Delhi Itinerary for 3 Days (Old, New and South Delhi)

Written and fact-checked by the Yalla Travel editorial team

What is the best Delhi itinerary for 3 days?

The best Delhi itinerary for 3 days groups sights by area: Old Delhi on day 1, Lutyens' New Delhi and Humayun's Tomb on day 2, and South Delhi on day 3. Delhi is huge and traffic is heavy, so every extra cross-town trip costs you an hour or more.

1. Day 1, Old Delhi: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Paranthe Wali Gali, Khari Baoli spice market and the Red Fort.
2. Day 2, New Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Garden, Khan Market, India Gate, the National War Memorial and the exterior of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
3. Day 3, South Delhi: Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Hauz Khas Village and the Lotus Temple.

If you have a fourth day, use it for a day trip to Agra. If you only have two days, combine the headline sights as described below.

Quick planning tips

• Start by 8:00 a.m. Delhi's traffic and midday heat are the two things that wreck itineraries.
• Pick one major site per half-day and fill the gaps with markets, parks and meals nearby.
• Check the weekly closing day of each monument before you fix the order. Several major sites close on one weekday, often Monday.

What does the day-by-day plan look like?

The plan below keeps each day inside one part of the city so you spend your time on sights, not in the back of a car. Use the table as a quick overview and the notes underneath for the reasoning.

Day 1: Old Delhi

Day 1 covers the oldest, busiest part of the city, so start early. Begin at Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, and dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees. Walk down Chandni Chowk, the main bazaar, and turn into the lane known as Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed parathas. Continue to Khari Baoli, Asia's best-known wholesale spice market, then finish at the Red Fort, the Mughal-era fortress, in the softer afternoon light. A cycle-rickshaw is the practical way to cover the narrow lanes.

Day 2: New Delhi

Day 2 is the calmer, greener part of the city. Open with Humayun's Tomb, the 16th-century garden tomb that inspired later Mughal architecture, then go to Lodhi Garden for tombs among trees. Have lunch at Khan Market. In the afternoon, visit India Gate and the National War Memorial, and walk along the ceremonial avenue (now called Kartavya Path) toward Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential residence, which you can photograph from outside. Finish in Connaught Place, the colonnaded commercial hub.

Day 3: South Delhi

Day 3 moves south along the Yellow Line metro. Start at Qutub Minar, the 13th-century brick tower in a complex with ancient ruins, then walk into the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park if you like quieter ruins. After lunch, visit Hauz Khas Village, where a medieval reservoir and tomb sit beside modern cafes. End at the Lotus Temple, the Baha'i House of Worship, which is free to enter and has a quiet interior; check its weekly closing day first.

How do you shorten this plan to 2 days or extend it to 4?

With 2 days, merge the headline sights and drop the slower stops; with 4 days, add Agra or a more relaxed pace. The core order stays the same.

• 2 days: Day 1 is Old Delhi (Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort). Day 2 is Humayun's Tomb, India Gate and Qutub Minar, using an app taxi between them. Skip Hauz Khas and the Lotus Temple.
• 4 days: Keep days 1 to 3 and use day 4 for the Taj Mahal in Agra. Alternatively, add the National Museum, Akshardham Temple (check its closing day and bag rules) and Sunder Nursery, a restored garden next to Humayun's Tomb.

Is a day trip from Delhi realistic?

Yes, but only Agra works well as a single-day trip, and it is a long day. Agra is roughly 200 km from Delhi, reached by fast train or by road, and the Taj Mahal is closed one day a week (traditionally Friday), so confirm this before booking.

• Agra: Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Leave early and book a return that gets you back the same evening.
• Jaipur: Possible as a very long day but tiring; it is better as an overnight stop.
• Mathura and Vrindavan: Temple towns for a slower, spiritual day.

Decide your return time before you book, and leave a margin for traffic leaving Delhi.

How do you get around Delhi?

The Delhi Metro is the fastest and most predictable way to cross the city, with app-based taxis and cycle-rickshaws filling the gaps. You can reach most sights in this plan by combining the two.

• Metro: The Yellow Line links Chandni Chowk, New Delhi station, Central Secretariat, Hauz Khas and Qutub Minar. The Violet Line serves Jama Masjid and the stations near Humayun's Tomb and the Lotus Temple. Avoid the busiest rush hours if you have luggage.
• App taxis: Convenient for the last mile and for late evenings; check the price shown in the app before you ride.
• Auto-rickshaws: Good for short hops. Agree on the fare first or ask for the meter.
• Cycle-rickshaws: Best only inside Old Delhi's narrow lanes.

Where should you eat, and what about kosher food?

Eat street food in Old Delhi, sit-down meals in New Delhi and cafes in South Delhi. Street food is a highlight, but choose busy stalls with fresh, hot food and drink bottled water.

• Old Delhi: chaat, parathas and sweets around Chandni Chowk.
• New Delhi: Connaught Place and Khan Market for lighter meals and cafes.
• South Delhi: Hauz Khas Village and the Green Park and Greater Kailash areas for cafes and restaurants.

For kosher food and Shabbat arrangements, check with the local Jewish community or the Chabad house before you travel, and plan Shabbat meals and walking distances in advance. Vegetarian food is easy to find in Delhi, which helps if you are keeping kosher.

What do you need to know before you go from Israel?

Before flying from Tel Aviv, check entry rules, flight schedules and the current Israeli travel warning for India. Rules change, so rely on official sources rather than a blog.

• Entry: Israeli passport holders generally need a visa for India; check the official Indian e-visa portal for current rules, fees and processing times.
• Flights: Check current schedules for direct and connecting options from Ben Gurion; offerings change often.
• Warnings: Read the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) and Foreign Ministry travel advisories for India before booking.
• Best season: October to March is the most comfortable. April to June is very hot, July to September is monsoon, and air quality can be poor in winter, especially November to January.
• Money: Bring a card that works abroad and a little cash in rupees for rickshaws and markets.

What mistakes should you avoid, and what will Delhi cost?

The biggest mistakes are overpacking each day, crossing the city several times and starting late. Delhi rewards a slow pace and a clear order.

• Skipping the weekly closing days: Check each site before you fix your route.
• Zigzagging: Do not mix Old Delhi and South Delhi on the same day.
• Underestimating security lines: Major monuments have bag checks and sometimes queues.
• Ignoring air quality and heat: Pack a mask in winter and water and sun protection in summer.
• Taking rides without checking the fare: Use apps or agree on the price first.

How much does a 3-day Delhi trip cost?

Delhi is inexpensive by Israeli standards, and your biggest costs are usually the flight and the hotel. Transport, food and entrance fees stay modest, especially if you use the metro and eat local food.

• Getting around: The metro is the cheapest; taxis and rickshaws add up but are still low compared to Tel Aviv.
• Entrance fees: Foreign visitors usually pay a higher ticket price than locals at major monuments; check the official sites.
• Food: Street food is very cheap; restaurants with drinks cost more.
• Guides: A licensed guide helps in Old Delhi but is optional.