Dilli in a day: What to see, eat, and skip
chatpata
ride.
8:00 AM: Breakfast
Start strong in Old Delhi with breakfast. Hit
Paranthe Wali Gali
, where your paratha options range from potato to banana (yes, banana). Dip it in spicy pickles and have with a lassi that would have a lasting impression on you.
10:00 AM: Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk
After breakfast, climb up the minaret at Jama Masjid for panoramic views — and maybe a leg cramp. Then dive headfirst into Chandni Chowk's chaos. Warning: you may emerge with antique door knobs, 14 types of spice you don't recognise, and an existential question about how anyone crosses the road here.
12:30 PM: Lunch
You've earned yourself a royal meal. Head to
Karim's
or
Al Jawahar
for melt-in-the-mouth kebabs, mutton korma, and roomali rotis. Vegetarian? Don't worry — the paneer here is sinful enough to need spiritual cleansing.
2:00 PM: Get a break
Slip into the cool galleries of the
National Museum
or soak in the serenity of
Humayun's Tomb
. You'll be awed by centuries-old artifacts and question why your history textbook made it all sound so boring.
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4:00 PM: Connaught Place
Head to
Connaught Place
for some old-world colonial charm. Have chai at
Wenger's
or a cold coffee at
United Coffee House
and watch Delhiites hustle, pose, and dodge pigeons like pros.
6:00 PM: Sunset at Qutub Minar or Lodhi Garden
As the sun dips low, wander through
Lodhi Garden
, where domes, tombs, and joggers coexist in quiet harmony. Or, climb up (mentally) to the towering
Qutub Minar
and imagine the Mughal Instagram captions of the past.
8:00 PM: Dine as you like
Dinner? Depends on your mood. Want swanky? Try
Indian Accent
. Want rooftop views and street food with flair?
Social
,
Bo Tai
, or a cool bar in Hauz Khas Village will do the trick.
10:00 PM: End with style
Stumble into
Khari Baoli
if you're still curious — the spice market's quieter at night, and the smell alone will keep you buzzed. Or find a rooftop bar and toast to surviving the glorious sensory overload that is Delhi.
Read more:
Inside Rajasthan's Bera: A village where leopards and locals coexist!
Delhi doesn't chill — but for one wild day, you won't want it any other way. Just a heads-up — while we've listed all the highlights, it's unlikely you'll be able to tick off everything in a single day, thanks to Delhi's legendary traffic and blazing heat. So, plan smart: pick your must-visits beforehand to avoid mid-day meltdowns and spontaneous existential crises in the middle of a roundabout.
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