Delhi, India’s capital city, offers a plethora of historical, cultural, recreational and gastronomical delights. From various monuments dating back to different dynasties including Lodhi, Mughals and the British Raj to contemporary art galleries and museums, cafes and restaurants, there’s so much to explore and experience in the capital city that you could easily spend a week or two here. However, many traveling to Delhi don’t have the time to hang around for long, so here’s our quick guide on how to spend 24 hours when in India’s capital city. Just switch on your turbo mode to see the best places that Delhi has to offer in only one day.
Morning
Stroll through the bustling lanes of Old Delhi (from USD 15.0)
Start your day with a stroll in the bustling neighborhood of Old Delhi, which will get much more crowded later in the day. Your first stop should be Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the country. It was designed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and it served as a royal mosque to the Mughals for centuries. The mosque opens at 7 am, which is perhaps the perfect time to visit this peaceful sanctuary. You will see people offering prayers in the quiet corners. Amid the pious ambiance, this mosque’s unmissable highlight is its architecture. Built in red and white sandstone, the interior has intricate tilework. You can even climb to the roof for a panoramic view of Old Delhi. The entry is free, but you will be charged 2.82 USD for photography.
Old Delhi Heritage Walking Tour With Rickshaw Ride
Duration: 3 hours
Have breakfast at a nearby restaurant
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Posted by Haveli Dharampura on Sunday, 12 January 2020
After offering prayers at the mosque, fuel up for a busy day ahead. Old Delhi offers multiple options for breakfast. Haji Shabrati Nihariwale is one of the best places for a filling breakfast. It is famed for its traditional stew of slow-cooked meat called nihari. Lakhori-Haveli Dharampura is yet another option for a hearty and luxurious breakfast. It specializes in Mughlai and street food.
Haji Shabrati Nihariwale
Address: 722, Haveli Azam Khan, Jama Masjid, Kalan Mehal, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006
Website: Haji Shabrati Nihariwale
Opening hours: 7:15am - 10am, 5:30pm - 10pm (daily)
Lakhori-Haveli Dharampura
Address: Haveli Dharampura, 2293, Gali Guliyan, Dharampura, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Old Delhi, Delhi NCR, 110006
Website: Lakhori-Haveli Dharampura
Opening hours: Mon: 7am - 10:30pm; Tue - Sun: 7:30am - 10:30pm
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Explore the historic Red Fort (from USD 14.0)
After you have fueled up, head to the historic Red Fort. You can either walk up to the fort or take a cycle rickshaw ride. Built by Shah Jahan, it is a strategically significant monument in Indian history, and independence day celebrations are held here every year. After taking the tour of this iconic monument, visit Sri Digambar Jain temple, which is just about a four-minute walk away from Red Fort. Established in the 17th-century, this is the oldest Jain temple in the city. It is known for its ornate interior and a one-of-a-kind bird hospital.
Delhi Red Fort Guided Walking Tour
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
New Delhi Tour Guide
Farman Guia Turstico
Hello Travellers people calle me Farman a experienced freelance tour guide. I work with several Free Tours company and we would love to show you around and give you the best tips and recomendations. If you travel in India you will discover a new aspect of this wonderful city. If it is your first visit i warn you one thing: you will fall in love in love with India and you will end up coming back.
Tours by Farman guia turstico
New Delhi Tour Guide
Rajeev
I am a full-time licensed tour guide living in Agra, India. I received my Regiinal Level Guide certificate in 2007 from the Ministry of Tourism now I have a Pan India license. Before I discovered the tourism industry, I worked in the law, medical and insurance fields. I have a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology and Organic Chemistry. After achieving my Masters of Science in Organic... Read more
Tours by Rajeev
Afternoon
Grab lunch at Khan Market or Old Delhi (from USD 76.0)
After all the walking, you’ll be hungry for some lunch. Less than a 10-minute walk from the Digamber Jain temple, are two legendary restaurants for you to pick for lunch - Karim’s and Al Jawahar. Both are meat-lovers’ paradise, but there are vegetarian options available too. Another great option for lunch is Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandi Chowk. Also known as ‘parantha street’, it is known for its different varieties of parantha, which is an Indian flatbread served plain or stuffed with vegetable or meat fillings.
If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience, hop on a metro and head to Khan Market. You’ll find plenty of options here to recharge your battery and satisfy your appetite. The Big Chill Cafe is a great place to savor Italian cuisine, or stop by Soderbottleopenerwala to try the Bombay Irani cuisine.
Old Delhi Walking Tour with Authentic Indian Lunch
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Marvel at the magnificent Humayun Tomb (from USD 18.0)
When you’re back on the go again, take an auto-rickshaw ride to Humayun Tomb. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Humayun’s wife, this iconic monument was built in the 16th century to honor the emperor. While it serves as a burial spot of Humayun, more than 150 tombs of members of the Mughal family can be found here. The mausoleum is surrounded by a well-kept garden, where you can spend hours soaking in the peaceful ambiance and marveling at the beauty of the monument.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
After the colossal tomb of Humayun, the most stunning structure in Humayun's Tomb Complex has to be the tomb of Isa Khan. I visited the complex at dawn, and Isa Khan's Tomb, which is closer to the complex entrance, incidentally delayed me for the sunrise at Humayun's Tomb. That being said, the complex, along with its several structures, made for an outstanding experience.
Humayun's Tomb Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers
Duration: 4 to 8 hours
Take a historic and cultural tour (from USD 30.01)
After spending some time at the Humayun Tomb, head to India Gate, which is just a seven-minute drive away from the tomb. It is a 138-foot (42-meter) tall war memorial that was erected in memory of the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. If you have an inclination towards modern art, stop by the National Gallery of Modern Art. For a satisfying dose of Delhi and India’s rich cultural, social and political history, visit the National Museum, which is a short drive away from India Gate. If time permits, do visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a popular Sikh temple in the city.
New Delhi: India Gate & Gurudwara Cycle Tour
Duration: 3.5 hour
Evening
Explore the historic ruins of Hauz Khas Village
Hop into a cab and head to Hauz Khas Village. Alternatively, you can take the yellow-line metro from the city center to Hauz Khas metro station (takes about 30 minutes or so), and from there, you can take an auto to Hauz Khas Village, which is just 2.5km (1.6 mi) from the metro station. This area is filled with historic ruins of the Islamic seminary and tombs dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Surrounding the ruins are picturesque landscaped gardens that are frequented by locals and tourists alike. This area is also a great place for shopping, dining, drinking and merrymaking. Along the stretch of this urban village are many fashion boutiques selling everything from fusion and retro clothing to everyday wear.
End the day at a local bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Inspired by the famous Toddy Shops found in Kerala or the Kallu Shappu. This is our Chef @a_meghahahaha ‘s take on it...
Posted by Summer House Cafe Delhi on Thursday, March 11, 2021
Conclude the one-day trip in style by dining and drinking at one of many restaurants and bars in the area. Hauz Khas Social, Matchbox Pub & Grub, Summer House Cafe and YETI, the Himalayan Kitchen are some of the great options. All of these places serve a range of Indian and international dishes, along with delicious cocktails. Not to mention, all these spots are within a mile of each other.
Hauz Khas Social
Address: 9A & 12, Hauz Khas Fort Rd, Deer Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Website: Hauz Khas Social
Opening hours: 11am - 12:30pm (daily)
Summer House Cafe
Address: 1st Aurobindo Place Market, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Website: Summer House Cafe
Opening hours: 12pm - 1am (daily)
Matchbox Pub & Grub
Address: Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Website: Matchbox Pub & Grub
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2pm - 12am; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 12am
YETI, the Himalayan Kitchen
Address: 30, Hauz Khas Rd, near Deer Park, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Website: YETI, the Himalayan Kitchen
Opening hours: 12pm - 11:30pm (daily)
Explore India's capital city in one day
While one day in Delhi will never be enough time to explore everything the city has to offer, it is definitely a chance to get a taste of the food, history, culture and nightlife that makes this eclectic capital city so exciting. To help you make the most of your time in Delhi, we have created an itinerary on how you should spend 24 hours in India’s capital city.
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