10 Places to Visit in South Delhi

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is a historical monument of national importance and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This almost 240 feet tall minaret dates back to the year 1199 and was built by the founder of the Delhi sultanate, Qutubdin Aibak. You can climb to the top of the tower following a spiral staircase made up of 379 steps.

Hauz Khas Village

The Hauz Khas Village can be best described as an art district of the nation’s capital. It is home to many independent fashion boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and quirky cafes where you will find people enjoying a tete a tete, almost any time of the day. Not just cafes, you will also find a plethora of restaurants in Hauz Khas, serving a variety of fare, from Tibetan, Mexican to experimental Indian food.

A generously sized park situated in one corner of this pedestrian village, known by the name of Deer Park is a pleasant, green space where you can enjoy an evening stroll. The park has everything from picnic gazebos, a beautiful lake facing old tombs, and religious monuments that date back to the 14th century.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a beautiful place to visit in South Delhi and is spread over a staggering area of 200 acres. The park contains over a hundred monuments of historic and cultural importance which will transport you to a different era and offer plenty of photo-ops.

Tughlaqabad Fort Delhi

Tughlaqabad Fort is also named as the Ruined Fort and is considered to be a symbol of strength for Tughlaq dynasty. Built in 1321-1325 AD by Ghiyasu’d-Din Tughlaq, this fort is said to be his dream even before he was the ruler. He wanted to build a city where his people could live in harmony and feel protected by the presence of the fort. Tughlaqabad Fort is most beautiful specimens of pure islamic architecture and has a touch of the Sultana’s.

From the walls to domes and carvings everything was on point and It can be witnessed on the 13 entry gates of this fort, each one of them have amazing designs. Tughlaqabad Fort was famous for its greatness but still it got abandoned not long after it was built. There are many stories which claim that the place is cursed and is haunted.

Legends says that a Sufi saint cursed the place and it led to the downfall of Tuglaq dynasty. Today this place has become home to many other stories which adds to its existence. It is cursed or not, but this place will not fail to amuse you as you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the capital from the top of the fort and can capture the scenic beauty this place offer in your frame.

Garden of Five Senses

Garden of Five Senses is a place to visit in Delhi for fun, irrespective of your age, gender or vocation. This twenty-acre site is located in the Said-Ul-Azaib village and is defined by the many sensory experiences it offers to the visitors. It has spiral walkways, elephants cut out of stone, intricate water baths and many other artistic endeavours which will keep you enthralled throughout your visit.

Iron Pillar

Apart from the Qutub Minar, another interesting monument found in the Qutub Complex is the Iron Pillar of Delhi. It is believed to have been constructed by ‘King Chandra’. Presumably King Chandragupta II, one of the most powerful rulers from the Gupta Empire. Standing at a height of 23 feet and 8 inches, the pillar is famous for its rust-resistant metal composition.

Weighing at about 3,000 kilograms, the pillar is believed to have been moved to Delhi from the Udaygiri Caves in Madhya Pradesh. The pillar carries several different inscriptions which mark its presence in different periods of time and at different locations. The interesting history and different interpretations throughout the British Era can be learnt about at the site, making it a fun place to explore!

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple is one of the prominent landmarks in the city. It is a Bahai House of Worship and is well-known for its flower-like shape. The building is made up of 27 free-standing flower-like petals that have actually been made using marble and it is one of the best places in South Delhi.

The white marble used in making the surface is the temple was sourced from the Penteli mountain of Greece and the same marble has been used in the construction of several ancient monuments including the Pantheon! The central hall has a capacity of fitting 2,500 people inside at one time which gives a fair idea of its scale. The fact that it is partially powered by solar electricity, makes it the first of its kind in Delhi.

Location: Lotus Temple Rd, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019

Jamali Kamali

The Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb are two significant monuments located inside the Archaeological Complex of Mehrauli. The architectural beauty of these twin monuments is what draws most tourists to the site. The tombs are believed to have belonged to Jamali, a Sufi saint who lived in the pre-Mughal dynasty and Kamali, an unknown person who has been buried next to the saint and poet.

The mosque has been built using red sandstone and marble with beautiful arches decorated with medallions and ornamentation. Adjacent to the mosque is the tomb with an intricately painted roof with Quranic inscriptions, in blue and red, which make it a sight to behold.

Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli is an ancient step-well located on Hailey Road. It is 15 meters wide and 60 meters long and has 108 steps. The baoli is believed to have been built by the legendary king Agrasen and its architectural style dates back to the 14th century. The massive structure offers several photo-taking opportunities, so much so, that the 2012 Formula One models’ photo shoot also took place here.

The place became particularly famous after it was featured in the Aamir Khan movie, PK and in Salman Khan’s Sultan. If you are looking for not-very-crowded places to visit in South Delhi, you can definitely visit the baoli in the early hours of the day!

Location: Hailey Road, KG Marg, near Diwanchand Imaging Centre, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

Deer Park

Deer Park is located in one of the posh areas of Delhi, Hauz Khas Village. This lovely verdant park is well-maintained, where you will get the sight of various birds and animals. From beautiful rabbits hopping around to the running deer behind the barricades and peacocks dancing around, this park is a treat to the kids’ eyes and also fun things to do in Delhi for kids.

You can further feed the ducks at the Hauz Khas lake nestled in the middle of the park. There is furthermore an open skating rink and a lavish restaurant settled amidst the greenery.

Champa Gali

Champa Gali is one of the hidden lanes of Delhi that brims with cafes, culture, and art. The mood of the lanes is intoxicating with a number of absolutely delightful cafes, coffee shops, and art galleries.

The popular cafe within the alleys of Champa Galli like Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Caara Kitchen, SOHO Bistro & Cafe, and Cafe Hameen Auto fill the area with a homey charm. Champa Gali has evolved into one of the trending places to visit in Delhi for couples who like to enjoy some quality time together over a coffee or a book.

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb, as the name suggests, is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun which was designed by Persian architects in the mid-sixteenth century and was the first garden-tomb to have been built on the Indian subcontinent. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1993 and has undergone extensive restoration.

The beautiful tomb is built following the Persian Islamic architectural styles and is surrounded by a 30-acre wide garden known as the Char Bagh. Within the complex can be found other monuments of importance like the tomb and mosque of Isa Khan, the tomb and garden of Bu Halima, and Arab Serai among others. When here, you can spend your time soaking in the immense beauty of the intricate architecture and relax in the manicured lawns that have also been designed following ancient Persian styles.

Sarojini Nagar Market

Sarojini Nagar is a famous neighborhood of South West Delhi and an atypical shopping spot where you can get hundreds of items with your pocket money itself. It is located very close to Safdarjung Airport and before it got the name Sarojini Nagar it was called Vinay Nagaland and later its name was changed to Sarojini Nagar. The colony is filled with Safdarjung Enclave, South Extension, Laxmibai Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Chanakyapuri, and Netaji Nagar. This is one of the most vibrant places in Delhi to buy various items like clothes, accessories, shoes, fabrics, etc.

The street-side shops will sell even branded items at cheaper rates. Garments of any color, any size, any shape would be available here but questioning your bargaining power. During the bomb blasts in 2005 in Delhi, Sarojini Market was also included but it was rebuilt afterward. Almost all the shops in the market are of different families. The Babu Market, Subzi Market, Central Market, Mandir Wali Side Market are the different sections of the Sarojini Market offering you multiple selections of items ranging from garment shops to food shops.

Every time the markets are uncontrollably crowded- visitors or locals come to purchase multiple items of your likes at an unexpectedly low price. INA is the closest metro station to Sarojini Market.

Buddha Park

When looking for places to visit in South Delhi for fun, a visit to the Buddha Park, also known as the Buddha Jayanti Park can prove to be fruitful. The park is known for its combination of manicured parks with beautifully unkempt places where nature has overtaken everything.

The whole part is dotted with inscriptions of Buddha’s teachings, some done on rocks and others on statues. Also, there is a Budhha statue situated near Gate No. 1 in the park. This green escape in the city also attracts a plethora of animals and birds and you can spend a good time bird-watching here. Some of the most commonly spotted birds include lapwings, barbets, kingfishers, parakeets, etc.

Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is one of the most popular shopping gateways in New Delhi, where music, food, fun, and festivities converge in one place. Extending over the area of six-acre, this ethnic marketplace is symbolic of the lifestyle and culture of the people living in this city.

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