Planning Your Delhi Trip
Entry fees, opening times and fares in India change often. Please check before you travel.
New Planning with ChatGPT or Gemini? Paste the plan and we'll price it with real hotels and a car. Price my itinerary Delhi is the first of three stops on The Boutique Golden Triangle 5 nights · with Agra and Jaipur · from £430 per person See it →How Many Days in Delhi?
3 days is the sweet spot for most visitors. You'll cover Old Delhi's chaos, the major Mughal monuments, South Delhi's modern side, and have time for good meals without rushing.
| Duration | What You'll See |
|---|---|
| 1 day | One area only, Old Delhi OR monuments |
| 2 days | Highlights: Old Delhi + major monuments |
| 3 days | Complete overview + food scene |
| 4-5 days | Deep exploration + Agra day trip |
| 1 week+ | Neighbourhoods, markets, day trips |
Best Time to Visit
October to March: Peak Season
This is when Delhi is at its best. Cool, dry weather makes walking around monuments comfortable.
- October-November: The best temperatures of the year, 20-30°C, plus Diwali. Be straight about the air, though: Delhi's smog season starts in late October and November is usually the worst month of all. Check the air quality forecast before you commit to an outdoor-heavy itinerary.
- December-January: Cold mornings (5-15°C), fog delays flights, but daytime is pleasant
- February-March: Warming up, Holi celebrations, pre-summer sweet spot
April to June: Avoid
Delhi becomes brutal. Temperatures hit 40-45°C daily. Heat waves are common. Even locals stay indoors midday. Monuments are empty but unbearable.
July to September: Monsoon
Heavy rain, high humidity, mosquitoes. The city greens up and temperatures drop (25-35°C), but flooding disrupts transport. Not recommended for first-time visitors.
Sample Itineraries
1 Day in Delhi
If you only have one day, spend it in Old Delhi: the mosque, the fort and the food streets sit within walking distance of each other, so you lose no time in traffic.
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Paranthe Wali Gali
- 9:00 AM: Jama Masjid (one of India's largest mosques)
- 10:30 AM: Walk through Chandni Chowk
Midday:
- 12:00 PM: Red Fort (allow 1.5-2 hours)
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at Karim's near Jama Masjid
Afternoon:
- 3:30 PM: Auto to Humayun's Tomb
- 5:00 PM: Walk through Nizamuddin Dargah
- 7:00 PM: Dinner in Khan Market or Hauz Khas
2 Days in Delhi
Day 1: Old Delhi
- Morning: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk street food
- Midday: Red Fort
- Afternoon: Spice Market, Kinari Bazaar
- Evening: Dinner in Connaught Place
Day 2: New Delhi & South
- Morning: Humayun's Tomb, Nizamuddin Dargah
- Midday: India Gate, Lutyens' Delhi drive-by
- Afternoon: Qutub Minar
- Evening: Hauz Khas Village
3 Days in Delhi (Recommended)
Day 1: Old Delhi Same as above, take your time, join a food tour.
Day 2: Monuments
- Morning: Humayun's Tomb (arrive early, 9 AM)
- Late morning: Nizamuddin Dargah, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine
- Lunch: South Delhi (Khan Market or Defence Colony)
- Afternoon: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park
- Evening: Lodhi Gardens sunset walk
Day 3: New Delhi & Modern City
- Morning: India Gate, Kartavya Path, National Museum
- Lunch: Connaught Place
- Afternoon: Shopping at Dilli Haat or Janpath
- Evening: Hauz Khas or South Delhi dinner
Weather by Month
| Month | Temperature | Conditions | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5-20°C | Cold, foggy mornings | ★★★☆ |
| February | 10-25°C | Warming, pleasant | ★★★★ |
| March | 15-30°C | Perfect, Holi | ★★★★★ |
| April | 25-40°C | Getting hot | ★★☆☆ |
| May | 30-45°C | Extreme heat | ★☆☆☆ |
| June | 30-45°C | Pre-monsoon heat | ★☆☆☆ |
| July | 25-35°C | Monsoon, humid | ★★☆☆ |
| August | 25-35°C | Heavy rain | ★★☆☆ |
| September | 25-35°C | Monsoon ending | ★★☆☆ |
| October | 20-33°C | Ideal, Diwali | ★★★★★ |
| November | 12-28°C | Perfect weather | ★★★★★ |
| December | 5-22°C | Cold, foggy | ★★★★ |
Festivals and Events
Diwali (October/November)
Delhi takes Diwali seriously. Markets overflow with decorations, sweets, and fireworks. Houses and monuments are lit up. Book hotels early, prices spike.
Holi (March)
The colour festival. There is no public Holi gathering at India Gate, and the lawns there have been closed to sitting, picnics and food since 2025. Delhi plays Holi behind gates: book an organised Holi party at a hotel or a farmhouse, or ask your host whether their colony runs one. Wear white clothes you don't mind losing.
Republic Day (January 26)
Military parade on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path). Book grandstand tickets through official channels months in advance.
Qutub Festival (discontinued)
Delhi Tourism's Qutub Festival, five days of classical music and dance in the Qutub complex, was last held in November 2019 and has not run since. Do not build a trip around it. Check Delhi Tourism's own site for the current winter cultural calendar before you book.
Surajkund Mela (February)
Crafts fair 30 minutes from Delhi. Artisans from across India, folk performances, food. Worth a half-day trip.
What to Pack by Season
Winter (November-February)
- Layers, mornings are cold, afternoons warm
- Light jacket or sweater
- Warm socks (temple floors are cold)
- Scarf for pollution
Summer (April-June)
- Light, loose cotton clothes
- Sunscreen SPF 50
- Hat and sunglasses
- Portable fan or cooling towel
Monsoon (July-September)
- Umbrella and rain jacket
- Quick-dry clothes
- Waterproof bag for electronics
- Mosquito repellent
See our practical travel tips for complete packing advice.
Combining Delhi with Other Destinations
Delhi + Agra (Taj Mahal): Add 1 day. Train takes 2 hours.
Delhi + Jaipur: Add 2 days. Train takes 4-5 hours.
Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur): 5-7 days total.
Delhi + Varanasi: Add 2-3 days. Flight takes 1.5 hours.
For transport to Agra, see our getting around guide.