My Perfect 3 Days in Delhi Itinerary: The Ultimate First-Time Guide (2026)

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Planning your first trip to India and wondering how many days to spend in Delhi? Three days in Delhi is the perfect amount of time to see the city’s most famous sights without spending your entire trip stuck in traffic.

Delhi can feel overwhelming at first. It is loud, chaotic, crowded and enormous — but it is also one of the most fascinating cities I have visited. After spending time here myself, I would not recommend trying to squeeze everything into one day. You need a little time to get used to the city and to actually enjoy it.

This 3 days in Delhi itinerary combines the highlights of Old Delhi, New Delhi and South Delhi, while leaving enough time to eat, wander and take a break when Delhi inevitably gets a little too much.

How Many Days in Delhi Do You Need?

If you are visiting Delhi for the first time, I recommend 2–3 days in Delhi.

Two days are enough for the major highlights, especially if Delhi is just the beginning of a longer India trip. Three days are better if you want to explore at a more relaxed pace and see some of the city’s different sides.

I would not try to visit every attraction in Delhi. The distances are bigger than they look on a map, and traffic can be surprisingly slow.

For this Delhi itinerary, I have grouped the sights by area as much as possible, so you don’t spend half of each day getting from one side of the city to another.

In a hurry? If you only have two days, don’t worry. Follow Days 1 and 2 of this itinerary and you will see the most important places in Delhi. Together, they cover Old Delhi, Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and Akshardham Temple. It is a busy plan, but it gives you a strong introduction to the city’s history, architecture and religious landmarks.

3 Days in Delhi Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 – Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place

Day 2 – South Delhi’s Famous Landmarks: Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and Akshardham Temple

Day 3 – Delhi’s Historic Sights and Gardens: Agrasen Ki Baoli, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Safdarjung Tomb, Lodhi Garden and India Gate

Day 1: Explore Old Delhi

I would start your 3 days in Delhi itinerary with Old Delhi.

This is probably the most intense part of the trip, but also the one that gives you the strongest first impression of Delhi. Narrow streets, rickshaws, colourful shops, endless people and the smell of food everywhere — Old Delhi is chaotic in the best possible way.

Red Fort

Start your morning at the Red Fort, one of Delhi’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The enormous red sandstone complex was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and is one of the best places to start understanding Delhi’s history.

I recommend coming relatively early. Delhi can get very hot later in the day, and having some space to explore the complex makes the experience much nicer.

Allow around 1.5–2 hours here.

Jama Masjid

From the Red Fort, continue towards Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques.

Remember to dress respectfully, especially if you want to enter. The area around the mosque is also a great introduction to Old Delhi, so don’t just visit the mosque and immediately leave.

Chandni Chowk

Then it’s time to get lost in Chandni Chowk.

This is one of those places where I wouldn’t plan every minute. Walk through the narrow streets, look at the shops and stop whenever something catches your attention.

And, of course, this is the perfect place to try some Indian food.

If you’re not comfortable trying street food on your own, booking an Old Delhi food tour is something I would seriously consider. It’s also a great way to learn more about the history and food culture of the area.

Want to experience Old Delhi with a local guide? Browse recommended Old Delhi food tours and guided walking tours before your trip. This can be a great option if you want to discover the best food and hidden corners without worrying about where to go.

Evening: Connaught Place

After the chaos of Old Delhi, head to Connaught Place for the evening.

It’s a completely different side of Delhi — wide streets, shops, restaurants and a much more modern atmosphere.

If you are tired after your first day, don’t feel like you have to spend hours sightseeing. Have dinner, walk around and get some rest.

Day 2: South Delhi’s Famous Landmarks

Day 2 focuses on some of Delhi’s most impressive landmarks, including Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and Akshardham Temple.

This is a full sightseeing day, so start early and allow extra time for security checks and travelling between the attractions.

Qutub Minar

Start your morning at Qutub Minar, one of Delhi’s most recognisable landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 73-metre-high minaret is impressive on its own, but don’t just look at the tower. The surrounding archaeological complex contains several other fascinating structures and ruins.

Give yourself around 1.5–2 hours here.

Going earlier is especially useful if you’re visiting Delhi during the warmer months.

Lotus Temple

Next, head to the Lotus Temple, one of Delhi’s most unusual modern landmarks.

The building is shaped like a giant lotus flower and is open to people of all religions. The peaceful interior is designed for quiet reflection, so this is a nice contrast to the busy streets outside.

It’s free to visit, although there can be queues, so check the opening days before you go.

Humayun’s Tomb

Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, one of my favourite places in Delhi.

The huge Mughal garden complex is beautiful, and the architecture is especially impressive in the morning or late-afternoon light. The tomb is also often described as an architectural predecessor to the Taj Mahal, so if you are continuing to Agra afterwards, it’s a particularly interesting stop.

Allow around 1–1.5 hours.

Akshardham Temple

Finish the day at Akshardham Temple, one of Delhi’s most spectacular modern temple complexes.

The detailed carvings and enormous scale make it a memorable final stop. Keep in mind that security is strict, and photography is generally not allowed inside the complex. Bags, phones and other belongings may need to be left in the designated cloakroom.

Check the opening days and entry rules before visiting, as the temple is usually closed on Mondays.

Day 3: Historic Sights, Gardens and India Gate

Have a third day? Great. This is where I would slow things down a little and explore some of Delhi’s historic monuments and green spaces.

Today’s route includes Agrasen Ki Baoli, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Safdarjung Tomb and Lodhi Garden, ending with an evening visit to India Gate.

Agrasen Ki Baoli

Start your morning at Agrasen Ki Baoli, a historic stepwell hidden among the modern streets of Delhi.

It doesn’t take long to visit, but that’s exactly why I like it. You can easily add it between other sights without sacrificing much time.

The dramatic steps and quiet atmosphere make it a great place if you’re looking for something slightly different from Delhi’s enormous Mughal monuments.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Next, visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi’s most important Sikh temples.

Even if you are not religious, I think it is worth visiting for the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful golden dome and welcoming community kitchen.

Remember to cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the rules when entering. Visitors of all faiths are welcome, but it is important to behave respectfully.

Safdarjung Tomb

Continue to Safdarjung Tomb, an elegant 18th-century Mughal mausoleum surrounded by gardens.

It is smaller and usually quieter than Humayun’s Tomb, but the architecture is still impressive and the peaceful setting makes it a pleasant stop during a busy day of sightseeing.

Allow around 45 minutes to an hour here.

Lodhi Garden

After visiting Safdarjung Tomb, spend some time in Lodhi Garden.

The park is home to several historic tombs and ruins, but it also gives you a chance to escape Delhi’s traffic and noise for a while. It is a lovely place to walk, take photos and slow down before your final stop of the day.

If you are hungry, you can also stop for lunch or coffee nearby.

Evening: India Gate

End your 3 days in Delhi itinerary at India Gate.

The monument is especially atmospheric in the evening, when it is illuminated and the surrounding area fills with locals and visitors.

Take a walk around the monument and along Kartavya Path, enjoy the cooler air and take some photos. You don’t need to spend hours here, but it is a memorable way to finish your time in Delhi.

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Where to Stay in Delhi

For your first trip to Delhi, I would stay somewhere relatively central rather than choosing accommodation purely because it is cheap.

Connaught Place is a convenient choice if you want restaurants, shops and easy transport connections nearby.

Aerocity is useful if you have an early flight or late arrival because it is close to Delhi airport.

Paharganj can be tempting for budget travellers because of the cheap accommodation, but personally, I would choose somewhere else if your budget allows.

If you want something comfortable, convenient and centrally located, Radisson Blu Marina Hotel in Connaught Place is worth checking.

Looking for a place to stay in Delhi? Check my detailed guide on Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas and Hotels for First-Time Visitors.

How to Get Around Delhi

Delhi is huge, so transportation can make or break your Delhi itinerary.

The Delhi Metro is usually my first choice when there is a convenient station nearby. It is cheap, fast and avoids a lot of the city’s traffic.

For shorter distances, auto-rickshaws are incredibly useful. Always check the price before getting in or use a ride-hailing app when possible.

For a full day covering several sights that are difficult to connect by metro, hiring a private car with a driver can also make sense. It costs more, but you save a lot of time.

Prefer a more comfortable sightseeing day? Consider booking a private Delhi sightseeing tour or a car with a driver. It can be especially useful if you want to visit several attractions in one day without navigating Delhi’s traffic and public transport yourself.

Best Time to Visit Delhi

The most pleasant months for Delhi sightseeing are generally from October to March.

I visited Delhi in February and found the weather much more comfortable for spending entire days outside.

Summer can be brutally hot, while the monsoon brings high humidity and rain. Winter can also bring poor air quality and fog, so it’s worth checking the conditions shortly before your trip.

→ Check my detailed guide on When Is the Best Time to Visit India for more detailed information about the weather in India.

What to Book Before Your Delhi Trip

You don’t need to organise every minute of your 3 days in Delhi itinerary in advance, but I would book a few things before arriving:

• Accommodation, especially if travelling during the high season
• An airport transfer if you’re arriving very early or late
• Popular day tours if you plan to take one
• Travel insurance – I recommend SafetyWing Travel Insurance
• An eSIM for reliable internet and navigation: get $5 off with code EVIE5 → Get Saily eSIM here

For an India trip, having mobile data from the moment you land is something I personally wouldn’t skip. It makes finding your hotel, checking maps and ordering transport much easier.

Is 3 Days in Delhi Enough?

Yes — 3 days in Delhi is enough for a first visit, as long as you don’t try to see absolutely everything.

This Delhi itinerary gives you a good balance of the city’s biggest attractions: the Mughal architecture of Old Delhi, the famous landmarks of South Delhi, historic tombs, peaceful gardens and the lively atmosphere around India Gate.

If you only have 2 days in Delhi, follow Days 1 and 2 and skip Day 3. You’ll still see many of the city’s biggest highlights.

If you have more than three days, I wouldn’t simply add more and more monuments. Instead, use the extra time for museums, markets, neighbourhoods or a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

For me, that’s the best way to experience Delhi: see the famous places, but leave yourself enough time to actually experience the city between them.

Check Out My Other Delhi Guides

• Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
• Best Things to Do in Delhi: 12 Places You Shouldn’t Miss

Check Out My Other India Travel Guides

• India eVisa Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply
• 2 Weeks in India Itinerary: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Kerala
• Is India Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
• When Is the Best Time to Visit India?
• India Packing List: What to Pack & What to Wear