Planning Your Delhi Trip — Itineraries, Best Time & Weather
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: Ideal. 20-30°C, clear skies, Diwali festivities
- 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, focus on Old Delhi for the most intense Delhi experience.
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Paranthe Wali Gali
- 9:00 AM: Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque)
- 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, Rajpath, 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)
The Festival of Lights transforms Delhi. Markets overflow with decorations, sweets, and fireworks. Houses and monuments are illuminated. Book hotels early — prices spike.
Holi (March)
The colour festival. Join public celebrations at India Gate or book an organised Holi party at a hotel. Wear white clothes you don't mind losing.
Republic Day (January 26)
Massive military parade on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path). Book grandstand tickets through official channels months in advance. The city feels patriotic and festive.
Qutub Festival (November/December)
Classical music and dance performances at Qutub Minar. Limited seating — check INTACH or Delhi Tourism for tickets.
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.