How many days · Delhi · India
How many days do you need in Delhi?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tamjeed Ahmed, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Delhi, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Old Delhi, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas, an evening of qawwali and a day trip to Agra; add more time if you are continuing to Jaipur or the hills.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 10.3 h (Dec) to 14 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Humayun's Tomb |
| 2 days | Good | Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and India Gate and Kartavya Path |
| 3 days | Good | Khari Baoli spice market, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Lodhi Garden |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Agra and the Taj Mahal and Jaipur |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Delhi add up to roughly 18–21 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Chandni Chowk (Half a day), Swaminarayan Akshardham (3 hours) and Red Fort (2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Red Fort | 2 hours | Old Delhi |
| Jama Masjid | 1 hour | Old Delhi |
| Chandni Chowk | Half a day | Old Delhi |
| Humayun's Tomb | 1.5–2 hours | Nizamuddin |
| Qutb Minar | 1.5 hours | Mehrauli |
| India Gate and Kartavya Path | 1 hour | Lutyens' Delhi |
| Khari Baoli spice market | 1 hour | Old Delhi |
| Gurudwara Bangla Sahib | 1 hour | Connaught Place |
| Lodhi Garden | 1–2 hours | Lutyens' Delhi |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah | 1–1.5 hours | Nizamuddin |
| Swaminarayan Akshardham | 3 hours | East Delhi |
| Lotus Temple | 1 hour | Kalkaji |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Red Fort and Jama Masjid |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for India Gate and Kartavya Path |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Agra and the Taj Mahal and Jaipur |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Delhi with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Delhi?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Old Delhi, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas, an evening of qawwali and a day trip to Agra; add more time if you are continuing to Jaipur or the hills.
+Is a week too long in Delhi?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Agra and the Taj Mahal and Jaipur.