One Day Trip From Delhi- Complete Guide with 14 Must-See Destinations
Reading Time: 11 minutesThe moment we speak of vacations, we think of a long itinerary and distant places. But have you ever thought that sometimes short breaks and one-day trips are precious and bring relief between the strenuous daily personal and professional lives? Delhi, the capital of India, is a busy city. If you are a resident of the city and seek some time out of your busy life, then you can try a one day trip from Delhi.
It may be a fun trip, an adventure trip, or a leisure trip, there are plenty of options to explore for a one day trip from Delhi. You can book a cab, ride your vehicle, or a bike for the trips. The trips are budget friendly and refreshing from the humdrums of city life.
Table of Contents
List of places to check out for a one day trip from Delhi
1. Damdama Lake
A quaint place in the state of Haryana, Damdama Lake is super perfect for a relaxing one day trip from Delhi via the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway and Sohna Road.
It is essentially a water reservoir and can be reached within one hour, a comfortable drive by car. Nestled in the Aravalli Hills, the landscape is calm and scenic. The lush greenery around the lake is a treat to the eyes. You can engage in many adventurous activities like trekking, walking, and also boating. The lake is a habitat for many birds, and hence it is a paradise for bird watchers. The place is good for a picnic as well. You need to note the timings of the lake: 9 AM to 6 PM. There is no entry fee. The best time to visit the lake is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. If time permits, you can also visit the Sohna hot springs near the lake.
2. Surajkund
An interesting place to visit near Delhi is Surajkund. One day is sufficient for the trip, the traveling distance being 40 minutes from Delhi.
The meaning of Surajkund is the Lake of the Sun, the pioneered by Tomar King Suraj Pal. It is an artificial lake with an embankment in the shape of an amphitheater built in a semi-circular manner with the Aravalli Hills at the backdrop. Its construction dates back to the 10th century. Suraj Pal was a worshipper of the Sun God, and hence, you can find ruins of a Sun temple which was built by him. And if you happen to visit between 1st and 15th February, then you can attend the famous Surajkund International Crafts Mela.
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3. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
A one hour drive from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is an ideal destination for a one day trip from Delhi. The place is specifically famous for the bird watchers.
About 250 species of birds can be observed at the sanctuary, including local and migratory ones. You will love to watch the birds flying across, their chirping sounds creating a melodious tune in the air, and the flapping sounds of their wings.
4. Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham temple is not far from the main hub of Delhi; it is within the city premises. It is dedicated to Bhagwaan Swaminarayan.
You can spend many hours walking around the temple, offering your prayers, and meditating. If you love architecture, then you can spend some good time appreciating the patterns, designs, sculptures, and artistry of the temple. The architecture depicts the history of Indian culture. At night, there is a light and water show near the step-well. There is a museum, library, exhibition theatre, and even a boat ride. Remember to wear modest clothing while visiting the temple as a respect to the religious beliefs of the people.
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5. Murthal
One of the fascinating places to visit if you are planning a one day trip from Delhi. Known as the Paratha capital of India, it is a 65 km drive from Delhi.
The place is originally said to be the residence for Jats. You will find almost 50 dhabas or restaurants serving mouth-watering parathas in different varieties and styles. Besides, there are plenty of options for having breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Foods and beverages from different cuisines are the unique factor of the place. If you are planning breakfast, then plan to arrive early in the morning.
6. Chhatarpur
Known to the temple town of India, it is a perfect spot to visit from Delhi, especially if you are religious-minded and love visiting temples.
You need to start early in the morning for the trip since it’s a bit far from the city and will be almost more than 9 hours’ drive. You may plan to stay for the night and then return the next day. Chhatarpur was built by the Chauhans. They constructed many temples around the town, the famous among them being the Mahavir temple.
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7. Kurukshetra
The moment we hear about Kurukshetra, the tales of the Mahabharata flash through our memories. And the beauty is that the place is just a 3-hour drive from Delhi.
Indeed, perfect for a one day trip from Delhi. If you love mythology and history, you should plan to visit the place and soak up the tales of yesteryears. Spend some time near the Brahma Sarovar, believed to have been created by Lord Brahma. People go for a holy dip in the water tank to seek spirituality. Jyotisar is another place in Kurukshetra, which is a must-visit. The divine spot where Lord Krishna narrated the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Next is the Bhardakali Temple, one among the 50 Shakti Peeths, constructed for Goddess Kali.
8. Agra
One of the most popular tourist destinations, Agra, is about a three and half hours drive from Delhi. And who would not want to visit Agra, where one can witness the majestic Taj Mahal? Besides, there are multiple historical places, buildings, and monuments to visit in Agra – Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, and many more.
Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The place is also quite popular for its eateries, where you will be served the local dishes and drinks. So, do not miss out on that part while visiting Agra.
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9. Rishikesh
The Yoga capital of India is indeed a place to explore if you are residing near Delhi. Almost 4 hours and 15 minutes journey by car along the Delhi – Hardwar Road.
If you want to spend your time in meditation and rejuvenating your soul with yoga, then you must visit Rishikesh. Perfect for a one day trip from Delhi. It is believed that Lord Vishnu attained the form of Hrishikesh or the Lord of Senses at this place. There are several ashrams and yoga centers at this place, which you can visit and acquaint and train yourself. The fact that it is located just beside the holy river Ganges keeps the weather calm and serene, ideal for such kind of meditation. Besides, the place attracts adventure lovers since you can go for water rafting, trekking, paragliding, and hiking.
10. Alwar
If you are a history buff, then Alwar is the place for you to explore from Delhi. It is the gateway of Rajasthan.
About a 3 hours and 15 minutes journey from Delhi, it houses some stunning buildings, palaces, monuments, and forts from the yesteryears. Nestled amid the magnificent Aravalli Hills, Alwar is believed to be the place where the Pandavas took refuge during their exile as per the epic Mahabharata. It was then called Matasya Desh. The natural beauty of Alwar is also enticing, with lush greenery, gorgeous valleys, and green plains beaming with several bird species. The must-visit sites at Alwar are the City Palace, Government Museum, the Lake, Bala Quila or the Alwar Fort, Moosi Maharani ki Chatri, Raja Bharthari Panorama Museum, and the Tomb of Fateh Jung. The Indo-Islamic architecture of the buildings is worthy of millions of appreciations.
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11. Jaipur
The Pink City of India and the capital city of Rajasthan, is one of the iconic places for a one day trip from Delhi.
It is almost a 5 hour drive from Delhi, along NE 4. Museums, gardens, forts, lakes, and other astonishing sites are the specialty of the place. There is a reason for it being named the Pink City; the majority of the buildings are painted in pink with a tinge of terracotta for the contrasting effect. History says, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had painted the city pink as a mark of welcome to Prince Albert of Britain to strengthen the ties with the British Empire. The popular sites to visit in Jaipur are Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, Albert Hall Museum, City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort.
12. Pushkar Lake
If you desire to immerse and intertwine yourself with piousness, culture, and history, then you must add Pushkar to your list of places to visit for one day trip from Delhi. Compared to others, the travel will be longer, almost seven and a half hours from Delhi by road. So you need to start early for a visit to the lake. The recommendation is to stay overnight and return the next day for a comfortable journey.
The lake, with its scenic beauty and calmness, is a treat to the eyes. Representing the ancient history of India, the lake has stood witness for years, purifying the hearts of thousands of tourists visiting the place every year. There are about 52 bathing ghats and 500 temples near the Pushkar lake. The fact that it is mentioned in the Hindu mythology as one among the five Paanch Sarovars or the holy lakes has made it a very religious site to visit. Locals believe that if you go for a holy dip into the lake waters during Kartik Poornima, the full moon day between October and November, the soul is purified, sins are washed away, and the body is freed of ailments. And if you happen to plan your visit during this time of the year, then you can be part of the Pushkar Fair and be a part of the local cultural and sports events. Another interesting part of the lake is the fish and marine animals, spotted in some parts of the lake.
13. Mathura and Vrindavan Gardens
One of the fascinating tourist destinations in India, frequented by thousands of tourists every year. The interesting part is that Mathura and Vrindavan Gardens are only 2 and a half hours’ drive from Delhi.
If you are a believer of Lord Krishna, then the place is furthermore attractive to you. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan Gardens are witness to Raas Leela by Lord Krishna and Radha. You must visit the Vishram Ghat, Dwarkadhish Temple, Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Krishnabhoomi Temple, and Banke Bihari Temple. And not to miss is the sensational Nidhuban and Seva Kunj inside the Vrindavan Gardens. Be during the day or at night, the view is magical. Located just beside the banks of the river Yamuna, the air around is refreshing and perfect for a quiet stroll or to sit down and relax while soaking in the natural beauty around. At night, the lights illuminate the entire place brilliantly.
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14. Haridwar
In the Hindu religion and mythology, Haridwar is the most revered religious and pious site. The footfall experienced by the town every year is humongous, such is its divine power.
A journey of 3 hours and 40 minutes by car, an ideal place to visit for a one day trip from Delhi. Said to be the “Entryway to God” or heaven. As per the Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan, when the ocean of milk was churned, drops of Amrita split from the celestial pitcher into Haridwar. The place where the Amrita drops fell over is known as the Brahma Kund and is at Har Ki Pauri. Har ki Pauri is said to be the most sacred and holy ghats of Haridwar, where people queue for a holy dip. Haridwar is the place where, every 12 years, the world famous Kumbh Mela occurs. It was held in 2025 for a span of 45 days and was visited by thousands and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. It is wonderful to watch the priests performing the Ganga Aarti every evening at the ghats of the river with the flaming lamps, the playing of the drums, and the religious chants and hymns. A magical and hypnotic environment is created throughout the place, and you will be tuned into the “Har Har Mahadev” and “Har Har Gange” chants.
Tips for a one day trip from Delhi
- Do not miss out on carrying your mobile phone
- Carry a power bank to keep your phone charged and have continuous access to the internet for directions or tracking restaurants, shops, etc.
- Ensure to carry water and some light snacks to keep you energized throughout the journey
- Carry sunglasses, caps, and sunscreen lotions to protect yourself from the sun
- If you are an avid photographer, a camera with backup memory chips and batteries is a must
- Keep your wallets and keys safe
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you may need to walk in many places
- Carry your identity proof
- Carry cash as well as cards
Hope by now you have gained sufficient information on the prominent destinations to visit for a day from Delhi. Wish a happy and enjoyable trips to these locations.
