Delhi Solo Trip

Delhi holds a very special place in my heart. It was the city where I boarded my first flight, took my first solo trip, and stepped a little further into adulthood.

In February 2025, I was a 21-year-old fresh graduate who had recently joined an MNC and was figuring out what adult life actually looked like. Originally, I was supposed to travel to Assam. But life had other plans. After a heartbreak, I decided to visit one of my college friends in Delhi instead. She was staying in a hostel there and offered me a place to stay.

Looking back, that spontaneous decision became one of the most memorable journeys of my life.

Day 1 — Delayed Flights, Historic Gardens, and a Phone Battery Crisis

The trip started with a small challenge. My flight was delayed by almost 2.5 hours, which completely disrupted my carefully planned itinerary. I was supposed to begin exploring around noon, but by the time I reached the city, it was already close to 2 PM.

My first stop was Lodhi Garden. Once home to the tombs of rulers from the Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties, this historic garden beautifully blends centuries-old architecture with lush greenery. I spent some time strolling through the gardens.It felt like a peaceful escape from the city's constant rush.

Originally, I had planned to continue to Khan Market, but because of the delay, I changed my plans and walked through the nearby Lodhi Art District instead. Known as India's first open-air public art district, its walls are covered with vibrant murals created by artists. Every corner seemed to tell a different story through colours, patterns, and creativity.

From there, I headed towards Agrasen Ki Baoli, a 14th-century stepwell tucked away amidst modern Delhi. Local legends associate it with the Mahabharata era, and over the years it has gained popularity as one of Delhi's most talked-about "haunted" places. It has also appeared in several Bollywood films, including PK, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Mom.

The stepwell itself is quite small, but there is something fascinating about descending those ancient stone steps while surrounded by towering walls. I sat there for a while, soaking in the atmosphere before continuing my journey.

Agrasen Ki Baoli, a 14th-century stepwell hidden amidst modern Delhi

Since it was within walking distance, my next stop was Connaught Place, often considered the commercial heart of Delhi. Built during the British era, its iconic Georgian-style architecture and circular layout make it one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

By this point, I was craving sushi. After wandering around for a while, I had dinner at a Japanese restaurant called Mount Fuji. I ordered octopus sushi and a salmon rice bowl, and honestly, it was some of the best Japanese food I have ever had.

Octopus sushi and salmon rice bowl at Mount Fuji, Connaught Place

One of the most unexpected highlights of the evening happened there. I met two students from Delhi University who were conducting a psychology project. They approached me and asked if I would be willing to participate in a short interview.

As someone who is naturally quite introverted, I usually don't start conversations with strangers. But travelling has a funny way of pushing you out of your comfort zone. What started as a simple interview turned into a genuinely enjoyable conversation. It reminded me that one of the best parts of travelling is meeting people you would never have crossed paths with otherwise.

After dinner, I headed towards Rajiv Chowk. Near Palika Bazaar, I noticed the iconic circular flower stalls that add a unique charm to the area.

The iconic circular flower stalls near Palika Bazaar, Rajiv Chowk

Standing alone in a city away from home with a switched-off phone was definitely not part of the plan.

Unfortunately, this is where my day became slightly stressful. My phone battery had dropped to around 12%, and I wasn't carrying a power bank. To make matters worse, I had also forgotten my charger. Since I still had about 45 minutes before heading back, I thought I could quickly explore Janpath Market and perhaps do a little shopping.

Then my phone suddenly died.

At first, I considered finding a nearby police station where I could possibly charge my phone. But my phone used an older charging cable, and I wasn't sure anyone would have one available. After thinking for a few minutes, I spotted an auto stand near Palika Bazaar. Fortunately, one of them safely dropped me back at my friend's hostel.

That experience taught me one very important lesson for solo travel: always carry a power bank.

Evening calm after a stressful end to a busy first day

Back at the hostel, my friend suggested a movie night. Well, technically she watched the movie while I spent most of it half asleep, after a long day of travel and sightseeing, sleep won the battle.

And just like that, Day 1 came to an end.

Day 2 — Shopping Adventures, Mughal History, and Sunset at Qutub Minar

Day 2 was one of the most exciting days of the trip. My friend and I started the morning with a mission that many girls will understand perfectly — shopping while convincing ourselves that every purchase was absolutely necessary.

Our destination was Sarojini Nagar Market, one of Delhi's most famous bargain shopping destinations. Known for export-surplus fashion and unbeatable prices, it attracts shoppers from all over the country. Armed with enthusiasm and questionable financial logic, we ended up buying nearly twenty items between us, including earrings, tops, shirts, keychains, and other small treasures.

For our lunch we stopped at a local restaurant for chilli chicken and fried rice—classic Indian-Chinese comfort food.

Our next stop was Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant monuments of the Mughal era. Built in the 16th century, it is widely regarded as the architectural inspiration behind the Taj Mahal.

The moment I walked through its gates, one thought immediately crossed my mind: twelve-year-old Sulagna would be so happy to know that one day she would actually stand inside the historical monuments she once read about in her school textbooks. As someone who has always loved history, that feeling was difficult to put into words.

One thing that particularly caught my attention was the number of parrots flying around the complex. As a city dweller, it was surprisingly refreshing to see so many birds gathered in one place. We spent quite a while exploring the grounds, admiring the architecture, and, of course, taking more photographs than strictly necessary.

The garden fountains at Humayun's Tomb, built in the 16th century

Twelve-year-old me would be proud — standing in front of Humayun's Tomb

From there, we headed towards Qutub Minar. Built in the 12th century, it remains the tallest brick minaret in the world and marks the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate period.

The atmosphere here felt completely different from Humayun's Tomb. The towering minaret, ancient ruins, open spaces, and changing colours of the evening sky created a beautiful setting. If you're planning a Delhi itinerary, I would highly recommend visiting around sunset. Watching the golden light fall across the monument is an experience worth having.

Qutub Minar bathed in golden evening light — the tallest brick minaret in the world · The intricately carved pillars within the Qutub Minar complex

Sunset at Qutub Minar — a moment of tranquility before the day winds down

Even after an entire shopping session earlier in the day, I still wasn't done. Since I had been unable to properly explore Janpath Market on Day 1, I returned and finally bought a few souvenirs to take back home.

Later that evening, my friend treated me and her roommates to pizza. We followed it up with delicious cheesecake from a local bakery stall.

There was one more Delhi food experience I didn't want to miss. I had hoped to visit Karim's in person, but time simply didn't allow it. Founded near Jama Masjid over a century ago, Karim's is one of Delhi's most iconic names when it comes to Mughlai cuisine. Instead, I ordered their famous nihari, paratha, and chicken biryani through Zomato.

The portions were enormous. There was absolutely no way I could finish everything, so I packed the leftovers and stored them for the next day before my flight home.

Some travel memories are grand monuments and historic landmarks. Others are simply sitting with friends, sharing pizza, cheesecake, and stories after a long day of exploring. Day 2 gave me both.

Day 3 — Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and Saying Goodbye to Delhi

The final day of my Delhi solo trip began much earlier than usual. I woke up around 5 AM to enjoy the quiet morning from my friend's hostel. For someone coming from a busy city, it felt surprisingly peaceful. The roads were almost empty, the air was chilly, and the only sounds I could hear were birds chirping in the distance. It was one of those simple travel moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.

The quiet 5 AM calm before a long final day of sightseeing

After soaking in the calm atmosphere for a while, I packed my luggage and headed towards Red Fort. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the primary residence of Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years and remains one of Delhi's most iconic landmarks.

As soon as you enter, you pass through Chatta Chowk (Meena Bazaar), a historic covered market where artisans once sold luxury goods to the royal household. Even today, it's difficult to resist stopping for a little shopping. I ended up browsing through souvenirs, rings, necklaces, and hair accessories before continuing deeper into the fort.

Red Fort, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century — a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Red Fort is one of those places where every corner seems to have a story. From the magnificent Diwan-i-Khas to the elegant Khas Mahal, the complex offers a fascinating glimpse into Mughal history.

If you're planning a visit, I would strongly recommend hiring a guide. Unfortunately, I was short on time and couldn't explore everything in depth. Looking back, I wish I had allocated more time for Red Fort because there is so much to see and learn.

Traditional jewellery on display at Chatta Chowk (Meena Bazaar)

From there, I headed to Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque and one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. Built by Shah Jahan in the 1650s, it can accommodate thousands of worshippers at a time. The grand courtyard, towering minarets, and intricate details make it an impressive place to visit even if you spend only a short time there.

My next stop was India Gate. Built as a war memorial in honor of Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War I, it remains one of Delhi's most beloved public landmarks.

Almost everyone I spoke to had the same advice: visit India Gate after sunset. While I stopped by during the day due to time constraints, I completely agree with that recommendation. The illuminated monument and lively evening atmosphere make it far more magical at night.

Before leaving Delhi, I wanted to spend some time in one of the city's most famous shopping districts, Khan Market. Often regarded as one of India's most premium retail destinations, it offers a mix of bookstores, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants.

My main reason for visiting was a bookstore that had been sitting on my Pinterest board for quite some time: Faqir Chand & Sons. Founded in 1951, it is one of Delhi's oldest independent bookstores and a paradise for book lovers. I spent a good amount of time browsing through the shelves before finally picking up a few books. Since it was the beginning of the year, I also received two beautiful bookmarks and a calendar as complimentary gifts. For a book lover like me, that felt like the perfect souvenir.

Faqir Chand & Sons, established 1951 — one of Delhi's oldest independent bookstores

Eventually, I returned to the hostel, enjoyed one final plate of chole bhature, said goodbye to my friend and her roommates, and made my way back to the airport.

Watching the sunset from the airplane window, heading home

Delhi surprised me in many ways. Before visiting, I expected history, monuments, and crowded streets. What I didn't expect were the small moments that made the trip memorable — getting interviewed by university students, bargaining in markets, and learning how to navigate a city on my own.

This trip wasn't just about sightseeing. It was about proving to myself that I could travel alone, make decisions independently, handle unexpected situations, and enjoy my own company.

Delhi still has so much left for me to explore. I missed several places on my list, including Banjara Market, many aesthetic cafés, comedy shows, heritage walks, and countless street food spots. Which means one thing: Delhi is definitely returning to my travel bucket list.

And hopefully, next time, I'll remember to carry a power bank.