Delhi's Historical Sites: A One-Day Bike Itinerary

Summary

Explore Delhi’s rich history on two wheels with this one-day biking itinerary covering iconic sites from Red Fort and Jama Masjid to India Gate and Qutub Minar. Ride across Old, Central, and South Delhi, enjoy local food, beat traffic, and experience centuries of history in a single adventurous day.

Exploring Delhi’s historical sites in a single day becomes easier and more efficient on two wheels, allowing you to cover iconic landmarks and heritage spots with a bike on rent in delhi.

New Delhi on two wheels

New Delhi is a mixture of striking contrasts. While on one hand it has historical monuments that are more than five centuries old, on the other it also has some modern architecture to suit every kind of interest. Exploration here can be fun filled but not without its own challenges.

Delhi is famous for its traffic. An auto rickshaw that could cover 10 kilometers in any other city will take at least an hour in Delhi. And with so much sprawl, nothing is close enough to walk to. Naturally, it is not easy to get a good deal on a cab to cover a whole day of tours. So how do you really do it? The answer is- On Two wheels!

Delhi's legendary traffic can still be worked around with a little bit of effort on a bike. You'll have the freedom to explore more than 1,000 years of history at your own pace while also managing to park at any of the packed historical sights at will.

Pre Ride Checklist

1. Get Your Ride: If you have a bike nothing like it. If you haven’t got one, all you need is to hire one from any of multiple options available in the market. ONN bikes can be one of the reliable sources for you to rent a bike.

2. Check Your Gear:

• Helmets are mandatory In Delhi for the rider as well as the pile on.
• Comfortable shoes will be helpful as you would often have to walk a lot in the monument complexes.
• Carrying a bottle of water is advisable as the city can be really hot during the day for most of the year.
• Phone Mount can help you navigate your way safely.

3. Time to Start: The best time to start is from 6 am to 7 am. You will escape the heat and get to the monuments before the crowds.

4. The Route: From the Mughals to Today

• The Itinerary takes you from Old Delhi to Central Delhi, then to South Delhi.
• Total Distance: 45 kilometers.

The Walled City (Old Delhi) - Morning

As you make your way through the awakening City of Delhi, take note of the scenery. Small, congested streets lined with the morning bustle. The calls of morning vendors, the scent of freshly fried jalebis, and calls to the morning prayer.

Stop 1: The Red Fort (Lal Qila)

Arrival Time: 07:00

Parking: The parking area is adjacent to the Lahori Gate

In 1648, Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal began massive construction of the fort which is built with massive and solid red sandstone, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stretches a little over two kilometers and is lined with a variety of structures. We suggest you make a stop at Diwan-e-Aam. Don’t forget to stop at the Chatta Chowk (covered bazaar) as well.

Pro Tip: Your bike will take you closer to the fort than most cars, enabling you to access and leave the area faster than most.

Stop 2: Jama Masjid

Distance: 1.5km (5-minute ride)

Arrival Time: 08:30

Dress Code: Men must cover their legs, and women must cover their legs and shoulders. Everyone must take their shoes off before entering.

This is one of the 10 most popular and one of the largest mosques in the entire country, constructed in 1656. The mosque’s region of worship is able to accommodate 25,000 people with a standing court. Should you choose to, you can make the trek to the very top level of the southern minaret. The passage to that is through the southern minaret and will provide you with a view of the entire old city and the rooftops that surround you.

Stop 3: Breakfast

Distance: 500 meters

Location: Chandni Chowk

Station your bike at the appointed bike parking area, then you may make a foot journey to the sections of streets that wind and weave with each other.

Most prominent options:

• Paranthe Wali Gali: This Street has been in action since 1870. Stop here to taste stuffed fried Parathas.
• Karim's: Classic Mughlai cuisine such as mutton korma.

Why do bikes win here? Cars aren’t allowed on these streets.

The British Era (Lutyens’ Delhi) – Mid-Day

Enjoy your ride through the wide, tree-lined streets designed by Edwin Lutyens. They are spacious, organized, and impressive- a total change from Old Delhi.

Stop 4: India Gate and National War Memorial

Distance: 8 km (20 to 25 minutes)

Arrival Time: 10:30 AM

At the end of Kartavya Path (earlier called The Raj Path) is a 42-meter monument honoring the soldiers of WWI. The new “National War Memorial” is located by the gate.

Photo Op: You can park at the memorial and take a picture with your bike and the gate in the background.

Stop 5: Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament House (Drive By)

Distance: 2 km (5 minutes)

Drive west on Kartavya Path. You cannot go in without clearance, but you can drive by and take in the sight of the sheer architectural splendor of the massive Presidential home and Parliament House.

Stop 6: Lunch

Stop: Khan Market or Connaught Place

Khan Market: It is more two-wheeler friendly. Some of the popular options are ‘Big Chill Cafe’ or ‘Café Turtle’.

Connaught Place (CP): Georgian architecture in a circle. This place has numerous options across all major cuisines as well as street food. This is also a prime location for shopping.

Ancient Ruins (South Delhi) – Afternoon

The area has a slightly faster pace, spacious roads, and more foliage. South Delhi has tree cover and a chill vibe.

Stop 7: Humayun's Tomb

Distance: 7 km from CP (15-20 minutes)

Arrival Time: 2:00 PM

This site, and the Taj Mahal, are two pieces of the same history. Humayun's tomb was made in 1570. This tomb was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent so be sure to take a stroll around the large complex. You can easily spend anywhere from 60-90 minutes exploring.

Stop 8: Lodhi Gardens (Optional)

Distance: 4 km (10 minutes)

Arrival Time: 3:30 PM

This 90-acre park has 15-century tombs scattered throughout. They have paths for bicycle riding and also offer seating at various parts of the park- just the place for you to relax a bit before heading to the final leg of your eventful day.

Stop 9: Qutub Minar

Distance: 10 km (20-25 minutes)

Arrival Time: 4:30 PM

This complex holds the tallest (72.5 meter) brick minaret in the world, built in 1193. There is a fascinating, non-rusting ‘Iron Pillar’ among the ornate red sandstone, which is striking in the late afternoon sun.

Parking: There is plenty of space for two-wheelers at the entrance.

Why choose a Two-Wheeler

- Save you time in Traffic

- Saves you effort: Two wheeler designated parkings are generally closer to the entrance at most locations.

- Saves cost: While public transport can work out cheaper, it will eat up a lot of time in commute. Covering an itinerary like this may even take you time until late in the evening. Private transport on the other hand can be strenuous on your wallet demanding anything in the range of ₹2,500 - ₹4,000 to cover such a distance.

- Convenience: Stop whenever you like; spend more time at locations that pleases you most or just have the freedom handy to change the plans whenever you want.

Tips For Riders

- Traffic in Delhi is fairly heavy and is genuinely monitored by the traffic police. So follow traffic rules for your own’s and other’s safety.

- Use a phone powered mount and a GPS just in case you disconnect from the cell towers and you get remapped.

- Keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water.

- Always lock the bike and put a helmet on.

- Avoid the busy hours.

Conclusion: 500 Years in 10 Hours

You began in the 17th-century Mughal Empire, flowed through the Allied British Raj, and ended your journey at medieval monuments. All in a single day & on two wheels.

Delhi is huge and crazy, and on a bike, it's thrilling. You've traveled over 45 kilometers, experienced a handful of most important historical sites, enjoyed epic street food and still managed to save thousands of rupees.

Download the ‘ONN Bikes app’ here and book your ride today!

To make the most of your itinerary, planning routes and understanding key travel tips can enhance your experience, especially when you follow a bike rental step-by-step guide.