delhi is the government and corporate part of the city, with wide roads and large monuments.
Which places in Delhi are overrated?
In our view, the Lotus Temple. It looks impressive from outside, but inside there is only seating for prayer.
What is the safest way to get around Delhi?
A private car with a guide avoids most problems. Among apps, we have found Uber reliable. Some Ola drivers have stopped mid-journey to ask for more money, and auto-rickshaw drivers may take you to shops for commission.
What should I wear to temples and mosques in Delhi?
Cover your legs and arms, and wear comfortable shoes.
Is Delhi safe for women travellers?
Many visitors worry about this before they arrive. In our experience guests who travel with a local guide feel comfortable. Use normal care and keep the tourist helpline, 1800111363 or 1363, handy.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
Winter is the best time. Summer is very hot.
