Itineraries for Your Trip to New Delhi
2 Days in New Delhi for First Timers
After weeks traveling through the Indian Himalaya, I arrived in Delhi feeling uptight, believing the rumors I’d heard about the capital being difficult. Instead, I found a fascinating ancient city with layers of history and culture. It's a place I found excuses to revisit in the following years. I ended up studying Hindi at a language school, spending mornings filling notebooks with curling Devanagari script and afternoons exploring long-abandoned Mughal ruins and sipping chai on Old Delhi street corners and in upmarket South Delhi “colonies.”
Delhi is enormous and—like many capital cities—a little pushy. But if you bring your sense of adventure, take a deep breath, and dive in, you’ll find a lot to love.
Start at the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century sandstone tomb that pays more than a passing resemblance to Agra’s Taj Mahal. It’s a classic of Mughal architecture, and the landscaped formal gardens are a pleasant place to sit, watch the squirrels, and enjoy the peace before delving into Delhi’s noisier, more congested attractions.
Take the metro to Old Delhi for lunch; it's one of the city's best places for street food. The old heart of the city is a teeming maze of life and commerce, and it’s a fun place to get lost. Shop (or browse) for jewelry and perfume in Kinari Bazaar or spices at Khari Baoli. Don’t miss the Red Fort.
End your afternoon tour of Old Delhi at the Jama Masjid, a 17th-century mosque that’s one of India's largest. It’s open to visitors until sunset, a lovely time to watch the evening worshipers congregate and see the setting sun turn the sandstone structure into an even more vibrant gold. If you’re visiting in the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, spend the evening eating at the food stalls outside the mosque.
Enjoy some retail therapy this morning with a visit to Dilli Haat. Not only is this a good place to buy souvenirs and gifts, it’s also a great way to learn more about local culture. Dilli Haat is an open-air handicrafts market with vendors from different regions of India and fixed prices. There’s a small entry fee, so it’s not as congested as some other Delhi markets. There are food stalls, too.
After lunch, take the metro south to the Qutub Minar. This enormous 13th-century tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is as beautiful as it is impressive. After doing a circuit of the minaret, head to the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park, preferably with a guide, to learn more about Delhi’s layers of history.
On your way back into the city on the metro, stop at Lajpat Nagar, a neighborhood renowned for street food. Lajpat Nagar Central Market comes alive after dark and is a convenient place to try different cuisines from around India. Alternatively, if today is a Thursday, head to Nizamuddin Dargah for a live qawwali performance.
