A Day in Delhi: Explore the Capital’s Top Attractions in 24 Hours

A Day in Delhi Explore the Capital’s Top Attractions in 24 Hours

Delhi, the heart of India, is a haven for cultural blend and historical immersion. Even though life in the metropolis is marred by the hustle and bustle, a day in Delhi allows you to witness modernity blending with ancient charm, giving you a complete experience of Indianness.

If your idea of Delhi is uniformity, Delhi is bound to surprise you with its heterogeneity and beautiful co-existence of the opposite spectrums.

If you are planning on getting a first-hand experience of Delhi and embarking on a one-day trip in Delhi, we will guide you on your trip to explore the must-visit regions of Delhi.

We will also provide you with a one-day trip in Delhi itinerary so that you can plan your day properly. Just get ready to set out in the labyrinthine streets of Delhi to get your mouthful of the captivating capital of India.   

Places to Visit on a One-Day Trip in Delhi

1. Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple

With impressive architecture built by Sandstone and marble and sculptures carved intricately in the temple walls, Akshardham is a wonder in itself.

The temple is dedicated to Swami Narayan, whose spiritual journey and life is showcased in the entire premises of the temple.

The temple offers a cinematic glimpse into the life of Swami Narayan through moving statues and an hour-long movie on his life.

While you are visiting, you can end your day with the colourful and sprinkly water show and try the amazing food at the canteen.

Entry timings – 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on Monday

2. Red Fort

Red Fort

The medieval seat of the Mughal empire, Red Fort represents the history of India and is considered as the symbol of Indian freedom struggle.

The architecture of the fort signifies the grandeur and architectural prowess of the era with moats surrounding the Fort walls. 

The archaeological museum inside the fort showcases paintings and sculptures of the Mughal era. In the evening, a spectacular sound and light show showcases the history of the Red Fort.

Timings – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Entry fee – Indian citizens – Rs 35, Foreign citizens – Rs 500 

Closed on Monday

3. ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple

Situated on Hare Krishna Hill, ISKCON temple is a haven for everyone looking for a spiritual experience.

The day at Iskcon opens up with a chanting meditation and ends with Radhe Krishna aarti at the end of the day which is bound to leave you exhilarated. A discourse on Srimad Bhagwad Gita goes on throughout the day.

Apart from the architecture, the temple houses a library, a restaurant, a bookstore and plenty of exploration to do around. The temple also houses the largest printed Bhagwad Gita. 

Timings – 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days

4. Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple

Built of pure white marble in the shape of a Lotus, Lotus temple has won numerous accolades for its mesmerising architecture.

The temple opens on nine sides into a large central hall. Lotus temple belongs to the Baha’i faith spreading the message of harmony among different faiths.

As you get inside, you will feel tranquillity and peace as you would be advised to stay silent inside the temple.

If you are planning a one day in Delhi, visiting the Lotus Temple should be at the top of your agenda. 

Entry timings – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on Monday

5. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Dedicated to the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Harkishan, Bangla sahib is a symbol of peace and service in the heart of Delhi.

Constructed of white marble and golden domes decorating it, the gurudwara has a soothing architecture. The gurudwara houses a ‘Sarovar’ that is considered holy and curing people of all ills. 

You can get lucky enough to attend the Ardaas and collect prasad afterwards. Also, you can eat the holy food or langar on any day as you visit the gurudwara. Visitors are required to cover their heads inside the premises no matter what faith they belong to. 

Entry timings – 24 hours

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days

6. Sarojini Nagar Market

Sarojini Nagar market

If you are in Delhi, Sarojini Nagar would be the most resourceful place to find yourself at.

Albeit crowded, the market is lined with very useful items ranging from clothes to footwear, from electronics to utility items, there is rarely anything that you would not find in the Sarojini Nagar market at such affordable prices.

The street food in Sarojini Nagar Market is soul-pleasing as well. If you are not a shopping enthusiast, don’t worry, shopping at Sarojini is a very easy affair. If only you have honed your bargaining skills, you can have a very good time here. 

Entry timings – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on Monday

7. Old Delhi for Street Food

Old Delhi for Street Food for Day in Delhi

Wandering through the streets of Old Delhi, you will get a glimpse of why the street food of Delhi is so famous.

Whether you are looking for some tasty Pakoras or mouthwatering Paranthas (stuffed flatbreads), Old Delhi would be heaven for you. 

You must have heard about the famous Paranthe wali Gali of Chandni Chowk. It is a very popular place among tourists in Delhi. Taking very little time, it should be your must-visit place on your one day in delhi. 

Entry timings – 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days

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8. Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Earlier home of the Viceroy of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan is built with Mughal and European architectural designs.

The edifice is also decorated with Hindu architectural designs including elephants and motifs on the outer walls. 

The building is preceded by beautiful gardens known as Amrit Udyaan which bloom with flowers in the months from August to March and is open for tourists.

However, the building itself can be visited at any time of the year. The premises also house the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, which holds mementos of previous Prime Ministers and other relics of India’s past.

Entry timings – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Entry fee – Rs. 50 per person

Closed on – Rashtrapati Bhavan is open only on Saturday and Sunday, the Museum can be visited any day except Monday.

9. Waste to Wonder Park

Waste to Wonder Park

Built out of waste material, the park stands true to its name in showcasing how waste can do wonders. The park has seven wonders of the world built out of waste material in intricate details.

You can see the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum of Rome or even the Pyramids of Giza built stupendously out of waste material.

You can take pictures along with the monuments or even stroll leisurely in the park with the wonders lit up beautifully in the evening.

If you are planning a one day trip in Delhi, waste to wonder park would be a quick and satisfying stop on your trip.

Entry timings – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Entry fee – Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 25 for children below 12

Closed on Monday

10. Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid Day in Delhi

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India, built in the 17th century by emperor Shah Jahan.

The mosque is a magnificent structure with 3 entry gates and 4 towers. The courtyard has a capacity to hold 25000 people. The Mosque is very popular as a tourist place in Delhi and is a must-visit. 

Entry timings – 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee. Separate fees for entering the minarets Rs. 100

Closed on – Open on all days

11. Connaught Place

Connaught Place

Often called CP, Connaught Place is the downtown of the whole of Delhi. Not only is its heritage structure a treat to the eye, but the area has so much to offer to anyone looking for a great day in Delhi.

The place contains many high-end restaurants as well as well-to-do stays. You can get any brand with their stores in CP. It is a must for you to check out the heart of Delhi in CP. 

Entry timings – Shops usually open from 10 AM to 8 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days

12. Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar

The 73 metres high tower, Qutub Minar is an architectural wonder of the 12th century.

The minaret is decorated with verses from the Quran and is made up of sandstone.

It houses a spiral staircase that leads up to the top of the tower. An iron pillar of the Gupta age stands rustlessly on the premises showcasing the metallurgical prowess of the era. 

Entry timings – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry fee – Rs. 30 for Indians and Rs. 500 for foreigners 

Closed on – Open on all days

13. India Gate

India Gate Day in Delhi

A memorial of World War 1, India Gate is a remembrance of the reality of wars and a token to the 82000 Indian lives lost fighting in World War 1.

The arch of India Gate, resembling the Arch of Constantine, shelters the Amar Jawan Jyoti situated in the middle of it.

India Gate also boasts a larger-than-life statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and a National war memorial museum nearby to commemorate World War 1 Indian Casualties. 

Entry timings – 24 hours

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days 

14. Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb

Commissioned by the wife of Humayun, Empress Bega Begum, Humayun’s tomb is built in the Charbagh style out of red sandstone.

The tomb is considered as the precursor to the Taj Mahal, built in the same style.

The tomb houses beautiful gardens, ruins of ancient structures and graves of Humayun, Bega Begum and Dara Shikoh. 

Entry timings – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee – Rs. 10  

Closed on – Open on all days

15. Rajghat

Rajghat Day in Delhi

Famous as the abode where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Rajghat is a peaceful and beautiful garden.

With the inclined parks and the Samadhi of Gandhi, Raj Ghat has a tranquil vibe.

The premises house the Samadhis of Jawaharlal Nehru and other famous people as well. 

Entry timings – 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee – No entry fee

Closed on – Open on all days

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One Day Trip in Delhi Itinerary

One Day Trip in Delhi Itinerary

If you are planning to spend a whole day in Delhi and hoping to cover as many spots as possible, here’s an itinerary to a one day trip in Delhi to help you manage your trip well. 

  1. Start early at 7 in the morning and make Iskcon temple your first spot. Spend a comfortable amount of time here and witness the wonders of the morning aarti. 
  1. Make your way to the Lotus Temple, 2.8 km away from here. After finishing your morning meditation, take a 13-minute ride to reach Akshardham at around 11 AM.
  1. After estimating the beauty of the sculptures and taking a complete statuesque and movie experience, move over to the Red Fort at around 2 pm.
  1. Take your time at Red Fort including going through the museum. You must be hungry by now. 
  1. Make old Delhi your next spot to taste the delicacies. Move over to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and witness the peace.
  1. You can stroll through CP while you are near the area before moving over to your next spot which would be the Humayun’s tomb. 
  1. The sun must be setting by now and seeing the Indian gate lit as Tricolour would be the perfect way to end your day.

You can add or subtract some places as you deem fit. The suggestion is not to hurry to one place in order to cover more and more places.

Try to complete one spot thoroughly to witness the beauty of a place calmly. However, if you want to explore more places, spending less time in one place would be a perfect idea. 

FAQs

FAQs Day in Delhi
  1. Can I tour Delhi in one day?
  • Though there is too much to do in Delhi and too many places to visit, a one day trip in Delhi is however possible and convenient. Just make yourself an itinerary or book a tour with a tour company to make the most out of your day. 
  1. Activities to do in Delhi in one day
  • You can do many adventurous activities in Delhi if you are planning a one-day adventure trip to Delhi. You can do activities like ice skating, mystery rooms, laser tag or visit adventure parks.
  1. Which is the nearest tourist place to Delhi one-day trip?
  • You can visit places like Rishikesh, Agra, Damdama Lake, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and even Mathura-Vrindavan if you are planning a one-day trip to places near Delhi. 
  1. What is famous in Delhi to eat?
  • Delhi is famous for its food. You can try global cuisines in Delhi or even local food. Delhi is famous for its Momos, Dosas, Chole Bhature, Butter Chicken and Pani-puri chaat. 
  1. One day trip in Delhi for couples
  • If you are looking for the best places to visit in Delhi for couples, Hauzkhas, Connaught Place, Humayun’s tomb and countless restaurants and bars are perfect for some cosy time. 
  1. Where can I spend a full day in Delhi?
  • Places like Akshardham, Adventure Island, WOW and Sarojini Nagar Market offer full-day enjoyment in Delhi. 
  1. Is Delhi safe at night?
  • Though law and order are robust, some areas of Delhi are rather unsafe at night. Some places like CP and India Gate are completely safe for tourists at night.
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