48 hours in Delhi

Delhi is the capital of the world's largest democracy and a classic blend of history and urban culture. It is a land of multifaceted attractions, diverse cultures, architectural beauty, heritage sites, and colourful markets.

To spend the best 48 hours in Delhi, you have to plan in a way to explore an exciting mix of two distinct locales – Old Delhi and New Delhi. Ancient monuments, roadside eateries, bustling bazaars, and narrow lanes of Old Delhi give a glimpse of the city's rich history. In contrast, New Delhi illustrates a striking picture of the colonial period with its tree-lined avenues, fancy restaurants, pubs, imposing buildings, lounges, and shopping arcades. Here is a detailed itinerary to travel and explore the best that Delhi has to offer.

Day 1 Evening

Stay in the capital’s luxury havens like The Taj, The Leela, ITC Maurya, The Oberoi, JW Marriott, etc. Delhi has several budgeted accommodations that give a fantastic view of the city.

8 pm: Start your journey with Delhi Haat. It is a one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and watching cultural performances. Delhi Haat is the best place to experience the amalgamation of different cultures of India. The handicraft market is the star attraction and offers some of the best buys.

10 pm: Take a long drive to the India Gate, about 10 minutes away, and see the stunning archway bathed in soft golden light and glistening against the dark sky. It offers a great opportunity for photo-ops.

Explore More

Red Fort - Virtual Tour to Red Fort

Day 1 Morning

Start your day by exploring the Rajpath's landmark sites like Rashtrapati Bhavan. To explore the best of Lutyens’ Delhi, make sure to start early. That is before traffic hits the road; it will help you first capture the true essence of the political seat and, second, get the most amazing sun-lit pictures in front of landmark buildings.

8 am: Visit the food havens of the capital and treat your taste buds by indulging in the gastronomic delights of Chandni Chowk. Iconic food stalls serving chole bhature (chickpeas with fried rice flour bread), parantha (stuffed flatbreads), chaat, allo-kachori (deep – fried pastry served with potato gravy) etc., will give you a culinary experience beyond belief.

10 am: Visit Old Delhi's cultural delights like Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, etc., which are famous heritage structures. While exploring the same, do not forget to shop from some of the best markets situated in the nearby areas.

Explore More

Illumination of the North and South Block | Central Secretariat, New Delhi

Day 1 Noon

Spend some time exploring the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the palace fort of his capital Shahjahanabad, Red Fort is famous for its massive enclosing walls. Besides the monument, a major draw for tourists is Son et Lumiere, a sound and light show, which is held every evening. The enchanting one-hour long show traces the Mughal empire's history in India and offers a glimpse of their glorious past as well as the eventful phases that led to their downfall. The narration has been recorded by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, which makes the show absolutely engaging.

2 pm: About 15 minutes away from Red Fort, is one of Delhi’s most vibrant markets, Connaught Place (CP). Lined with a number of eateries, catering to various indulgences, CP is a great place to experiment with diverse regional and international cuisine. You can shop to your heart’s content at the various labels and brands that are scattered across the market. For budgeted buys, head to Janpath and Palika Bazar.

4 pm: Visit the Jantar Mantar, one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. Its striking combinations of geometric forms have caught the attention of architects, artists and art historians from around the world. Jantar Mantar comprises 13 astronomy instruments that were used to predict the movements and timings of the planets, the sun and the moon. The major attractions of Jantar Mantar are Misra Yantra, Samrat Yantra, and Jayaprakash Yantra.

Explore More

Qutub Minar | New Discovery

Day 2 Evening

In the evening slowly and steadily take a stroll around the historical Lodhi Garden. The garden has some of the age-old structures like Bara Gumbad, Shisha Gumbad, and tombs of Mohammed Shah and Sikandar Lodi and the beautiful greenery of the parks.

8 pm: You can't leave Delhi without street shopping at some of the most popular South Delhi markets such as Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and South Ex. Explore these markets, for the best street food joints and a colourful maze of shops. While South Ex hosts high-end brands, Sarojini Nagar is a great stopover to indulge in Delhi’s culture of street shopping.

10 pm: Khan Market is a great spot to explore the nightlife of Delhi. Several lounges, pubs, socials and cafes offer the best of music, food and drinks.

Explore More

Humayun's Tomb | New Discovery

Day 2 Morning

Start your day with a visit to the iconic Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of the most magnificent buildings of India from the medieval era. Another attraction here is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque that stands right next to the minaret. Constructed by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, the mosque is considered to be the first building in the Qutub complex that houses a number of monuments. One of the most popular among these is the Iron Pillar, also known as the Ashoka Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century. Standing around 24 feet high and weighing more than six tonnes, the pillar is famous for its high resistance to corrosion.

8 am: You can visit the Alai Darwaza, which is a domed gateway built with red sandstone and adorned with white marble inlays. Built by Allauddin Khalji, this grand monument stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of the skilled Turkish artisans who built it. In close proximity stands the Alai Minar, commissioned by Alauddin Khalji, who wanted it to be twice as high as the Qutub Minar. Unfortunately, the construction of the tower was stalled following the death of Khalji in 1316.

10 am: Head to the Mehrauli Archaeological Park that houses the final resting place of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, who was once the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. In the Qutub complex lies the Jamali Kamali Mosque and a tomb of a Sufi saint. The three-day Qutub Festival, held in the months of November and December, features classical dance and music, and is a real crowd puller.

Day 2 Noon

Proceed to Hauz Khas to explore various heritage sites like Hauz Khas Lake (Royal Tank), a Lodhi-era mosque and a tomb, etc. Hauz Khas Village, apart from its reviving urban pre-set, is known for its fancy restaurants or cafes, which are lined along the lanes of the village.

2:00 pm: Your next stopover can be the Lotus Temple, which has been built in the shape of a gigantic lotus. It belongs to the Bahai religion, which aims at the unity of all the races and people in a universal cause and a common faith. People from all religions and faith can enter this temple, regardless of their gender, and can chant their respective religious mantras. Designed by Iranian-Canadian architect, Fariburz Sahba in 1986, the temple is shaped like a lotus flower with 27 white marble petals. There are nine doors that open into a central hall that is approximately 40 m high and has a capacity to host 2,500 people. There are nine pools of water that look breathtaking at dusk. The temple is famous all over the world for its architectural design.

4:00 pm: Finish your visit with an exploration of Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden mausoleum built in the Indian subcontinent. Built by Mughal emperor Humayun's first wife, empress Haji Begum, in her husband's memory, the tomb houses the graves of both the emperor and his wife and stands as a testament to their eternal love. Designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the imposing building invites tourists from all corners of the world. As you enter the lush palm-lined lawns, you are welcomed by a beautiful fountain, which makes a great photography backdrop. The garden is further divided into four main sections by walkways and water channels; the design synonymous with the Paradise Garden mentioned in the holy book of Islam, the Quran. For a preview of this serene monument, you can take the virtual walkthrough on our website.