The Best Attractions in Delhi/NCR - A Definitive Weekend Itinerary

It’s always a good idea to start from the heart of the capital. There’s so much you can do here. It is the official shopping hub of Delhi and hence if you’re looking to buy anything authentic for yourself or for your loved ones, this is the place to be at. If you wish to go for breakfast, there are so many options in proximity that you will be spoilt for choice:

After chilling the morning away at modern Connaught Place, you can take a short Metro ride to the oldest part of Delhi, which is Chandni Chowk. It is in these labyrinthine bylanes, that the real Delhi was born in. From authentic street chaat to architecture reeking of pre-independence flavour, old Delhi is a connoisseur’s delight with some of the best attractions in Delhi.

Here are all the things you can do and Delhi attractions that you can visit around here:

The unmistaken insignia of Mughal rule in our country, the Laal Quila continues to play host to the prime minister’s flag hoisting every year. You can relive the glory anytime by visiting this fabled fort.

The largest mosque in the world and definitely one of the most majestic also, Jama Masjid satiates a traveler wholeheartedly. The view from its tallest minarets is to die for; don’t miss it.

Craving the best Mughlai meat? You’ve come to heaven. With restaurants ranging from Karim’s, Al Jawahar to Aslam Chicken, this Chowk opens up to a culinary blast that you probably would not find anywhere else in the country apart from the Awadh region.

Well, who hasn’t heard of the Paranthe Wali Gali? The legendary parantha outlets in this lane are ever bustling with locals and tourists alike seeking to find unique flavours of deep-fried paranthas.

Now that you have enjoyed the culinary corner of the capital, it is time to rejuvenate with a couple of drinks.

For that, you can take a Metro ride to Rama Krishna Ashram Marg and get down at Paharganj to witness the Delhi belly.

This is probably one of Delhi’s most underrated and unnecessarily infamous places, but that’s probably what makes it so fascinating as well. Skip the usual capitalistic pubs and go raise a toast in the psychedelic bars of the capital. This is Dev.D in reality. Here are some of the best options:

We could give you other options to eat at as well, but Cafe Lota makes for a great pitstop in the overall Delhi tour. Apart from the fantastic fusion food and great breakfast options in this cafe, the fact that it is located inside the National Crafts Museum wins it some major brownie points. Hence this is where your second and final day in Delhi should commence.

Budget - Rs. 800 for 2.

Address - National Crafts Museum, Gate No. 2, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, Delhi 110001.

India Gate is merely two and a half kilometres away from Pragati Maidan. A tourist’s education on Delhi can never really be complete without witnessing the architectural marvel called the India Gate. Amar Jawan Jyoti is another spectacle you’d get to see once here. It’s actually a treat in Delhi winters, but it can be a bit difficult for one to stay there in summers, and hence our next stop should be the National Gallery of Modern Art. Located right opposite the India Gate along the circular radial, this is the premier art gallery hosted and taken care of by government of India’s Ministry of Culture. If you’re an art connoisseur, you can spend hours at a stretch at this gem of a place.

A short 4-km auto ride from the National Gallery gets you to a place completely different in function and time – the Dargah of Saint Nizamuddin Auliya. Once you enter the premises, you immediately understand why it was so inevitable for one to take a pitstop at this place. This Dargah is absolutely necessary to visit in order to understand the history and culture of the capital. From stray peer babas vying for your attention and money to the flavourful but dirt-cheap food joints all across, the Dargah will not cease to amaze you with its peculiarities. If you happen to like the place a lot, you could come back on a Thursday evening and listen to the soulful Qawwali too.

You can make a quick lunch stop while on your way outside at Ghalib Kabab Corner for Mutton Korma and Seekh Kebabs if you wish. Neither your time, your pocket, nor your tummy will be disappointed.

Now that you’d be slowly coming to the end of your Delhi weekend, it becomes almost mandatory for you to visit one of the most recognisable monuments of the capital – Qutab Minar. Half an hour away from Nizamuddin Dargah, Qutab Minar closes gates at 5 pm so you need to manage your time judiciously if you really wish to catch a glimpse of the Delhi Sultanate’s tallest (literally) contribution to India. There’s the Iron Pillar to admire in the vicinity as well. Stay hydrated by continuously drinking water or whatever’s available – it’ll be a long time before you can get out thanks to the crowd.

After loitering your way amidst the architecture from the medieval centuries, this post-modern emblem is where you must end your Delhi/NCR sojourn at. DLF Cyber Hub is accessible via the Metro and it takes hardly 35 to 40 minutes for one to reach from the Qutab Minar Metro station. There are so many posh eating and drinking joints in this beautiful melange, that it’ll almost be impossible for you to decide which one to settle in to end your day with. Let us give you some great options: