Delhi, India: The Ultimate Weekend Travel Guide

From the moment I arrived in Delhi, India’s capital, I knew it was a city I would love. A sprawling metropolis, much like LA or Mexico City, it is a harmonious contrast of old and new. In addition to being the perfect kick-off if you are exploring the Golden Triangle route of India, Delhi is the perfect city for a weekend getaway.

Related: Check out my Golden Triangle Itinerary to plan your trip to Delhi, Agra (where the Taj Mahal is located), and Jaipur.

Now that I’ve spent a few days in Delhi, I want to share all of my travel tips with you, including what to see and do, and where to eat, drink, shop, and stay.

While you can’t possibly fit everything into one weekend, there is plenty you can do that will give you a genuine feel for this vibrant and cultural city.

New Delhi vs. Old Dehli:

Even though Delhi is one of the largest cities in India, it feels manageable because the city is very spread out. The urban sprawl is essentially a bunch of connected neighborhoods. The biggest contrast is between New Delhi and Old Delhi.

New Delhi, founded in 1911 by the British, is the financial and commercial hub of the city. You can feel the mark left by the British with the wide paved avenues, manicured lawns, high-end shopping malls, hotels, and some of the city’s most famous monuments.

On the other hand, Old Delhi gives you a taste of what the city used to be like. It is a chaotic, cacophonous experience. Teeming with people, the narrow streets are full of shops with vendors hawking everything from street food and tourist trinkets to everyday essentials like soap, clothing, and shoes.

Any weekend getaway here should include a visit to both Old and New Delhi.

Where To Stay in Delhi, India:

There are many great hotels in Delhi. We wanted to be centrally located, so we chose the Shangri-La Eros in Connaught Place. We absolutely love this hotel. Our room was well-appointed and spacious, with a spectacular view. The hotel has three in-house restaurants, (more on them later), a gym, an outdoor pool, and a spa. If you book a Horizon level room, you get access to the private Horizon Club Lounge on the top floor, which serves complimentary cocktails and snacks every evening from 5:30p – 7:30p as well as complimentary breakfast every morning.

Other hotels that we considered include Le Meridien (situated right next to the Shangri-La Eros), the Imperial Hotel, and The Lalit, all located in Connaught Place. If you don’t mind staying further out from the city center, I recommend the ITC Maurya, Taj Palace, Leela Palace, and The Grand.

Getting Around Delhi, India:

Delhi actually has a very good public metro train system which I do recommend using if you want to avoid the crazy traffic! You can use this to get around the city, but if you’re trying to pack a lot of sightseeing into a couple of days, I recommend hiring a car and driver. It is relatively cheap to do so in Delhi, and the convenience will allow you to have more flexibility with your itinerary.

I would avoid the taxis in the old ambassador cars. They are a rip-off and the rides are much more expensive than taking an Uber. (We used Uber as well and had no issues doing this.)

Things To Do in Delhi, India:

If you have two (or three) full days in Delhi, I recommend seeing the following sights.

The Red Fort – The Red Fort is a MUST SEE. This historic monument gives you a real taste for the magnificence of the ancient cities of Delhi. The 17th-century sandstone fort is a blend of Mughal, Afghan, and Hindu styles of Architecture. The site served as a residence for Mughal emperors for almost 200 years, up to 1857.

Humayan’s Tomb – Also a must-see, the Mughal emperor Humayan’s wife commissioned this 16th Century tomb. This UNESCO World Heritage structure, situated in the center of the tranquil Chahar Bagh Gardens, is a beautiful blend of Persian and Mughal architecture and the first example of the garden-style tomb in India. (The Taj Mahal is the largest and most exquisite of the garden-style tombs in India.)

The Qutb Complex – This complex houses the famous Qutab Minar (also spelled Qutb Minar). This tower is a must-see if you visit this city. The minaret was built in 1193 and is 293.5 feet  (72.5 meters) tall.

Jama Masjid Mosque – This functioning Mosque situated in Old Delhi was one of my favorite places to visit in Delhi. We went on a Sunday and though it was extremely crowded, I loved discreetly observing people praying and reuniting with family. The mosque itself has an awe-inspiring presence, inviting reflection no matter which religion you observe.

Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli markets – After visiting the mosque, head straight across the street into the crowds and chaos of Old Delhi, including the Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli markets. Unlike the manicured lawns and wide boulevards of Connaught Place, Old Delhi will give you a taste of real India. Just be aware that the crowds are intense and you’ll constantly be dodging cars, motorbikes, and animals, like cows! But if you can stomach all of that, you’ll enjoy watching daily life unfold here.

The Lotus Temple – The Lotus Temple is a house of worship open to all regardless of what religion you practice, and it was dedicated in 1986. Since then, the Lotus Temple has become a must-see on any Delhi itinerary. The temple is built in the shape of a half-open floating lotus. With the surrounding green gardens and reflecting pools, it is quite tranquil despite the crowds.

Akshardham Temple – A relatively new Hindu temple in Delhi, Akshardham was inaugurated in 2005. Considered the 3^rd largest Hindu temple in the world, the architecture is something to behold. While it was worth visiting the temple itself, don’t bother with the surrounding cultural campus, which mostly offers gimmicky tours.

Travel Tip: If you visit, you can’t bring cellphones, cameras, or large bags into the premises. You either have to check them at a booth out front or leave them with your driver. We felt it was safer to leave our things in the car with our driver. They did allow me to bring in my small fanny pack and we could carry bottles of water.

Hauz Khas Neighborhood – If you want to get a taste for a fun, hip neighborhood in Delhi, head to Haus Khas. Full of shops, restaurants, and bars, we had a wonderful afternoon exploring this area. The neighborhood also abuts the Firoz Shah’s medieval ruins, beautifully situated on the banks of the Hauz Khas lake. It’s now a popular spot for teenage couples and groups of friends to hang out.

Where to Eat in Delhi:

Indian Accent – If you’re in the mood to splurge,  I highly recommend Indian Accent in Delhi. The space itself, surrounded by reflecting pools with firelit torches, is mesmerizing. We tried the 7-course tasting menu and felt perfectly sated by the meal’s end.

Karim’s Hotel – One of the best and most authentic places we ate at was Karim’s Hotel in Old Delhi. It’s quite a scene here, filled with locals and tourists alike. Make sure to order something from the tandoori grill and just a warning – most of the food packs a punch with Indian spices and heat. Make sure to order some raita (yogurt mixed with onions) if you’re not used to spicy food.

Mia Bella – If you want a laid-back lunch with splendid views of the Hauz Khas lake and Firoz Shah’s medieval ruins, head to Mia Bella. We feasted on chicken kebabs and washed it all down with a fragrant sangria.

Sundowner at Social Khas– If you make it to Haus Khas, you must pay a visit to Social Khas. This well-designed, rambling space that occupies 4 floors, is the cool hangout in the neighborhood. By day it’s full of entrepreneurs on laptops and at night, the crowds flock to one of the many bars or dancefloors. We went for a sundowner on the rooftop and it was just perfect.

Shang Palace – Our hotel, The Shangri-La Eros, has two very popular Delhi restaurants, Shang Palace and Sorrento. Both restaurants are great options if you need a rest from all of the Indian food you’ve been eating. They are stylishly decorated and on-trend with the locals as well.

Perch Wine & Coffee Bar – The Ragindra Nagar neighborhood in New Delhi is a great area to check out some truly local spots. A friend of ours who used to live in Delhi recommended Perch Wine & Coffee Bar and we loved it. Located in a strip mall with a bunch of other cafes and bars (strangely, you need to enter all of these places in an alleyway behind the buildings),  it was a bit of a challenge to find, but once we made it up two flights of stairs, we were pleasantly surprised by the open, airy feel. The bar serves global-inspired small plates and a variety of wines from all over the world.

Are You Ready to Spend the Weekend in Delhi, India?

I hope you found this Delhi, India travel guide helpful!

Personally, I can’t wait to get back to this city to do a deeper dive, exploring more of what this bustling and vibrant metropolis has to offer.

Do you have any questions or recommendations to add to this list? If so, you can add them in the comments below.

Happy travels!