1 DAY IN DELHI ITINERARY: THE CITY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Delhi, India’s capital is the place where most travellers will start their journey in the country. This city is home to some of the most famous landmarks in India, and it’s definitely worth spending a day or two. This itinerary for 1 day in Delhi is perfect for first-timers who want to see the city’s highlights before heading to the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan or somewhere else.

This one-day Delhi itinerary will take you to some of the city’s most spectacular landmarks like Humayun’s Tomb, the famous Red Fort and the beautiful Lotus Temple. It will give you a taste of what Delhi is all about even if you’re short on time.

Travel itinerary for one day in Delhi

Note that this itinerary is quite packed. It’s perfectly doable and will allow you to see the best of Delhi in 1 day, but if you like to take things a little slower, I would recommend keeping your least favourite place for your next visit.

India is part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist route which also includes Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur. Check out my Golden Triangle itinerary if you’re visiting Delhi as a part of this route.

8:45 am: Jama Masjid

Let’s kick off this Delhi itinerary by heading to Jama Masjid. This mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1650 and 1656 and it’s one of India’s largest and most famous ones. It’s here that the Muslim population of Delhi gathers for the Friday communal prayer every week.

It’s good to know that you will have to dress conservatively to enter this mosque. Your shoulders and legs should be covered. I’d recommend bringing a scarf to cover up too because there have been reports of women being forced to pay for a robe. They tried to make me pay for one too, but they let me in when I showed them I brought a scarf with me.

9:30 am: Red Fort

Next, head to Delhi’s famous Red Fort, which is a 15-minute walk from the Jama Masjid. If you don’t want to walk, it’s good to know that you can easily find a rickshaw that can take you there.

The Red Fort once served as the residence of the Mughal Emperors. It was built in the 17th century and it’s famous for its huge fortification walls made of red sandstone.

You will find beautiful gardens here, as well as the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) and the Diwan-i-Amn (Hall of Audience), two impressive halls that will give you an idea of what the fort looked like in the olden days.

There is also a bazaar full of souvenirs inside the fort, as well as a museum containing paintings and artefacts dating from the Mughal era.

12:00 am: Lunch at Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is located behind the Jama Masjid, and it’s one of Delhi’s oldest and busiest markets. This is a great place to look around and absorb the atmosphere. You will find plenty of shops selling saris, spices, silverware and more here. So, you may find some nice Indian souvenirs while you’re there.

This market is also a nice place to try some delicious Indian food. There are many places to eat at Chandni Chowk and you will love this place if you enjoy tasting new food!

1:00 pm: India Gate

After lunch, it’s time to take the metro or a rickshaw to India Gate, which is located 5,5 km (3.8 mi) from Chandni Chowk.

Formerly known as the All India War Memorial, this is another one of Delhi’s most famous landmarks. The India Gate is a war memorial dedicated to the 84,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died during WWI. The gate was inaugurated in 1931 and its architecture is often compared to the Gateway of India in Mumbai and the Arch de Triomphe in Paris.

Under the archway, you will find another, smaller memorial called Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the Immortal Soldier). This structure was built in the 1970s to commemorate the Bangladesh Liberation War.

2:00 pm: Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb is 6,6 km (4.1 mi) from the India Gate, and the easiest way to get there is by taking a rickshaw. The nearest metro station to Humayun’s Tomb is Jangpura Metro Station, but it’s still a 3 km (1.1 mi) walk from this tomb.

Built in 1570, Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent and it inspired the construction of the famous Taj Mahal. This enormous mausoleum was built in Persian style and, at the time, it was grander than any tomb that was ever built in the Islamic world.

Don’t forget to visit the other beautiful garden tombs while you’re there. These include the tombs of Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan, Bu Halima and Afsarwala. Another monument to see at the Humayun’s Tomb complex is the Arab Serai. This is where the people who built the tomb stayed.

Humayun’s Tomb is one of my favourite places in Delhi and one that cannot be missed during a visit to this city!

4:00 pm: Lotus Temple

This is another one of my favourite places in the city and one that cannot be missed on any Delhi itinerary!

The Lotus Temple can easily be reached either by rickshaw or by metro. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the Kalkaji Metro Station.

This temple was built in 1986 and it’s also called the Bahá’í House of Worship. The Baha’i faith teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. There are 7 major Baha’i temples in the world. The other ones are located in the United States, Australia, Uganda, Germany, Panama and Samoa.

It’s interesting to note that this architectural marvel has won numerous architectural awards. It consists of 27 marble petals that are arranged in groups of three. Inside the Lotus Temple, you will find a large meditation room where visitors of all religions are welcome.

6:00 pm: Dinner at Connaught Place

Next, take the metro to Connaught Place, one of Delhi’s largest commercial, financial and business centres. This place is famous for its Georgian-style architecture with white buildings that house plenty of shops.

You will find many great restaurants at Connaught Place too, so this is the perfect place to stroll around and have dinner after a busy day exploring the city.