Hello there! Are you wondering how to explore New Delhi in one day? The capital city of India is filled with some of the most magnificent monuments of Mughal architecture, incredible food, and incredible temples and religious sights. It is a city, unlike any other place I have ever seen and experienced. With its enormous airport, it is also the gateway, most international travelers pass when embarking on a journey of Northern India and Rajasthan. However, I do believe that exploring New Delhi should be an integral part of your India Itinerary. There are so many things to do and wonders to discover in Delhi, I am sure the city will leave you in awe.
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FAQ about exploring New Delhi in One Day
When to visit New Delhi?
When planning your trip to India, it is important to remember its seasons. The best time to travel depends on what you want weatherwise. I opted to travel to India in late September to early October, narrowly missing the monsoon season. It was a great time because it wasn’t too hot but also not too crowded as it might be during Indian winter.
How to Get to New Delhi?
To get to New Delhi, you are most likely going to arrive by plane at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Before you get there, make sure you check if you need a visa and keep all your vaccinations up to date.
Where to Stay in New Delhi?
Due to us arriving in New Delhi late in the night, we opted to stay in a hotel close to the airport. The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel at the Delhi Airport was the best choice we could have made as it was the perfect start to our time in India. With its luxurious rooms and pool area, we had the best time and at its breakfast buffet, we could take the first bites of Indian food. Eating their dosa was the perfect culinary welcome experience!
How to Get Around in New Delhi?
As Delhi marked the beginning of our two-week India Itinerary, we spent our day in New Delhi already with our driver, Chagan, who drove us all around all the sights that we wished to see that day. If you don’t have a driver for your trip already, or if you are only visiting New Delhi, I recommend checking out GetYourGuide and looking for a guided tour of all the places described below! Another alternative could be to ask reception at your hotel if they can help you book one.
Red Fort Delhi
Let’s start your day in Delhi with the most crowded place, therefore the one you should visit as early in the day as possible. The Red Fort in Delhi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former seat of the Mughal Emperors in Delhi. Today, you can step behind the impressive red walls of the fort and visit all the courtyards, where the emperors would meet with advisors and their wives and hear their people. It is an impressive place with many things and details to explore!
Old Delhi & Jama Masjid
Only a carriage ride away from the Red Fort in Delhi, you can find Old Delhi and the Jama Masjid. The Emperors used to visit the beautiful Mosque on a daily basis for their prayers, and it really is a beautiful one to visit. You also shouldn’t miss strolling through the Old Town of Delhi, probably the busiest area of Delhi. Make sure to explore its buzzing streets and bazaars and embrace the bee hive that this place is!
Lunch at Haldiram’s
With the heat and all the exploring, are you getting hungry yet? We did for sure, and that is why it was time to take our ability to digest Indian food to the test! Although delicious, digesting Indian food isn’t always the easiest, and phrases like „Delhi Belly“ don’t exist for nothing. We had our lunch at Haldiram’s, a great restaurant chain that is perfectly suited for inexperienced stomachs. We tried our way through some samosas, idlis, and most importantly, Chana Masala (chickpea curry) with naan bread. Everything was incredibly delicious, and there was no stomach pain in sight afterward!
Swaminarayan Akshardham
With a full belly, we drove to the next incredible sight of the day. The Akshardham is a Hindu temple unlike any I have ever seen before. It is fairly new, opened in 2005, and is a spectacular place. Its carvings and decorations are out of this world. Furthermore, due to not being allowed to bring your phone and take pictures of it, it is also such a peaceful place. There are so many things to discover on its grounds, especially in its main shrine. It also has a garden that is shaped like a lotus flower and a food court, where you can get refreshments after being in the heat for so long.
Humayun’s Tomb
The last sight on this list might actually be my favorite one you get to see during your day in Delhi. Humayun’s Tomb is a mausoleum located in a grand garden setting. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and actually served as the blueprint to the Taj Mahal. In the garden surrounding it are many things to discover, but the main view is the mausoleum. To get the best experience out of visiting Humayun’s Tomb, you should visit it early in the morning, for there are fewer visitors there, but it is a gorgeous view at any time of the day.
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